Grace Presbyterian Church
Seeking to equip people to live as Christian disciples wherever God has placed them.
Welcome And Opening Prayer
Prelude Our Father, God in heaven above Barbara Harbach
Responsive Call to Worship
One: The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)
All: We belong to God.
One: For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:25)
All: In God, we find life, abundant life, everlasting life.
One: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. (Luke 6:38)
All: We give ourselves to God. We worship with our lives.
One: Let us worship in prayer and praise, in word and deed!
Hymn Red 484* “The Old Rugged Cross”
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross,
where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross,
so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ’twas on that old cross
Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day
to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share.
Call to Confession
Confession of Sin
Gracious God, sometimes I look around and compare myself to others to make myself feel better. Sometimes it makes me feel worse. In this moment, I come as I am. Just me. And you know me. You know my heart. You know my thoughts. You know me at my best. You know me at my worst. Nothing is hidden from you. I am grateful that in Christ Jesus, I have nothing to fear. You love for me is from everlasting to everlasting. I don’t need to do anything to earn it, and your sole desire is that I love you back. I do this imperfectly in ways that I confess to you now…(Let us continue, personalizing this prayer for ourselves, in silent prayer.)
Assurance of Pardon
Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Prayer for Illumination in Unison
Living God, help us so to hear your holy word that we may truly understand; that understanding, we may believe, and believing, we may follow in all faithfulness, seeking your honor and glory in all that we do, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
First Scripture Reading (In Unison) 1 Timothy 6:17-19
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
Second Scripture Reading Luke 21:1-4
He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’
Sermon ENOUGH: Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity
Today’s Theme: A Spiritual Need to Give
Hymn Red 649* “We Give Thee but Thine Own”
We give Thee but thine own,
whate’er the gift may be;
all that we have is thine alone,
a trust, O Lord, from thee.
May we thy bounties thus
as stewards true receive,
and gladly, as thou blessest us,
to thee our first-fruits give.
To comfort and to bless,
to find a balm for woe,
to tend the lone and fatherless
is angels’ work below.
The captive to relieve,
to God the lost to bring,
to teach the way of life and peace—
it is a Christ-like thing.
And we believe thy word,
though dim our faith may be;
whate’er for thine we do, O Lord,
we do it unto thee.
Affirmation of Faith Stewardship
We believe in God,
Creator of the universe,
Giver of every good gift,
Author of life itself.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
who reminded us of the coming of God’s kingdom,
who commanded us to care for those in need,
who taught us to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth,
and who gave us the example of self-giving love.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who inspires us to faithful stewardship of God’s gifts,
in whom we live and move and have our being,
by whom all things are possible.
We believe that God has given us gifts to be shared freely and generously,
in a spirit of love and joy.
We acknowledge that we are merely stewards of all that is God’s,
caretakers of God’s home.
We believe that faithful stewardship is an act of worship,
a means of praising God who has blessed us so abundantly.
We believe that God has great things in store for us,
for it is in giving that we receive.
(Allen & Sara Ewing-Merrill, 2004)
Reflection on Stewardship Video featuring Jean Samson
Invitation to Support the Ministry of GPC in 2022
Offertory Voluntary on Romedal Robert Buckley Farlee
Doxology
Pastoral Prayer/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 Red 835* “Savior, Again to Your Dear Name”
Savior, again to your dear name we raise
with one accord our parting hymn of praise;
we give you thanks before our worship cease,
and now departing, wait your word of peace.
Grant us your peace upon our homeward way;
with you began, with you shall end the day;
guard now the lips from sin,
the hearts from shame,
that in this house have called upon your name.
Grant us your peace, Lord,
through the coming night;
turn all our darkness to your perfect light;
then, while we sleep,
our hope and strength renew,
for dark and light are both alike to you.
Grant us your peace throughout our earthly life:
comfort in sorrow, courage in the strife;
then, when your voice shall
make our conflict cease,
call us, O Lord, to your eternal peace.
Benediction
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84531485041?pwd=UXRMUGJIOFVOWUh4cFFRK3BoenVsQT09
Meeting ID: 845 3148 5041
Passcode: 391303
Phone In 19292056099,,84531485041# US (New York)
https://gracemontclair.org/covid-19/worship/