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 “Come, Holy Spirit” J. S. Bach
*Call to Worship Psalm 95
One: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
All: Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
One: For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
All: In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
One: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
All: for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 229 “From All That Dwells Below the Skies”
Prayer for Illumination Isaiah 55: 9-11
Scripture Reading (In Unison) John 10:22-30
Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
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
Lord we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, mind, body and strength and we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. You gave us two commandments to keep and we struggle to keep them. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 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 Psalm 23
One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks Be to God
Sermon The Shepherd Knows The Rev. Cynthia Wilcox
*Hymn 387 “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
*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 “At the River” arr. Aaron Copland
Julie Daidone, soprano
*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
Pastoral Prayer concluding with 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 170 “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour after the service!)
Good News! Sunday School will continue throughout the summer! Only exceptions are Fourth of July (this Sunday) and Labor Day Weekends.
Interested in learning how to become a member of Grace? Classes will be held this fall. Please contact Pastor Cindy at PastorCindy@gracemontclair.org to learn more.
Confirmation Classes to begin this Fall for 8th graders thru high schoolers who have yet to be confirmed. For more information, contact Pastor Cindy or the church office.
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.
Summer Wisdom Challenge!
THE MISSION- if you dare…
* in June: read Proverbs * in July: read Ecclesiastes * in August: read Job
with the MISSION ACCOMPLISHED all participants are invited to the celebration, Monday, August 25th, 4-5 PM walk on the Spring Lake boardwalk (or sit on a bench) 5-7 PM BBQ and discussion of the wisdom books back at Pastor Cindy and Dennis’ home.
Help keep the little food pantry filled this summer! Please bring non-perishables to church or leave on the Manse front steps. Kid friendly items are most welcome since school is out for the summer!
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is today, 5:00 – 6:30 PM at St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
Grace Ladies are invited to Chick Flick night with Union Congregational on July 23. The movie will be Wicked. Information is in the Eblasts that go out on Friday. RSVP by July 20 to karen.ermler@gmail.com, 973 820 6122. A $15 fee will be collected at the door for dinner and the movie.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.