Grace Presbyterian Church
Reformation Sunday
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 “God Alone Be Praised” Zebulon M. Highben
Call to Worship
One: Today is Reformation Sunday. Today we remember the changes brought to the Church by the Reformers.
All: We celebrate that we are a church reformed and always reforming. We look to the Great Reformer for guidance and strength.
One: From the psalms, we are reminded: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
All: who made heaven and earth.
One: God is our refuge and strength,
All: a very present help in trouble.
One: Therefore we will not fear,
All: though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
One: Though life is unending change,
All: we will not fear.
One: Though our hearts race out of love and a desire to protect,
All: we will not live in fear.
One: Though we may get carried away with the latest lament,
All: we will not act out of our fear.
One: Though the things in life we wish to be steady and unshakable may fail us,
All: we will live in faith.
One: Be still! God remains.
All: The Lord of hosts is with us.
One: Let us worship the living God!
Opening Prayer
Hymn * “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”
John Newton, John P. Rees and Edwin Othello Excell
Arranged by Christ Tomlin and Louie Giglio
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found,
was blind but now I see.
‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
and Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear,
the hour I first believed.
My chains are gone.
I’ve been set free,
my God, my Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy reigns,
unending love, Amazing Grace.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.
My chains are gone.
I’ve been set free,
my God, my Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy reigns,
unending love, Amazing Grace.
My chains are gone.
I’ve been set free,
my God, my Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood His mercy reigns,
unending love, Amazing Grace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine.
But God, Who called me here below,
will be forever mine,
will be forever mine.
You are forever mine.
Prayer for Illumination (a prayer by Reformer, Ulrich Zwingli)
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Joshua 6:2-5
The Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have handed Jericho over to you, along with its king and soldiers. You shall march around the city, all the warriors circling the city once. Thus you shall do for six days, with seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the trumpets. When they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and all the people shall charge straight ahead.’
Time with Children
Call to Confession
Unison Confession of Sin (a prayer by Martin Luther)
Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore, I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give. Amen.
Responsive Assurance of Forgiveness (a prayer by John Calvin)
One: Let us never forget you, O Lord, nor your goodness. Let the remembrance of your mercy be always engraved on our minds. Hear and believe this good news! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
All: Let us never forget, in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Praise be to God in Song “Gloria Patri”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading Mark 10:46-52
Message Blind-Sighted The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 260 * “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Protecting us with staff and rod,
And power all prevailing.
What if the nations rage
And surging seas rampage;
What though the mountains fall,
The Lord is God of all;
The Lord of hosts is with us.
The waters of God’s goodness flow
Throughout this holy city,
And gladden hearts of those who know
God’s tenderness and pity.
Though nations stand unsure,
God’s kingdom shall endure;
God’s power shall remain,
And peace shall ever reign,
The Lord of hosts is with us.
Behold what wondrous deeds of peace
God does for our salvation;
God knows our wars and makes them cease
In every land and nation.
The warrior’s spear and lance
Are splintered by God’s glance;
The guns and nuclear might
Stand withered in God’s sight;
The Lord of hosts is with us.
Unison Prayer by a Reformer as an Affirmation of Faith (a prayer by John Calvin)
My God…and my Savior, you have been pleased to preserve me by your grace through the night and you have brought me to this new day. Grant that I may use it entirely in your service, that I may think, say, and do nothing but to please you and to obey your holy will. May all my actions be to the glory of your name and to the service of others. And just as you cause the sun to shine on the world to give physical light, let your Holy Spirit illumine my mind to guide me in the way of righteousness. In everything I do, let my goal and intention always be to walk reverently and to honor and serve you, relying only on your blessing for my well-being, and undertaking only what is pleasing to you. Amen.
Choral Anthem “At The Name of Jesus” R. Vaughn Willliams
Offertory
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 Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayers concluding with 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 354 * “Guide My Feet”
Announcements
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy was written by Pastor Robin and © Presbyterian Outlook, 2024 Rev. Teri McDowell Ott and provided for free distribution. The pastoral prayer has been shaped in conversation with World In Prayer, a ministry of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, in Lodi, CA, USA, whose mission is to assist Christians to pray with current events in mind.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mark your calendars:
Sunday, Oct 27, Session meeting at the Manse after worship
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and needed. 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.
