Second Sunday after Pentecost
June 22, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Dr. LL DuBreuil, Guest Minister| Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, "I'll try again tomorrow."- Mary Anne Rademacher
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart | Vogt
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
When we long for your presence,
you are there with us, O source of comfort.
When we face dangers and perils,
you are there for us, O source of strength.
When we need to do justice,
you are there within us, O source of courage.
So we come with songs and praises,
that all the ends of the earth and all the families of the nations
may know of your love. Let us praise God!
Salutation:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise In Christ There is No East or West
Call to Confession
All around us are evils and obstacles that can cause us to give in and give up. We need an Advocate to be with us and plead our case. Let us now confess our need for the Spirit (as promised by Jesus) to be that Advocate.
Prayer of Confession
Savior, we move from minute to minute unsure of what the next minute will bring. So many times you have assured us that you will be with us in every storm and terror. You tell us through your poets and prophets that you will never leave us lost and lonely. In the stories of your Son, you show us the love and grace we can count on. And yet we doubt and fear. Give us the courage to call out to you. Give us the strength to survive the oppression that assails us. Give us the peace only your Spirit can restore.
Assurance of Pardon
When we confess our failings and fears, God enfolds us in love and grace. Then with our courage and strength restored by God’s Spirit, we can face the future with faith. Thanks be to God. Amen
The Law of God: Matthew 17: 20
For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
*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 My Lord, What a Mornin’ | arr. Burleigh
Prayer for Illumination
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh upon us. By your presence, may we be inspired. By your Word, may we be led. Amen
First Reading: Psalm 35: 1-6, 9-10
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above
Sermon: “Possessed!” Including a reading of Luke 8: 26-39
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
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 God, the Father of Your People
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 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty | 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!
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