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 “Andante Cantabile from Sonata no.11, K.300” W.A. Mozart
Responsive Call to Worship (based on Psalm 19 & Wisdom of Solomon 7:26-8:1)
One: The Living God is present: here, with us.
All: In faith, we believe the Holy Spirit dwells in us. As we approach the throne of grace our inner peace kneels shoulder-to-shoulder with gratitude and humility.
One: We gather to worship God made known in Jesus,
All: Whom we worship with our lives. This ritual gathering is one expression of our devotion.
One: We come with devotion to God and to one another.
All: We come to encourage each other on our collective and individual journeys of faith.
One: With joy, let us worship the One Who Makes Us One!
Opening Prayer
Hymn 411 * “Arise, Your Light Is Come!”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Proverbs 31:10-31
A woman of strength who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not harm all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her female servant. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband, too, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Call to Confession
Unison Confession of Faith
Forgive us, Lord Jesus, for the times when we criticize without love, when we focus on the negative, and when we tear others and ourselves down. Retrain our hearts, minds, and tongues to build up and encourage one another.
Assurance of Forgiveness
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 James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
Message The Power of the Encouraging Word The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 335 * “Though I May Speak”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
Offertory “Ye, Who Seek the Truth” Julia Perry
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 339 * “Be Thou My Vision”
Announcements
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy was written by Pastor Robin and © Presbyterian Outlook, 2024 Liturgy written by Bobby Hulme-Lippert 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:
Sunday, September 22, 5pm – 7pm, Youth Group kick off at Union Congregational
Wednesday, September 25, 10:00 am, Norma’s Bible Study, at the Learning Center at Union Congregational
Choir Rehearsal every Thursday at 7:30 pm in the Chapel
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.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
