Grace Presbyterian Church
Meeting in the Chapel at Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome
Prelude “For Unto Us a Child is Born“ Nicolas F. Dandrieu
Call to Worship Isaiah 9:2, 3, 6
One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
All: those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
One: You have multiplied exultation; you have increased its joy;
All: they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
One: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
All: authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
One: Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.
All: He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Opening Prayer
Hymn 31 * “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Prayer for Illumination
Unison Scripture Lesson Isaiah 7:10 – 14
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.”
Time with Children
Hymn 21* “All My Heart Today Rejoices”
Call to Confession
Confession of Sin followed by Silent Personal Confession in Unison taken from Psalm 51
Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my wrongdoings, And my sin is constantly before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; cleanse me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Assurance of Pardon
Praise be to God in Song “Gloria Patri”
Glory be to the Father, 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 1:3-14
Message Emmanuel Was Always the Plan Elder Norma Prescott
Affirmation of Faith (unison) from The Westminster Confession The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance, and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin: being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion.Which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.
Call to the Offering
Offertory “Noel Une Vierge Pucelle” Nicolas Le Begue
Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayer concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Hymn (sung twice)* “Emmanuel”
Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called Emmanuel
God with us, revealed in us
His name is called Emmanuel.
Announcements
Benediction
Mark your calendars:
Wednesday, January 1, 10 am, start the New Year with a walk around Brookdale Park, weather permitting. The group will meet in the upper parking lot and stop a few times for readings and prayer.
All donations must be in to the church office or post marked 12/31/2024 to count for this calendar year!
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and needed. Non-perishables only please. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
Fill out an Estimate of Giving Form for 2025 on Tithely! For those of you who already give online, please use your current login information to fill in your estimate of giving card. If you are new to Tithely, you may put in your information and you do not need to sign up for giving online when you do so. Feel free to also use the printed forms or to let the office know what you will be giving for 2025.