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 22, 2017
Ten o’clock
Third Sunday after Epiphany
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GATHERING
PRELUDE
Sonata No.5 in G Major K.283 W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
1. Allegro
W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
Katie Kreil, Piano
CALL TO WORSHIP
Amanda Spinweber, Lay Reader
During the season of Advent, we heard the prophetic cry:
“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
In this season of Epiphany, we see and celebrate the light bulb over our heads, the “Aha!” moment, when we glimpse the good news:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!”
In Christ, in communion, in community, we have been given a glimpse of the truth about the world and about God and about how life can be lived, even in the midst of great darkness.
We see how life can be lived without bitterness and retaliation and revenge, and how love and joy and hope can shape everything we do.
We hear the calling anew – a fresh opportunity to turn our lives around and begin to live the heavenly kingdom life right now.
Let us live out the culture of heaven; let us live as we were created to live.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN NO. 720
“Jesus Calls Us”
Galilee
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Charlene Pace
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
Loving Jesus, in the presence of your calling Spirit, we confess the fear and despair in our hearts. We don’t listen, because we don’t want to hear where you challenge us to change. We don’t follow, because we are afraid of where you will lead us; we are afraid of encountering people different from us, because they may cause us to change. Or, we hesitate to turn and follow you, because we despair that things will never change. Forgive us for being afraid to listen to You, to follow You, and to go where You have sent us. Forgive our lack of hope in dark or uncertain times. Grant us the courage to step out in faith, to listen to Your voice, and to be changed by Your love through others and through Your creation.
PERSONAL CONFESSION
In Your name we pray.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
...Friends, believe the good news.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 626
“As The Deer”
As The Deer
As the deer pants for the water,
so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire,
and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength, my shield;
to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire,
and I long to worship you.
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
ANTHEM
“All My Days”
Mark A. Miller
Chancel Choir
Kris George, Accompanist
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.
MINUTE FOR MINISTRY
New Beginnings
Rey Mercado
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
Matthew 4:12-23
Page 3, NT
SERMON
“Turn Around”
Rev. Todd Shumpert
*HYMN NO. 100
“Canticle of the Turning”
Star of the County Down
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
*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
GOING FORTH
*HYMN NO. 751
“From the Nets of Our Labor”
Hamilton
*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.
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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.
†We express our sympathy as a Christian family to….
….Mark Acquadro and his family on the death of his father, Edmund, on January 8, 2017.
….Gerard Capizzi and his family on the death of his father, Joseph, on January 9, 2017.
†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God in memory of…
….Eugene Schneider, father, by Liz and John Holda
† 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, Marge Lucas, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Emil Schnell, Marge Vanderberg, 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
www.firstprescaldwell.org