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 13, 2014 

Ten o’clock 

PALM/PASSION SUNDAY 

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SERVICE FOR THE LORD'S DAY


GATHERING 


REFLECTION

“They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

— John 12:13


PRELUDE

“Crown Him With Many Crowns”

 arr. John Head & Sue Mitchell-Wallace


CALL TO WORSHIP

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion

Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem

Lo, your king comes to you

Triumphant and victorious is he

Humble and riding on a donkey

On a colt, the foal of a donkey

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the highest!


OPENING PRAYER


CHORAL INTRODUCTION

“Hosanna! Blessed is He!”

 arr. Hal H. Hopson 


*HYMN no. 197 

“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” 

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Ian Flanagan.


CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

God of all times and places, we confess that we would rather join the crowds than stand alone. We prefer the popular point of view to a solitary witness for justice and truth. We like safety and security while shrinking from the risk of involvement. We'll sing "hosanna" when everyone else is doing so—but not when the hostile "Good Friday" forces may hear us. We do not like to admit our lukewarm response to you, but neither do we want to be considered fanatics.

     We believe Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. We know that means not just other people involved in obvious evils everyone knows about. We know it means us. We ask you to be patient with us, to help us understand our own guilt. Then pour out your forgiveness in such a way that we are forever transformed.


PERSONAL CONFESSION

We pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.


ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.


*RESPONSE OF PRAISE no. 198 

“Ride On! Ride On in Majesty”

ST. DROSTANE

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry;

O Savior meek, pursue Thy road

With palms and scattered garments stowed.


PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING


ANTHEM

“Look Who’s Coming!”

Genesis & Chi Rho Choirs (Youth Club)

 Michael Bedford 


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.


WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 

Decaon News 

Marcia Fricke


SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 27:1-3, 11-26

page 30


RESPONSE no. 198 

“Ride On! Ride On in Majesty”

ST. DROSTANE 

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die;

Bow thy meek head to mortal pain;

Then take, O God, thy power, and reign.


SERMON 

“Pontius Pilate”

Rev. Brown


*HYMN (See Insert) 

“The Palms”

Jean Baptiste-Fauré 


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

“Lift Up Your Heads” from Messiah

Chancel Choir

G.F. Handel (1685-1759)


*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.


GOING FORTH 


*BENEDICTION 


*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE no. 97 

“Go to Dark Gethsemane”

Redhead

Go to dark Gethsemane, All who feel the tempter’s power;

Your Redeemer’s conflict see, Watch with Him one bitter hour;

Turn not from His griefs away, Learn from Jesus Christ to pray. 


*THE PEACE 

The peace of Christ be with you. 

And also with you. 

Please exchange greetings of welcome and peace with your neighbor. 


*POSTLUDE 

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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 pulpit then left down the hallway. 


Thank you to members from the congregation and the Worship Committee for making the palm crosses we are receiving today. Special thanks to Garrett Jones of Codey Jones Funeral Home for supplying palms to our church. Thanks as well to those who made the palm crosses.


We welcome trumpeter Charles Bumcrot to our worship service today. Charles is on the faculty at Montclair State University.


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

...Jack Brackmann by his wife, Alice


THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

AT CALDWELL 

326 Bloomfield Avenue 

Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 

973-228-0310 

www.firstprescaldwell.org