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! 


October 5, 2014

10:00AM

17th Sunday after Pentecost

World Communion Sunday 

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GATHERING 


REFLECTION 

In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

(John Oxenham, 1608)


PRELUDE

“Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love” 

Ghana Folk Song,

Arr. John Carter


CALL TO WORSHIP

(from Psalm 19)

The heavens are telling the glory of God,

all creation speaks volumes of God’s handiwork.

Each sunrise proclaims God’s faithfulness and the night reveals the Creator’s awe.

Without a word being spoken, all creation bears witness to the goodness of the Lord.

So, too, may we join in witness with all creation. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be God’s signature in the world.


OPENING PRAYER


*HYMN no. 667 

“When Morning Gilds the Skies” 

LAUDES DOMINI

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Matthew Califf.


CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION 

God of compassion and mercy, we are your wounded and wounding children. We bring our wounded selves, our divided society, and our broken world, seeking your healing and transforming grace. It is easy for us to point the finger at others, yet we know that we all need your forgiveness. So we lift into your presence today not only the victims of conflicts, but also those we have called enemies. Break down the walls of hatred, distrust and bitterness and open a way for us to reach one another in truth and love. Enable us to build a society where all can belong, to share our gifts in mutual respect and to seek the new future which you offer us.


PERSONAL CONFESSION

Through Jesus the Christ,

Amen.


ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.


*RESPONSE OF PRAISE no. 340

(stanzas 1&2)

“This Is My Song”

This is my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for lands afar and mine.

This is my home, the country where my heart is;

here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;

but other hearts in other lands are beating

with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,

and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.

But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,

and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.

So hear my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for their land and for mine.


PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING


TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

Please note: Preschool children, Kindergartners and 1st Graders will head down to Rooms A4 and A5 following the Time with the Children to participate in the Young Children and Worship Program.


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. Please place the cards in the offering plate and the staff will include them with their prayers this week.


OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“Uyai Mose” (Come All You People)

Chancel and Pilgrim Choir 

Instrumentalists: Katie Kreil, Holly Coppens, Emily Fusaro, Ben Mulick

Alexander Gondo (Zimbabwe)

arr. Kevin B. Holland


*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING 

no. 317 

“In Christ There Is No East or West”

MC KEE

In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north, 

but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.


*PRAYER OF DEDICATION 


SCRIPTURE

Philippians 3:4b-15

page 187


COMMUNION MEDITATION 


GIVING THANKS


INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE


*HYMN no. 528

“Come, Let Us Eat”

AVADE


GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING 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.


THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD


COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

“Bring us peace” (Da Pacem Domine) 

Pilgrim Choir 

Melchior Franck (1573-1639)

arr. Linda Spevacek


PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION


GOING FORTH 


*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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*Please rise in body or in spirit 


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 loving memory of Mark Reynolds by Richard and Deborah Reynolds


The White Rose today celebrates the life of First Pres member, Phyllis Franciose, and remembers the promises of the resurrection in her death on September 28, 2014. Our Sympathy and prayers to her son, Raymond, and other family members.


Our thanks to the Tannler Family for preparing the Lord’s Table today. Please note, so that all may partake, we use gluten free bread. Our Communion servers this week are: Joyce McGrath, Laura Schalles, Mark Schalles, Paul Califf, Angie Maxwell, Andre A. Massop, Dave Schmertz. Barbara Heuston, Susan Jones and Stephen Urban.


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, Bill Hayden, Ruth Hults, Edith Jip, Roger Jones, Olga Muller, Marilyn O’Connell, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Rob Thiemann, Laura Winter and Helena Wispelwey.

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 Session has called a congregational meeting following worship on October 12th to act on a motion to sell the West Caldwell Campus, including manse.


THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

AT CALDWELL 

326 Bloomfield Avenue 

Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 

973-228-0310 

www.firstprescaldwell.org