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!
June 8, 2014
Ten o’clock
SUNDAY OF PENTECOST
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
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GATHERING
REFLECTION
The church nurtures those baptized as children and calls them to make public their personal profession of faith and their acceptance of responsibility in the life of the church. When these persons are ready, they shall be examined by the session. After the session has received them as active members they shall be presented to the congregation during a service of public worship. In that service the church shall confirm them in their baptismal identity. They are commissioned for full participation in the mission and governance of the church, and are welcomed by the congregation.
(Book of Order W-4.2003)
PRELUDE
“Daybreak”
Paul McLveen
“Festive Celebration”
Kevin McChesney
Chapel Handbells
CALL TO WORSHIP
Patrick Maguire
On this day of Pentecost, as we worship,
May God pour out the Holy Spirit upon us.
May the power and promise of that day long ago,
Renew us and our church on this Pentecost day.
In our worship, may our hearts be set afire with enthusiasm,
And may our lives show forth with energy and courage as we live the Good News of new life.
Let us pray.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN OF PRAISE no. 2122 (Sing the Faith)
“She Comes Sailing on the Wind”
SHE FLIES ON
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Henry Jones.
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
O Holy Spirit, who moves subtly and secretly in our midst, catch us off guard and illumine the rough edges and the hidden corners of our prideful and anxious lives. Release us from the illusion that we can have life all neatly boxed and wrapped. Release us from faulty notions and earlylearned preconceptions of who you are and how you work in this world. Free us to experience your holy Presence, wide-eyed and eager like a newborn child. Kindle in us new visions for faithful living, through Christ our Lord, in whom we find our rest and courage.
PERSONAL CONFESSION
And let the people say,
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
...Friends, believe the good news.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE no. 292 (stanza 1)
“As the Wind Song”
WAIRUA TAPU
As the wind song through the trees,
as the stirring of the breeze,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the heart made strangely warm,
as the voice within the storm,
so it is with the Spirit of God.
Never seen, ever known
where this wind has blown
bringing life, bringing power to the world,
as the dancing tongues of fire,
as the soul’s most deep desire,
so it is with the Spirit of God.
ANTHEM
“A Good Work” arr. Mark Miller
Chancel Choir & Youth Choir Ensemble
Text based on Phil 1:6
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 Red 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 concerns and celebrations. Please place the cards in the offering plate and the staff will include them with their prayers this week.
MINUTE FOR MINISTRY
African Dream Academy
Rev. Samuel Enders
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
READING OF SCRIPTURE
pages 8, 111
SERMON
“What Next?”
Dr. Sommers
*HYMN no. 726 (stanzas 1 & 2)
“Will You Come and Follow Me”
Kelvingrove
REAFFIRMATION OF THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT
*STATEMENT OF FAITH (as prepared by Confirmands)
We believe God is our Father, Mother, Ruler of the Universe and Creator of all things.
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, Redeemer and our Teacher. He told stories of God's love and died for our sins.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity. The Holy Spirit comforts and guides us and is always with us wherever we go.
We believe that Scripture is the word of God and the record of the journey of the people of God. It shows us the way to go in times of need.
We believe that the Church is the embodiment of our faith. The church is called to be God's messenger on Earth. We believe that wherever you are, when you pray with others or follow Jesus together, you are church.
We believe that we are Called to worship God, show God's love to others through song, scripture and service. We are called to help others see that God loves them no matter what. We are called to let others know about our faith.
PRAYER OF COMMISSIONING 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.
*HYMN no. 726 (stanzas 3-5)
“Will You Come and Follow Me”
Kelvingrove
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
Concerto No. 3 in E-Flat Major: Allegro
arr. W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
Colin Vega, French Horn
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING no. 300
“We Are One in the Spirit”
They’ll Know We Are Christians
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
and all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
GOING FORTH
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
no. 292 (stanza 2)
“As the Wind Song”
WAIRUA TAPU
As the rainbow after rain,
as the hope that’s born again,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the green in the spring,
as a kite on a string,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
making worlds that are new,
making peace come true, bringing gifts,
bringing love to the world,
as the rising of the yeast,
as the wine at the feast,
so it is with the Spirit of God.
*THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Please exchange verbal 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 the Visitor’s Table at the rear of the church, on the table to the right of the usher’s closet under the balcony stairs. There you will find Visitor Packets and other useful information.
†SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE CONFIRMATION CLASS TO THEIR TEACHERS: Carol DeFrance, Doug Jones, and Donna McGinley; to Director of Youth Ministry, Jaime Staehle; to Pastor Rick Sommers, Pastor Don Brown, Rev. Barbara Piercy, the Confirmation Class parents, and to those members of our congregation who served as mentors.
†THE FLOWERS THIS MORNING are given to the glory of God and…
…in memory of Henry Wefferling by Lew and Deb Wefferling.
…in honor of Jack and Lynne Stoddard’s 50th Anniversary by the Tannler and Malcolm Families.
†THE ROSE ON THE COMMUNION TABLE celebrates the birth of Finnian David to Ken and Jessie Delaney on May 19, 2014. Grandparents are Pam and Mike
Delaney.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT CALDWELL
326 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
973-228-0310
www.firstprescaldwell.org