Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 18, 2024 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “In an age of information overload ... the last thing any of us needs is more information about God. We need the practice of incarnation, by which God saves the lives of those whose intellectual assent has turned them dry as dust, who have run frighteningly low on the Bread of Life, who are dying to know more God in their bodies. Not more about God. More God.”- Rachel Held Evans
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Holy, Holy, Holy | arr. Dykes
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you deep respect for God.
Which of you desires life
and longs for many days to enjoy good?
Depart from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Revere God, O holy ones,
for those who live in awe of God have no want.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
Prayer of the Day
O Source of all wisdom,
you invite us to eat of your bread
and drink of your cup
so that we might walk in the way of insight.
Like Solomon, we seek your guidance above all else.
May we not treat your wisdom
like information that answers our questions.
Instead, may we inhabit your wisdom
as we would dwell in a home you have built,
our whole lives long. Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven
Call to Confession
It is only by the power of God
that we are able to stand against evil.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
Prayer of Confession
O Lord, the voice of your wisdom rings out in the world,
guiding us to place our trust in you.
The voice of your wisdom rings out in the world,
challenging us to seek the things that matter.
Too often, O Lord, we refuse to listen.
We place our trust in things that are fleeting.
We seek the things that make us comfortable,
rather than seeking the way of your peace.
Forgive us, God of grace,
and teach us to walk in the path lined by your wisdom.
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
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: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
Keep these words in your heart.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God.
*Hymn: Sing Praise Unto the Name of God
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Listen to the word of the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:6
Second Reading: John 6:51-58
Keep these words in your heart.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God..
Sermon: “Abide in Me” | 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 Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds | Reinagle/Kraus
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 Dedication
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 How Can I Keep From Singing
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 Count Your Blessings | Excell/Bennett
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, August 18 - eggs
Sunday, August 25 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, September 1 - eggs
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