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 27th, 2018
Ten o’clock
Trinity Sunday
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GATHERING
REFLECTION
“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
PRELUDE
Eternal Father, Strong to Save”
arr. Da vid Schwoebel
CALL TO WORSHIP
We will observe a minute of silence as our Call to Worship today as we remember those
Who served our country in the military and who gave the full measure of their devotion.
OPENING PRAYER
A prayer for Memorial Day
(Written by Rev. Mark Koenig)
Eternal God, from who all life comes, to whom all life returns,
we remember all who served our country in the military.
We remember and we give thanks.
We give thanks for sacrifices made and losses endured.
We give thanks for acts of courage, grace and hope.
We give thanks for our brothers and sisters who gave the full measure of devotion.
We give thanks for those we knew well and those we never met.
For the life, goodness, faith, courage, and love that was in each one, we give thanks.
We pray for our brothers and sisters who are recovering from wounds in body, mind,
spirit, or soul.
Work healing in them in all the forms that healing takes.
We pray for those who provide care to them.
Show us ways that we can extend care and support.
We pray for families and friends and all who grieve for loved ones who died.
Meet them in the valley of death’s shadow.
Embrace them in the healing warmth of your comfort, grace and love.
Grand them and all of us the assurance that nothing in live or in death can separate
us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose name we pray.
May the day soon come when swords are beaten into plowshares, war is studied no more,
and all peoples and your world will know peace.
May we work for that day.
We pray through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
*HYMN NO. 338
“O Beautiful for Spacious Skies”
Materna
Serving as Acolyte today is Nathaniel Popat
CONFESSION
CORPORATE CONFESSION
Source of redeeming grace and infinite goodness, bear with us as we pray for
forgiveness. While you reach out to us in fellowship, we turn from you in shame. We
do not what you command. We proclaim not your love, since we seldom serve others.
We confess Christ as Savior, yet obey him indifferently, if at all. Our discipleship
suffers, for we heed not your guidance. We are in need of repentance as we confess our
sins. Have mercy upon us, and grant us your pardon.
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
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.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
We welcome into the family of God through baptism Emily Elizabeth Van Doren, son of Chet Van Doren and Amanda Van Doren, born September 22, 2017.
Participating in the baptism today is Elder Thomas Everett.
*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. 475
“Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing”
Nettleon
SCRIPTURE
Esther 4:1-16
Page 425, OT
SERMON
“A special call for Special People”
Rev. Sam Enders
African Dream Academy
*HYMN NO. 1
“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!”
Nicaea
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
“Bought with a Price”
Natalie Sleeth
Text based on 1 Corinthians 6:20 & Micah 6:8
Chancel Choir
*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 606
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Doxology
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
GOING FORTH
*HYMN
“Let There Be Peace On Earth”
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 840 verses 1 & 4
“When Peace Like A River”
Ville Du Havre
*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!
†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God….
….In Memory of Sgt. Robert Parker and Spc4 Ross Applegate by Ray Liptak
†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.
†You are respectfully requested to silence all 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
www.firstprescaldwell.org