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!

April 8th, 2018

Ten o’clock

2nd Sunday of Easter

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“All things came into being through him,

and without him not one thing came into being”

— John 1:3

PRELUDE

“Come Christians, Join to Sing”

arr. Janet Linker & Jane McFadden

First Church Ringers

CALL TO WORSHIP

Serving as Lay Reader today is Larissa Motsch

Behold, how good it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head, running down over the collar of Aaron’s robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion.

For there the Lord ordained God’s blessing, life forevermore.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 315

“In the Midst of New Dimensions”

New Dimensions

Serving as Acolyte today is Charlene Pace

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

We use a lot of words, Gracious God, but do little to turn them into deeds. Instead of being of one heart and soul, we choose sides and form groups of folks just like us. Blessed with great grace, we have trouble sharing it with those who need it the most. Forgive us, God of love. Forgive us, as we step out of our shadows into your light. Restore us, as we reveal our brokenness. Hear us, as we proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and our God.

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. 37 Verse 1

“Let All Things Now Living” Ash Grove

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“All Good Gifts” from GODSPELL

Stephen Schwartz

Jack McHugh, Soloist

Westminster & Pilgrim Choirs

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

10th Annual Golf Tournament

Diane Joy

OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“More Love”

Mark Miller

Westminster & Pilgrim Choirs

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607

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

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 25:14-29

Page 27, NT

SERMON

“Created Creators”

Rev. Don Brown

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

*HYMN NO. 250

“In the Bulb There Is a Flower “

Promise

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 AND COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

GOING FORTH

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 37 Verse 2

“Let All Things Now Living” Ash Grove

*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

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

In loving memory of Jan Huston Pryor, our beloved mother, wife, partner, ya ya, friend and healer.

You are always with us!

† Thank you to Wally Brixner preparing the table for the Lord’s Supper.

Our Communion servers this week are: Teresa Akersten, Bonnie Chiapetta, Chris Flanagan, Kris George, Brittany Heun, Donna Heun, Bob Hodge, Diane Joy, Ron Masson, Nancy McCarthy.

†Deacon greeters today are Paul Calif, Bruce Tannler, Teresa Akersten, and Ron Masson.

†Nursery care is provided for children up to 24 months in our Cradle Room 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.

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

†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.

†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, Eleanor Casagrand, Harry Coppens, Jay Courter, Ruth Evans, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Dottie Leonard, Max Oehler, Barbara Piggery, Arline Pressl, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, 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