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!

September 17, 2017

Ten o’clock

15th Sunday after Pentecost

The Pittsburgh Project Sunday

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of the city, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets” (adapted from Zechariah 8:4-5, and part of The Pittsburgh Project’s Vision Statement)

PRELUDE

Music from The Pittsburgh Project

CALL TO WORSHIP

Let silent tongues find a new voice,

Let words arise from a deep place,

For our God is an awesome God,

Who sees the poor and forgotten,

Who notices the homeless and cares for the hungry,

Who aches at the harm done to one another and the earth.

Let us speak out for justice,

Keeping the flame of compassion burning.

Let us sing out a hopeful song,

Our deeds matching our chorus.

Let our voices soar in praise,

Singing in the midst of troubles, singing because we trust God's Spirit.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 192

“Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining”

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Gary Suda

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

God, we dream of doing brave deeds and giving generous gifts. But we seldom do the deeds or give the gifts. We are too easily frightened by what might happen. We are afraid we might be hurt, or have to work too hard or that we might fail. We are even afraid of what other people might think. Forgive us for giving in to our selfish fears. Help us, instead, to see more clearly what we might be able to do, and give us the courage to help others by trying to do the difficult things. Make us into your strong, loving people.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus, who lived fully,

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 750

“Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil”

Goodness Is Stronger

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“Light of the World”

from GODSPELL

Stephen Schwartz

Chancel, Westminster and Pilgrim Choirs

Owen Yarmo-Gray, Drums

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.

SCRIPTURE

Zechariah 8:4-5 (The Message)

SERMON

“The Pittsburgh Project”

Robert White, Madison Borys, Rose Schuchard, Amanda Lecuona, Emily Brown and Jaime Staehle

*HYMN NO. 767

“Together We Serve”

McKee

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

“In His Steps”

R. Kevin Boesiger

Chancel, Westminster and Pilgrim Choirs

Owen Yarmo-Gray, Drums

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 710

“We Lift Our Voices” Offering

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 177

“I Will Come to You”

You Are Mine

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 543

“God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me”

Green Tyler

Christ in the eyes of all who see me

Christ in the ears that hear my voice,

Christ in the hearts of all who know me:

O Christ, surround me; O Christ surround me.

*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 David C. Weld, Sr. by Jean T. Weld.

...in memory of my parents, Kenneth E. & Louise M. Ritscher by Louise B. Ritscher

† 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, Lynn Ely, Ruth Evans, Bill Hayden, Janet Jelly, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Rey Mercado, 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