THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT CALDWELL
Our Purpose:
To help all people build life-transforming
relationships with God and each other.
The members and friends of FPC welcome people from all backgrounds — people of faith from throughout the world, people who profess no faith, Christians of all denominations and those who are searching for religious and spiritual meaning. Welcome!
January 12, 2014
Ten o’clock
Baptism of the Lord
_____________________________
GATHERING
REFLECTION
Your presence is worth much, much more than words. Your presence communicates to the other that he or she is valued, precious, beloved. Your presence brings not only the gift of yourself into the relationship but also, in and through you, the gift of God.
Ken Haugk
PRELUDE
Prelude for a “Joyous Day”
J. Wayne Kerr
CALL TO WORSHIP
A voice came out of the cloud saying:
This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!
Sing, and bless God’s name
Tell the glad news of salvation from day to day
Proclaim God’s glory to the nations
God’s marvelous deeds to all peoples.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN no. 403
“Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”
UNSER HERRSCHER
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Chloe Theilmeier.
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
We try to stop Jesus from coming into our lives, for we know how disruptive he can be. He wants us to preach the gospel with our lives, but we prefer to complain how hard that is to do. He wants us to do what is right, yet wrong-doing comes so easily for us. He would like us not to give up until justice is done, but we just don't seem to have the time. We confess because we know we need to be forgiven by you. Bathe us in the life giving waters of your mercy so we can come up from the water, ready to do good for others, to give you all the praise, to learn justice, grace, and hope from your Servant, Jesus Christ.
PERSONAL CONFESSION
And let the people say,
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
...Friends, believe the good news.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE no. 43 “
You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord” (refrain)
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Please note: Children through 7th grade may leave the sanctuary for Sunday School following the Time with the Children. Please exit through the doors on either side of the Choir loft.
PARISH LIFE
Members, friends and visitors, please sign the Friendship Pad in each pew and pass it to the person next to you. The last person will pass the pad back to the first person who will then please place the sheet in the offering plate. Worshipers are invited to use the cards in the pew racks for prayer requests so we may share one another’s joys and concerns. The ushers will collect the cards during the hymn following the sermon and they will be offered during the Prayers of the People.
MINUTE FOR MINISTRY
The Pittsburgh Project
ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
“River in Judea”
John Leavitt
SCRIPTURE
pages 56 & 2
SERMON
“What Really Matters”
Rev. Brown
*HYMN no. 177
“I Will Come to You”
YOU ARE MINE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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
OFFERTORY
“You Raise Me Up”
arr. Joel Raney
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING no. 607
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
GOING FORTH
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE no. 43
“You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord” (refrain)
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.
*THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Please exchange greetings of welcome and peace with your neighbor.
_____________________________
*Those who are able, please stand
†If you are new to our church... Welcome! We’re glad to have you here. Please ask an usher to direct you to Visitor packets at the rear of the church. They can be found on the table near the usher’s closet under the balcony stairs. After the 10:00 service today, we hope you will join us for Coffee Hour in Room 120.
†The Deacons invite you to call the Inspirational Phone Line at 973-228-2604 any time during the week for a short devotional message.
†The flowers this morning are give to the glory of God and in loving memory of…
...Violet Karsten by her daughter, Barbara Heuston.
...Jean Czuba by her brother, Martin Vander Molen.
†You will find CDs of the 10:00AM Worship Service at the back of the church along with CD’s of other recent services. Keep the CD for your own use, pass it on to your friends and neighbors or return them for re-use by other people. Just another way to share news about our Church!
†Your prayers of intercession are requested for those members and friends known to be currently or recently hospitalized or who continue to need our prayers and support:
…Harold Kuhefuss, Marilyn O’Connell, Louise Ritscher, Barbara Piggery, Olga Muller, Laura Winter, and Harry Coppens. The church office will be happy to verify their home addresses for you should you wish to send them words of encouragement or get well wishes.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT CALDWELL
326 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
973-228-0310
www.firstprescaldwell.org