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 27, 2016 

Ten o’clock 

First Sunday of Advent 


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GATHERING 


REFLECTION “Wisdom begins in wonder.” - Socrates 


PRELUDE 

“Every Valley Shall Be Exalted” 

from Messiah G.F. Handel 


CALL TO WORSHIP 

We gather this morning, 

With joy and thanksgiving. 

Keep the fire of your Spirit burning in us, 

And let us hear your prophecies with fresh ears. 

With hearts full of anticipation, 

We await your coming, O Lord, even as we seek to partner with you in renewing the face of the earth. 

Praise the Lord! 

The Lord’s name be praised! 


LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE 

Lighting the first Candle of Advent by the Sunday School Teachers 


*HYMN NO. 82 

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” 

Hyfrydol 

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Gary Suda 


CONFESSION 

   CORPORATE CONFESSION 

   God of shadows and light, 

   God of hiddenness and revelation, 

   forgive us when we miss you – 

      when we overlook the love, 

      when we turn our backs on the hope, 

      when we gaze too intently at ourselves 

      ignoring the blessed others that surround us. 

   Forgive us, God, and in your infinite grace 

   shine your holy light 

   or perhaps sit with us in the dark. 


   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. 86 

“The People Who Walked in Darkness” 

Isaiah 9 

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Father forever, Prince of Peace. 

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Father forever, Prince of Peace. 


PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING 


ANTHEM “Every Valley” 

John Ness Beck 

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 Isaiah 9:6 Page 600, OT 


SERMON “Wonderful Counselor” Dr. Sommers 


*HYMN NO. 694 “Great God of Every Blessing” Aurelia 


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 

   “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” 

   arr. Emma Lou Diemer 


   *RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 123 

   “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” Carol 

   For lo, the days are hastening on, 

   By prophets seen of old, 

   When with the ever circling years 

   shall come the time foretold, 

   When peace shall over all the earth 

   Its ancient splendors fling, 

   And the whole world give back the song 

   Which now the angels sing. 


*PRAYER OF DEDICATION 


GOING FORTH 


*HYMN NO. 92 

While We Are Waiting, Come 

Waiting (Cason) 


*BENEDICTION 


*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 88 

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” 

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, 

who orderest all things mightily: 

to us the path of knowledge show; 

and teach us in her ways to go. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

shall come to thee, O Israel. 


*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. 


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, 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. 


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, NJ 07006 

973-228-0310