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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May 4, 2014
Ten o’clock
3rd Sunday of Easter
CHURCH FAMILY SUNDAY
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
GATHERING
REFLECTION
They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:32
Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
PRELUDE
Carillon on “Adoro te devote”
Charles Callahan
CALL TO WORSHIP
Colin Vega, Lay Reader
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
And God will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; the Lord will swallow up death forever.
ALL: O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?
Isaiah 25:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:55
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN no. 510
“We Gather Here in Jesus’ Name”
COME, SHARE THE LORD
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Alexis Chiappetta.
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
Heavenly Stranger, our Companion on the Way, we yearn for your love and grace, your wisdom and guidance. We relish the joy which burns within our hearts when you are with us. Yet, sometimes we would cling to you, hoard the blessings of relationship with you, and not share your love with others. Forgive us. Remind us that your love is to be carried throughout the world. Press us to share the hope and joy of your love, so that someone who hungers for spiritual food may be filled, so that those who long for peace and help might find their hope revived.
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. 240, Stanza 1
“Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks”
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation.
(Refrain)
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.
MINUTE FOR MINISTRY
One Great Hour of Sharing
Shelley Desch
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
“For the Bread”
Chancel Choir
arr. V. Earle Copes
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING no. 240 Stanza 2
“Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks”
Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.
Spread the good news o'er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen.
(Refrain)
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SCRIPTURE
page 84
SERMON
“A Living Reality”
Dr. Sommers
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
*HYMN OF PREPARATION no. 252
“Day of Arising”
RAABE
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. Please note, so that all may partake, we use gluten free bread. Our Communion servers this week are: Carol DeFrance, Marcia Fricke, Angie Maxwell, Joyce McGrath, Kathy Pace, Mark and Laura Schalles, Ken Schuetz, Roy Shephard and Bill Trafton.
†The flowers this morning are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of…
...my husband, Jack by Alice Brackmann.
...Meghan P. Birdsall by her family.
...my parents, Maureen and Ian Jamieson by Jill Colavita.
…loved ones and in honor of our children by Max and Elizabeth Oehler.
†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:
…Doris Dusinberre, Roger Jones, Clarence Wispelwey, 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