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 “Contemplation” Camille Saint-Saens
*Responsive Call to Worship from John 14
One: Do not let your hearts be troubled.
All: We believe in God; we believe also in Christ.
One: In our Father’s house, there are many rooms.
All: Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us.
One: Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
All: We come to worship the Way, follow the Truth, and live the Life.
One: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
All: Let us worship God in peace!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 1 “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Psalm 31:1-5
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me; take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Moment for Mission Christopher Petkovich and Dr. Muthoni Magayu
Medical Benevolence Foundation
Time with the Children
*Passing of the Peace (Please allow the children to exit before standing)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Almighty God, You called us to trust in You and not let our hearts be troubled, yet we confess that we often live in anxiety and fear. You promised to prepare a place for us, but we obsess over building our own kingdoms here and we fail to look beyond our own needs. Forgive us for trying to find our own way, our own truth, and our own life, rather than trusting that You alone are the way. Silent Confession.
Assurance of Forgiveness
*Glory Be to God in Song 582 “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)
Scripture Lesson John 14:1-14
Sermon What Story Are We Telling? The Rev. Margo Walter
*Hymn 525 “Let Us Break Bread Together”
*Affirmation of Faith (in unison) 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.
Introduction to the Offering
Offertory “Lamb of God” Twila Paris/arr. Mark Hayes
*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
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper/Pastoral Prayers
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 462 “I Love to Tell the Story”*
Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
The flowers in the chapel this morning were donated by the Van Atta’s.
Happening this Week:
Sunday, May 3, 3-4:30 PM, The Ecumenical Youth Group is serving at Toni’s Kitchen, 73 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair.
Tuesday, May 5, 8:00 AM, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
Tuesday, May 5, 1 PM or 7 PM, Big Picture Bible Study at the Manse.
Wednesday, May 6, 10:30 AM, Caregiver’s Group meeting in the Learning Center at Union Congregational.
Thursday, May 7, between 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, National Day of prayer, stop in the Manse for prayer.
Thursday, May 7, 7:30 PM, Choir Rehearsal in the Chapel.
Saturday, May 9, 1-3 PM, Crafty Meet Up at the Montclair Library.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
National Day of Prayer May 7
You are invited to stop in the Manse, located at 63 Tuxedo Road in Montclair, any time between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for prayer.
Save the date for a Crafty Meet up May 9! Meeting 1-3 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the Montclair Public Library at 50 S. Fullerton. For more information reach out to Emily Rishel. emilyandchristianrishel@gmail.com
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is May 17. If you can provide and appetizer, salad, or entree to serve 30 guests please let a Friends of Grace member know.
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.
Anyone interested in attending a dinner party at the manse or hosting a dinner party at your own home? Please Contact Pastor Cindy pastorcindy@gracemontclair.org
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!
Sign up now for “A Night at the Oscar’s” (Janet and Richard Oscar), Saturday, June 6th, 5 PM,
please contact the church office for details, or Janet Oscar. joscar@benefitnavigator.com
Sight and Sound – date: October 24, 2026 is the performance of “Joshua”; please sign up for the trip after coffee hour and the payment is due by June 1. $165 for adults and $110 for kids. contact Irene or Kem Mackey
