Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
August 10, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Dr. LL DuBreuil, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “Hope is the sound of stars winking at us from across the cosmos” -John Roedel
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Life is in You | Gardner
Call to Worship
Votum
This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and let us be glad in it.”
Amen
Opening Sentences
Let us lift our eyes to the heavens.
The stars of the heavens show us the glory of God.
Let us open our ears to the music of the Spirit.
The songs of creation reveal the joy of our Creator.
Let us open our hearts to the love all around us.
The bounteous love of God embraces the kin-dom of God.
Votum When we cannot clearly see the way ahead, we can call out to God and seek
God’s help. For our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.
Amen
*Hymn of Praise My Life is in You, Lord
Call to Confession
When our faith falters, we need only seek the hope that comes from God. Let us raise our voices together and confess our need for faith and hope.
Prayer of Confession
Holy One, you have breathed life into us and set us on our journey. Along the paths you show us, we see dangers and fear what may come. We fall from the ways of certainty and doubt becomes our frequent companion.
When we lose our way, forgive us and set our feet on your way. When we lose heart, forgive us and fill our hearts with the assurance of your love. When we fear taking the next step, forgive us and embrace us with the hope of your grace.
Assurance of Pardon
Our cries of loss and despair are always heard by our God. God’s Spirit soothes our cries, and God’s love restores us to peace. Thanks be to God. Amen
The Law of God Isaiah 55: 6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; Call upon him while he is near.
*Gloria Patri
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
Holy One, help us to recapture the awe and assurance of your sacred stories. May we be inspired anew. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 55: 1-3a
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: O For a Closer Walk with God
Sermon: “Count the Stars” including a reading of Genesis 15: 1-6 | Rev. LL DuBreuil
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith Preamble and Article 1 from “Our Song of Hope” (adopted by the RCA in 1978 as a contemporary statement of faith)
We sing to our Lord a new song;
We sing in our world a sure Hope:
Our God loves this world,
God called it into being,
God renews it through Jesus Christ,
God governs it by the Spirit.
God is the world’s true Hope.
We are a people of hope
waiting for the return of our Lord.
God has come to us
through the ancient people of Israel,
as the true Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth,
as the Holy Spirit at work in our world.
Our Lord speaks to us now through the inspired Scriptures.
Christ is with us day by day.
Offering Jesus, the Very Though of Thee | Thiman
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 Lord of All Hopefulness
Benediction
Congregational Response Christ is risen! Earth and heaven Nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation Where the world is still in pain
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna, everyone!
Postlude He Leadeth Me | Bradbury
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!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
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