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!

January 8, 2017

Ten o’clock

Baptism of the Lord

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, ‘Let it be, Let it be…’” - The Beatles

PRELUDE

Invention No. 4 in d-minor, BWV775

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Prelude No. 2

George Gershwin (1898-1937)

Katie Kreil, Piano

CALL TO WORSHIP

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. Stir up your might, and come to save us!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine that we may be saved.

Let us worship God!

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 1

“Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty!”

Nicaea

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Daniel Barnes

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

We try to stop Jesus from coming into our lives, Patient God, for we know how disruptive He can be. He wants us to preach the gospel with our lives, but we prefer to complain how hard that is to do. He wants us to do what is right, yet wrong-doing comes so easily for us. He would like us not to give up until justice is done, but we just don’t seem to have the time.

We confess because we know we need to be forgiven by you. Help us to see all that is happening around us, and make us ready to do good for others, to give you all the praise, to learn justice, grace and hope from your Servant, Jesus Christ.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

And let the people say.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 158

“Born in the Night, Mary’s Child”

Mary’s Child

Born in the night, Mary’s child,

A long way from your home;

Coming in need, Mary’s Child,

Born in a borrowed room

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“Once in Royal David’s City”

Arr. Robert J. Powell

Westminster & 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.

SCRIPTURE

Luke 1:26-56

Page 53, NT

SERMON

“Space for the Uncontained God”

Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 99

“My Soul Gives Glory to My God”

Morning Song

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

“Go Tell It on the Mountain”

Arr. Robert J. Powell

Westminster & Pilgrim Choir

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 158

“Born in the Night, Mary’s Child”

Mary’s Child

Clear shining light, Mary’s Child,

your face lights up our way;

Light of the world, Mary’s Child,

down on our darkened day

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 726

“Will You Come and Follow Me”

Kelvingrove

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 158

“Born in the Night, Mary’s Child”

Mary’s Child

Hope of the world, Mary’s Child

You’re coming soon to reign

King of the earth, Mary’s Child,

Walk in our streets again

*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 Fellowship Hall.

†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God in memory of…

… our Grandfather, Irvin Perras, by Jim, Erika, Matthew and Jessica Day

† 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, 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