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!

July 16, 2017

Ten o’clock

6th Sunday after Pentecost

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“The Universal Christ, described by the Apostle Paul, is not a problem-solving Christ, not a

denominational or cultural Christ, not a Christ domesticated by the churches, but the One who

names in his life and person what matters, what lasts, and finally what is.” — Richard Rohr

PRELUDE

“Just As I Am”

William Bolcom (b. 1938)

from GOSPEL PRELUDES

CALL TO WORSHIP

The world is filled with those for whom peace is a stranger –

Those imprisoned in cells, and those confined by invisible chains of guilt;

Those without homes, and those for whom home is no haven;

Those affected by the random terror of the streets, and those victimized by the organized violence of war;

Those made refugees by external aggressions, and those who find no refuge from internal conflict;

Those poor in the material necessities of life, and those poverty-stricken in spirit.

There is One who can deliver peace to all, though it arrives bearing many names–freedom, forgiveness, justice, mercy, sufficiency, salvation.

With eagerness to help build the Peaceable Kingdom and in the fullness of hope, we gather in a spirit of worship, welcome, and, and work.

*HYMN SING

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Gary Suda

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

With hearts grateful for your grace and understanding, O God, we ask for your forgiveness and your help. Forgive us for valuing appearances over a pure heart. Grant us the courage to let our lives be shaped by the goodness you reveal. Enable us to convey the brightness of joy to persons in grief or despair, to bring healing to those suffering illness or abuse, to make peace in the midst of tension and conflict. Permit us to perform well those things you require of us – doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly upon your way. Hear us now, we pray, as we offer our personal confessions in the quiet sanctuary of our hearts….

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus Christ, may it be so.

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

“ ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

Arr. Grant, McPherson, Bannister and O'Connor

Lauren Dwyer, Soloist

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

Please note: Following Time With The Children, children preschool through 1st grade may leave the sanctuary for Kids Page to be held in room A-5.

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 5:38-42

page 5, NT

SERMON

“Resist”

Rev. Todd Shumpert

*HYMN NO. 771

“What Is the World Like”

New World

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

“There is a Spirit”

from QUAKER READER

Ned Rorem (b. 1923)

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 710 “We Lift Our Voices”

Offering

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE 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 Lemonade on the Lawn.

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

… in memory of Marion Schuetz, by her husband, Ken Schuetz

†FLOWER DONORS for the sanctuary are needed for the following dates: July 30, August 20, September 3 and October 1 and 29. If you would like to donate flowers in memory or in honor of someone, please fill out a form and return to the office.

† 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, Jay Courter, Ruth Evans, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Emil Schnell, 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