Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 19, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Heather W. Brannon, Guest Minister| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “We [as Christians] ought to attract people to the church quite literally by the fun there is in being a Christian - David Steele, Pastor and Author
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Prelude in G minor | Bach
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
God of the feast, God of abundance,
you are always turning water into fine wine.
Though the wine has run out,
you work miracles among us.
Though the work feels impossible,
you accomplish wonders through us.
Though many fail to perceive it,
you reveal your glory among us.
Help us to receive your good gifts this day,
that we might learn
to put our faith in you. Amen.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
Prayer of the Day
O God, our fountain of life,
grant us your good gifts this day.
Call us to drink from your river of delights.
Welcome us to feast in your house of abundance.
Teach us to find refuge in you
as we learn to walk in your light
together this day. Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Great is Thy Faithfulness
Call to Confession
Who among us has not been enticed
and led astray by idols?
All of us come with need to confess.
Let us do so with trust
in God’s endless desire to forgive.
Prayer of Confession
Loving Lord, we long to be your faithful people,
but our good intentions run out and we come up empty.
For all the ways we fall short in our sin, forgive us, Gracious One.
Change us—like water into wine—
to become what the world lacks, that our community, our nation,
our church, and all creation may know your justice and 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
Prayer for Illumination
Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Psalm 36:5–10
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Second Reading: John 2:1–11
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Party Time!” | Rev. Brannon
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith (Apostles’ Creed)
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 Offertoire in E flat | Boellmann/Wold
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 Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with the Lord’s Prayer)
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 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Benediction
Congregational Response
Live into hope of captives freed,
Of sight regained, the end of greed.
The oppressed shall be the first to see
The year of God's own jubilee!
Live into hope the blind shall see
With insight and with clarity,
Removing shades of pride and fear-
A vision of our God brought near.
Live into hope of liberty,
The right to speak the right to be,
The right to have one's daily bread,
To hear God's word and thus be fed.
Live into hope of captives freed
From chains of fear or want or greed.
God now proclaims our full release
To faith and hope and joy and peace.
Postlude Go Forth With Purpose | Mountain/Larson
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!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
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