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 “Gymnopedie No. 1” Erik Satie
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 105:1-6
One: Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
All: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
One: Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
All: Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob..
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 329 “God is Our Refuge and Our Strength”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) 1 Kings 3:5- 9
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
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, 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; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. 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 1 Kings 3:10-15
Sermon Make A Wish The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Hymn 833 “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”
*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 “Andante Cantabile” Ludwig von Beethoven from Sonata Pathetique, Op. 13 Beethoven
*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
Pastoral Prayers
Announcements
*Hymn 625 “How Great Thou Art”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for lemonade hour!)
The flowers in the chapel today were given by the Liangs in memory of Raymond’s sister, Irma.
Happening this Week:
Thursday, July 30, 1:30 PM, Sweet Hour of Prayer at the Manse.
Saturday, August 1, 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.
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) JAug 1, Aug 8, Aug 15, Aug 22, Aug 29. All ages and walking abilities are welcome.
All are invited to the Open Committee meetings / Pot Lucks at the manse:
GROW: Wednesday, Aug 5, 6:30 PM
REACH: Tuesday. Sept. 8, 6:30 PM
ACT/ Friends of Grace: TBD
CARE/ Deacons: Sunday, Sept. 20th, 12 PM
EXALT: Sunday, Aug 9, 12 PM
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!
