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 “We Worship and Adore You” arr. Mark Hayes
Responsive Call to Worship based on Psalm 139:7-10
One: Where can we go from God’s spirit?
All: If we ascend to heaven, God is there; if we make our bed in Sheol, God is there.
One: If we take the wings of morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
All: Even there God’s hand shall lead us, and God’s right hand will hold us fast.
One: God is with us even now.
All: Let us worship the Living God!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) John 1:43-51
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Opening Prayer
Time with Children
Hymn 324* “Open My Eyes, That I May See”
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Silent Personal Confession
Gracious God, you know us better than we know ourselves. You know our sins even before we confess. Being honest with ourselves is a challenge. Being honest with others brings fear of rejection, reprisal, or having it used against us in the future. But that is not who you are. You are the Author of Grace and the Giver of Second chances. Help us face our failings so we can move forward in truth and bring healing and justice to this hurting world. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)
Message The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 370* “Just As I Am” vv. 2-4
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! I try to count them — they are more than the sand; I come to the end — I am still with you.
Offertory “I Know I’ve Been Changed” arr. Damon H. Dandridge
Doxology
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Celebration of the Lord’s supper concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 357* “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”
Benediction
Liturgy provided by Presbyterian Outlook written by Teri McDowell Ott and edited by Pastor Robin.
Mark your calendars:
After Worship this Sunday: Friends of Grace Community Dinner 5pm at St John’s Episcopal 55 Montclair Ave.
Monday, January 15, church office closed due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 16, Men’s breakfast 8:00 am at St John’s Episcopal 55 Montclair Avenue/PNC 7:30 pm at the Manse
Wednesday, January 17, Robin’s Book Group, 2:30 pm at the Manse/Session Meeting 7:30 pm online
Thursday, January 18, Church Rebuild online at 10:00 am
Saturday, January 20, “Congregation Input Session for Church Rebuild” in the chapel at UCC from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is desperately needed. Non-perishables only please. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or given to a Friends of Grace team member at church on Sunday. Donations of socks, hats, gloves and new or gently used and washed blankets are also wanted.