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!
December 4, 2016
Ten o’clock
Second Sunday of Advent
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
—————————————————
GATHERING
REFLECTION
6,600 people search the term “God’s Power” through Google every month. (whatchristianswanttoknow.com)
PRELUDE
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Arr. Jane McFadden and Janet Linker
Chancel Handbell Choir
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE AND OPENING PRAYER
Lighting the second Candle of Advent are members of the Men’s Fellowship Breakfast.
*HYMN NO. 100
“My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout”
Star of the County Down
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Matthew Califf
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
Mighty God of peace, who sent light into the world in the coming of Jesus Christ: We confess that we have not followed the light given to us. We have not searched for signs of your love, or trusted the goodness of your good news. We have failed to praise your Son’s birth as we have refused his peace on earth. We have expected little and hoped for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew in us all fine desires so we may watch and wait and once more hear the glad story ‘of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ the Lord.
PERSONAL CONFESSION
In whose name 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”
The people who walked in darkness
awaken to see a great light.
The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow
rise to a star shining bright.
His name is Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God,
Father forever, Prince of Peace.
Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God,
Father forever, Prince of Peace.
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
Please note: Following Time With The Children, children preschool through 1st grade may leave the sanctuary for Young Children and Worship to be held in room A-5.
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.
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
“Recitative, Air and Chorus”
from Messiah G.F. Handel (1685-1759)
- Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive
- Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion
Chancel Choir
Jill Colavita, Soloist
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING
NO. 143 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son,
evermore your voices raising
to the eternal Three in One:
come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Mark 1:21-28; 4:35-41
SERMON “Mighty God” Dr. Sommers
GIVING THANKS
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
*HYMN NO. 88 (stanzas 1,3,5,7)
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Veni Emmanuel
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. 88 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Veni Emmanuel
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
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.
—————————————————
*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.
†Our thanks to Elizabeth Califf and Zoe Jones for preparing the Lord’s Table today. Our Communion servers this week are: Brian Archibald, Jeannine Archibald, Bonnie Chiappetta, Jeanette DePalma, Chris Flanagan, Bob Hodge, Nancy McCarthy, Joyce McGrath, Kathy Pace and Stephen Urban.
†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God …
... in memory of Michael Angelo, Jr. by Heather Angelo
... to celebrate the life of Marilyn O’Connell by Nancy and Ed McCarthy
†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.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT CALDWELL
326 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
973-228-0310
www.firstprescaldwell.org