Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 13, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: If we didn't already know but were asked to guess the kind of people Jesus would pick out for special commendation, we might be tempted to guess, one sort or another, of spiritual heroes; men and women of impeccable credentials morally, spiritually, humanly, and every which way. If so, we would be wrong. Maybe those aren't the ones he picked out because he felt they didn't need the shot in the arm his commendation would give them. Maybe they're not the ones he picked out because he didn't happen to know any. Be that as it may, it's worth noting the ones he did pick out. | Frederick Buechner
GATHERING
Prelude: Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts | arr. 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.
Time passes, seasons change,
but God remains steadfast and sure,
a deeply rooted tree
with leaves for the healing of the nation and the soothing of our souls.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Sustaining God,
you would have us be deeply rooted in you,
finding strength in your word
and nourishment in your grace.
More often, though, we live as chaff,
blown here and there by the winds of circumstance.
Forgive our lack of permanency
and our failures to hold fast to our commitments.
Grow in us faith
that we might be firmly planted in your promises,
released from sin,
and open to the life you have shown us in Jesus Christ.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
As a Father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
In Jesus Christ,
You are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Ephesians 4:21-25
*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: Blessed is the Man | Marshall
Prayer for Illumination
Prepare our hearts, O God, to hear your Word and obey your will. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Psalm 1
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: In Christ Alone
Second Reading: Luke 6:17-26
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: The Sermon on the Plain (Part 1) | Pastor Alex
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I am called a Christian because,
by faith I am a member of Christ
and so I share in his anointing.
I am anointed to confess his name,
to present myself to him
as a living sacrifice of thanks,
to strive with a free conscience
against sin and the devil in this life,
and afterward to reign with Christ
over all creation in eternity.
We call him “our Lord”
because—
not with gold or silver,
but with his precious blood—
he has set us free from sin and the tyranny of the devil,
and so has bought us,
body and soul,
to be his very own. Taken from Heidelberg Catechism Q&A’s 32, 34
Offering
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Joining our hearts and minds in prayer, let us call on the name of the Lord, saying O God of grace, bless us with peace.
We pray for the church . . . Let all that we say and do be done for the sake of the gospel, sharing the blessing and joy of salvation. O God of grace, bless us with peace.
We pray for the world . . . Lift up the downtrodden, gather up the outcast, rebuild ruined cities, and heal this wounded planet, so that all people and creatures may praise you. O God of grace, bless us with peace.
We pray for this community . . . Show us how to help the neighbors who are gathered around our door, welcoming them with the love of Jesus. O God of grace, bless us with peace.
We pray for loved ones . . . Reach out to those who are sick or hurting. By your healing touch, lift them up so that they may live to serve you. (names read) O God of grace, bless us with peace.
Mighty God, strengthen your people so that we may live in the world as those you have chosen and called; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 for- ever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Benediction
Postlude: Epilogue | Gilbert
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 13 - eggs
Sunday, February 20 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, February 27 - 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
