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 “Prelude and Fugue in D” J. S. Bach
(The Well-tempered Clavier, Book I)
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 145:8-14
One: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
All: For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
One: The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
All: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, let us hear His voice!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 451 “Open My Eyes, That I May See”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Matthew 13:1-9
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time with the 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.
*Passing of the Peace (Please remain seated until children have passed through.)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Most merciful God You give us your Word, but sometimes we are too stiff necked and hard hearted to read it or mediate on it. You offer us the Holy Spirit and a peace that passes understanding, but sometimes we are too busy to notice or receive. You have called us to do justice and show mercy, but sometimes our thoughts are crowded out by selfish ambitions. We are here today to pull weeds from our spiritual gardens so we can grow in faith and love your people. 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)
Scripture Lesson Matthew 13:18-23
Sermon Birds, Rocks, Thorns, Dirt The Rev. Dr. Victor Peterson
*Hymn 171 “A Sower Came from Ancient Hills”
*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 “Goldberg Variations: Aria” J. S. Bach
*Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
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 Great Jehovah”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
The flowers in the chapel this morning were donated by Denarra Simmons and family.
Happening this Week:
Sunday, July 12, 5-6:30 PM, Friends of Grace Community Dinner at St. John’s, 55 Montclair Avenue.
Tuesday, July 14, 7:30 PM, Reach Meeting on Zoom.
Thursday, July 16, 1:30 PM, Sweet Hour of Prayer at the Manse.
Thursday, July 16, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM. Confirmation Reunion at the Manse.
Friday, July 17, 5:30 PM, Fun, Faith, Family Friday in Brookdale Park.
Saturday, July 18, 8:30 AM, Walking group at Brookdale Park.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is July 12, 5-6:30 PM at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
JOIN US: Fun, Faith, Family Fridays @ Brookdale Park, Montclair: July 17 or 24 There will be something for everyone so bring friends, family, neighbors and stay for the 7:30 concert!
Confirmation Reunion July 16, 6:30 – 8 PM Ice Cream Social and Bad Goodminton at the Manse, 63 Tuxedo Rd. Bring a friend and come reunite with your Confirmation Class!
2nd Annual Summer Reading Challenge The Mission, if you dare, is to read through the Gospel of John over the summer. All participants are then invited to a Finale Celebration/Discussion, Monday August 31st, at 4 PM on the boardwalk in Spring Lake, followed by a BBQ at Pastor Cindy and Dennis’ home at the shore. Please RSVP so I know you’re participating and can encourage you!
Pray, Walk, Love – Summer Walking Groups: Saturday Mornings at 8:30 AM at Brookdale Park- meet at the rose gardens (look for our sign) July 18, July 25, Aug 1, Aug 8, Aug 15, Aug 22, Aug 29. All ages and walking abilities are welcome.
Ladies “Dinner & a Movie at Union Congregational” on Wednesday, July 22, at 6:00 pm in the Assembly Room at Union Congregational. The movie will be ‘Eleanor the Great.’ For dinner we will serve fried chicken, summer salads and desserts. The cost will be $10.00 per person.Please RSVP to Karen Ermler at karen.ermler@gmail.com to reserve a place for the dinner and the movie. Guests are welcome.
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 desperately 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!
