Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 15, 2024 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” | Augustine of Hippo
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Simple Gifts | Harris
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
We have been gathered in this place for this time,
that we might hear the good news
we can’t help but share.
On this day and each one to come,
may the words of our mouths,
the meditations of our hearts,
and the actions of our lives
proclaim our faith.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Holy God,
your wisdom cries out in the streets
and your grace whispers in the wind.
You speak to us in many ways.
Help us to hear you
in the carbonated laughter of a child
and in weary sighs too deep for words.
As you speak to us,
let us speak of you,
sharing what we believe with our words
and our whole lives. Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Be Thou My Vision
Call to Confession
It is only by the power of God
that we are able to stand against evil.
Prayer of Confession
O Lord, you have called us
to take up our cross and follow you:
to carry the truth
of your justice like a banner
and bear the yoke of life as your servant.
We are hesitant,
O God, to serve anyone but ourselves.
We draw away from the imagery of the cross,
forgetting that, in you, it has become a source of glory.
Forgive us, O God, and call us once more
to set aside our selfishness and follow in your way.
Assurance of Pardon
Now stand firm in your faith,
covered by the saving grace of God
and ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
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 Hymn of Grateful Praise | Fettke
Prayer for Illumination
Faithful God, how blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness Sanctify us by your Word and Spirit so that we may glorify you in the company of the faithful; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Listen to the word of the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:6
First Reading: Numbers 21:4b-9
*Hymn: Cry of My Heart
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Listen to the word of the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:6
Second Reading: John 3:13-17
Keep these words in your heart.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God..
Sermon: “That They May Have Life” | Rev. Campbell
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 How Great Thou Art | arr. 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 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 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Benediction
Congregational Response
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring, Good news to this and every age,
Till earth and sky and ocean ring. With joy, with justice, love and praise.
Postlude Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart | Kauffman
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 15 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, September 22 - eggs
Sunday, September 29 - 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