Grace Presbyterian Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude “Contemplation” Camille Saint-Saens
Responsive Call to Worship
One: The first Sunday of this Lent brings us to the moment at which Jesus comes up out of the waters of baptism to hear, “You are my beloved.” We are called to come up out of the depths of whatever seeks to keep us under and know that we are beloved of God. Come up, for now is the time to be fully who you are created to be for the sake of the world.
All: We come as God’s beloved to worship and be transformed.
Opening Prayer
Song* “You Raise Me Up”
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Psalm 25:1-10
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O LORD! Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Silent Personal Confession
Loving God, we come before you needing to feel lighter. We are weighed down with expectations and difficult news and the ways we stray from your path. Sometimes it is our own doing that weighs us down and leads us astray. In this moment of quiet, we lift up to you those things we’d like to give up for good… for the sake of The Good.
Responsive Assurance of Pardon Psalm 25, excerpts
One: …I proclaim to you in the name of Christ, we are forgiven.
All: In the name of Christ, we are forgiven. Glory to God, Amen!
Song of Joy* “You Raise Me Up (chorus)”
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading Mark 1:9-15
Message Come Up! The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 81* “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) (from A Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Offertory “How Great Thou Art” Omar Dickenson
Doxology (sung to the tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN, LM with Allelluia)
What are you up to for my sake?
What are you up to “for the Good”
Would you come now, follow, join up?
Let us take up, wake up anew,
Let us build up, fill up with you!
Let us lift up, gifts we raise up,
for the sake of, for the shape of,
Heaven on earth.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 341* “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!”
Benediction
If you are new to Grace Church, welcome! We are glad you’re here. Our fervent prayer is that when worship is concluded, you will leave this place refreshed and renewed to go out and serve the community in Jesus’ name. If you would like more information about Grace, please call the church office at 973-744-2565. You may also find information on our website, www.gracemontclair.org.
Children of all ages are a welcome part of our worshiping community. Noise and movement do not bother us. If, however, you would like the hour for yourself (We get it!) childcare is available for wee ones beginning at 9:30 in the Learning Center. The Learning Center is located on the far end of the larger building on this campus. Please note: When children are dropped off, you will be asked to fill out a registration form for allergy and emergency contact information including your cell phone number. We ask that you leave your phone on vibrate so that we can text you if necessary.
Sunday School begins after the Children’s Message for ages 4 to roughly 12 years old (or 6th grade). Older children can act as helpers if desired. Sunday School teachers lead the children to the classroom(s) in this building. On Sundays that we celebrate communion, the Sunday School will reenter at the end of service to sit with their families. There are no age restrictions for participating in the Lord’s Supper.
Mark your calendars:
After Church: Youth Group 3-5pm at Glen Ridge Congregational Church
The Church office will be closed February 19 in observance of President’s Day
Tuesday, February 20, 8:00 AM Men’s Breakfast at St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue
7:30 PM PNC Meeting at the Manse
Wednesday, February 21, Robin’s Women’s Bible Study, 2:30 pm at the Manse
Thursday, February 22, 10:00 am Church Rebuild online
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal at Union Cong Chapel
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted. 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. Donations of socks, hats, gloves and new or gently used and washed blankets are wanted for Friends of Grace. Bring them to church on Sundays and we will bring them to the manse for storage.