The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 28, 2022 | 10:00am
Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship:
For us who have only known approximate fathers
And mothers manqué, this child is a surprise:
A sudden coming true of all we hoped
Might happen. Hoarded hopes fed by prophecies,
Old sermons and song fragments, now cry
Coo and gurgle in the cradle, a babbling
Proto-language which as soon as it gets
A tongue (and we, of course, grow open ears)
Will say the big nouns: joy, glory, peace;
And live the best verbs: love, forgive, save.
Along with the swaddling clothes the words are washed
of every soiling sentiment, scrubbed clean of
All failed promises, then hung in the world’s
Backyard dazzling white, billowing gospel.
-The Cradle by Eugene Peterson
GATHERING
Prelude: Voluntary and Fugue in C | Händel
Welcome
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!
Crowds gathered to hear Jesus speak of pain—
the pain of losing something precious.
Crowds gathered to hear Jesus speak of joy—
the joy of finding what was lost.
We gather to hear Jesus speak
words of truth, words of power, words of love.
Speak now, O Lord, for your servants are listening.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: To God Be the Glory
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Create in us clean hearts, O God,
cast out any transgression you find there—
ransack, renovate, redecorate!
Deep in our hearts,
remove fearful features
and restore your original design.
The old lamps are dim;
bring new light into the darkness.
Make your dwelling place deep in our hearts,
and teach us wisdom,
so the hearts you transform may rejoice.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Receive this good news:
This saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance:
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
Believe this good news—in Jesus, you are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Micah 6:8
*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 Mighty to Serve | arr. Rouse
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
God in heaven,
Send your Spirit,
so that in your light we may see light,
in your truth find freedom,
and in your will discover peace.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Big Nouns and Best Verbs” | Pastor Alex
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 Kyrie (Mass in B flat ) | Hummel
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Trusting in the power of God to deliver us, let us make our prayers of intercession for all, saying: God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . . Make us good shepherds for your sheep and good stewards of your gifts, so that the lost may be found in you. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Look with mercy upon ruined lands, fields of desolation, cities of rubble. Restore the glory of your good creation. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Strengthen us to serve you in this place, sharing the good news of your saving love with our friends, neighbors, and strangers. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . According to your steadfast love have mercy on those who are suffering. Let them know joy and gladness again. (names read) God our Savior, hear our prayer.
Merciful and mighty God, as you are one, make us one with you through Jesus Christ, whom you have sent to redeem us, and in whose holy name we pray
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: Marcato | German
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, September 11 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, September 18 - Eggs
Sunday, September 25 - Gallon(s) whole milk
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
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