Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
February 12, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “Innovations sometimes succeed best when they have no obvious author.” Clark Kerr
GATHERING
Prelude: Amazing Grace |arr. Hayes
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 gather here as the body of Christ,
God's servants working together.
God call us to worship,
to hear the good news
and sing our praise,
for we are the hands and feet of Jesus here and now.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Here I Am to Worship
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Our sins and failures can overwhelm us.
Yet God waits to forgive and heal.
Let us lay down our burdens
and open our hearts,
that we may receive grace and
the gift of new life.
Almighty God,
you set before us life and prosperity,
but we turn towards death and adversity.
We do not listen to your commandments,
we bow down to other gods:
convenience, self-reliance, greed, bitterness.
Break us of our longing for gods we can see and touch.
Turn us back to you, mysterious and mighty God,
that we may observe your commandments,
and walk in your ways.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
God is always offering us another chance.
God is always offering life and abundance.
Turn to God and receive the good news:
Yesterday, today, tomorrow,
we are forgiven! Alleluia!
The Law of God: Matthew 22:37-40
*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 O Love that Will Not Let Me Go | Manuel
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
God of shining splendor, your voice makes the earth tremble in wonder. Overshadow us with your Spirit so that we may hear your Word and live as faithful disciples and covenant people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
Gospel Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: "We are God's Servants, Working Together" | 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 Christ Be Our Light | Farrell/Raney
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with the Lord’s Prayer)
We approach God in prayer not as strangers,
but as beloved children, baptized in Christ Jesus.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for the church . . .
Let us be rooted in the depth of your Word
and watered by the gifts of your Spirit,
so that we will bear the fruit of your love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for the earth . . .
In the land that you have given us
help us to choose life and prosperity
for all of the creatures you have made.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for all nations . . .
Take away the deadly curses of war,
famine, poverty, and disease.
Bring life and blessing to all people.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for this community . . .
Let us be reconciled to one another,
seeking justice and forgiving wrong.
Make us more faithful and honest in all we do.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As children of God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Be near to those who cry to you for help.
Be with them in the gloom of their despair;
satisfy their needs and restore their souls. (names read)
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy One, as you are well pleased with Christ,
help us to live in a way that will be pleasing to you.
As you have called us to listen to Christ,
help us to always heed his word and seek his will.
These things we pray in the name of Jesus,
your beloved Child, our Savior and Lord.
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: Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
Benediction
Postlude: As We Depart | Thgerson
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, February 12 - eggs
Sunday, February 19 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, February 26 - eggs
UPCOMING EVENTS
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