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 “Fix Me” arr. David Malyszko
Responsive Call to Worship
One: From the Psalms, we hear, “Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.” Take a moment for gratitude. What are the things for which you are grateful? In the silence of our hearts, let us name them…….Great are your works, O Lord.
All: Pondered by all who delight in them.
One: Let us enter God’s gates with praise.
All: Let us enter into community with thanksgiving.
One: Let us worship God!
Opening Prayer
Song “Here and Now”
Here and now, here in this moment
Here and now I turn to You
All that my searching heart has longed for
can be found
‘Cause You’re in this moment, here and now
(Solo) What majesty, what mystery
The God of all eternity
Stepped into time and gave His life for me
Your hand is seen in galaxies
Yet Your Spirit dwells in me
So vast and yet You’re still within our reach
Here and now, here in this moment
Here and now I turn to You
All that my searching heart has longed for
can be found
‘Cause You’re in this moment, here and now
(Solo) There is nowhere You can’t be found
Nothing on earth could ever keep Your Presence out
Here and now, here in this moment
Here and now I turn to You
All that my searching heart has longed for
can be found
‘Cause You’re in this moment,
here and now
You’re in this moment here and now
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching–with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Silent Personal Confession
Gracious and Merciful God whose love is from everlasting to everlasting, we confess that we hold back. We compartmentalize our faith. We think in percentages and ponder what is proportionate. You model love that does not hold back. You teach sacrifice and faith that freely gives. We have much to learn. May we grow in faith and trust in you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Responsive Assurance of Pardon
One: Relentlessly God seeks us out with abundant grace and boundless mercy. This is good news!
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Message What’s Mine The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 400* “Pues Si Vivimos/When We Are Living”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) (from the Confession of 1967)
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 all people stand 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 humankind.
Offertory “Isn’t He?” John Wimber/arr. Mark Hayes
Doxology
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 391* “Take My Life”
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 Worship this Sunday: Annual Meeting
Notice is hereby given of the ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION of Grace Presbyterian Church and the ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION of Grace Presbyterian Church to be held in joint session at Union Congregational Church, Cooper A venue, Montclair, New Jersey on Sunday, January 28, 2024 immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service for the purposes stated below.
1. To elect Elders and Deacons to fill vacancies on the Session and Board of Deacons.
2. To elect members at large to the Personnel and Nominating Committees.
3. To receive reports and to conduct such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
4. To review and approve a proposed amendment to the bylaws of Grace Presbyterian Church press here.
To view and print the annual report press here.
Thursday, Feb 1, Church Rebuild online at 10:00 am/Choir Rehearsal Union Congregational
7:30 pm
Saturday, Feb 3, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon: Officer’s Retreat in the Cole Room at Union Congregational Church.
Sunday, Feb 4, We will have a combined service with Union Congregational in the Sanctuary
After Church, Feb. 4, Book Group meeting at the Manse – The Grace Book Group has picked The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips as its next read, and the group will discuss the book over lunch in the Manse on Sunday, February 4. It’s available in hardcover and as an ebook and audiobook. Contact Julie Daidone (c3missmom@aol.com) for more information.
Youth Group 3-5pm serves at Toni’s Kitchen
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. Please note that we do not need any more containers or stuffed animals at this time.
February 11 is the next Friends of Grace community dinner at 5 pm at St John’s Epsicopal at 55 Montclair Avenue. Salad is needed to feed thirty people. If you can help, please let a Friends of Grace member know.