Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 27, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship:“"God will always provide. It just might look different than what we had in mind" | uknown
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Near to the Heart of God | McAfee/Spong
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 gather as the body of Christ.
We are many individuals, but together we are one.
Each of us has our own gifts, our own calling, our own role,
but all of us proclaim Jesus Christ is the Messiah!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
Call to Confession
We seek the will of God,
but still find ourselves conformed to this world,
instead of being transformed into God’s image.
Let us seek forgiveness
for the ways we have turned away from justice and mercy.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God,
When faced with earthly powers that seem overwhelming,
we crumble.
We fear this world.
We fear losing our status, our stability, our station
more than we fear you.
Forgive our shortcomings
and teach us to trust in you
when we take a risk for what we know is right.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
If God was not on our side,
we could not stand in the judgment.
But God is with us, steadfast and faithful,
as we seek to live in peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
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
Faithful God, how blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Sanctify us by your Word and Spirit so that we may glorify you in the company of the faithful, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
Second Reading: Exodus 1:8-2:10
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon "The more things change..." | 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 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: O God, Our Help in Ages Past
Benediction
Postlude Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing | arr. Phillips
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 27 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, September 3 - eggs
Sunday, September 10 - 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