Grace Presbyterian Church
Meeting in the Chapel at Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome
Prelude “In Dulci Jubilo ” Friedrich W. Zachau
*Responsive Call to Worship
One: Arise, shine, for our light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon us. We have seen darkness cover the earth and thick darkness over the peoples.
All: But the Lord rises upon us and his glory appears over us. Lord, the nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
One: Let us lift up our eyes to the Lord. Let us assemble, sons and daughters from afar and worship you.
All: Let us look to the Lord and be radiant, our hearts will throb and swell with joy!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 151 “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Matthew 2:1-2; 9-11
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
…they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time With Children
*Passing of the Peace
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Almighty God, we know that in Your holy presence, all hearts are open, and all desires are known, and from you nothing is hidden. So today we acknowledge our sin to You. We have actively rebelled against Your will for us. We have passively rejected Your desire for us.We are more concerned with the viewpoints of others than with worshiping, serving, and obeying You. Forgive us and renew our hearts. Cleanse our thoughts, words, and actions, that we may devoutly love You and worthily magnify Your name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 582 “Glory to God”
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen. (sing 3 times)
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Amen.
Scripture Lesson Ephesians 3:6-12
Sermon We’ve Seen the Light! The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 152 “What Star is This with Beams So Bright”
*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 “Noel Etranger” Louis-Claude Daquin
*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
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Please note that the bread is gluten free and juice can be substituted with water.
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.
Announcements
*Hymn 157 “I Danced in the Morning”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
The flowers in the Sanctuary today were donated by the Van Attas.
Happening this Week:
January 4, Choir Rehearsal in the Chapel after worship.
January 6, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, 8:00 AM, at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
January 6, Big Picture Bible Study at the Manse, 1 PM or 7 PM.
January 7, Caregiver’s Group, 10:30 AM, in the Learning Center at Union Congregational.
January 8, 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.
Please prayerfully consider making an estimate of giving to support Grace Church. Extra estimate of giving cards are located at the chapel entrance. We ask that these cards be dropped in the offering plate or sent to the church by December 31 so we can budget for 2026. Please note that in order for your donation to count for 2025 it must be received or postmarked by December 31.
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is January 11. If you can help provide a salad or dessert to feed thirty guests please let a Friends of Grace member know.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
