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!

March 11, 2018

Ten o’clock

4th Sunday in Lent

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“Institutions prefer loyalists and ‘company men’ to prophets. None of us want people who point out our shadow or our dark side. It is no accident that prophets and priests are usually in opposition to one another throughout the Bible.”

— Richard Rohr

PRELUDE

“The River”

Chancel Handbell Choir

arr. Anna Laura Page

CALL TO WORSHIP

Serving as Lay Reader today is Alyssa White

With electron microscopes, we can probe the mysteries and intricacies of life within a cell.

With magnifying glasses, we can examine the tiny details of stamps and coins, and enlarge tiny print so it can be read.

With binoculars, we can discern the flick of feathers amidst branches or draw closer to a comet’s tail in the night sky.

With the orbiting Hubble Telescope, we peer into the infinity of space to explore its features.

From the minutest particle of matter to the outermost reaches of time, creation pulses with the presence of our living God.

With the imagination of open minds and the worship of loving hearts, we look upon the greatness of God and offer our thanks and praise.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 611

“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

Hymn To Joy

Serving as Acolyte today is Nathaniel Popat

CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER

O Lord, we have it so wrong. As the prophet convicts us, we can’t wait to make the next buck, compound the next dollar, buy and sell the poor for a “good deal”, or the needy for a pair of used shoes. We have built a system so full of deceit that we don’t even see the problems. We have lost your way so thoroughly. Lord, teach us to take refuge in you, instead of riches. Help us trust in your steadfast love instead of abundant wealth. Help us not be distracted by many things but instead sit at your feet and listen. Please, forgive us.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus, who remains faithful even when we do not, we pray.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 601 “Amen”

Danish Amen

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“Be Thou My Vision”

arr. Gwyneth Walker

Chancel Choir

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. Please place the cards in the offering plate and the staff will include them with their prayers this week.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Ryan Joseph Ready, son of Randy and Holly, born October 9, 2017. Participating in the baptism today are Elder Brittany Heun and sponsor Joe Martin.

*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

Amos 8:4-12

Page 807, OT

SERMON

“Famine”

Rev. Todd D. Shumpert

*HYMN NO. 331

“God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand” National Hymn

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

“My Song Is Love Unknown”

arr. Ralph Vaun Williams

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 610, verse 1

“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing “ Azmon

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

NO. 610, verse 5

“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” Azmon

*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

†We are glad you have chosen to worship here today! Please come again!

†Thank you to our greeters, Joyce McGrath, Sally Cooperman, Julianne McGuire and Lisa Stein.

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

…..in celebration of the baptism of Ryan Joseph Ready.

†Nursery care is provided for children up to 24 months in our Cradle Room during the 10:00AM Worship Service. There is Christian Education during the 10:00AM Worship Service. The Cradle Room and Rest Rooms are located through the door to the left of the pulpit then left down the hallway.

†For more information about our church, please visit our website: www.firstprescaldwell.org. An information packet is available at the rear of the sanctuary and an Usher or one of the Greeters that you met as you came in will be glad to provide you with more information.

†FLOWER DONORS for the sanctuary are needed for the following dates: April 8th, July 1st, 8th, 22nd, and 29th. If you would like to donate flowers in memory or in honor of someone, please fill out a form and return to the office.

†You are respectfully requested to turn off all pagers and cell phones. Our church is equipped with a hearing assistance system. Please ask the usher for a receiver.

† 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:

… Elenore Casagrand, Harry Coppens, Jay Courter, Magda Emodi, Ruth Evans, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Max Oehler, Barbara Piggery, Arline Pressl, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Michael Sanok, Bob Scarrillo, 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