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 “Gymnopedie No. 1“ Erik Satie
*Call to Worship Psalm 16
One: Jesus invites us to a way of celebration, meeting and feasting with the humble and poor.
All: Let us walk his way with joy.
One: Jesus beckons us to a way of risk, letting go of our security.
All: Let us walk his way with joy.
One: Jesus challenges us to listen to the voices of those who have nothing to lose.
All: Let us walk his way with joy.
One: Jesus points us to a way of self-giving, where power and status are overturned.
All: Let us walk his way with joy.
One: Jesus calls us to follow the way of the cross, where despair is transformed by the promise of new life.
All: Let us walk his way with joy.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 473 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Isaiah 25:6-9
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”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 come before you some are hungry, some are angry, some are lonely and some are tired. We have not made an effort to meet you, neither on the mountain nor in our own living room. We have not craved your word, we have not invested in our precious relationship. We have not made an effort to love our neighbors because we have been too busy: Attempting to satisfy our cravings, squelch our rage, fill our lonely soul and appease our exhaustion- Unsuccessfully- we admit. Lord we humbly repent and lay it all before you today. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness from Romans 8
*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 Matthew 11:28-30
One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks Be to God
Sermon The H.A.L. T. Y. Technique The Rev. Cynthia Wilcox
*Hymn 562 “Eternal God, Strong to Save”
*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 Op. 118 No. 2” Johannes Brahms
*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 169 “In the Day of Need”
*Benediction
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!
Mark your calendars:
Today after Worship, Joint Coffee Hour with Union Congregational in the Assembly Room
Wednesday, July 23, Session Meeting, 7:30 PM online
Wednesday, July 23, Grace Ladies are invited to Chick Flick night with Union Congregational. 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.