The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
October 23, 2022 | 10:00am
Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: Faith is God’s gift to us; faithfulness is our gift back to God. | Pete Greig
GATHERING
Prelude: Love Divine | Rawsthorne
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!
How lovely is the house of the Lord.
How beautiful to be gathered in the presence of God.
How lovely is the dwelling place of the Lord.
How beautiful is the image of God we behold in one another.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Gather Us In
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Loving God,
too often we hide beneath the veil of religion
or trust too much in the good things we do.
Smug and safe in our pews,
we look down on those not here,
thankful we are not like them.
Shatter us with the truth that all have sinned,
even us.
We have failed to live as the people you call us to be.
Cleanse us and restore us,
for the sake of Jesus, our Savior.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Whether we are close or whether we are standing far off,
God’s love in Jesus Christ seeks us out
and gathers us in.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
The Law of God: Colossians 3:12-15
*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 Lead On, O King Eternal | Smart/Thompson
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Eternal God,
in the reading of the Scripture, may your Word be heard;
in the meditations of our hearts, may your Word be known;
in the faithfulness of our lives, may your Word be shown.
Amen.
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:9-14
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: I Danced In the Morning
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 16-18
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Finishing the Race” | 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: Precious Lord, Take My Hand | Dorsey/Schrader
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 the People (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Trusting in the power of God to deliver us, let us make our prayers of intercession for all, saying: God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . . Deliver us from the power of evil and strengthen us to serve you, all for the glory of your eternal realm. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . . Pour out your Spirit on all flesh, so that the people of every nation may share visions and dreams of peace. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . . Let this be your dwelling place— where even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for her young. God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . . Be merciful to the sick and suffering Let your peace and goodness be their comfort and strength. (names read) God our Savior, hear our prayer.
Merciful and mighty God, as you are one, make us one with you through Jesus Christ, whom you have sent to redeem us, and in whose holy name we pray
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: Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven
Benediction
Postlude: Sortie | Titcomb
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, October 23 - Gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, October 30 - Eggs
Sunday, November 6 - 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