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! 



May 11, 2014

Ten o’clock

4th Sunday of Easter

MOTHER’S DAY 

__________________________________


GATHERING 


REFLECTION

“But there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begins.”

— Mitch Albom, For One More Day


PRELUDE

“Pavane”

First Church Ringers

Gabriel Fauré(1845-1925)

arr. Hal Hopson


CALL TO WORSHIP

August Bogert, Lay Reader

We gather together to worship the Lord, the Sending God.

We worship our God, who gathered a people to be a blessing to the nations.

We worship the Father and Mother to the childless and Healer of the broken-down.

We worship the risen Lord, who came to seek and save the lost.

We worship Jesus, who touched the untouchable and loved the unlovable.

We worship a Savior who prayed for us, that the world would know we are his by our love for one another.

And so, let us worship … in unity and in love.

We gather together for worship, and together we go out in mission.

Let us pray.


OPENING PRAYER


*HYMN no. 3 

“Womb of Life and Source of Being” 

RAQUEL

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Ian Flanagan.


CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

   Faithful God, patient Friend, you are as near to us as breath and as constant as the waves on the shore. Yet how often our lives fail to mirror your ways. We are sometimes absent from our children, giving into pressures at work or yielding to the lure of success and money. We are at times distant from one another, for though we are in the same place, our hearts and minds wander and stray. We choose not to listen, to only half-hear the words of another.

   Faithful God, patient Friend, restore our sense of belonging to each other. Heal our relationships and encourage us to be strong mothers, caring fathers, and wise friends. Teach us the way of love and the path of Jesus.


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. 71 

“Surely, It Is God Who Saves Me”

Surely, it is God who saves me; 

I will trust and not be afraid.

For the Lord is my strong-hold and my sure defense, 

and God will be my Savior.


PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING


ANTHEM

Cherub Choir

“Yes, I Am!”

“Love Your Neighbor”

“Sing for Joy!”

“Do Lord”

“Thank You Mom!”

Many thanks to the Cherub Choir for their songs and smiles this Mother’s Day! Special thanks to the Cherub Choir helpers for their loving support and encouragement.


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.


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.


SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Elizabeth Victoria Felter, daughter of Joy Elizabeth Felter, born on November 24, 2013. Assisting in the baptism today is Ruling Elder Donald Felter.


*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. 69 

“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” 

HERE I AM


SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 22:54-62;

John 21:15-17

pages 82, 109


SERMON 

“The Look”

Dr. Sommers


*HYMN no. 473

“Shepherd Me, O God”

SHEPHERD ME

Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,

beyond my fears, from death into life.


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

“The Name of Jesus”

Craig Courtney

Pilgrim & Westminster Choirs

Chancel Choir


*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING no. 248 

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days! 

Christ is risen! Hush in wonder: all creation is amazed. 

In the desert all-surrounding, see, a spreading tree has grown. 

Healing leaves of grace abounding bring a taste of love unknown.


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. 


__________________________________


*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. 


In celebration of Mother’s Day, and in lieu of giving out carnations, the Worship and Music Committee is making a donation to support the Women’s Fellowship Blanket card program. All money collected through the sale of these cards goes to Church World Service for the purchase of blankets or tools to help families around the world.


The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God and in honor of Mothers everywhere.


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:

…Rob Thiemann, 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