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 23, 2017

Ten o’clock

7th Sunday after Pentecost

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“What does it mean to truly confess Jesus is Lord in this day and age?”

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP

Gather us in, Mysterious Creator.

That being close to you we will understand your intention for creation.

Weave us into one, Sweet Savior.

That living your ways we will create communities of faith and peace.

Gather us in, Powerful Spirit of Renewal.

That treasuring the past we will boldly shape the future.

Weave us into one, Holy One in Three.

That women and men and youth together may be the signs of your presence, the weavers of your communities and the witnesses to your coming. Gather us in this day so that we might gather strength from you.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN SING

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Sally Capizzi

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

Holy God, we are an imperfect people and we need your love. Forgive us when we ignore your children who cry out in distress. Forgive us when we choose not to see those who frighten us, or those who bother us, or those who remind us too much of ourselves. Forgive us when we put rules ahead of people, and choose legality over kindness and judgment that lacks mercy. Enable us to see as you see, the wide vistas open to the possibility of compassion and grace. O God, hear our prayer.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 471

“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

Hear My Prayer

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“Shout to the Lord”

arr. Mark Hayes

Kyle Elphick, Solo

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 124.

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

Baseball Outing

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 16:21-25

page 17, NT

Matthew 27:32-44

page 31, NT

SERMON

“What Does It Mean to Confess Jesus Is Lord?”

Dr. Sommers

*HYMN NO. 769

“For Everyone Born”

For Everyone Born

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

“Sheep May Safely Graze”

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Jaime Maraviglia, Solo

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 654

“In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful”

In The Lord I’ll Ever Be Thankful

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 307

“God of Grace and God of Glory”

CWM Rhondda

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 544

“Bless the Lord” Bless the Lord

*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 honor of our children, Dylan, Jake, Ben and Sam Mulick by Liz Moore and Mark Mulick

† 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, Janet Jelly, 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