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!

May 13th, 2018

Ten o’clock

7th Sunday of Easter

Mother’s Day

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REFLECTION

“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.”

— Mother Teresa

GATHERING

PRELUDE

“Ring Joyfully”

Chapel Bells

Susan Geschke

CALL TO WORSHIP

Psalm 1

Happy are those who take delight in the law of the Lord.

They are like trees planted by streams of water. In all that they do they prosper.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous.

May God number us with the righteous as we worship the Lord.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 324

“For All The Faithful Women”

Nynald

Serving as Acolyte today is Gordon Bruchac

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

How foolish we are, to think we could be happy when we sit in a comfortable place, and scoff at your call to discipleship; or run down the easy streets of sin, rather than follow Jesus;

Forgive us, Author of Life. Keep us from our silly selfishness as we seek to become those branches children can climb on; as we hope to provide shade for fellow pilgrims; as we long to be continually nourished by the Living Water of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

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. 693 verse 1

“Though I May Speak” Gift of Love

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“The Bells in the Church”, Song for Spring”, The Butterfly Song”,“In the Image”, “God Made Mothers”

The Cherub 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 F riendship 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.

SCRIPTURE

Luke 15:11-32

Page 73, NT

SERMON “Welcome Home” Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 703

“Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me”

St. Catherine

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

“Bridge Over Troubled Water”

Paul Simon

Chancel Choir arr. Kirby Shaw

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 693 verse 2

“Though I May Speak”

Gift of Love

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 377

“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”

Houston

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 693 verse 3

“Though I May Speak”

Gift of Love

*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 Deacon greeters today, Diane Joy, Sue Tannler, Teresa Akersten, and Jeannine Archibald.

† The white rose on the communion table celebrates the life of First Presbyterian Church Member, Katheryn “Kay” Ball, and remembers the promise of the resurrection in her death on Monday, May 7, 2018. Our sympathy is extended to the Ball family and friends.

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

….In Celebration of Tom and Darcy Asché’s 25th Wedding Anniversary, by Darcy Asché

….In Loving Memory of Frank Driver by Corinne Driver

†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.

†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, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter, Ruth Evans, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Dottie Leonard, Barbara Piggery, Arline Pressl, Mary Lou Pryor, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Bob Scarrillo, Rick Sommers, 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