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 19, 2014

Ten o’clock

Second Sunday after Epiphany

GATHERING

REFLECTION

(Martin Luther King, Jr. — “I Have a Dream” speech, August 28, 1963)

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP

(based on Psalm 40)

Let us wait patiently upon the Lord.

God leans in towards us and hears our prayers.

God draws us up from the pit of isolation and despair.

The Lord sets our feet securely on the right path.

God puts a new song in our hearts.

We will sing praise to the Lord our God!

Blessed are we because we put our hope and trust in God.

We gladly proclaim God's faithfulness and love!

God's great works are too numerous to count.

We lift up our voices in thanks and praise to the Lord who is our God!

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN no. 379

“We Shall Overcome”

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Amanda Spinweber.

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

God of Justice, whenever we settle for the way things are instead of the way you would have them to be, forgive us. Whenever we are paralyzed by fear or limited in vision, increase our trust in you. Whenever we offer charity, but fail to work for justice, show us the more excellent way that your love requires. Whenever we tire of the struggle and tomorrow feels overwhelming, restore our hope. Whenever we forget those who have gone before us or act is if we were the first to follow in the Way, allow us to recognize our arrogance. May the witness of saints and martyrs inspire us to an ever-deepening commitment to service in your name.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

Through the One who came as the Light to the Nations, even Jesus Christ, we pray,

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE no. 70

“What does the Lord Require of You?

What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?

Justice, kindness, Walk humbly with your God

To seek justice and love kindness and walk humbly with your God.

What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?

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.

RECOGNITION OF OFFICERS OF THE CLASS OF 2013

Michael Bruchac, Jack Dusinberre, Judi Lemm, Chuck McGrath, Dave Reimer, Nancy Saulter, Leslie Soulen, Lydia Spinelli, Darcy Asché, Eleanor Casagrand, Madeline DeSantis, Angie Maxwell, Gerrie Neff, Peter Shultz, Steve Spinweber, Mary Ann Straub

MINUTE FOR MINISTRY

Stephen Ministry

ANTHEM

“All My Trials, Lord”

Chancel Choir

arr. Mark Hayes

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 49:1-7, page 638

SERMON

“It’s in Your DNA”

Dr. Sommers

*HYMN no. 339

“Lift Every Voice and Sing”

LIFT EVERY VOICE

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 “Shed a Little Light” James Taylor

Maura Cuddihy & Sean McGinley, vocalists

Nicky Barone, bass

*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. 175

“Seek Ye First”

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness,

And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, alleluia!

*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…

...Thomas Evans by his wife, Ruth and family.

†The red rose today celebrates the birth of…

...Lewis William Wefferling Pezeur on Jan. 8th to Michael and Laurel. He is the grandson of Lewis and Debbie Wefferling.

†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