Grace Presbyterian Church and Union Congregational Church
SUMMER WORSHIP SERVICE in the Sanctuary of Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Centering Space
Prelude “Pastorale for Clarinet and Organ” Peter Mathews
Rob Middleton, clarinet/Dave Malyszko, organ
Call to Worship
One: Christ abides in us,
All: And we abide in him.
One: In Jesus, there is abundant life:
All: In this life and the life to come. We seek to embody that promise in all we say and do.
One: As we hear the gospel proclaimed today, let us choose again whom we will serve.
All: We choose to follow Jesus whose Spirit hears and answers when we call.
One: Even now, we listen for God’s voice,
All: and we lift our voices to bring our praises and our prayers to God,
One: Let us worship our God together!
Opening Prayer
Hymn 409* (black hymnal) “I Heard My Mother Say” (Vv. 1 and 4)
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson in Unison Joshua 24:14-16
24:14 “Now, therefore, revere the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the LORD.
24:15 Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
24:16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods[.]
Time With Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible Tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Call to Confession
Unison Recitation of the Breastplate of St. Patrick (portions)
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation…
I arise today, through
God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near…
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
Praise Be to God in Song Gloria Patri
Glory be to [the Father/our Maker], and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Lesson Ephesians 6:10-20 NRSV
Message Dressing for the Occasion The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn * “Your Peace Will Make Us One” words by Audrey Assad
sung to the tune of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”
Mine eyes have seen the glory of
the coming of the Lord
You are speaking truth to power,
You are laying down our swords
Replanting every vineyard
’til a brand new wine is poured
Your peace will make us one
I’ve seen You in our home fires burning
with a quiet light
You are mothering and feeding
in the wee hours of the night
Your gentle love is patient,
You will never fade or tire
Your peace will make us one
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Your peace will make us one
In the beauty of the lilies,
You were born across the sea
With a glory in Your bosom that is still transfiguring
Dismantling our empires ’til each one of us is free
Your peace will make us one
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Your peace will make us one
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Your peace will make us one
Call to the Offering
Offertory “Come Sunday” Duke Ellington
Doxology Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayers concluding with the Lord’s Prayer (“debts”)
Hymn 573* (black hymnal) “Lead On Eternal Sovereign”
Announcements
Benediction
The liturgy is prepared by Pastor Robin each week. Sometimes she uses outside sources for inspiration which are noted here. The pastoral prayer in recent weeks has been shaped in conversation with World In Prayer, a ministry of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, in Lodi, CA, USA, whose mission is to assist Christians to pray with current events in mind.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sunday, September 1, Ice Cream Social with Union Congregation after worship. See the Sign Up Genius list for details of what contributions are needed. Press here to sign up.
The next Community Dinner is September 8. If you can help provide appetizers, salad, or dessert to serve 30 guests please let a Friends of Grace member or the office know.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and needed. Non-perishables only please. With school out of session peanut butter, mac and cheese, and other kid-friendly items are needed. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the sanctuary on Sunday.
Give online to Grace Church: https://gracemontclair.org/give
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.