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 “Our Father, Who Art in Heaven” Johann Christoph Bach
*Call to Worship Psalm 22
One: We will tell of your name to our brothers and sisters, in the midst of the
congregation we will praise you
All: To you we lift up our praise – you heard us when we cried
One: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord.
All: And all the families of the nations shall worship before him!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn 1 “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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
O Lord, you are our shepherd, and yet we want. We lie down when we could act, we stir the pot when we could offer peace, we wander tempting paths instead of following you. We see courage and comfort in earthly things rather than in you. We avoid our enemies and refuse to break bread with them, we see scarcity even when you offer us abundance. We pray for forgiveness, for your goodness and mercy, so that we might dwell in You, in your grace, forever. 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 1 Corinthians 14:40; Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:24-25
One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks Be to God
Sermon On Being… a Presbyterian The Rev. Cynthia Wilcox
*Hymn 450 “Be Thou My Vision”
*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.
Choral Anthem “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” Maurice Bevan
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 829 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
*Benediction
(All are welcome to join us for coffee hour!)
Happening this Week:
September 14, Kick Off Sunday after Worship
September 14, Confirmation Information Meeting 11:30 AM
September 14, Ecumenical Youth Group Kick Off Ice Cream Social, 3:00 PM at Glen Ridge Congregational, 195 Ridgewood Ave, Glen Ridge
September 14, Friends of Grace Community Dinner, 5-6:30 PM, St John’s Episcopal
September 16, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, 8:00 AM, St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave.
September 16, Pastor Cindy’s Big Picture Bible Study, 1 PM or 7:00 PM at the Manse
September 17, Sweet Hour of Prayer, 6-7 PM at the Manse
September 17, 7:30 PM, Session Meeting online
September 18, Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 PM in the Chapel at Union Congregational
Kick Off Sunday, September 14, come hear about all that Grace Church has to offer!
Confirmation Information Meeting, September 14, 11:30 AM.
Ecumenical Youth Group Kick Off Ice Cream Social, September 14, 3:00 PM at Glen Ridge Congregational
The next Friends of Grace Community Dinner is September 14, 5:00 PM at St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave. If you could help provide an appetizer, salad or entree to feed 30 guests please let a Friends of Grace member know.
Pastor Cindy’s Big Picture Bible Study begins September 16 at 1 PM or 7:00 PM at the Manse. Study will meet every Tuesday but the second Tuesday of the month.
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. Interested in becoming a Liturgist? Please contact Pat Walsh clerk@gracemontclair.org.
Help keep the little food pantry filled! Please bring non-perishables to church or leave on the Manse front steps.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Interested in becoming a Liturgist? Please contact Pat Walsh clerk@gracemontclair.org.
