Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 10, 2023 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Guest Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: "God is taking care of you, even when it seems like you're all alone; believe me, God is working hard behind the scenes of your life." | Anonymous
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Be Thou My Vision | arr. Page
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!
We observe this day as the Lord’s Day,
giving thanks to God,
who gives justice to the oppressed,
who forgives us and redeems us,
and crowns us with steadfast love and mercy.
Let us worship the One who is worthy of our praise!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Our God is an Awesome God
Call to Confession
We are not here to pass judgment on each other:
all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Therefore, let us go before God
as we offer our confession.
Prayer of Confession
God our Judge,
we admit we have double standards.
We seek forgiveness for ourselves,
but fail to forgive others.
We seek relief for ourselves,
but fail to seek relief for others.
We seek leniency for ourselves,
but fail to show that mercy to others.
Forgive us, mighty God,
and help us to forgive,
showing others the same grace and mercy
that you have generously shown to us.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
People of God, hear and believe:
God does not deal with us according to our sins,
but according to God’s own steadfast love for us.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far God removes our sins from us.
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
Anthem The Greatest Commandment | Choplin
Children’s Message
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.
First Reading: Matthew 18:21-35
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil
Second Reading: Exodus 14:19-31
Sermon: “ Dry Ground ” | Rev. Campbell
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 When in Our Music God is Glorified | arr. Hayes
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
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
In Jesus’ Name, we pray as you taught us…
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: Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above
Benediction
Postlude Postlude in D | Gibbs
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, September 17 - eggs
Sunday, September 24- gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, October 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