Grace Presbyterian Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude “For the Beauty of the Earth” Conrad Kocher
Responsive Call to Worship (based on on Ezekiel 17:22-24)
One: God takes a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar, and plants it on a high mountain
All: in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit and become a noble cedar.
One: Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind.
All: God welcomes. God loves. God provides.
One: Let us worship God!
Opening Prayer
Hymn 551 * “Come, Ye Thankful People Come”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Ezekiel 17:22-24
Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind. All the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken; I will accomplish it.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Personal Silent Confession
Lord, we confess that sometimes we don’t do what we can to create with you an Earth as it is in Heaven. We think what we do won’t make a difference. We can imagine big change but then don’t break it down into smaller pieces nor do we recognize your Spirit’s invitation to participate in the small joys or blessings or acts of hope for hope’s sake. Move us. Move in us, we pray. May we never give up on your vision. We commit ourselves again to this work, in Jesus’ name…
Assurance of Forgiveness
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading Mark 4:26-34
Message It’s the Little Things The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn insert * “In the Bulb There is a Flower”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) from the Belhar Confession
We believe
- that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells.
- that God’s life-giving Word and Spirit has conquered the powers of sin and death, and…that God’s life-giving Word and Spirit will enable the church to live in a new obedience which can open new possibilities of life for society and the world.
Choral Anthem “Oh, Glory” (excerpts) arr. Joseph Jouber
Call to the 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.
Hymn (insert) * “Tis the Gift to be Simple””
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy was written by Teri McDowell (for Presbyterian Outlook, provided for free distribution) and by Pastor Robin.
Mark your calendars:
Tuesday, June 18, 8:00 am, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave.
Wednesday, June 19, 2:30 pm, Pastor Robin’s Women’s Bible Study at the Manse
Thursday, June 13, 10:00 am, Church Rebuilding Meeting
Sunday, June 23, 5:00 pm, Community Meal at St. John’s Episcopal Church. See below for requests for donations.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
The Community Meal will be served next Sunday, June 23. If you can provide an appetizer, salad or entree to feed thirty guests, please let a member of Friends of Grace or the church office know.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and the supply is low right now. Non-perishables only please. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
Give online to Grace Church: https://gracemontclair.org/give