Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 20, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship:“Forgiveness is not a feeling; it’s a commitment. It is a choice to show mercy not to hold the offense up against the offender.” | Mother Teresa
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Morning Hymn | arr. Pethel
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!
Thus says the Lord:
Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come.
God will bring us to the holy mountain,
a house of prayer for all people.
God gathers all the outcasts together, and makes us joyful!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: O for a World
Call to Confession
We call to God, saying, “Have mercy on us!”
We call to God, saying, “Lord, help us!”
We call to God even in the midst of our sin,
knowing that God is gracious and just.
Prayer of Confession
We do not want to face all that is in our own hearts.
We want to focus on the good—
on the love, the compassion, the care—
and ignore the bad—
the greed, the envy, the cruelty.
But before you, God,
we must face it.
Forgive all the ways we have let evil
take hold in our hearts.
Cleanse us. Help us face our own demons,
and empower us to live
a Christlike life.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
We have been disobedient to God,
but we have received mercy.
Let us live our lives as those transformed
by the abundant mercy of God!
The Law of God: Matthew 22:36-40
*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
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. There are no prerequisites, no disqualifications, no exceptions. We are saved, we are forgiven. We are freed. Halleluiah! Amen.
First Reading: Genesis 45: 1-15
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us
Second Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon “Forgiveness” | Larry J. Carey
Silent Reflection
Declaration of Forgiveness
We have been disobedient to God, but we have received mercy and forgiveness. Let us live our lives as those transformed by the abundant mercy of God.
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 Refuge and Strength | Hayes
Prayer of Dedication
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
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: Great is Thy Faithfulness
Benediction
Postlude Holy God, We Praise Thy Name | arr. Bish
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 20 - eggs
Sunday, August 27 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, September 3 - 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