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!

March 12, 2017

Ten o’clock

2nd Sunday in Lent

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“I believe in the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.” — Apostles’ Creed

PRELUDE

“Jesu, meine Freude”

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

CALL TO WORSHIP

Katherine Hulse, Lay Reader

Christ of the comfortable, you would call us from our security and sameness,

with trust, we would place our hands in yours, and follow.

You would call us out of the shadows of our fears, calling us to bring our doubts and questions:

with humility, we would listen to those answers we do not expect, or even understand.

fill us with life where we see only emptiness,

keep your promises when all ours failures litter the ground: let your grace transform us into faithful disciples.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 357

“The Days Are Surely Coming”

Llangloffan

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Will Capizzi

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

We are all too human, Faithful God, and so think we have nothing to learn from others. We look for answers online, convinced that we can trust whatever we find. We close tight the shutters of our souls, so the Spirit can only rattle us, but not get in to transform our lives. Yet you continue to keep watch over us, whether it is when we swagger through the sunshine of our lives, or in those shadowed moments of uncertainty in the night. You will not stumble as you continue to come to us, to lead us into your kingdom. You will always be our help, whether or not we recognize it or accept it, even as you remained faithful to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

Lord, strengthen our faithfulness.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 71

“Surely, It Is God Who Saves Me”

First Song

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“Ah, Holy Jesus”

Donald McCullogh

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.

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.

MINUTE FOR MINISTRY

“5K Club”

Don Brown, Chris Flanagan & Elsa Slater

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 1

Thessalonians 4:13-18

page 193 , NT

SERMON

“In Sure and Certain Confidence”

Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 353

“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”

Solid Rock

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“If With All Your Hearts” from Elijah

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Paul Salierno, Soloist

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 710

“We Lift Our Voices”

Offering

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 840

“When Peace like a River”

Ville du Havre

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

Hymn No. 175

“Seek Ye First”

Lafferty

*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.

†The white rose on the communion table celebrates the life of Tommy Page, son of Fred and Miriam Page, and remembers the promise of the resurrection in his death on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Our sympathy is extended to Tommy’s family and friends.

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

….in memory of Gary’s father, John Suda and Gynine’s mother, Janet Terzo, by Gary & Gynine Suda

† 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:

…Harry Coppens, Bill Hayden, Ann Hicock, Edith Jipp, Marge Lucas, Sue Olsen, Patricia-Jo Onjian, 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

†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