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!
August 31, 2014
Ten o’clock
12th Sunday after Pentecost
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GATHERING
REFLECTION
“As a metaphor for the kingdom of God, this parable (of the workers in the vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16) challenges us to consider where we as individuals and where we as a church draw boundaries. If we are to take Jesus’ teachings seriously, if we are to take Jesus seriously, we must do so on his terms, not ours.”
PRELUDE
“Meditation” Sonata No. 6, Op. 86
arr. Alexandre Guilmant
CALL TO WORSHIP
We are so sure, so certain about everything, even God.
We seldom dare to question. We rarely admit to doubt.
Yet the ways of the Lord are mystery.
Who really understands?
We turn to you for guidance, O God.
We who have all the answers now listen for a word from you.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN SING
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Henry Jones
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
God, we often turn to you to get the inside track and obtain special favors. We ask for your direction in our lives only when it coincides with the direction we want to go. We want your power only when it will help us with our own pet projects. We ask for your sanction for our ambitions. We want you to give us a blank check that we can fill out however we wish. Help us listen for what is your will for our lives. Help us be open to being used by you rather than trying to use you.
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. 654
“In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful”
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful;
in the Lord I will rejoice!
Look to God; do not be afraid.
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near.
Lift up your voices; the Lord is near. (repeat)
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
TIME FOR 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.
SCRIPTURE
page 20
SERMON
“Justice and Generosity”
Dr. Sommers
*HYMN no. 36
“For the Fruit of All Creation”
AR HYD Y NOS
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
“He’s Always Been Faithful” arr. Tom Fetke
Sarah Solie, Solo
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING
no. 609
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
GOING FORTH
*HYMN OF SENDING no. 753
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
no. 175
“Seek Ye First”
LAFFERTY
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 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.
†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:
… Harry Coppens, Doris Dusinberre, Bill Hayden, Ruth Hults, Roger Jones, Olga Muller, Marilyn O’Connell, Barbara Piggery, Bob Pryor, Louise Ritscher, Rob Thiemann, Laura Winter, Helena Wispelwey and Phyllis Franciose.
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