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!

October 7, 2018

Ten o’clock 20^th

Sunday after Pentecost

World Communion Sunday

GATHERING

REFLECTION

“At the Lord’s Table, the Church is renewed and empowered by the memory of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and promise to return. The Church is sustained by Christ’s pledge of undying love and continuing presence with God’s people. The Church is sealed in God’s covenant of grace through partaking of Christ’s self-offering.”

- PC(USA) Book of Order

PRELUDE

“We are One in Spirit”

arr. Douglas Wagner

Chancel Choir

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 150)

Liturgist: Jeannine Archibald, Deacon

We have come together to praise God from whom all blessings flow.

The firmament, the covering of earth and seas, is the roof of our sanctuary.

And so, we dwell in the house of God all the days of our lives as one people.

We will sing songs of praise and give thanks for God’s steadfast hope in us.

Who today will bless God for God’s surpassing greatness?

Let everything that breathes worship and praise God!

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 409

“God is Here! As we your People”

Abbot’s LEIGH

Serving as Acolyte today is Gordon Bruchac

CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS

Jesus, we ask that you take these prayers to the heart of God. We know the ways in which sin separates us from God. We confess our reticence to claim the sin in our lives. Today may we move past the prideful notions of our piety and look closer at what we don’t do. For sometimes the greatest sin of all is our own complicity with what is wrong in the world. We want to love as you commanded, Jesus, but too often catch ourselves justifying the injustice of hunger, poverty, war, and all the prejudices we didn’t know we had. Forgive us so that we may catch ourselves righting our wrongs. Forgive us so that the lessons we learn at the Spirit’s nudging may help bring the peace and love you seek in our families, the church, and the world. Help us to be more holy in our hearts. 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 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

ANTHEM

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.

MINUTE FOR MISSION

African Dream Academy Lydia Spinelli

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 cards in the offering plate and the staff will include them with their prayers this week.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“Let the Children Come to Me”

Mark Burrows

Chancel Choir

*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

SCRIPTURE

John 15:1-17

Page 103, NT

SERMON

“Joy Made Complete”

Rev. Don Brown

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

*HYMN NO. 770

“I’m Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table”

Welcome Table

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. 761

“Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”

Beecher

*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.

*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.

†Our thanks to Gracie Suda and Lucas Lattimer for preparing the Lord’s Table today. Our Communion servers this week are Tom Asche, Kaitlyn Heun, Donna McGinley, Nancy Hauser, Robert Maxwell, Sandy Prater, Steve Cornman, and Lisa Edwards. † The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God… … In memory of Our grandparents by Jim, Erika, Jessica and Matthew Day

† 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, Harry Coppens, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Christopher Kerwin, Edna Lawshe, Dottie Leonard,Barbara Piggery, 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