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 18, 2018

Ten o’clock

5th Sunday in Lent

—————————————————

GATHERING

REFLECTION

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

— John 12:32

PRELUDE

“Jesus, Priceless Treasure”

arr Paul Manz

CALL TO WORSHIP

Serving as Lay Reader today is Jessica Day

The Lord is merciful and gracious.

slow to anger and abounding in love.

The Lord makes a new covenant with us.

We are God’s people; the Lord is our God.

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself.”

Blessed be the God of our salvation!

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 833

“O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”

St. Margaret

Serving as Acolyte today is Summer Staehle

CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER

Holy God, by the cross and resurrection of Jesus, you lift the suffering world toward hope and transformation. Yet rather than responding with gratitude, we long for that which we do not have. We fail to discipline our desires and instead glorify and indulge them. We want maturity without growing pains, character without effort, courage without testing, wisdom without difficulty. Lord, forgive our foolish ways. Grant us instead a longing for your presence and a burning passion for your truth. As we move ever closer to the passion of Christ, may your law of love be written on our hearts as he draws all people to himself, revealing your love for the world.

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. 71

“Surely, It Is God Who Saves Me” First Song

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“St. Patrick’s Prayer”

arr. Rupert O. Eriebach

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.

MINUTE FOR MINISTRY

“5K Club”

Chris Flanagan

SCRIPTURE

John 12:20-33

Page 100, NT

SERMON

“The Draw of the Cross”

Dr. Sommers

*HYMN NO. 223

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

Hamburg

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

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” Old Hundredth

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 692

“Spirit, Open My Heart”

Wild Mountain Thyme

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 543 stanza 5

“God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me” Green Tyler

*THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Please exchange greetings of welcome and peace with your neighbor.

—————————————————

*Please rise in body or in spirit

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

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

…..in loving honor of Jesseman Robert Pryor III—”Uncle Jess”, on his 60th birthday. Love, Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces!

†The white rose on the communion table celebrates the life of First Presbyterian Church Member, Magda Emodi, and remembers the promise of the resurrection in her death on Friday March 9, 2018. Our sympathy is extended to the Emodi family and friends.

† 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:

… Maggie Bischoff, Elenore Casagrand, Harry Coppens, Jay Courter, Ruth Evans, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Dottie Leonard, Max Oehler, Patty Onjian, 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