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 12, 2014
10:00AM
18th Sunday after Pentecost
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GATHERING
REFLECTION
Jesus showed extraordinary generosity in inviting all of us to his table. The proper response begins with gratefully receiving the grace of God — but that very gratitude should express itself in showing the same extraordinary generosity to others.
PRELUDE
“Be Thou My Vision”
Chancel Handbell Choir and First Church Ringers
Arr. Cathy Moklebust
CALL TO WORSHIP
Whenever we read about the structures for worship in the Old Testament, about the tabernacle, about the temple, we are struck by the presence and centrality of music in the very foundations of God’s plan for his people’s celebration of his presence
Praise God for the gift of music!
David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals. (I Chron. 15:16)
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Lord, through your Spirit you have shown us the abundant generosity of your love. We thank you for all those who by giving of their time and money have made possible the refurbishment of the hand-bells in this church.
Praise the Lord!
You have endowed us all with gifts to use for your praise and glory. Bless all ringers who use their skills to hallow your name and to call your people to worship.
Shout for joy to the Lord!
And because God's spirit fills us body and soul, because music reaches spaces of sadness and joy within us that words do not reach, we dedicate this hand-bells and the music they shape to the praise of the Lord in this place, for the expression of God’s spirit in our hearts.
Praise God for the gift of music!
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN no. 641
“When in Our Music God Is Glorified”
ENGELBERG
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Michael Babboni.
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
Almighty God, giver of all good gifts: we confess that we have not been good stewards of the life and strength you have given us. You have provided us with sound minds, but we have been careless about what we put into them, then are surprised when so little comes out of them. We have abused the health and strength of our bodies with harmful habits and poor choices. We have starved our spirits of daily nourishment from your Holy Spirit. Although you have equipped each of us with talents and abilities meant for building your kingdom, we have not so used them. Many of our strengths go unused or misused. Forgive us, kind and gracious God. Empower us with the energy of your Spirit, that we may become the people you have called us to be.
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. 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 stronghold
and my sure defense,
and God will be my Savior.
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
ANTHEM
“Shine Your Light”
Youth Club Choir
arr. Terry D. Taylor
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.
MINUTE FOR MINISTRY
"Loving Generously"
SCRIPTURE
page 72, NT
SERMON
“Banquet”
Dr. Sommers
*HYMN no. 729
“Lord, I want to Be a Christian”
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
“We Are Called”
arr. Mark Hayes
Chancel Choir
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING
no. 607
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Old Hundreth
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all creatures here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
GOING FORTH
*TEACHING MOMENT
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
no. 175
“Seek Ye First”
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 memory of Marion Schuetz by her husband, Ken.
†The White Rose today celebrates the life of Henry William Donnelly and remembers the promises of the resurrection in his death on October 7, 2014. Our Sympathy and prayers to his parents, Brandi and Paul, and other family members.
†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 today, to act on a motion to sell the West Caldwell Campus, including manse.
†It is easy to join our mailing list! Just text FPC to 42828 and follow the prompt to send your e-mail address by text message.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT CALDWELL
326 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
973-228-0310
www.firstprescaldwell.org