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!

February 22, 2015

Ten o’clock

First Sunday in Lent

GATHERING

REFLECTION

“I kinda don’t do guilt. I gave it up for Lent years ago” - Greg Boyle

PRELUDE

Voluntary on “Shades Mountain”

K. Lee Scott

CALL TO WORSHIP

We come so God might open our eyes

That we may discover the wonders surrounding us

We gather that God might widen our hearts

That we may hear the sounds of brokenness around us

We are here so the Spirit may teach us

That we may walk in faithfulness

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 410

“God is Calling through the Whisper”

W ZLOBIE LEZY

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Henry Jones.

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

We admit we are hesitant to walk to Jerusalem and beyond with you, O God. In a world where we worry about tomorrow before enjoying today, we race by your moments of silence, of learning. In that flood of worries, which can overwhelm us, we may miss that assurance that you have not cut us off from your grace. In the desert of our desires, we often ignore that feast of hope, of joy, of life you offer to us. Forgive us and have mercy on us. May we offer our lives to others. In love, may we share your grace with everyone we meet. In hope, may we wait for you all of our days, as you come to us in the life and joy of Jesus the Christ.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

For we pray in Jesus’ name,

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 710

“We Lift Our Voices”

OFFERING

We lift our voices; we lift our hands;

we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering.

Lord, use our voices; Lord, use our hands;

Lord, use our lives; they are yours: we are an offering.

All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you.

We lift our voices; we lift our hands;

we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering.

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“He, Watching Over Israel”

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

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

Mark 1:9-15

Page 33, NT

SERMON

“One Thing”

Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 618

“O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High”

DEO GRACIAS

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

“How Great Thou Art”

Arr. Lloyd Larson

Sarah Solie, Solo

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise Christ, all people here below;

praise Holy Spirit evermore;

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 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…

… in loving memory of Cathy Lavin by her daughter, Bev Johnson.

… to celebrate their wedding Anniversary by Nancy and Ed McCarthy.

†The red rose this morning celebrates the birth of Clara Jo Piercy-Boyle, daughter of Joelle Piercy and Dennis Boyle, on Thursday, February 5, 2015. Maternal grandparents are Noel and Barbara Piercy.

†The white rose this morning celebrates the life of Olga Muller and remembers the promises of the resurrection in her death on February 16, 2015.

†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, Edith Jipp, Roger Jones, Alex Lopus, Marilyn O’Connell, Barbara Piggery, Dave Reimer, 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