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!

September 2nd, 2018

Ten o’clock

15th Sunday after Pentecost

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“There are two great days in a person's life - the day we are born and the day we discover why.” William Barclay

PRELUDE

“Let All Things Now Living”

arr. Nicholas Palmer

CALL TO WORSHIP Ephesians 3

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

May you have the power to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.

Now to the One who is able to accomplish far more than all we can ask or imagine,

To God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN SING

Serving as Acolyte today is Gordon Bruchac

CONFESSION

CORPORATE CONFESSION

Gracious God, we may long to be in your house, but our deeds show how tough it is for us to live there. Called to follow, we search for paths to take us back to our old ways; given the words of eternal life, we weakly proclaim the gospel to others; offered the path of salvation to walk upon, we stumble down the rocky roads of our world.

Forgive us. Strengthen us with your Spirit, so we may serve your people with all that brings them life. Let your Word, Jesus Christ, the One we have come to believe and know is our Lord and Savior, be confirmed in us in every word, every deed, every thought, every moment in the days to come.

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

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen, amen.

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

Please note: Following Time With The Children, children preschool through 1^st grade may leave the sanctuary for Kids Page to be held in the youth room.

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

“I Never Saw a Moor”

Music by Douglas E. Wagner

Text by Emily Dickinson

Rae de la Cretaz, soloist

Ms. De la Cretaz sings this morning to celebrate the birthday anniversary of her beloved mother and longtime First Pres elder and choir member, Doris de la Cretaz (1920-2013).

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SCRIPTURE

Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

Page 39, NT

1 Kings 21:1-14

SERMON

“Eternal Creatures”

Rev. Don Brown

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

*HYMN NO. 515

“I Come With Joy”

Dove of Peace

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

MUSIC DURING COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 730

“I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”

Grand Isle

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 546

“Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”

Sicilian Mariners

Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace; Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace. O refresh us, O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.

*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 Donna and Kaitlyn Heun for preparing the table for the Lord's Supper. Our Communion servers this week are: Paul Califf, Lisa Edwards, Donna Heun and Kaitlyn Heun.

†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.

†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 inter cession 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, Alice Brackman, Harry Coppens, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter, Ruth Evans, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Barbara Kozam, Edna Lawshe, Dottie Leonard, Barbara Piggery, Heather Popat, Arline Pressl, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Edwin Rosin, Marge Rosin, 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