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!

October 1, 2017

Ten o’clock

World Communion Sunday

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

(John Oxenham, 1608)

PRELUDE

Bagpipe Selections

John Loiacono

CALL TO WORSHIP (Romans 8)

We gather to worship together,

Different people, different lives, different histories,

Yet all children of the same Parent,

Created lovingly by the Source of all life!

We gather to reconnect with one another,

Different people, different lives, different histories,

Yet all disciples of one Teacher.

Jesus, the Word made flesh, dwelling among us.

We gather with different joys and sorrows, different hopes and fears....

Different people, different lives, different histories,

Yet one people with one God, one faith, one baptism.

Let us open ourselves to the presence of God at work in us, among us, and through us.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN OF PRAISE NO. 408

“There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit”

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Sally Capizzi

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

God of Grace, we grieve that the church which shares one Spirit, one faith, one hope, and one calling, has become a broken communion in a broken world. The one body spans all time, place, race, and language, but in our fear we have fled from and fought one another, and in our pride we have mistaken our part for the whole. Yet we marvel that you gather the pieces to do your work, that you bless us with joy, with growth, and with signs of unity. Forgive our sins as we commit ourselves to seeking and showing the unity of the body of Christ.

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. 626

“As the Deer”

As the Deer

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

Please note: Following Time With The Children, children age 2 through 1st grade may leave the sanctuary for Young Children and Worship to be held in room A-5.

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.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“Bonse Aba”

Traditional Zambian Folk Song

arr. Victor C. Johnson

Chancel Choir

Translation: “All those who have received him have the right to be called Children of God.” John 1:12

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 523

“You Satisfy the Hungry Heart”

Bicentennial

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 25:6-9 page 613, OT

Revelation 7:9-17 page 235, NT

COMMUNION MEDITATION

Dr. Sommers

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

*HYMN OF PREPARATION NO. 505 “The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing” The Feast Is Ready

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

HYMNS DURING COMMUNION

No. 533 “In the Singing” Bread of Peace

No. 526 “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” Linstead

No. 519 “You Are My Strength When I Am Weak” Jernigan

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

GOING FORTH

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 175

“Seek Ye First” Lafferty

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

and its righteousness,

And all these things shall be

added unto you. Allelu, alleluia!

*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 Coffee Hour in Room 120.

†Our thanks to Larissa Motsch for preparing the Lord’s Table today. Our Communion servers this week are: Paul Califf, Jill Colavita, Stephen Cornman, Jeanette DePalma, Jack Dusinberre, Nancy Hauser, Cordelza Haynes, Nancy McCarthy, Joyce McGrath and Stephen Urban.

†The white rose on the communion table celebrates the life of First Presbyterian Church Member, Ruth Hults, and remembers the promise of the resurrection in her death on Saturday, September 23, 2017. Our sympathy is extended to Don’s family and friends.

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

...in memory of our son, Mark, by Richard & Deborah Reynolds.

†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, 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