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.
PRELUDE – “My Lord, What A Morning” Traditional Spiritual Kathleen Kelly
WELCOME Rev. Katrina Forman
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Gather us in, the brokenhearted and the joyful.
All: Gather us in, the uncertain and awestruck.
One: Gather us in, the livestreamers and pew-sitters.
All: Gather us in, the young and the old.
One: Gather us in, to sing of God’s works.
All: Gather us in, to break bread together.
One: Gather us in, to worship and wonder.
All: Gather us in, to know of God’s love.
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
*HYMN #400 “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation”
GOSPEL READING – Matthew 22:8-10 (CEB) Patrick Walsh
8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding party is prepared, but those who were invited weren’t worthy. 9 Therefore, go to the roads on the edge of town and invite everyone you find to the wedding party.’
10 “Then those servants went to the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding party was full of guests.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Rev. Meghan Janssen
SUNG RESPONSE #327 – Jesus Loves Me (vs. 1) JESUS LOVES ME
Words: Anna B. Warner Music: William B. Bradbury
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
PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION (unison) Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Redeemer, forgive us. We confess our complicity with the systems of this world that hurt and harm your children and your creation. We confess our complacency with the status quo, incrementalism when urgency is required, and the claim that nothing ever changes. We confess our comfort holds more influence over us than your command that we love our neighbor as ourselves. Forgive us and release us from the bonds of guilt and shame so that we can be free to change and grow, free to receive your power and new life, and free to be your agents of transformation in the world. Holy One, in your mercy, hear our plea. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE
PASSING OF THE PEACE
EPISTLE READING Ephesians 4:1-16 (NRSVUE) Patrick Walsh
I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: 4 there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.[a]
7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it is said,
“When he ascended on high, he made captivity itself a captive;[b]
he gave gifts to his people.”
9 (When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended[c] into the lower parts of the earth?[d] 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11 He himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity,[e] to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
SERMON “Making Peace with Church” Rev. Meghan Janssen
*HYMN #523 “Someone Asked the Question”
OFFERING
Invitation Rev. Katrina Forman
Music for Meditation Dave Malyszko
*Response of Thanksgiving – Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Words: Thomas Ken, adapt. William B. Abernathy Music: Louis Bourgeois
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 Dedication (unison)
Generous God, thank you for these gifts and the privilege of giving. Increase our collective resources that we might serve your kingdom and bring honor to your name. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Our [Father/Name for God] in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
COMMUNION
Invitation to Communion
Words of Remembering
Prayer of Consecration
Sharing of the Elements
All are invited to come forward to the communion table.
We share gluten-free, nut-free bread and grape juice. The ushers will invite you forward. If you would like to be served in your seat, just indicate so to the ushers.
Communion Hymn “Come to the Table of Grace” Barbara Hamm
Prayer of Thanksgiving
*CLOSING HYMN “Blest Be The Tie That Binds”
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
the sharing of a common life is like to that above.
*BENEDICTION Rev. Meghan Janssen
POSTLUDE
Resources used or adapted in this morning’s liturgy:
· For Mercy: Service Prayers for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Year B was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay who serves as Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.
· Communion liturgy adapted from Gifts in Open Hands: More Worship Resources for the Global Community ed. Maren Tirabassi and Kathy Wonson Eddy
· Cover Image: Cara B. Hochhalter, Communion/Eucharist. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57515
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is August 11. If you can provide an appetizer, salad, or entree to serve thirty guests, please let a member of the committee or the church office know. Also, if you would rather make a donation instead to purchase these items, that is appreciated, too.
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 chapel on Sunday.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Give online to Grace Church: https://gracemontclair.org/give