(Please stand as indicated with an asterisk (*) and wear a mask when singing.)

RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL

GOD’S PEOPLE GATHER

PRELUDE “Open My Eyes” By Diemer

(An opportunity for silent meditation,)

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)

Watch what God does: mostly God loves us.

We would learn a life of such love so we might do as God does.

Watch how Christ loves us: not with caution, but with extravagance.

We would practice such lavish love, not noticing what it costs us.

Watch how the Spirit loves us: moving in us, breathing love into us.

We would live such love for others, keeping company with God.

*HYMN 442 (Wear Mask) “The Church's One Foundation ”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION [unison]

God of the world, we break your heart by the respectable lives we lead. Blessed by you with every gift, we practice thrift towards others. Seeking to be good and proper Christians, we overlook you in the company of the poor, the oppressed, those without a voice. We choose to spread gossip about our friends and neighbors, when we could speak gently to them.

Grieving God, forgive us for the pain we cause you and other people. Help us to make a clean break with those habits which keep us from wholeness. Open us to the movement of your Spirit within us. Feed us with the Bread of Life, so we might have the love and passion to feed the world. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

[Moment of silence for personal confession and reflection]

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (responsive)

It is really that simple - God loves us. Through the Holy Spirit, God works in us, transfiguring our old ways, breathing life and love into us.

We receive God's grace, so we can offer it to others. We are caressed in God's gentleness, so we can hold the broken. We will be quick to forgive, even as God has forgiven us. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 2 Race Street

Pittstown, New Jersey Founded in 1730

Sunday August 8, 2021

*HYMN 579 (Wear Mask) “Gloria Patri”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son , and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the begin-ning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Amen

PASSING OF THE PEACE As God has given us peace through Christ, so let us pass the peace of Christ to each other.

[Please greet those around you in peace}

GOD’S WORD TO US

MESSAGE FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION (unison)

Dear Lord, prepare our hearts and our minds to hear your Word. Open our ears so that

we hear your Word read and proclaimed with new clarity and understanding. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 130 (Responsive) (Page 573)

This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM “When Peace Like A River” sung by Bebe Sellers

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (Page 194)

This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to You, O Christ!

SERMON “How to Talk Like a Christian ” Pastor Linda Gaden

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) - Nicene Creed

We believe

in the grace freely offered in Jesus Christ,

in the atoning work of Christ's death on the cross,

in the power of forgiveness to change lives.

in the redemption that turns sinners into saints,

in the wholeness that mercy brings,

in the freedom that liberates us from sin's hold,

in the new life that is ours, now and for eternity.

Amen.

*HYMN 466 (Wear Mask) “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing ”

PASTOR—Reverend Linda Gaden,

LITURGIST—Judith Schick

DEACON—Kevin Klein

MUSIC DIRECTOR—Helene

Cantilina,

SANCTUARY FLOWERS—

FELLOWSHIP HOST—

Joan Hutchinson & Marilyn Ford

PASTORAL PRAYER AND 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, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen

OFFERING *DOXOLOGY (Wear Mask)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION [unison]

Gracious God, may we imitate your generosity as we offer these gifts to you. May we mod-

el your justice, as we seek to bring hope to the broken all around us. May we share the gift

of your love with all who are alone and hurting, and simply looking for grace in their

lives. This we pray in the name of our Bread, Jesus Christ. Amen.

GOD’S PEOPLE GO INTO THE WORLD

*HYMN (Insert) “Let there Be Peace On Earth

*CHARGE & BENEDICTION POSTLUDE “Jesus Saves” By Myra Schubert

(An opportunity for quiet meditation. If you must leave please do so quietly.)

Helen Hofgesang

Karen Hoff

Joan Schultz

Ed Allen

Michael Hafke

Steven Kitchen

Aunt Karen

Margie

Claire

Elizabeth

Erik and Christine

Joel Naughton

Quinn Evans

Scott Huff

PASTOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Pastor’s email: pastorlindagaden@gmail.com Cell phone (973) 462-1543

NOTE: Friday is the Pastor’s day off.

CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION

Office Phone (908)-735-5733 Press #2 for the Pastor Church Email bpchurchnj@gmail.com

Calendar of Events

SESSION WILL NOT MEET IN AUGUST.

DEACONS WILL NOT MEET IN AUGUST.

1. Bible Study— Every Wednesday at 1:00pm— in the gathering room.

2. Vespers—Every Wednesday at 7:00 pm—on Facebook. 3. Sunday Worship—Every Sunday at 9:30 am—

in The Sanctuary and on YouTube.

Please bring in your unwanted greeting card fronts

We are collecting them to be used by the clients at the

Developmental Center.

Look for the butterfly box on the shelf in the Fellowship

Hall.