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!
November 20, 2016
Ten o’clock
Christ the King Sunday
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GATHERING
REFLECTION
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” — Brené Brown
PRELUDE “Simple Gifts”
arr. Cathy Moklebust
Chancel Handbell Choir, First Church Ringers
CALL TO WORSHIP
Blessed be the Lord God who looks with kindness on us.
We are the inheritors of the promises made long ago to our ancestors.
Blessed be the Lord God who gathers us here in this place.
From across the street, from halfway around the world, God brings us home to the heart of grace.
Blessed be the Lord God who has remembered us.
We are those redeemed by God.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN NO. 367 “Come Ye Thankful People Come” St George’s Windsor
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Charlene Pace.
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
In these moments, Remembering God, we bring to you all the ways we have not lived as your people: we stand by watching while those in need struggle to survive; we cast our lots with those who worship power and success; we offer insults rather than words of grace to those who care for us; we scoff at your words which call us to a different lifestyle. Forgive us, God of Mercy, for not knowing what we do to you, to others, to ourselves. Speak to us through Jesus Christ, our King and our Savior, who bears words filled with your tender mercy and gracious hope.
PERSONAL CONFESSION
In the name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
...Friends, believe the good news.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 336 “We Gather Together” Kremser
We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
he chastens and hastens his will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
ANTHEM
“Clap Your Hands” (Psalm 98)
David Rasbach
Chancel Choir, Westminster Choir, Pilgrim 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
MINUTE FOR MINISTRY
Cookie Walk
Liz Moore
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
We welcome into the life and ministry of FPC the following: Moses Fawole, Nicole Orriola, Jeff Macaluso, Kendra Macaluso, Adrienne Paterson, Nancy Urciuoli, Lauren Willenborg and Steven Willenborg
SCRIPTURE
Luke 23:33-43
Page 83, NT
SERMON
“Lift Up Your Eyes! The King is Coming”
Rev. Don Brown
*HYMN NO. 268
“Crown Him With Many Crowns”
Diadamata
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
“Doxology for a New Day”
Mark Miller
Chancel Choir, Westminster Choir, Pilgrim Choir
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING
NO. 336
“We Gather Together” Kremser
Beside us to guide us,
our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining
his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning
the fight we were winning;
thou, Lord, wast at our side;
all glory be thine!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
GOING FORTH
*HYMN NO. 134
“Joy To The World”
Antioch
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
NO. 336 “We Gather Together”
Kremser
We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
thy name be ever praised!
O Lord, make us free!
*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.
†Thank you to Dan Molloy for his trumpet playing this morning.
†Thank you to Nancy Hauser for the beautiful Thanksgiving arrangement on the Communion Table today.
†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:
… Mary Ann Bainbridge, Harry Coppens, Bill Hayden, Don Hults, Edith Jipp, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Debbie Wefferling, 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 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT CALDWELL
326 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-228-0310