Service of Worship Celebrating 175 Years of Ministry
October 22, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “History is a vision of God's creation on the move.” | Arnold J. Toynbee
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude When Love is Found | arr. Miller
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 (As used in closing Service for Guiding Light)
For everything there is a season.
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Holy, Holy, Holy!
Call to Confession
God has chosen us,
but we frequently fail to choose
God’s will for our lives.
Let us go before God,
seeking forgiveness and peace.
Prayer of Confession
God of justice and truth,
you ask us to give to you the things that are yours.
If we are honest,
we know we hold so much back.
We have promised you our obedience,
but we often fulfill our own desires first.
We have promised you our worship,
but we give our attention to idols instead.
We have promised to do your work in the world,
but we put it last on the list of priorities.
Have mercy on us and forgive us.
Increase our generosity that we might give freely,
grateful for all of the gifts you have given us.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
The good news remains true:
God has chosen us, forgives us,
and walks beside us,
helping us become imitators of Christ.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Alleluia!
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.
Litany As used at 125th anniversary service
The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof,
The world and those who dwell therein;
For he has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord,
And vindication from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
Who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors!
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors!
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!
*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 Oh Praise The Lord | Hassler
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
O Lord our God, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, that we may be obedient to your will and live always for your glory; through Jesus Christ our Savior. AMEN.
First Reading: Galatians 6:1-10 verse 9 was the theme at the 30th Anniversary
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: The Church’s One Foundation sung at the 150th Anniversary
Second Reading: Proverbs 8:22-36 verse 34 preached at the Organization of the Church
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Wisdom” | 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 I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me | Traditional Spiritual
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
Litany of Thanksgiving as used at 160th Anniversary Service
Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
hear our prayer.
For the church universal, and for this congregation of your people,
we give you thanks, O God.
For this place in which we gather for praise and prayer, witness and service, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord,
we give you thanks, O God.
For your presence among us whenever your Word has been proclaimed, your sacramental gifts of bread and wine shared,
we give you thanks, O God.
For those who have been made your children by adoption and grace, who in this place were cleansed of sin, buried with Christ in the waters of baptism, and raised to new and eternal life,
we give you thanks, O God.
For disciples young and old who have been nurtured here in faith,
we give you thanks , O God.
For all who have come here asking your blessing in marriage, seeking to love with your love,
we give you thanks, O God.
For deacons, elders, and pastors who have led and loved us and by the offering of their gifts, equipped us for the work
of ministry,
we give you thanks, O God.
For faithful stewards among us who have lived for others, serving you by loving neighbors,
we give you thanks, O God.
For all the saints who have stood among us, whose memory still enlivens faith and emboldens our witness,
we give you thanks, O God.
For the ministries of worship and mission, nurture and fellowship, and for all whose lives have been touched by them,
we give you thanks, O God.
Receive our gratitude, Holy God, for the years through which you have led us, and open us to the future you promise. In the years that lie ahead, grant us your encouragement in the work, your consolation in our defeats, and your challenge to our complacency. Give us such trust in your abiding Holy Spirit, that we may find joy and peace in our common life, strength and courage to live in the world which you created, and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. 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: Now Thank We All Our God
Benediction
Postlude God of Grace and Glory | Hughes/Page
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