Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 6, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Dr. LL DuBreuil, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “We can choose to live as God’s beloved children in solidarity with all people, trusting in our ultimate fruitfulness. And in so doing, we can also become people who care for others.” | Henri J. M. Nouwen
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Foundation | Hamill
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
We come, carrying just what we need for the journey:
five loaves, two fish.
We come, bringing whatever we have to offer:
our time, our talents, our gifts.
We come, knowing God will multiply our offerings:
in God’s hands, what we have is enough.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: The God of Abraham Praise
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Generous God,
you freely offer us all we need.
You offer us the bread of life,
so we may never be hungry again.
You offer us living water,
so we will never thirst.
But we scoff at your gifts,
wasting our money, time, and energy
on things that do not satisfy.
Forgive us and call to us again,
reminding us of your gifts of new life
that are ours if we would only accept them.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Incline your ear, listen:
God makes an everlasting covenant with us.
God forgives us, renews us, refreshes us, and leads us onward.
Thanks be to God!
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: Isaiah 55: 1-6 as a responsive reading
One: Hear, everyone who thirsts; come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
All: Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
One: Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your earnings for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food.
All: Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.
One: I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
All: See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.
One: Now you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel for he has glorified you.
All: Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: How Firm A Foundation
Second Reading & Sermon: “Fish Story” including a reading of Matthew 14: 13-21 | Rev. Dr. LL DuBreuil
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 Offertory | Beck
Prayer of Dedication
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Hymn Break Thou the Bread of Life
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: Holy and right it is and our joyful duty to give thanks to you at all times and in all places, O Lord our Creator, almighty and everlasting God... With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven we worship and adore your glorious name.
Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Lord #581
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
Remembering the Work of Christ
One: Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world. Together we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Memorial Acclamation
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again
Invocation of the Spirit
One: So send your Holy Spirit upon us we pray… Even so, come Lord Jesus we pray.
All: Amen
Holy Communion
Words of Institution and Invitation
One: The body of Christ is broken for you.
One: The blood of Christ is shed for you.
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: Amazing Grace
Benediction
Postlude Postludium | Young
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, August 6 - eggs
Sunday, August 13 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, August 20 - eggs
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