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 “Come Sunday” Duke Ellington
*Responsive Call to Worship Psalm 145:8-14
One: The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
All: All you have made will praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might…
One: So that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
All: The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are oppressed
Opening Prayer
EVERY DAY WE ARE LEARNING Written by Amanda Gorman
Every day we are learning
How to live with essence, not ease.
How to move with haste, never hate.
How to leave this pain that is beyond us
Behind us.
Just like a skill or any art,
We cannot possess hope without practicing it.
It is the most fundamental craft we demand of ourselves.
LIFE Written by Amanda Gorman
Life is not what is promised,
But what is sought.
These bones, not what is found,
But what we’ve fought.
Our truth, not what we said,
But what we thought.
Our lesson, all we have taken
& all we have brought.
*Hymn 475 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Romans 7:15-20
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time with the Children
*Passing of the Peace
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Lord, We have ‘sinned.’ We have missed the mark. We have not hit the bulls eye…. which is living in ‘right relationship’ with you and others. Help us to set our stance, and keep our eye on the target, our face toward you and your ways. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 582 “Glory to God”
Scripture Lesson Romans 7:21-25
Sermon Liberty and Freedom for All The Rev. Cindy Wilcox
*Affirmation of Peace and Justice (in unison) Indonesia
I believe in God, who is love and who has given the earth to all people. I believe in Jesus Christ, who came to heal us, and to free us from all kinds of oppression. I believe in the Spirit of God, who works in and through all who are turned towards the truth. I believe in the community of faith, which is called to be at the service of all people. I believe in God’s promise to finally destroy the power of sin in us all, and to establish the kingdom of justice and peace for all people.
Introduction to the Offering
Offertory “Country” Keith Jarrett
*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
*Hymn 703 “Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me”
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper/Pastoral Prayers
There are no age restrictions for participating in the Lord’s Supper. Gluten-free bread is served and water is available instead of grape juice.
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 338 “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
The flowers in the chapel this morning were donated by the Rishels.
Happening this Week:
Tuesday, July 7, 8:00 AM, Men’s Prayer Breakfast at Chit Chat Diner in West Orange.
Thursday, July 9, 1:30 PM, Sweet Hour of Prayer at the Manse.
Friday, July 10, 5:30 PM, Fun, Faith, Family Friday in 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 July 12, If you can help by providing an appetizer, salad, or entree to feed 30 guests, please let a Friends of Grace member know.
JOIN US: Fun, Faith, Family Fridays @ Brookdale Park, Montclair: July 10, 17 or 24 There will be something for everyone so bring friends, family, neighbors and stay for the 7:30 concert!
Confirmation Reunion July 16, 6:30 – 8 PM Ice Cream Social and Bad Goodminton at the Manse, 63 Tuxedo Rd. Bring a friend and come reunite with your Confirmation Class!
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.
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!
