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 15, 2017

Ten o’clock

19th Sunday after Pentecost


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GATHERING 


REFLECTION 

“What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness; I have nobody to forgive me.” 

— Marghanita Laski (English journalist and author, 1915-1988) 


PRELUDE 

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” 

arr. Matt Limbaugh 


CALL TO WORSHIP 

Come, let us celebrate the forgiving, reconciling love of God. 

For once we were lost and felt so far away; now we have been found and welcomed home. 

Know that God’s love is lavished upon you forever. 

We rejoice at the news of forgiveness and hope! 

Come, let us celebrate and praise the God of Love. 


OPENING PRAYER 


*HYMN NO. 441 

“Hear the Good News of Salvation” 

Nettleton 

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Mackenzie Goodson 


CONFESSION 

CORPORATE CONFESSION 

God, our fears and prejudices run deep. Sometimes we can only see our own point of view. We stick with those who are like us, rarely venturing outside our comfort zones. We do not hear those crying for justice and true peace. We blame those who are suffering and in need, instead of standing by them. We deny the power of your gospel to unite us with those who are different from us. Lord, give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Open us to new possibilities of life for all of your people, and use us to enact the new life given in Christ. 


PERSONAL CONFESSION 

In the name of the liberating Christ, 

Amen. 


ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS 

...Friends, believe the good news. 


*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 447 

“We Are Forgiven” 

We Are Forgiven 


PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING 


ANTHEM 

“River of Peace” 

Karen Gooch and Chaz Bosarge 

Chancel Choir arr. Jay Rouse 


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. 


SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM 

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Ryan Michael Willenborg, son of Steven and Lauren, born on May 24, 2017. Assisting in the baptism today is Elder Brittany Heun 


*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 

The Apostles’ Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 


*HYMN NO. 488 

“I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” 

Waterlife 


SCRIPTURE 

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 

Page 165, NT 


SERMON 

“The Forgiven Community 

Dr. Sommers 


*HYMN NO. 418 

“Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” 

Softly and Tenderly 


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 

“There’s a Turning” 

Ken Medema 

Madison Borys, Solo 


*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607

“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

Doxology 


*PRAYER OF DEDICATION 


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 10:00am service today, we hope you will join us for Coffee Hour in Room 120. 


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

...in memory of Caitlyn Holda, granddaughter, by John & Liz Holda 

...to celebrate Anastasia Meccia on her 21st birthday, by Lisa Edwards 

...to celebrate our 58th wedding anniversary, by Georgianna and Bill Brixius 


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, New Jersey 07006 

973-228-0310 

www.firstprescaldwell.org