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The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell

326 Bloomfield Avenue

Caldwell, NJ 07006

973-228-0310

www.firstprescaldwell.org

 

September 13, 2020

 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

REFLECTION

“God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than He is of any other slacker.”

~ C.S. Lewis

 

PRELUDE                                          

Bagpipe Selections

                 

WORDS OF WELCOME 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP & OPENING PRAYER  

 

WORSHIP NOTE:  The hymns used in worship today were included in the private family memorial service

for Bob Pryor on Saturday, September 12.

 

OPENING HYMN No. 840, St. 1 & 4  

“When Peace like a River”                 

VILLE DU HAVRE 

 

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul;

It is well; it is well with my soul.

 

Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend;

Even so it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul;

It is well; it is well with my soul.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)

Sovereign God, in baptism you called us to turn from sin and to turn to Jesus Christ; but we stray from his ways and do not heed your call. In baptism you joined us to Christ in his death that we might be raised with Christ in new life; but we cherish old ways and fail to embrace the risen life of righteousness, justice, and love. In baptism you united us with all the baptized who confess your name; but refuse to live as one people. In baptism you sent us to serve with compassion to all; but we take bread from the hungry and stop our ears to cries for justice. Lord, have mercy on us. Remember the promises you made to us in baptism - to forgive our sinful ways and heal our brokenness. Amen.

 

 

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Anyone who is in Christ is of the New Creation. The old life is finished, gone.

Behold, new life has begun.  Brothers and Sisters, believe the good news:

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

 

HYMN No. 581                               

“Glory Be to the Father”            

 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.

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE    

 

MINUTE FOR MISSION        

African Dream Academy – Lydia Spinelli/Lisa Stein

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                                

“Prayer”                                   

arr. Dawn Thompson

                                          

FIRST READING                              

Matthew 13:10-17

 

SECOND READING                            

Luke 7:18-23

 

SERMON     

“Fantasy Faith League: Recruits from Liberal Protestants”

Rev. William Schram

 

HYMN No. 819, St. 1 & 2                 

“Be Still, My Soul”                        

FINLANDIA

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide,

Who through all changes faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future surely as the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

 

PASTORAL PRAYER & 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.

 

MEMORIAL MOMENT FOR REVEREND JESSEMAN ROBERT PRYOR

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                              

“Amazing Grace”

 

HYMN No. 819, St. 3                         

“Be Still, My Soul”                       

FINLANDIA

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord;

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

     

BENEDICTION

Go out into the world in peace

Have courage

Hold on to that which is the truth.

Never return a person evil for evil.

Strengthen the fainthearted.

Support the weak.

Help the suffering

Honor every man, woman, and child

and rejoice in the power of God in your life.  Amen

 

POSTLUDE                              

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”                    

arr. Marianne Kim               

 

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Rev. William Schram

Rev. Barbara Piercy

Noel Piercy & Susan Jones

Paul Salierno, Cantor

John Loiacono, Bagpipes

Handbell Trio:  Kara Nancoz, Barbara Romaine, Tyler Romaine,

Ray Liptak & Rob Thiemann, AV Engineers