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 29, 2017

Ten o’clock

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“Our life is a time in which sadness and joy kiss each other at every moment.” — Henri Nouwen

PRELUDE

“The Gift of Love”

arr. Joel Raney

CALL TO WORSHIP

Let us bring the tears of our pain,

The smiles of our joy,

The songs of our hearts,

The fears of our minds,

The hopes for our future,

The regrets of our past,

And lay them before God in praise and thanksgiving and with the full assurance that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 301

“Let Us Build a House”

Two Oaks

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Gary Suda

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

God, forgive us for being so locked into our own experiences in life that we have not even tried to understand the depth of the horrors others around the world have known in theirs. Open our eyes to see something of what they have seen, our ears to hear something of what they have heard, our hearts to feel something of what they have felt. By the miracle of your grace help us understand the ways of your redemptive love in such a world as this, and show us how we can be agents of that love.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of our Christ our Redeemer, 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 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

“Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”

Sam Pottle

Chancel Choir

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Mackenzie Elizabeth Glynn, daughter of Michael and Kelli, born on July 9, 2016. Assisting in the baptism today is Elder (and grandmother) Carolyn Glynn

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

*HYMN NO. 489

“Wonder of Wonders, Here Revealed”

Pentecost

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

Souper Bowl

6th and 7th Grade Sunday School Classes

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 4:14-30

page 57, NT

Jesus’ first public words in Luke take place, fittingly, at the synagogue. Referring to the book of Isaiah, Jesus gives content to his ministry. As the meaning of his words gradually sink in, the initially positive response changes to hostility.

SERMON

“Joy and Sorrow Kiss”

Dr. Sommers

*HYMN NO. 772

“Live into Hope”

Truro

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

Cantilene in G Major, Op. 71, No.1

Arthur Foote (1853-1937)

*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

*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 the New Beginnings Pot-Luck Lunch in Fellowship Hall.

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

….my husband, Thomas Evans, by Ruth Evans and family

† 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