The Third Sunday after Pentecost
June 26, 2022 | 10:00am
The Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship:
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
- Martin Luther (taken from A Mighty Fortress)
GATHERING
Prelude: O Master Let Me Walk with Thee | Smith/Gilbert
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.
Protect us, O God!
For in you, we take refuge.
We have no good apart from you!
For in you, we take refuge.
We say to you: “You are our Lord, in you is our hope!”
For in you, we take refuge.
Trouble surrounds us, and danger lies in wait, still we run to you!
For in you, we take refuge.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Come Down, O Love Divine
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Most Righteous God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole hearts, minds, and strength;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
In your mercy,
forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be,
so that we might delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
If we confess our sins,
he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins,
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
For as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Romans 12:1-3
*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
Lord,
to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life!
Help us now to hear and obey
what you say to us today.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Galatians 5:1; 13-25
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Jesus Calls Us
Second Reading: Psalm 16
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Refuge” | 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 Strength for the Journey | Silvey
Prayer of the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Holy God, One-in-Three and Three-in-One, hear us as we pray for your blessing, saying: Holy, triune God, have mercy on us.
We pray for the church . . . Help us to follow you, guided by your Spirit. Revive our faith as we seek you in this place. Show us how to proclaim your kingdom. Holy, triune God, have mercy on us.
We pray for the world . . . Bring peace and restoration to all in need. Deliver us from malice and temptation. Set us free to share your Spirit’s gifts. Holy, triune God, have mercy on us.
We pray for this community . . . Open the doors of this congregation. Let strangers find welcome here and make us ready to meet Christ in them. Holy, triune God, have mercy on us
We pray for loved ones . . . You know the struggles and concerns of all. Take away their fear, pain, and doubt, for you are a God who works wonders. (names read) Holy, triune God, have mercy on us.
All this we ask of you, Lord God, through Jesus Christ our Savior, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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: Will You Come and Follow Me
Benediction
Postlude: Best Be the Tie that Binds Us Together | arr Hayes
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, June 26 -Eggs
Sunday, July 3 -Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, July 10 - 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