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!

August 6, 2017

Ten o’clock

9th Sunday after Pentecost

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

— Frederick Buechner,

Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation

PRELUDE

“Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”

arr. Cindy Berry

CALL TO WORSHIP

O God, you sing us a love song every time we gather,

Every time the bread is broken,

Every time the cup is blessed.

O God, sing to us again.

Let our lives blossom in your love

Till the whole world knows your love song.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 634

“To God Be the Glory”

To God Be the Glory

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Holly Bruchac

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

God of all creation, you know us completely, how good we are and how mean we are. We humbly confess the mistakes we have made and the good we have neglected, the promises we have broken and the duties we have refused. Let the power and joy of your love become a mighty force in our lives. Help us to develop the good that is in us, and not be afraid to use it. Fortify our decision to live with honesty, integrity, joy and unselfishness.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus we pray,

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 306

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Dennis

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

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. Please place the cards in the offering plate and the staff will include them with their prayers this week.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Jayson Thomas Downs, son of Alexander Downs and Sabrina Stillo, born on August 1, 2016.

Assisting in the baptism today is Elder Carolyn Glynn.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed (ecum)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*HYMN NO. 482

“Baptized in Water”

Bunessan

OFFERING

OFFERTORY “On Eagle’s Wings” arr. Mark Hayes

Michael Hardenberg, Solo

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Old Hundredth

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 32:22-31

page 29, OT

MEDITATION

Dr. Sommers

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

*HYMN OF PREPARATION NO. 507

“Come to the Table of Grace”

Table of Grace

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING 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.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

GOING FORTH

*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 service today, we hope you will join us for Lemonade on the Lawn.

†Thank you to Jessica Goodson for her musical leadership in worship this morning.

†Our thanks to Toni Hartman for preparing the Lord’s Table today. Our Communion servers this week are: Bonnie Chiappetta, Jeanette DePalma, Debbie Donker, Cordelza Haynes, Brittany Heun, Donna Heun, Kaitlyn Heun, and Ann Jacobsen.

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

… in celebration of the baptism of Jayson Thomas Downs

…in memory of Margaret Schneider, mother, by John & Liz Holda

† 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, Rey Mercado, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Emil Schnell, Marlene Todd, 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