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 “Children’s Song #1” Chick Corea
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 139:1-10
One: You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
All: You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
One: You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
All: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
One: If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
All: If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 367 “Come, Ye Thankful People Come”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.let them hear.” “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” 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
Heavenly Father, We come before You with humility, acknowledging that our hearts are not always filled with the good seed You have planted. Too often we allow weeds of pride, anger, fear, selfishness, bitterness, and doubt to grow alongside the fruit You desire to produce in us.Forgive us for the times we have judged others – instead of trusting Your perfect wisdom and timing. Help us to remember that You alone know every heart and that You are both just and merciful. Make us faithful wheat in Your harvest, growing in faith, hope and love. In Jesus’ name, 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 13:36-43
Sermon Sorting Weeds and Wheat The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn (insert) “All Good Gifts”
*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 “Intermezzo in A Major Op. 118, no.2” Johannes Brahms
*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 39 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for lemonade hour!)
The flowers in the chapel today were given by Ariela Acevedo in memory of her Loyola classmate, Timothy James Lefebvre.
Happening this Week:
Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 PM, Session meeting/dinner at the Manse.
Wednesday, July 22, 6:00 PM, Women’s Dinner & A Movie with Union Congregational.
Thursday, July 23, 1:30 PM, Sweet Hour of Prayer at the Manse.
Friday, July 24, 5:30 PM, Fun, Faith, Family Friday in Brookdale Park.
Saturday, July 25, 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 August 9. If you can provide an appetizer, salad, entree or dessert to serve thirty guests, please let a Friends of Grace member know.
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!
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!
