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 “Hail the Day That Sees Christ Rise” Joseph David Jones
Call to Worship Psalm 5
One: Lord, through the abundance of your steadfast love we come into your house
All: We bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you
One: Lead us Lord in your righteousness, make our way straight
All: Let all who take refuge in you be glad, let them ever sing for joy.
Opening Prayer
Hymn 391 “Take My Life”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (in Unison) Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.”
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
One: This is the word of the Lord All: thanks be to God
Time With Children
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we acknowledge 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, and we have not loved our neighbor as our self. We are truly sorry and we humble repent.
Assurance of Forgiveness Psalm 28:6-7
Praise 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.
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Lesson Mark 9:50
Message Stay Salty The Rev. Cynthia Wilcox
Hymn “You are Salt for the Earth, O People”
You are salt for the earth, O people: salt for the reign of God!
Share the flavor of life, O people: life in the City of God!
Refrain:
Bring forth the reign of mercy, bring forth the reign of peace;
Bring forth the reign of justice, bring forth the City of God!
You are a light on the hill, O people: light for the City of God!
Shine so holy and bright, O people: shine for the City of God! (refrain)
You are a seed of the Word, O people: bring forth the reign of God!
Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice: grow in the City of God! (refrain)
We are a blessed and a pilgrim people: bound for the reign of God!
Love our journey and love our homeland: love is the City of God! (refrain)
Affirmation of Faith 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.
Choral Anthem “Oh Glory” Joseph Joubert
Julie Daidone, soprano
Call to Offering
Offertory
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 Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayers 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 and Benediction
Hymn 418 “God Bless your Church with Strength”
Notice is hereby given of a SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION of Grace Presbyterian Church to be held in the chapel at Union Congregational, 176 Cooper Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey, on Sunday, June 1, 2025, immediately following the 10:00 AM. service for the purpose stated below:
To dissolve the Pastoral Nominating Committee and to hear updates on the church rebuilding project.
Interested in learning how to become a member of Grace? Please contact Pastor Cindy at PastorCindy@gracemontclair.org to learn more.
Greetings!
As we see the light at the end of the rebuilding tunnel getting brighter and brighter, it is time to gather in small groups and revisit the question:
How is Christ calling Grace Presbyterian Church to meet the needs of the community and the world?
Let us prayerfully and faithfully gather over supper at the Manse and discuss this critical question. God did not rebuild this church structure to be on the historical tour or to be a community show piece, but instead to be a place that facilitates encounters with Jesus Christ: where spiritual, physical, and emotional needs are met.
We hope you will come to one of the Prayer, Listening and Supping sessions which will be held:
Wednesday June 4th, 11th and 18th, 5-7 PM at the Manse, 63 Tuxedo Rd. It will be a Pot Trust Dinner.
Please sign up on the sheets in the back foyer of the church or on the coffee hour table; sign up on the signup genius link; or email PastorCindy@GraceMontclair.org to reserve a seat for a day and time that works for your schedule. We will add other sessions as needed. Children and youth are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Summer Wisdom Challenge starts this week!
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, 72 Willow Lane, Spring Lake Heights, NJ for more information or to sign up, please contact pastorcindy@gracemontclair.org
Mark your calendars:
Today, June 1, Special Congregational Meeting after worship
Today, June 1, Book Group meeting after church in the Cole Room
Today, June 1, Youth Group serving at Toni’s Kitchen, 3-5 PM
Tuesday, June 3, 8:00 AM, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue. Contact Pat Walsh (fatherfigure@verizon.net).
Wednesday, June 4, 10:30 AM, Caregiver’s Group in the Learning Center at Union Congregational
Wednesday, June 4, 1:00 PM, Pastor Cindy’s Women’s Bible Study at the Manse
Wednesday, June 4, 5-7:00 PM, Prayer, Listening and Supping session at the Manse
Thursday, June 5, 10:00 AM, Church Rebuilding meeting on Zoom
Thursday, June 5, 12:00 Noon, Seasoned With Grace luncheon at Lauren Meyer’s home
Thursday, June 5, 7:30 PM, Choir Rehearsal in the Chapel at Union Congregational
Interested in learning how to become a member of Grace? 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 at PastorCindy@gracemontclair.org or the church office.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
The next Friends of Grace community dinner is this Sunday, June 22, 5 – 6:30 at St John’s Episcopal. If you can provide salad, an appetizer or an entree to feed 30 guests, please let the church office know.
Food for the Little Pantry: Please consider picking up non-perishables on your next grocery trip. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
