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!
January 11, 2014
Ten o’clock
Baptism of the Lord
GATHERING
REFLECTION
Baptism is the sign and seal of
incorporation into Christ. Jesus in his own baptism was attested Son by the
Father and was anointed with the Holy Spirit to undertake the way of the
servant manifested in his sufferings, death, and resurrection (W-2.3001). The
Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims all people
before they are able to respond in faith (W-2.3008b).
Presbyterian
Church (USA) Book of Order
PRELUDE
“A
Gospel Prelude”
Charles Callahan
CALL TO WORSHIP
The
God of New Beginnings has called us to this place.
We come celebrating the new life
that is ours as God's faithful people.
Let
your joy ring through the universe, and let your vision see to the depths of
every soul.
We will be shouters of joy and
seekers of God's light wherever we go.
ALL: Praise God for this day!
OPENING
PRAYER
*HYMN NO. 664
“Morning Has Broken”
BUNESSAN
Lighting
the candles today is Acolyte Alexis Chiappetta.
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
We
try to stop Jesus from coming into our lives, Patient God, for we know how
disruptive he can be. He wants us to preach the gospel with our lives, but we
prefer to complain how hard that is to do. He wants us to do what is right, yet
wrong-doing comes so easily for us. He would like us not to give up until
justice is done, but we just don't seem to have the time. We confess because we
know we need to be forgiven by you, God of glory and grace. Bathe us in the
life giving waters of your mercy so we can come up from the water, ready to do
good for others, to give you all the praise, to learn justice, grace, and hope
from your Servant, Jesus Christ.
PERSONAL CONFESSION
In whose
name we pray.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
...Friends,
believe the good news.
In
Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 155
“Raise a Song of Gladness”
JUBILATE DEO
Raise
a song of gladness, peoples of the earth. Christ has come, bringing peace, joy
to every heart. Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart! Alleluia, alleluia, joy
to every heart! (2x)
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
ANTHEM
“The
Star That Shone on Bethlehem”
Arr. Larry Shackley
Chancel
Choir
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.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
We welcome into the family of God through baptism Brian Hardison Guinn-Bailey, son of Troy and Sara Guinn-Bailey,
born on August 4, 2014. Assisting in the baptism today is Elder Rey Mercado.
*AFFIRMATION
OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed (ecum)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and
earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived
by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he
rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the
Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the
Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion
of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life
everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN NO. 487
“These Treasured Children”
PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
SCRIPTURE
Pages 32-33, NT
SERMON
“Message Received?”
Dr. Sommers
*HYMN NO. 292
“As the Wind Song”
WAIRUA TAPU
(During the hymn, those who desire may come forward and dip
their finger in the water of the baptismal font, the water of new life)
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
“A Chorale Prelude for the New Year”
J.S. BACH (1685-1750)
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all creatures here below;
Praise Holy Spirit ever more;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
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.
*Please rise in body or in spirit
†If you are new to our
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 10:00 service
today, we hope you will join us for Coffee Hour in Room 120.
†The flowers this morning, are given
to the glory of God in memory of…
...our parents by Richard and Edna
Rose.
† 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 Jipp, Roger Jones, Alex Lopus, Olga Muller, Marilyn O’Connell, Barbara Piggery,
Louise Ritscher, Laura Winter and Clarence 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.
† 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