Grace Presbyterian Church
Seeking to equip people to live as Christian disciples wherever God has placed them.
Welcome And Opening Prayer
Prelude
Responsive Call to Worship from Psalm 19
One: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul, making wise the simple.
All: The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes. The ordinances of the Lord are to be more desired than gold.
One: They are sweeter than honey, the drippings of the honeycomb.
All: Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.
Hymn “Live Into Hope”
Call to Confession
Confession of Sin
Christ, you came to share good news with the poor and oppressed. You came to release the captives and grant sight to the blind. We, like the crowds that surrounded you at the beginning of your ministry, are fickle. We praise you when your words comfort us and are wary when asked to sacrifice. Forgive us, God, for our embrace of selfish spirituality and lukewarm commitment. Open our eyes to the true implications of your gospel. Help us to respond with joy to your gospel work. Time for silent prayer and reflection.
Assurance of Pardon
Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Prayer for Illumination in Unison
Creator God, your Word is a gift. It is our inheritance as the people of God. We give thanks, and we ask, Holy Spirit, that you move in this place. Open our hearts and eyes to hear what we need to hear, to know what we ought to do, and to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
First Scripture Reading (In Unison) Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Second Scripture Reading Luke 4:14-21
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Sermon A Good Word Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Affirmation of Faith from The Confession of 1968
In Jesus of Nazareth, true humanity was realized once for all. Jesus, a Palestinian Jew, lived among his own people and shared their needs, temptations, joys, and sorrows. He expressed the love of God in word and deed and became a brother to all kinds of sinful men and women. But his complete obedience led him into conflict with his people. His life and teaching judged their goodness, religious aspirations, and national hopes. Many rejected him and demanded his death. In giving himself freely for them, he took upon himself the judgment under which everyone stands convicted. God raised him from the dead, vindicating him as Messiah and Lord. The victim of sin became victor, and won the victory over sin and death for all.
Doxology
Prayer after the Offering
Music “O Love” Elaine Hagenberg
Pastoral Prayer/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 “Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated”“
Benediction
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