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 19, 2017
Ten o’clock
3rd Sunday in Lent
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GATHERING
REFLECTION
THIRD WEEK: The Deed of Love
This week, take something you’ve made or bought to two or three friends who mean so much to you but for whom you rarely express your love – a pie, a plant, or some other small remembrance that has your love as a wrapping.
PRELUDE
“If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee”
arr. Sigfrid Karg-Elert
CALL TO WORSHIP
Gianna Suda, Lay Reader
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come, and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN NO. 816
“If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee”
Wer Nur den Lieben Gott
Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Charlene Pace
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
God of tender mercies, quiet our anxious thoughts and help us to be still before you. We confess that we do not run to you as our refuge and strength, but turn to many other sources of hope and help when our souls are troubled. When our lives fall apart and our hearts are like roaring and foaming seas, we are prone to fear you, accuse you, hate you, and feel abandoned by you. If we have been obedient to you, we think that you owe us for our efforts. When we have disobeyed, we fear that you are judging us and imagine that we have spoiled your wonderful plan for our lives. O God, thank you for your presence with us in our joy and our sorrow, in our strength and our weakness. In the midst of our busy lives, help us to be still and sit at the feet of Jesus.
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. 626 “As the Deer” As the Deer
PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING
ANTHEM “Grace”
arr. Mark Hayes
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.
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
Psalm 46 page 489, OT
SERMON
“Be Still and Know I’m God”
Jim Cummings
*HYMN NO. 819
“Be Still, My Soul”
Finlandia
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 “On Eagles’ Wings”
Jim Cuddihy, Soloist
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
GOING FORTH
*HYMN NO. 177
“I Will Come to You”
You Are Mine
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO.750
“Goodness Is Stronger than Evil”
Goodness Is Stronger
*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 flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God…
….in memory of Charles M. Weigand by Hanna Weigand and family
†We welcome to the pulpit this morning Jim Cummings, Director of Experiential Learning at Urban Promise. Urban Promise’s mission is “to equip Camden (NJ) children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership.”
† 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, Patricia-Jo Onjian, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Nancy Scarrillo, 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