Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 29, 2023 | 10:00am
Pastor Kenneth Macari, Guest Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship:“Keep your tongue from criticizing and watch over your words. Know that in judging others you are passing sentence on yourself and that you are yourself guilty of the faults that you blame in them.” | St. Jerome of Bethlehem
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Fantasy on “Amazing Grace” | Owens
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
One: Come! Now is the time to gather for worship. Christ calls us into community and into communion with him.
Many: Let us enter in with open ears and open hearts, ready to receive the call of Christ in a new way today!
Opening Sentences
God speaks to us:
You shall be holy,
for I am holy.
You shall not hate,
but love your neighbor as yourself.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Make Me a Servant
Call to Confession
God watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
We have righteousness within us,
but we also have wickedness.
Therefore, let us confess.
Prayer of Confession
God of love,
your commandments are so simple:
love God, love neighbor, love self.
Yet we cannot always muster that love.
Love for you seems too abstract and distant.
Love for our neighbors seems too impractical and draining.
Love for ourselves seems too impossible and unimportant.
But you are truly the God of love;
if there is anyone who can help us love,
it is you.
Shower us with your love
so we might have the greatest example,
and help us learn from you.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
It is true: we are beloved of God.
The God who loves us does not condemn us.
We will live in the glory of God’s love!
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
Anthem He Has Made Me Glad
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Sovereign God, let your Word rule in our hearts and your Spirit govern our lives until at last we see the fulfillment of your realm of justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Proverbs 2: 1-8
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: God of the Sparrow
Second Reading: First Thessalonians 2 : 4-12
Sermon: “Hurtful Words, Healing Words” | Pastor Macari
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 A New Jerusalem Arise | Peterson/Forrest
Doxology
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!
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: A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Benediction
Postlude All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name | Ellor/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, October 22- gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, October 29 - eggs
Sunday, November 5- 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