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! 

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February 2, 2013

Ten o’clock

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

CHURCH FAMILY SUNDAY

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper


GATHERING


REFLECTION (Micah 6:6)

“With what shall I come before the Lord?”


PRELUDE


CALL TO WORSHIP

Give us, O Lord, an eye for injustice. 

For it is only when are able to recognize injustice and feel its awful sting that we will be moved to make things right.

Give us, O Lord, a tender heart. 

Sometimes we are too hard-hearted to recognize when we have been uncaring, unfeeling, or unkind.

Grant us, O Lord, the ability to view life from the dust. 

All our lives we have been taught to make others proud, to be proud of ourselves, to hold our heads high -- all the while missing the virtues of being poor in spirit.


ALL: Teach us dear Lord, to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with you.


OPENING PRAYER


*HYMN no. 749 

“Come! Live in the Light” 

WE ARE CALLED

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Joey Santati.


CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

We give thanks for your constant presence in our lives. And, at the same time, we confess that too frequently we live our lives as if we are the judge and jury of the world. When we do so, we miss out on the opportunity to tap into your ever- present love and share it with others.

     Make us ever aware of our call to be a reflection of you, our Creator. Teach us to walk softly in our lives. Guide us to places of love and humility, and inspire us to seek justice for those who find far too little of it in this world: a world that too frequently values money over children, who die every day to a lack of food; a world that values power over people, who are forced to abandon their homes, because of greed, sectarian violence, or over-reaching governments; a world whose preferential treatment bends heavily toward the wealthiest among us, rather than towards those in need.

     Teach us, O God. Teach us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly in this life. More importantly teach us to see more clearly when we are falling short of these goals and plant in us a desire to humbly bend the arc of history toward your love and justice, a love made manifest in the life of the One we call Jesus.


PERSONAL CONFESSION

In whose name 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 

“God and Family” Recognition

Please note: Preschool children, Kindergartners and 1st Graders will head down to Rooms A4 and A5 following the Time with the Children to participate in the Young Children and Worship Program.


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. Please place the cards in the offering plate and the staff will include them with their prayers this week.


OFFERING

OFFERTORY 

“Look Who Gathers At Christ’s Table”

Text: no. 506 Glory to God

Chancel Choir

Vee Popat, Sax


*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING no. 591 

“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


SCRIPTURE 

Micah 6:1-8 

page 816


SERMON 

“Who Is Like Yahweh?” 

Dr. Sommers


THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER


INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE


*HYMN OF PREPARATION no. 769 

“For Everyone Born” 

FOR EVERYONE BORN


GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING 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.


THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD


COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE


PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION


GOING FORTH


*BENEDICTION


*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

Seek ye first the kingdom of God And his 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.

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*Those who are able, please stand


†If you are new to the 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.


†Our thanks to Wally Brixner for preparing the Lord’s Table today. Our Communion servers this week are: Brian Archibald, Darcy Asché, Paul Califf, Marcia Fricke, Barbara Heuston, Bob Hodge, Bev Johnson, Nancy McCarthy, Chuck McGrath, and Mark Schalles.


†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of…

...Mary Wefferling by Lew and Deb Wefferling.


†We extend our sympathy as a Christian family to…

...Barbara Eicher on the death of her sister and former First Pres member, Dorothy Mohrman on January 21st.


†The church office has learned that Kay Ball, while visiting her son in Tucson, fell and broke her leg. She is recovering, should you wish to send her a note the address is: Kathryn Ball c/o Thomas Ball, 2701 East Calle Los Altos, Tucson, AZ 85718


†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, Bill Hayden, 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