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 20, 2017

Ten o’clock

11th Sunday after Pentecost

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“You’ve got to be a thermostat rather than a thermometer. A thermostat shapes the climate

of opinion; a thermometer just reflects it.”

—Cornel West

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 133)

How very good and pleasant it is when families live together in unity!

It is like precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard of Aaron.

It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion.

For there the Lord ordained the blessing upon us, life forevermore.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN SING

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Daniel Barnes

CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

In every opportunity, we choose not to follow you O God. From our hearts to our mouths flow words that hurt others, come thoughts that lead us away from you. We are richly blessed, but think others should be grateful for the crumbs we offer to them. Our claims to have great faith are disputed by our inability to trust you in all things.

We come to you, Helper of the weak, for you are gracious and forgiving. You offer us the fullness of your love. You refuse to let us go. You send Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, to lead us into your kingdom.

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. 626

“As the Deer” As the Deer

As the deer pants for the water,

so my soul longs after you.

You alone are my heart’s desire,

and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield;

to you alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart’s desire,

and I long to worship you.

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“I Waited for the Lord”

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Michael Colavita & Paul Salierno, Duet

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.

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 19:13-15 Page 20 , NT

Mark 8:31-38 Page 41, NT

SERMON

“What Do We Do?”

Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 469

“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”

Children Praying

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

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 188

“Jesus Loves Me!”

Jesus Love Me

Jesus loves me! This I know,

for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong.

They are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 760

“Bring Many Names”

Westchase

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 541

“God Be with You Till We Meet Again” Randolph

God be with you till we meet again;

loving counsels guide, uphold you,

with a shepherd’s care enfold you:

God be with you till we meet again.

*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 my Mom, Marilyn O’Connell, by Nancy McCarthy

†We express our sympathy as a Christian family to….

….Eleanor Dolphin and her family on the recent death of her son, Matthew.

Next week is Choir Camp Sunday. Please join us at 10 a.m. at the Caldwell Campus to see the production of “In the Image”, the Story of Creation by Mark Burrows. There will be no 8:30 service.

†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.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

AT CALDWELL

326 Bloomfield Avenue

Caldwell, NJ 07006

973-228-0310