Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 30, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “The doctrine of the Kingdom of Heaven, which was the main teaching of Jesus, is certainly one of the most revolutionary doctrines that ever stirred and changed human thought.” | H.G. Wells
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude We Gather Together | arr. Bennett
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you.
And also with you!
We seek the kin-dom of God:
where the smallest seeds turn into great plants.
We seek the kin-dom of God:
as precious as pearls or treasure.
We seek the kin-dom of God:
where joy and abundance reign.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
We love God, and yet . . .
We are Christ’s disciples, and yet . . .
We are guided by the Spirit, and yet . . .
there are many ways we do not live this reality.
Let us call upon the Spirit to intercede for us
in our time of confession.
Spirit, intercede . . .
when we fall short of your glory,
when we do not deserve your promises,
when we do not act like those who have been called your family.
Spirit, intercede . . .
when our words wound,
when our silence speaks volumes,
when our actions are a far cry from what you would have us do.
Spirit, intercede . . .
break forth into our lives,
forming us into the image of your Son,
that we might never feel separate from you again.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Beloved, hear this good news:
God is for us.
Not even our sins can separate us from the love of God.
Glory be to God for this grace and mercy!
The Law of God:
*Gloria Patri | #579
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.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Holy, Holy, Holy One, guide us by the Spirit of truth to hear the Word of life you speak, and to give all glory, honor, and praise to your threefold name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Genesis 29:15-28
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Second Reading: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: "The Kingdom of Heaven is Like..." | Rev. Campbell
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering Take My Life | Courtney
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
In Jesus’ Name, we pray as you taught us…
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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Benediction
Postlude To God Be the Glory | Doane/Innes
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, July 30 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, August 6 - eggs
Sunday, August 13 - gallon(s) whole milk
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED