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 18, 2014

Ten o’clock

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Ordination/Installation of Officers

 

GATHERING

 

REFLECTION

In ordination the church sets apart with prayer and the laying on of hands those who have been called through the election of the church to serve as deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders.

[PC(USA) Book of Order, W-4.4000] 

 

PRELUDE

Precious Lord, Take my Hand

African-American Spiritual

Arr. Michael Hassell

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Sister and brothers, rejoice. We live sustained by God’s presence and love.

Thanks be to God.

As we mourn the wounds of God’s children,

God weeps with us.

As we give thanks for brothers and sisters who live in faith,

God gives thanks with us.

As we struggle for justice,

God struggles with us.

As we strive for peace,

God strives with us.

As we work to build the beloved community,

God works with us.

As we offer our gifts to all,

God blesses us.

Sisters and brothers, rejoice.

Sustained by God’s presence and love we worship God. 

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

*HYMN NO. 645

“Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”

MIT FREUDEN ZART

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Billy Slater.

 

CONFESSION

     CORPORATE CONFESSION

Parent God, you know each of us. You know our inmost wounds, our deepest hurts. You know where we have been wronged and you know where we have wronged others. Forgive us when we have held on to hurts rather than sought healing. Forgive us when we have used you and your sacred scriptures to harm rather than to heal. Forgive us most of all, when in the name of Jesus, we have caused pain and suffering. Call us into healing and teach us how we might bring your message of hope and healing to the world. 

 

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus, the Great Physician, we pray.

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”

FIRST SONG

Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust and not be afraid.

For the Lord is my strong-hold and my sure defense, and God will be my Savior.

 

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

 

 ANTHEM

Soon and Very Soon”

Andrae Crouch

Arr. Jack Schrader

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. 

 

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 2:9-10

Pages 219, NT

 

SERMON

“A Lesson From A Cardinal”

Rev. Bob McGruther

 

*HYMN NO. 401

“Here in This Place”

GATHER US IN

 

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

“Give Me Jesus”

African-American Spiritual

Arr. Richard Billingham

 

*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

 

ORDINATION AND/OR INSTALLATION OF RULING ELDERS AND DEACONS

Introduction

*Hymn of Dedication No. 69

“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”

HERE I AM (Schutte)

Constitutional Questions of the Officers-Elect

Constitutional Questions of the Congregation

Prayer of Installation and Laying on of Hands

Declaration of Ordination/Installation

 

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…

…my mother Violet Karsten on her birthday by Barbara Heuston

…Jean Czuba by Martin Vander Molen 

 

† 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, 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