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!

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY

Pentecost

May 20, 2018

Ten o’clock

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

The church nurtures those baptized as children and calls them to make public their personal profession of faith and their acceptance of responsibility in the life of the church. When these persons are ready, they shall be examined by the session. After the session has received them as active members they shall be presented to the congregation during a service of public worship. In that service the church shall confirm them in their baptismal identity. They are commissioned for full participation in the mission and governance of the church, and are welcomed by the congregation.

[PC(USA) Book of Order W-4.2003]

PRELUDE

“Down to the River to Pray”

arr. Anna Laura Page

First Church Ringers

Jessica Goodson, Flute

CALL TO WORSHIP

Scott Tannler

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

May my meditation be pleasing to you, O God, for I rejoice in the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!

Let us worship God!

OPENING PRAYER

Sydney Theilmeir

*HYMN

“Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”

Lighting the candles this morning is Acolyte Ella Flanagen

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

Your Spirit moves over the waters, Gracious God, but we prefer to splash in the puddles of temptation. You would breathe life into us in every moment, but we hold our breath until we turn blue, wanting to get our way. You would give us the words to bring hope to the despairing, to offer healing to the broken, and to share hope in the places of anger and violence, but we turn them in accusations towards those around us. In your mercy, forgive us. May your Spirit sing in our hearts, so we may invite others to dance in joy with us. May your Spirit be the still, small voice which silences the shouts of fear and worry all around us. May your Spirit sweep us off our feet and into the arms of Jesus Christ, our Brother, our Savior, our Companion. Amen.

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. 581

“Glory Be to the Father”

Gloria Patri

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“My Faith, My Hope”

Chancel Choir and Youth Choirs

Gwyneth Walker

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

Larissa Motsch and Jessica Day

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.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY “Be Filled With the Spirit” Allen Pote Based on Colossians 3:12-17 Chancel Choir and Youth Choirs

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, DEDICATION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

SCRIPTURE

John 3:1-21

Page 86, NT

Alyssa White

SERMON

“Set Sail”

Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 69

“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” (verse 1)

Here I Am (Schutte)

REAFFIRMATION OF THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT

CORPORATE STATEMENT OF FAITH BY THE CONFIRMATION CLASS

I believe in God the Creator of all put humans and animals and everything else on this Earth.

I believe that God is my guide and He has a plan for everyone.

I believe as a Christian I worship God, the creator. God is a great thing to worship because He is always listening and is always going to help.

I believe God sent Jesus here to die for our sins and teach us, but also so He can empathize what it is like to be human.

I believe Jesus died on the cross, not for one specific person, but for everyone.

I believe we need Jesus Christ in our lives because he tells us how to serve the kingdom of God.

I believe the Holy Spirit is a voice of God giving a person some inspiration as a way of communicating.

I believe the Holy Spirit leads us through life into the righteousness of heaven and gives us the strength to love those who don’t express love back.

I believe the Holy Spirit is a messenger for God, and a spirit that will help us when we are in our weakest places.

I believe our source for the hope of eternal life is the teachings of Jesus Christ and his telling of God’s Kingdom.

I believe that the Bible has instructions for us to follow to create the perfect world that has yet to come.

I believe every Sunday, we dedicate our day worship Jesus and God, and thank them for everything they have done.

I believe being a Christian means being a disciple for Jesus in our daily life by helping others and volunteering whenever we can.

I believe Christians need to belong to the Church and worship regularly to remember God’s mission.

I believe our Church is not just a building, it is a community. It is made out of different people and parts that all work together.

AMEN

PRAYER OF COMMISSIONING

*HYMN NO. 69

“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” (verses 2&3)

Here I Am (Schutte)

GOING FORTH

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 649 “Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound” Amazing Grace

*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

†SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE CONFIRMATION CLASS TO THEIR TEACHERS: James Heinegg, Donna McGinley, Liz Moore, Jaime Staehle, Pastor Rick Sommers, Pastor Don Brown, Rev. Barbara Piercy, the Confirmation Class parents, and to those members of our congregation who served as mentors.

†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God…. ….In Loving Memory of John V. Vantuno, by Diane Vantuno

†You are respectfully requested to silence your 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, Barbara Kozam, 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