Grace Presbyterian Church
Seeking to equip people to live as Christian disciples wherever God has placed them.
Welcome And Opening Prayer
Prelude Andante from Sonata in A Major Op. 120 Franz Schubert
Responsive Call to Worship
One: Throughout God’s world this day, Christian churches are celebrating Holy Communion as one family.
Many: Our family of faith extends to Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and in all lands and countries we join in lifting the bread of life and the cup of salvation.
One: In Christ’s love there is no East, no West, no North, no South, but only one Spirit of hope, love, and peace for all.
Many: May Christ bless the worldwide communion of the church this day!
All: Praise be to Christ our Creator, Redeemer, and Savior! Amen.
Hymn Red 112* “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee”
Jesus, the very thought of thee
with sweetness fills my breast;
but sweeter far thy face to see,
and in thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the mind recall
a sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Savior of us all!
O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
to those who ask, how kind thou art, how
good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah, this
no tongue or pen can show;
the love of Jesus, what it is
none but his loved ones know, how
Jesus, our only joy be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
in thee be all our glory now,
and through eternity.
Call to Confession
Confession of Sin
God of mercy, as we celebrate World Communion Sunday today, we love the idea of the faithful lifting bread and cup in your name around this planet. We lament that apart from this table, we feel disconnected. We lose the sense of family. We become Darwinists preaching “survival of the fittest,” or tribalists, worrying only about “our own.” The connections that you create around a table through food and fellowship cannot be underestimated. May this table transcend borders and language and tribe! May our faith in you bring us closer together in Jesus’ name, we pray. (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
Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your word. Silence in us any voices but your own so that we may hear your word and also live it. Through Christ Jesus, our Lord, amen.
First Scripture Reading (In Unison) Psalm 26
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.
I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides. Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty, those in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.
But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.
Second Scripture Reading Job 1:1; 2:1-10
There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Job took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes.
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Sermon In Common/Communion Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn Red 51* “God, You Spin the Whirling Planets”
God You spin the whirling planets
Fill the seas and spread the plain
Mold the mountains fashion blossoms
Call forth sunshine wind and rain
We created in your image
Would a true reflection be
Of Your justice grace and mercy
And the truth that makes us free
You have called us to be faithful
In our life and ministry
We respond in grateful worship
Joined in one community
When we blur Your gracious image
Focus us and make us whole
Healed and strengthened as Your people
We move onward toward Your goal
God Your will is still creating
Calling us to life made new
Now reveal to us fresh vistas
Where there’s work to dare and do
Keep us clear of all distortion
Fashion us with loving care
Thus new creatures in Your image
We’ll proclaim Christ everywhere
Affirmation of Faith based on Micah 3:28
One: God has told us what is good; and what does the Lord require?
All: To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
Offertory
Doxology
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
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 772* “For the Bread Which You Have Broken”“
For the bread which you have broken,
for the wine which you have poured,
for the words, which you have spoken,
now we give you thanks, O Lord.
By these pledges that you love us,
by your gift of peace restored,
by your call to heaven above us,
consecrate our lives, O Lord.
In your service, Lord, defend us,
help us to obey your word;
in the world to which you send us
let your kingdom come, O Lord.
Benediction
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