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!
July 13, 2014
Ten o’clock
5th Sunday after Pentecost
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GATHERING
REFLECTION
What is honored in a country will be cultivated there.
— Plato (circa 428-347 BC)
PRELUDE
“Moderato” Eugéne Bozza (1905-1991)
Danny Molloy, trumpet
CALL TO WORSHIP
OPENING PRAYER
Gracious God, what holy ground we stand on when we are gathered in your presence! Remind us that this is sacred space. Let us approach you with humility and awe. We come before you not with complacency, but with gratitude and reverence. As we worship today, turn our hearts away from ourselves and toward you. Remove all that distracts us so that we may see you clearly, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*HYMN SING
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Henry Jones.
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
Smiling God, you delight in your creation. You spread your palette of reds and golds, purples and greens for all to see. But we get caught up in speeding through life, intent on accomplishing more, yet somehow enjoying it less. Open our eyes to the wonder all around. Spin us around to see and appreciate. Let music touch our hearts and laughter fill our souls. Slow us down enough to marvel at the splendor around us and to let loose a prayer of thanks. Stir us to be a community of joy, a people of praise, a center of healing.
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. 15 (stanza 6)
O sisters, brothers, take your part,
and worship God with humble heart.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
All creatures, bless the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One!
Sing praises!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
ANTHEM
“Guide my feet, Lord”
Traditional Spiritual, arr. John Carter
Melissa Welborn, soloist
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Please note: Children ages 2-5 may leave the sanctuary for Kid’s Page to be held in room A-8. Children entering 1st through 4th grade will meet for Kid’s Page Plus in the Youth Room.
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.
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
We welcome into the work and ministry of FPC Tom and Caitlyn Adamo, Jeffrey and Patrese Lattimer, and Harold and Pat Scott.
SCRIPTURE
page 657
SERMON
“Questions of Honor”
Dr. Sommers
*HYMN no. 756
“O God of Every Nation”
LLANGLOFFAN
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
“Prayer of St. Gregory”
Allan Horhaness (1911-2000)
Danny Molloy, trumpet
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING
no. 712
As those of old
their first fruits brought
of vineyard, flock, and field
to God, the giver of all good,
the source of bounteous yield,
so we today our first fruits bring,
the wealth of this good land:
of farm and market, shop and home,
of mind and heart and hand.
GOING FORTH
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
no. 175
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 verbal greetings of welcome and peace with your neighbor.
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*Those who are able, please stand
†If you are new to the 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 10:00am 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 memory of…
…Marion Schuetz by her family.
...Harvey Neil Lawshe from his mother, Edna.
†The rose on the communion table celebrates the birth of Kipton Patrick to Dan and Meg Williams on June 20, 2014. Maternal grandmother is Joanne Crotty.
†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, Ruth Hults, 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