Grace Presbyterian Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Prelude “Morning Has Broken” Tune: Bunessan
Responsive Call to Worship
One: From the hymn, “Love lifted me,” we proclaim our faith
All: And the reason why we gather.
One: All our hearts to Jesus we give,
All: Ever to him we cling.
One: In his blessed presence live,
All: Ever his praises sing.
One: Love so mighty and so true
All: Merits our souls’ best songs;
One: Faithful, loving service, too,
All: Always to him belongs.
One: Love lifted me.
All: Love lifted me, too!
One: When nothing else could help.
All: Love lifted us.
One: Let us raise our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls in praise to God!
Opening Prayer
Song* “Welcome” Mark Miller
Let’s walk together for a while and ask where we begin
To build a world where love can grow and hope can enter in.
To be the hands of healing and to plant the seeds of peace,
Singing welcome welcome to this place.
You’re invited to come and know God’s grace.
All are welcome, the love of God to share,
‘Cause all of us are welcome here; all are welcome in this place.
Let’s talk together of a time when we will share a feast,
Where pride and power kneel to serve the lonely and the least,
And joy will set the table as we join our hands to pray,
Singing welcome, Welcome to this place.
You’re invited to come and know God’s grace.
All are welcome, the love of God to share,
‘Cause all of us are welcome here; all are welcome in this place.
Let’s dream together of the day when earth and heaven are one,
A city built of love and light, the new Jerusalem,
Where our mourning turns to dancing, every creature lifts its voice!
Crying welcome! Welcome to this place.
You’re invited to come and know God’s grace.
All are welcome, the love of God to share,
‘Cause all of us are welcome here; all are welcome in this place.
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Jeremiah 31:31-34
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt–a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Silent Personal Confession
Living Christ, with whom we journey to the cross, we confess that we are always looking for an easier way. We long for the fullness of life with you, but we are slow to abandon the comforts of the life we know. We seek the fruit of new life, but we are not willing to die to ourselves. You call us to life in community, but we stubbornly cling to “me and mine.” Yet you offer the grace of life abundant, even and especially when our best efforts fall short. Transform us, renew us, and free us from our attachment to what was, so that you might bring us into the glory of what will be. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Responsive Assurance of Pardon
One: Friends, hear the good news! We worship a God who forgives our iniquities and remembers our sins no more. Proclaim the good news with me:
All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Amen
Gloria Patria
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading John 12:20-33
Message Springing Up/Lifting Up! The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 316* “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) from Heidelberg Catechism, Q.1
One: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
All: That we are not our own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Because we belong to him, Christ, by the Holy Spirit, assures us of eternal life and makes us whole heartedly willing and ready from now on to live for God.
Offertory “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Charles Converse
Doxology (sung to the tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN, LM with Allelluia)
What are you up to for my sake?
What are you up to “for the Good”
Would you come now, follow, join up?
Let us take up, wake up anew,
Let us build up, fill up with you!
Let us lift up, gifts we raise up,
for the sake of, for the shape of,
Heaven on earth.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayer concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 485* “To God Be the Glory”
Benediction
The liturgy this morning was written either by Pastor Robin, Marcia McFee (the doxology), or Ginna Bairby (for Presbyterian Outlook/free distribution).
Mark your calendars:
After Worship: Session Meeting at the Manse
Today: 3- 5 pm, Youth Group at Glen Ridge Congregational
Tuesday, Men’s Breakfast at St John’s Episcopal at 7:30 am, 55 Montclair Ave (note earlier time)
Tuesday, 7:30 pm PNC meeting at the Manse
Wednesday, March 20, 2:30 pm, Robin’s Women’s Bible Study at the Manse
Thursday, March 14, 10:00 am Church Rebuild online
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal at Union Cong Chapel
Saturday, Gospel Choir Rehearsal, 1pm-4pm, Union Cong Chapel
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted. 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.
Holy Week Schedule
(All Services will be held in the Chapel at Union Congregational except where noted.)
March 24, 10 am, Palm Sunday Worship Service
March 28, 7 pm, Maundy Thursday Worship Service
March 29, 11 am Cross Walk starting at Union Congregational followed by pizza
back at the manse.
March 29, 7pm, Good Friday/Tenebrae Worship Service
March 31, 6:30 am, Easter Sunday Sunrise with Union Congregational at Eagle Rock Reservation
March 31, 10 am, Easter Sunday Worship Service in the Chapel at Union Congregational
March 31, Easter Egg Hunt after worship service