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! 



April 23, 2017 

Ten o’clock 

2nd Sunday of Easter 


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GATHERING 


REFLECTION 

“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” ― Brené Brown 


PRELUDE 

“Song of Peace” 

Jean Langlais 


CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 19) 

Jack Lonsinger, Lay Reader 

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork. 

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 

There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. 

Yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. 


*HYMN NO. 32 

“I Sing the Mighty Power of God” 

Ellacombe 

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Kaci Pace 


LITANY FOR CREATION 

Praise to you, O God, source of all waters. For vast oceans, flowing rivers, and gentle rains we give you thanks. 

Forgive our careless waste and polluting ways. 

Help us to cleanse, conserve, and share; teach us to care for the gift of water. 

Come and heal your people. Come and heal the waters. 

Praise to you, O God, creator of the dry land. For mighty mountains, rolling hills, and fertile prairies we give you thanks. 

Forgive our wanton greed and violent ways. 

Help us to sow, till, and harvest with care; teach us to live gently on the land. 

Come and heal your people. Come and heal the land. 

Praise to you, O God, breath of life and maker of air. For wind and wave, breath and breeze, light and life we give you thanks. 

Forgive our heedless acts and selfish ways. 

Help us to live justly, simply, and wisely; teach us to care for the gift of air. 

Come and heal your people. Come and heal the air. 

Praise to you, O God, Lord and Giver of Life. Your love sustains planet earth and by your hand all things living are fed. 

Forgive our neglect and abuse of your gifts. 

Help us to serve, defend, defend and restore your creation. 

Help us care for your people. Help us care for the earth. 

Hear us, God of all, as we pray together, saying…. 

Creator of the earth and all living things, maker of the sky and the air and the breath of life, God of all that is: we are your servant people, created out of the clay of the earth itself. We forget that we are your creatures and we play at being gods. We neglect the work of stewardship that you have provided for our occupation and our joy. We have used, abused, and abandoned those things that you have created for your delight. You have created a fragile world in a perfect and delicate balance. Thinking too much of our own importance, we have upset the balance. We ask your forgiveness, Holy and Righteous God. We yearn to join with the mountains and valleys, the rocks and the birds of the wild ocean waters in singing your praises. Amen. 


DECLARATION OF HOPE 

"Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16) 

We are standing at a crossroads. Together let us seek the good way and find rest for all of God's creation. 


*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 30 

“O God, in a Mysterious Way” (verses 1 & 4) 


PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING 


ANTHEM 

“Look at the World” 

John Rutter 

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. 


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. 


MINUTE FOR MINISTRY 

A Bright Night for Changing Lives Lydia Spinelli 


SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM 

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Joseph Nicholas DeLaura, son of Joseph and Lisa, born on February 7, 2017. Assisting in the baptism today is Elder (and grandfather) Thomas Everett. 


*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. 488** 

“ I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” 

Waterlife 


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. 


SCRIPTURE 

Acts 4:23-37 page 114, NT 

John 20:19-31 page 108, NT 


SERMON 

“Real Life, All of Life, In Common” 

Rev. Todd Shumpert 


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 “Easter Chorale” arr. J.S. Bach (1685-1750) 


*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 36 

“For the Fruit of All Creation” (verse 1) 


GOING FORTH 


*HYMN NO. 35 

“Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty” 

Lobe den Herren 


*BENEDICTION 


*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 853 

“We Are Marching in the Light of God” 

Siyahamba 


*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 


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

in memory of David Wefferling by Lewis and Deborah Wefferling 


†THE WHITE ROSE on the communion table celebrates the life of Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church member, Joy Willies, and remembers the promise of the resurrection in her death on Friday, April 14, 2017. Joy was a 65 year member of Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church. Our sympathy is extended to Joy’s family and friends. 


THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

AT CALDWELL 

326 Bloomfield Avenue 

Caldwell, NJ 07006 

973-228-0310 

www.firstprescaldwell.org