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!

December 10, 2017

Ten o’clock

Second Sunday of Advent

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“As we read or listen to someone's story, we enter the world of a text that reveals insights about human character, about life in community, about the meaning and purpose of life.”

— James Wind

PRELUDE

“Prayer for Humanity”

Linda Lamb

Chancel Handbell Choir

CALL TO WORSHIP

We gather this morning,

With joy and thanksgiving.

Keep the fire of your Spirit burning in us,

And let us hear your prophecies with fresh ears.

With hearts full of anticipation,

We await your coming, O Lord.

Let us worship the Lord our God.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE AND OPENING PRAYER

Lighting the second Candle of Advent are the Confirmands

*HYMN NO. 88

(stanzas 1,2,6,7)

“O Come, o Come, Emmanuel”

Veni Emmanuel

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Nathaniel Popat

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

God of whispers and dreams, send your angels near, for we are in need of your guidance. We stumble in the dark, choose the wrong paths and follow after the wrong gods. Whisper words that help us know the way to go.

God of whispers and dreams, send your angels near, for we are in need of your courage. Violence haunts our streets, harms our children, and the fear it causes wears away the fabric of trust and community. We need your courage to say “no” to a culture of violence and fear.

God of whispers and dreams, send your angels near, for we are in need of your love. We rush and push our way through this season. We need your patient love so we don't bruise ourselves or those near to us.

Wondrous God, hear our prayer and guide us to deeper faith and abiding trust.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 121

(stanza 4)

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

St. Louis

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“There Was Love”

Mark Burrows

Blaze Choir

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

Please note: Following Time With The Children, children preschool 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.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE SERVICE OF NANCY FELTER

SCRIPTURE

Luke 1:5-25, 57-66

Page 52, NT

SERMON

“Remaining Faithful Still”

Dr. Sommers

*HYMN NO. 109

“Blest Be the God of Israel”

Merle’s Tune

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

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

arr. John Helgen

Chancel Choir

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING

NO. 133 (stanza 3)

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

Adeste Fideles

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 100

“My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout”

Star of the County Down

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

NO. 113 (Refrain)

“Angels We Have Heard on High”

Gloria

Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

*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

†Pursuant to the call of the Session, there will be a congregational meeting immediately following the 10:00AM service on Sunday, December 24th for the purpose of electing Elders and Deacons to the Class of 2020.

†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 located through the door to the left of the choir loft and left to the end of the hall

†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, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Max Oehler, Barbara Piggery, Arline Pressl, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Michael Sanok, Bob Scarrillo, Emil Schnell, Rob Thiemann, 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