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 27, 2014
Ten o’clock
2nd Sunday of Easter
GATHERING
REFLECTION
You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
— Attributed to Chief Seattle
PRELUDE
“Spring” from the Four Seasons
(Allegro & Pastoral Dance)
Antonio Vivaldi
CALL TO WORSHIP
We praise you God, for Brother Sun, who brings the day. Thank you for giving us light
through him.
We praise you.
We praise you God, for Sister Moon and the Stars. In heaven you have formed them, right,
and precious, and beautiful.
We praise you.
We praise you God, for Brother Wind, and for Air, for Cloud, and Clear, and all the weather, by which you give your creatures nourishment.
We praise you.
We praise you God, for Sister Water. She is useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
We praise you.
We praise you God for Brother Fire, by whom you light up the night. How handsome he is, how happy, how powerful and strong!
We praise you.
We praise you God, for our Sister, Mother Earth, who nourishes and governs us, and produces wonderful fruits, flowers and herbs.
With all the creatures of your Creation, we praise you!
OPENING PRAYER
READING OF THE STORY OF CREATION (GENESIS 1)
*HYMN no. 20
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” (stanzas 1&4)
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Henry Jones.
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
Creator of the earth and all living things, maker of the sky and the air and the breath of life, God of all that is: we are your servant people, created out of the clay of the earth itself. We forget that we are your creatures and we play at being gods. We neglect the work of stewardship that you have provided for our occupation and our joy. We have used, abused, and abandoned those things that you have created for your delight.
You have created a fragile world in a perfect and delicate balance. Thinking too much of our own importance we have upset the balance.
We ask your forgiveness, Holy and Righteous God. We yearn to join with the mountains and valleys, the rocks and the birds of the wild ocean waters in singing your praises.
PERSONAL CONFESSION
In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
...Friends, believe the good news.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE no. 14
“For the Beauty of the Earth”
DIX
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
ANTHEM
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
(Prayer of St. Francis)
Sebastian Temple
Sarah Solie, Solo
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Please note: Children and Youth 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
Deacon Golf Outing for Youth Missions
Steve Spinweber
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
We welcome into the family of God through baptism Anna Grace DeLaura, daughter of Joseph and Lisa, born on December 23, 2013. Assisting in the baptism today is Ruling Elder Tom Everett.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
The Apostles’ Creed (ecum)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN no. 482
“Baptized in Water”
BUNESSAN
SCRIPTURE
page 148
SERMON
“Stewards of Creation”
Dr. Sommers
*HYMN no. 22
“God of the Sparrow”
ROEDER
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
“Look at the World”
Chancel Choir
John Rutter
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING no. 15
“All Creatures of Our God and King”
All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voices and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia! O brother sun with golden beam, O sister moon with silver gleam,
Sing praises! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
GOING FORTH
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
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.
†The flowers this morning are given to the glory of God and…
...in loving memory of my husband, Frank by Corinne Driver.
...to celebrate the 30th Wedding Anniversary of Bill and Lenore Hayden.
†Our sympathy as a Christian family to…
...Donald Felter and family on the death of his mother, Norma on April 16th.
†The white roses today celebrate the lives of First Pres members John Rogers “Jack” Stafford, who died on April 18th and Doris Slater, Todd’s grandmother, who died on April 22nd. We remember the promises of the resurrection in their deaths. Our sympathy and prayers to the Stafford and Slater families.
†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:
…Roger Jones, Doris Dusinberre, Clarence Wispelway, 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