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 30th, 2018

Ten o’clock

19th Sunday after Pentecost

The Pittsburgh Project Sunday

GATHERING

REFLECTION

“Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of the city, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets”

(adapted from Zechariah 8:4-5, and part of The Pittsburgh Project’s Vision Statement)

PRELUDE

Music from The Pittsburgh Project

CALL TO WORSHIP

Liturgist: Rose Schuchard, Deacon

Let silent tongues find a new voice,

Let words arise from a deep place,

For our God is an awesome God,

Who sees the poor and forgotten,

Who notices the homeless and cares for the hungry,

Who aches at the harm done to one another and the earth.

Let us speak out for justice,

Keeping the flame of compassion burning.

Let us sing out a hopeful song,

Our deeds matching our chorus.

Let our voices soar in praise,

Singing in the midst of troubles, singing because we trust God's Spirit.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 475

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Nettleton

Serving as Acolyte today is Charlotte Popat

CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS

Holy God, we confess that we have failed to stand with those crushed by systemic injustice. We have valued property and profits over the lives of people. Struggling workers are displaced and pushed into homelessness. Public functions for the common good are privatized and deregulated. The cries of those who grieve are muffled. Victims are asked to forgive and reconcile even before their wounds can begin to heal. In its silence and inaction, the church is complicit in this unrighteousness.

In your mercy, Holy God, help us to confess and repent of these sins. Lead us to cry out with the prophets, until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. Empower us to become repairers of the breach, able to join with the most vulnerable among us in making our communities livable again. In Jesus' holy name we pray. 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

“The Kingdom of God” (Taizé Chant)

The kingdom of God is justice and peace And joy in the Holy Spirit Come, Lord and open in us the gates of your kingdom

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“I’m Gonna Sing!”

Mark Miller

Chancel Choir, Westminster Choir, Pilgrim 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 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

Matthew 25:31-46

Page 27, NT

SERMON

The Pittsburgh Project

Caitlin Joy

Gianna Suda

Noe Lopez

HYMN NO. 692

“Spirit, Open My Heart”

Wild Mountain Thyme

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

“A Day To Celebrate”

Kathleen Wissinger

First Church Ringers

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Old Hundredth

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. 192

“Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining”

Shine, Jesus Shine

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL BENEDICTION RESPONSE

“May the Road Rise to Meet You”

John Horman

*THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Please exchange greetings of welcome and peace with your neighbor.

*Please rise in body or in spirit

†We are glad you have chosen to worship here today! Please come again!

†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 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, Alice Brackman, Harry Coppens, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, 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