Grace Presbyterian Church
Meeting in the Chapel at Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome
Prelude “Larghetto” Willem De Fesch arr S. Drummond Wolff
*Call to Worship Excerpts from Isaiah 49
One: Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth;
All: burst into song, you mountains, for the Lord comforts his people and will have
compassion on his afflicted ones.
One: The Lord has said “ I will keep you, I will restore you, Come out and Be free!”
All: Let us lift our eyes to the Lord, where our hope comes.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 688 “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Ephesians 6: 10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
One: The Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Time With Children
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.
*Passing of the Peace (Please let children pass through before standing.)
Call to Confession
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by time of Silent Confession
Gracious God, You call us to be instruments of your peace, but we often participate in division. You call us to love our neighbors, but we haven’t taken the risk to even know them yet. You called us to love you with all our heart, mind and soul, but we are too distracted by distractions to notice how busy we are. We struggle to slow down and look up. Lord, forgive us and lift our eyes to you. Teach us to trust not in ourselves, but in You, our Deliverer. By Your Spirit, strengthen us to walk alongside one another with patience, to pray with hope, and to trust You in every trial. Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen. 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)
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Amen.
Scripture Lesson Ephesians 6:12-17
One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks Be to God
Sermon SOS: Seeing Our Spirit The Rev. Cynthia Wilcox
Choral Anthem “The Lord is the Strength of His People” Sean Ivory
*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
*Doxology
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
Pastoral Prayers
Announcements
*Hymn 692 “Spirit, Open my Heart”
*Benediction
The flowers in the sanctuary today were donated by the Bradley Family.
Happening this Week:
October 12, Confirmation Class at the Manse, 63 Tuxedo Road, 12:00 -1:30 PM.
October 12, Ecumenical Youth Group for grades 6-12, 3:00-4:30 PM, meets today at Glen Ridge Congregational, 195 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge.
October 12, Friends of Grace Community Dinner, 5-6:30 PM at St. John’s Epsiscopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
October 14, Reach Meeting on Zoom, 7:30 PM. NO BIG PICTURE BIBLE STUDY!
October 15, Session Meeting at the church, 7:30 PM.
October 16, Sweet Hour of Prayer, 1:30 – 2:30 PM at the Manse.
October 16, Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 PM in the Chapel at Union Congregational.
Want to help with the time capsule? Please contact Yvonne Luengo yvonneluengo@gmail.com or Allyson Roe allyson.roe@gmail.com.
Want to come for dinner? Dennis and Pastor Cindy are hosting pot luck dinner parties for 10-12 people at the manse and would love to see you at the table! Please call the church office, 973-744-2565, and get on the guest list for a date that works!
Comfort Creature collection day, Sunday October 19. Friends of Grace is collecting small stuffed animals (no bigger than 6”) for the ambulance squads to give away to their patients to comfort them during medical crises. Please no beads so that there are no choking hazards for young patients.
It’s Harvest Season! Bring Your Friends & Family to Celebrate, Sunday, November 2nd!
3:30 – 4:30 PM Bulb Planting in the Grace Presbyterian Church Yard (rain or shine:)
4:30 – 6:30 PM Friendsgiving / Thanksgiving Pot Luck at the Manse, 63 Tuxedo Road
Please feel free to attend one or both events. RSVP 973-744-2565 (church office).
Help keep the little food pantry filled! Please bring non-perishables to church or leave in the storage bin located on the edge of the Manse driveway.
The next Friends of Grace community dinner is October 12, 5:00 – 6:30 PM at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue.
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.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
