Grace Presbyterian Church
Meeting in the chapel at Union Congregational, 76 Cooper Avenue, Upper Montclair.
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome
Prelude “Air” Alessandro Scarlatti
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 112:1-9
One: Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
All: Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.
One: They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
All: They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 314 “Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Isaiah 58:1-9a
Shout out; do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins.Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they want God on their side.”Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day and oppress all your workers.You fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist.Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high.Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time With Children
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.
*Waving of the Peace (Due to flu and other illnesses we are going to “wave” to each other vs. hugging and shaking hands.)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Lord of Love- You call us to walk in your way instead of the way of the world. You call us to be salt and light. Yet we confess that our faith can lose its flavor; that our light can dim. We are tempted to live and work in the world’s power instead of the power of your love. We are hesitant to act or too comfortable to care. Restore and renew us and teach us to repent. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 582 “Glory to God”
Scripture Lesson Matthew 5:13-16
Sermon Where Are My Feet? The Rev. Margo Walter
Choral Anthem “Now Behold the Lamb” Kirk Franklin
*Affirmation of Faith (in unison) The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Introduction to the Offering
Offertory
*Doxology
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 Dedication
Announcements
*Hymn 65 “Guide Me, O Thou the Great Jehovah”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
The flowers in the Sanctuary this morning were donated by the Rishels.
Happening this Week:
February 8, 3-4:30 PM, Ecumenical Youth Group at Glen Ridge Congregational, 195 Ridgewood Avenue.
February 8, 4:15-6:30 PM, Confirmation Class helping with the Friends of Grace Community Dinner at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
February 8, 5-6:30 PM, Friends of Grace Community Dinner, St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
February 10, Reach Meeting, 7:30 PM on Zoom. No Big Picture Bible Study this week!
February 11, Norma’s Bible Study, 10:00 AM, in the Learning Center at Union Congregational.
February 11, Exalt Meeting, 7:30 PM on Zoom.
February 12, Sweet Hour of Prayer, 1:30 PM, at the Manse.
Favorite Hymn? If you have a favorite hymn that you would like to hear as part of the worship service, please let Pastor Cindy know.
The flowers on the chancel table will be distributed to congregants who can’t get to church. If you would like to donate flowers in celebration or in memory of anyone please contact Ruth Liang rrliang76@gmail.com. Also, if you have any spare vases you would like to donate, please bring them to church or drop them off at the Manse.
Food Pantry Supplies are always needed! We are in need of: Pasta, Rice, Cereal (hot or cold), Peanut butter, Tuna fish, Spam, Spaghettios (or similar canned pastas), Canned chili, Soup. Please bring items to church on Sunday or leave in the bin on the Manse driveway!
The Next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is today, February 8 from 5-6:30 PM at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue. Thanks to generous donors we are all set for this dinner!
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
