The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
July 17, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. -St. Paul (Romans 12:9b)
GATHERING
Prelude: Sweet, Sweet, Spirit | Akers/Bock
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!
The psalmist declares,
I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
I will thank you, God, forever, because of what you have done.
In the presence of the faithful let us proclaim God’s name, for it is good.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Merciful Savior,
you stand beside us,
yet we prefer to stand on our own.
You choose us,
yet we do not choose you.
You attend to us,
yet we do not attend to you.
Forgive us, gentle Teacher.
Call us by name and visit us once more
that we might find at your feet
our forgiveness, our joy, our purpose, and our hope.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
By his body and his cross,
Jesus reconciles all who were once estranged.
Christ in you is the glory of God.
In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Philippians 4:4-7
*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
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
May the words of your servant’s mouth,
and the meditations of all of our hearts,
be acceptable and pleasing to you,
O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.
Amen.
First Reading: Colossians 1:15-28
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Meekness and Majesty
Second Reading: Psalm 52
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Uprooting Evil” | 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 Still, Still with Thee | Beck
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, we pray for the fulfillment of God’s promise, saying: In faith, O God, we seek your grace.
We pray for the church . . . Hold us together as the body of Christ, and let us know the mind of Christ our head, so that we may seek your will on earth. In faith, O God, we seek your grace.
We pray for the world . . . Stop the destructive tracks of those who trample upon the poor and needy and bring ruin to your good creation. In faith, O God, we seek your grace.
We pray for this community . . . Help us to show your hospitality to the visitors and strangers among us, feeding and serving them with love. In faith, O God, we seek your grace.
We pray for loved ones . . . Help us to bear the burdens of those who are weary from their life and labor. Let them find rest and peace in you. (names read) In faith, O God, we seek your grace.
Strengthen us to run the race that is before us, laying aside the heavy burdens of sin and death and following the pioneer and perfecter of our faith: Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Lord.
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: Blest Be the Tie that Binds
Benediction
Postlude: O Worship the King | arr. Wyrtzen
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, July 17 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, July 24 - Eggs
Sunday, July 31 - 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