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 “Sarabande” Johann Sebastian Bach/arr. s. Drummond Wolff
Responsive Call to Worship
One: Reading from Psalm 19. The law of the LORD is perfect,
All: Reviving the soul.
One: The decrees of the LORD are sure,
All: Making wise the simple.
One: The precepts of the LORD are right,
All: Rejoicing the heart.
One: The commandment of the LORD is clear,
All: Enlightening the eyes.
One: The fear of the LORD is pure,
All: Enduring forever.
One: The ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
All: Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable
to you, O LORD, our rock and our redeemer.
One: With that prayer in our hearts and minds, let us worship God.
Opening Prayer
Song* “Sanctuary”
Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
pure and holy, tried and true.
With thanksgiving,
I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Silent Personal Confession
God of righteousness, we confess that we have not been seeking your will in all things. Self-preservation occupies our thoughts, and we are guilty of being self-centered. We were created for justice and joy, but because of human sin, that seems a privilege afforded to some but not all. Purify us by your righteousness and enfold us in your grace. Sanctify our intentions and actions, that our lives may begin to reflect your Beloved Community, your kin-dom come. Amen.
Responsive Assurance of Pardon
One: Hear these words from the Apostle Paul, “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” The grace of Christ is sufficient for us.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
Gloria Patria
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading John 2:13-22
Message Raise Up! The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 361* “How Firm a Foundation”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Offertory “Why We Sing” Kirk Franklin
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
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper concluding with The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 388* “O Jesus, I Have Promised” (v. 4 only)
Benediction
Some parts of today’s liturgy were written by Ginna Bairby for Presbyterian Outlook and free distribution.
Mark your calendars:
Tuesday, March 5, 8:00 am, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave.
7:30 pm PNC Meeting at the Manse
Wednesday, March 6, 10:30 am, Robin’s Caretaker’s Group at Union Congregational
2:30 pm Robin’s Women’s Bible Study at the Manse
Thursday, March 7, 10:00 am Church Rebuild online
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal at Union Cong Chapel
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.
The next Friends of Grace community meal is March 10. We have the entree and dessert covered. If you could help by providing an appetizer, or salad to serve 30 please let a member of Friends of Grace or the church office know.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.