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 9th, 2018

Ten o’clock

16th Sunday after Pentecost

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GATHERING

REFLECTION

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Gilbert K. Chesterton

PRELUDE

“Holy, Holy, Holy”

arr. Dan Miller

CALL TO WORSHIP (Ephesians 4)

Liturgist: Rey Mercado, Elder

I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God who is above all and through all and in all.

Each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 35

“Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”

Lobe Den Herren

Serving as Acolyte today is Nate Popat

CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

We try to be so careful, Faithful God, yet we make so many mistakes. We think we are so wise, yet do not understand the simple wonder of a child. We spend so little time in your presence, and ask why we do not know your dreams for us. We long to be good, upright people, but find our hearts tripping over the temptations of the world.

Have mercy, and be gracious to us. As you continue to teach us of your hopes, your dreams, your love for us, may we practice what we learn, as we follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in faith.

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

ACOLYTE RECOGNITION

An Acolyte has a long history in the church. They perform the very important function to bring the light of God into the sanctuary at the beginning of the each worship service and carry the light of God out into the world at the end of each service. We've been blessed to have a wonderful group of students here at First Pres who have served as acolytes over the past years and would like to recognize our recent graduates of the program and thank them for their years of faithful service: Charlie Babboni, Holly Bruchac, Mackenzie Goodson, Charlene Pace and Gary Suda.

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. The ushers will collect the cards during the hymn following the sermon and they will be offered during the Prayers of the People.

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 12:1-9

Page 9, OT

SERMON

“All Will Be Blessed”

Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 69

“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”

Here I am

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

“Order My Steps”

Jack Schrader

Chancel Choir

*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

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 634

“To God Be The Glory”

To God Be The Glory

*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!

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

... In celebration of our 62^nd wedding anniversary, by Joan and John Hamilton.

†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, 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