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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April 6, 2014
Ten o’clock
5th Sunday in Lent
CHURCH FAMILY SUNDAY
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
GATHERING
REFLECTION
Humankind's greatest gift, also its greatest curse, is that we have free choice. We can make our
choices built from love or from fear.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004)
PRELUDE
“O God, Thou Faithful God” Op. 122 No. 7
arr. Johannes Brahms
(1833-1897)
CALL TO WORSHIP
Celia White, Lay Reader
Lord God, we have gathered here in your Spirit,
With hearts hungry from our Lenten journey.
In the midst of our wilderness travels, we yearn for holy refreshment,
Through your loving and healing Spirit.
We yearn now in our time together to experience you,
In fresh, new and abundant ways.
Prepare us now for this time of worship,
And may the power and promise of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us.
Let us pray.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN no. 410
“God Is Calling through the Whisper”
W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Giana Suda.
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
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.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
We welcome into the family of God through baptism Samuel William Stroever,
son of William and Johanna, born on May 7, 2013.
Assisting in the baptism today is Elder Richard Heun.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN no. 487
“These Treasured Children”
PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
“Hymn of Assurance”
Chancel Choir
Howard Helvey
*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
pages 99, 29
SERMON
“The Choice”
Dr. Sommers
*RESPONSE no. 626
“As the Deer”
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
*HYMN OF PREPARATION no. 498
“Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken”
BEACH SPRING
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 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.
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*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 located through the door to the left of the choir loft and left to the end of the hall.
†Our thanks to Wally Brixner for preparing the Lord’s Table today. Our Communion servers this week are: Paul Califf, Sally Cooperson, Kris George, Bob Hodge, Donna Heun, Susan Jones, Ron Masson, Joyce McGrath, Mark Schalles, and Bill Trafton.
†The flowers this morning are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of…
...David Wefferling by Lew and Deb Wefferling.
...Nancy McGruther by her family.
And by Liz Moore and Mark Mulick to celebrate their son Ben's upcoming confirmation.
†Our sympathy and prayers as a Christian family to…
...Ann Hicock and family on the death of her brother, Edgar on March 28th.
†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:
…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