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 24, 2017

Ten o’clock

16th Sunday after Pentecost

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“Regardless of the cause, the dark night is an opportunity to look for and find God—in different forms and ways than we’ve become accustomed.” — Richard Rohr

PRELUDE

“Song of Joy”

Arnold Sherman

Chancel Bells

CALL TO WORSHIP

We come from the labors of factory and field, the business of office tasks,

the chores of home tending, the efforts of classroom.

We have used our hands to create and assemble;

now we clasp them in prayer or extend them in a reach of friendship.

We have focused our minds on projects and plans;

now we attune them to the mind of God.

We have exerted ourselves to make sales;

now we receive as a free gift the forgiveness purchased by God.

We have provided services of all kinds;

now, as people seeking to serve in the Savior’s name, we await the Spirit’s direction.

Welcome to God’s sacred workplace, this worship place, this home for the faith family.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 681

“This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made”

Nun Danket All und Bringet Ehr

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Charlie Baboni

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

O God, we want to be humble as Jesus was, in a way that lifts up those with whom we have contact, in a way that your name is exalted through us. Forgive us for our arrogant desire to be better than others; enable us, by your grace, to be better to them in sharing, better for them in deed, better with them in understanding. Help us to see that true humility and vulnerability are not signs of weakness but marks of strength. Inspire us with an expanding ability to trust in love’s power, for that power is unlimited when faith sets it free.

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. 581

“Glory Be to the Father”

Gloria Patri (Greatorex)

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“Alleluia” from Esther

G.F. Handel (1685-1759)

Rae de la Crétaz, Solo

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.

MINUTE FOR MINISTRY

“African Dream Academy”

Lydia Spinelli

SCRIPTURE

Jonah 3:10-4:11

page 811, OT

SERMON

“Jonah”

Rev. Todd Shumpert

*HYMN NO. 619

“Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven”

Lauda Anima

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

“Gloria Deo Canon”

Michael Hayden (1737-1806)

Chancel Choir arr. Patrick Liebergen

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607 “Doxology” Doxology

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 435

“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”

In Babilone

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 541 “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” Randolph

*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 Coffee Hour in Room 120.

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

….Catherine Vanderhoof and her family on the death of her husband, Paul, on

August 30, 2017.

†Ms. De la Crétaz would like to dedicate the singing of “Alleluia” to the memory of her mother and longtime Chancel Choir member, Doris de la Crétaz, and Paul Vanderhoof, husband of Chancel Choir member, Cathy Vanderhoof.

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

...in memory of Jane Miller, from her family

† 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