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!

May 3, 2015

Ten o’clock

5^th Sunday of Easter

GATHERING

REFLECTION (1 Peter 2:9-10)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

PRELUDE

“Serenade to Spring”

Arr. Jane Holstein

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 96)

Kilian McKnight, Lay Reader

O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Praise the Lord.

The Lord’s name be praised!

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 769

“For Everyone Born”

FOR EVERYONE BORN

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Jessica Day.

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

Holy God, you are the great Inviter, always extending a welcome to us. We respond with caution, fearful of what may be required of us. We respond with narrow delight, hoping the invitation is only for us and not for “them.” We respond hesitantly, not trusting or believing that you really want to invite us. We respond with excuses, waiting to make a full commitment, waiting to give more until we feel ready.

Tender God, release us from the grip of our fears and guilt. Enable us to respond to your invitation to pray, to give, to serve. Make us open to receiving what you give and to risking something new for you. And help us to follow the example of Jesus in all areas of our lives.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

Through Christ our Lord 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”

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

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.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Leonard Vincent Antico,

son of Leonard and Katelyn (Busby) Antico, born on December 13, 2014.

Assisting in the baptism today is Elder Chuck McGrath.

*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. 482

“Baptized in Water”

BUNESSAN

OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“Gather Us In”

Marty Haugen

arr. Mark Hayes

Chancel Choir

*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

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 2:9-10

Page 219, NT

SERMON

“Declare His Glory among the Nations: Unchanging Calling in a Changing Context”

Dr. Jeff Ritchie

Associate Director for Mission, The Outreach Foundation

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

*HYMN OF PREPARATION NO. 530

“One Bread, One Body”

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

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.

*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.

† Thank you to Wes Asche and Kilian McKnight for preparing the table for the Lord’s Supper. Our Communion servers this week are: Sally Cooperson, Carol DeFrance, Jeanette DePalma, Kris George, Donna Heun, Barbara Heuston, Mark Mulick, Laura Schalles, Dave Schmertz and Stephen Urban.

†The white rose this morning celebrates the life of Fran Schneider and remembers the promises of the resurrection in her death on April 30, 2015. A memorial service will be held at Crane’s Mill on Friday, May 8 at 11am.

†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God...

...in memory of our parents by Max and Elizabeth Oehler.

...in honor of our grandchildren Gsmae, Caleb, Maddox and Tyler by Max and Elizabeth Oehler.

...in memory of my husband, Frank Driver, by Corinne Driver.

...in memory Meghan Birdsall by Nancy Birdsall.

†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, Mary Hugo, Edith Jipp, Roger Jones, 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.

†FLOWER DONORS for the sanctuary are needed for the following dates: May 10, May 17, June 7 and June 21. If you would like to donate flowers in memory or in honor of someone, please fill out a form and return to the office.

† 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