https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T83Pv0QeXbl7DFxUWsXBnnhqTtkOYbrB/view
Above is the internet link to our recording of Sunday worship!
Copy the link and place it into your browser so you can watch and listen.
Recordings are also available on our Facebook page: The Grafton Church.
This coming Sunday, 8/9 we will not have morning worship.
Instead we will present our second Evensong of the summer: Kwartetto Mambo led by Dan DeWalt.
Join us at 5:30 pm.
Evensong events have a unique link (not the same as Sunday morning worship). Stay tuned.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 08-02-26 FINAL
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. August 02, 2026
Join Zoom Meeting
*Password: 099540
*You may need to enter this to join. Write it down; so, you have it when/if your computer/phone asks you to enter it. It may keep you out of the “waiting room.”
Meeting ID: 235 223 715
It helps to download the FREE Zoom app ahead of time.
Please mute your computer or phone microphone! Make sure there is a red slash through the microphone icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
This will make the service more enjoyable for all.
** For those with health concerns, masks and safe social distance are suggested within the sanctuary, especially so, when singing or responding in prayer! Masks are available at the rear of the sanctuary.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 08-02-26 — Summer Worship with Holy Communion
Note: Gathering Music will begin at 9:50 with the Prelude to follow
Musician Amy Cann
Gathering Music/Prelude — ‘Raslin’ Jacob
See Music Notes on last page for sheet music. And sing along!
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #24 “The God of Abraham Praise”
1 The God of Abraham praise. All praised be the Name,
who was and is and is to be, is still the same;
the one eternal God, ere all that now appears;
the First, the Last, beyond all thought
through timeless years!
2 God's Spirit flowing free, high surging where it will--
in prophet's word it spoke of old--is speaking still.
Established is God's law, and changeless it shall stand,
deep writ upon the human heart,
on sea, or land.
3 God has eternal life implanted in the soul.
God's love shall be our strength and stay, while ages roll.
Praise to the living God! All praised be the Name,
who was, and is, and is to be,
is still the same!
All lyrics © 1995 Chalice Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License
#21383697
* Call to Worship (from “Prayers for the World & Its People,” Iona Abbey Worship Book)
One: Believing that God made and loves the world,
Many: we gather.
One: That it may be reshaped to fulfill God’s purposes,
Many: we pray.
One: To seek a wisdom deeper than our own thinking,
Many: we listen.
One: To honor God who gave us voice,
Many: we worship.
* Unison Prayer
God of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we meet You in our challenges, and we wrestle with You in the darkness of change, temptation, and doubt. Guide us. Give us the will and spirit to live faithfully, and to love as we are loved. Amen.
*Response: (Hymn #24, Verse 3)
God has eternal life implanted in the soul.
God's love shall be our strength and stay, while ages roll.
Praise to the living God! All praised be the Name,
who was, and is, and is to be,
is still the same!
Scripture:
Genesis 32: 22-31
The same night [Jacob] got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.
Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me."
So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."
Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed."
Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved."
The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
*Hymn #622 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
1 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand.
bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more;
feed me till I want no more.
2 Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.
strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield;
be thou still my strength and shield.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside;
bear me through the swelling current; land me safe on Canaan's side.
songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to thee;
I will ever give to thee.
Reflection: “ God’s Enduring Word “ Pastor C.J. King
Synopsis: The story of Jacob shows us that God’s people may not always act with pure intentions, but God’s blessing and grace endures.
*Hymn #416 "Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face To Face” verses 1 & 2
1 Here, O our Lord, I see thee face to face, here would I touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace, and all my weariness upon thee lean.
2 Here I will feed upon the bread of God, here drink with thee the royal wine of heav'n;
here would I lay aside each earthly load; here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiv'n.
Holy Communion
(Bread is passed)
(Wine is passed)
*Hymn #416 "Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face To Face” verses 3 & 4
3 Too soon we rise; the symbols disappear; the feast, tho' not the love, is past and gone;
the bread and wine remove, but thou art here – nearer than ever – still my shield and sun.
4 Feast after feast thus comes and passes by; yet, passing, points to that glad feast above –-
giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy, the Lamb’s great bridal feast of bliss and love.
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function.)
*Offertory —
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & 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,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude: — “Rocka My Soul” [A]
As the postlude ends, feel free to move about the Sanctuary. Music may continue as you join others for coffee or greet your friends as you exit the Sanctuary. All should feel free to share the peace of this space in the Sanctuary or on Zoom. On Zoom you may unmute your mics and begin virtual coffee hour. (You will temporarily be muted in the Sanctuary.)
In the sanctuary, use appropriate precautions for those with health concerns.*
*Masks are available in the sanctuary for those wishing to use one.
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth * Immigrants experiencing or facing detention or deportation in their loneliness and fear *Transgender people and their families *Those enduring times of stress *Those with PTSD & their families *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Cecile Fisher Smith *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Christine Tattersall *Karen Hunt *David Lambert *Irene Rice *Max Brown *Dick Desrochers *Ben Williams (Pastor King’s husband) *Patricia Donatelli *Lorrie Young *Ed Gruelich *Flo & Tim Bosch *Ross Ludeman *The Olsson families. *Candace Damon & the Jacobson family *The Arbuckle family *Christian Rogerson & family *Krista Gay *Lima Leland *Darlene Babbitt (Katherine Gorey’s sister) *Joanne Giel *Frances Alford
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Susan Lathrop *Family & friends of David James Smith (Cecile Smith’s brother in law) *Family & friends of David Fischmann (partner of Katherine Brown) *Family & friends of Estelle Pieth *Family & friends of Dave Robinson *Family & friends of Debbie Wright *Family & friends of Stephan Fitzsimmons (Caidin Domeracki’s grandfather) *Family & friends of Norm Robertson *Family & friends of Ginger Ludeman *Family & Friends of Lisa Cashetto (Lorrie Young’s sister-in-law) *Family & friends of Diana Toomey *Family & friends of Jim Webb (Angela Moulton’s Father) *Family & friends of Kenneth Dorko (Pastor Watson’s nephew) *Family & friends of Dennis Scharback *Family & friends of Arthur Park *Family & friends of Sophie Field *Family & friends of Susan Hadden
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Addie Hall Vogel. Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Judy & Chuck Dickison, Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Sterling House, 33 Atkinson Street, Bellows Falls VT 05101
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org
On Facebook: The Grafton Church
Realize Our Hope for Redemption
with Grafton Community Church
Music Notes:
From: RELIGIOUS FOLK-SONGS OF THE NEGRO as sung by The Hampton Institute Students. 1909 edition