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 25, 2014
Ten o’clock
6th Sunday of Easter
__________________________________
GATHERING
REFLECTION
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
— John 15:12-13
PRELUDE
“Joy and Celebrations” Lee Afdahl
Chancel Handbell Choir
Lee Afdahl
CALL TO WORSHIP
Alison Ribardo, Lay Reader
Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties. For all the wonder
of our country's story:
We give you thanks, O God.
For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have
labored for the commonwealth:
We give you thanks, O God.
For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the worlds common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows:
We give you thanks, O God.
For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service:
We give you thanks, O God.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN no. 687
“Our God, Our Help in Ages Past”
ST. ANNE
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Ian Flanagan
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
God of every nation, as we remember those who gave their lives in service to their country, let us be stirred to action in their memory. We confess that we have not done all that is possible to promote peace and justice in our world. We have not loved our neighbors, let alone our enemies. Forgive us for failing to live up to your commandments. Empower us to work for your kingdom in this world, and welcome us by your grace into your kingdom in the next.
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
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.
SCRIPTURE READING
NT, page 103
SERMON
“Life-Giving Love”
Dr. Sommers
*LEST WE FORGET — A Litany for Memorial Day (written by Eileen Norrington)
We pray that we may learn to love one another.
God, hear our prayer.
We remember those who have loved us enough to lay down their lives for us and pray that they may rest in peace.
God, hear our prayer.
We pray that you would comfort all those who mourn the loss in war of a loved one.
God, hear our prayer.
We pray that we may never take the freedoms we have for granted and will share them with others.
God, hear our prayer.
We pray that you will remove greed, envy, and lust for power and control from our hearts and the hearts of all people.
God, hear our prayer.
We pray that you will root out racism, sexism, and violence from our lives, our communities, our nation, and our world.
God, hear our prayer.
We pray that we may learn to share the world’s resources with all and not hoard them for ourselves.
God, hear our prayer.
We pray that we may learn to wage peace so that no more people will die in war.
God, hear our prayer.
We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, trusting in the promise that whatever we ask in Christ’s name, you will give.
Amen.
*HYMN no. 340
“This Is My Song”
FINLANDIA
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
“God of Grace and God of Laughter”
Chancel Choir and Chancel Handbells
Hal Hopson
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING no. 607
“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, who we adore. Amen.
GOING FORTH
*HYMN no. 383
“Dream On, Dream On”
DREAM ON
*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.
†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of…
...Frank and Ruth Ackerman and Ivar and Beda Thyren by Jean A. Thyren.
†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:
…Bob Pryor, 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