The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 16, 2022 | 10:00am
Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: It will only be by movements that begin with the local congregation in which the reality of the new creation is present, known, and experienced, and from which men and women will go into every sector of public life to claim it for Christ, to unmask the illusions which have remained hidden and to expose all areas of public life to the illumination of the gospel. | Lesslie Newbigin
GATHERING
Prelude: O God Our Help in Ages Past | Larson/Croft
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!
We lift up our eyes to the hills; from where will our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
In praise and with thanksgiving, we gather as one body, with song and with prayer.
The Lord will keep our going out and our coming in from this time and forevermore
Come, let us worship God.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Grace-filled God,
we confess that we pursue our own needs,
neglecting the needs of others.
We pursue our own desires,
while slowly destroying the gifts of your creation.
We deflect the call to ministry,
ignoring the cries of those in need.
We are drawn to proclaim the gospel,
yet live it out only at our convenience.
Have mercy on us, O God.
Open our eyes to the truth of the gospel
that, whatever the time or wherever we are,
we may fully embody your love and justice for all the world.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Whoever we are, wherever we are, however we are,
we belong to God.
Through Jesus Christ, God cleanses us
from all unrighteousness and leads us from sin.
People of God, we 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 Lord, You Have Been Our Dwelling Place | arr. Burroughs
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Prepare our hearts, O God, to hear your Word and obey your will.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Give Me Jesus
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Persistent Proclamation” | 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: Total Praise | Smallwood/Rao
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
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 . . . Keep us faithful in proclaiming your Word, sharing the good news of salvation and carrying out the ministry of Christ. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Grant justice to those who cry to you, do not delay in helping them. Establish your realm of peace on earth. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Pluck up the seeds of violence and break down dividing walls. Plant and build good things among us. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . Let your watchful, loving eye preserve their lives from evil all through the day and night. (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: Stand By Me
Benediction
Postlude: Exultation | Mansfield
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, October16 - Eggs
Sunday, October 23 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, October 30 - Eggs
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
