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!

 

January 13, 2019

Ten o’clock

Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord

 

GATHERING

 

REFLECTION

Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation into Christ. Jesus in his own baptism was attested Son by the Father and was anointed with the Holy Spirit to undertake the way of the servant manifested in his sufferings, death, and resurrection (W-2.3001). The Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims all people before they are able to respond in faith (W-2.3008b). Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order

 

PRELUDE

“Toccata For a Joyful Day”

Emma Lou Diemer        

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Come, all who thirst. Come to the font! 

Dip your soul into the water of life.

Come, all who hunger. Come to the table!

Eat your fill of the bread of life. 

Come, all who are weary. Come to worship!

Rest your spirits in the house of God. 

Come, all who thirst. Come, all who hunger. Come, all who are weary.

Come and worship God!

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

*HYMN NO. 475

“Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing”

Nettleton

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Kaci Pace

 

CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy God, when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan the heavens opened, the Spirit descended, and your voice affirmed your love in Jesus for the healing of the human race and all creation. By water and word you lovingly invite us into this same life-giving mission.  But we hesitate to move beyond our comfortable routine. We falter in our faithfulness, privately doubting if you really love us.  Forgive our timidity O Lord, and by your Spirit, moving like a stream of water flowing from its source, work in us this day to realize your vision of a world made new in Christ.

 

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of the One baptized by John we pray.

Amen.

 

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. 

 

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 750

“Goodness is Stronger Than Evil”

Goodness is Stronger Goodness is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; Light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death. Victory is ours; victory is ours through God who loves us.  Oh, victory is ours; victory is ours through God who loves us. 

 

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

 

ANTHEM

“Shall We Gather At The River”

arr. John Carter

Chancel 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

Mark 1:4-11

Pages 32-33, NT

Exodus 3: 1-5

Page 48, OT

 

SERMON

“Is God Still Speaking?”

Dr. Sommers

 

*HYMN NO. 479

“Ho, All Who Thirst”

Jacob’s Well

 

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

“Singer’s Prayer”

Michael Cox                                                            Griffin Willner, Soloist 

 

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607

Old Hundredth

“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. 485

“We Know That Christ Is Raised”

Engelberg                 

 

*BENEDICTION

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 583

“Glory to God”

Taizé Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!

 

*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

 

†If you are new to the church...Welcome! We’re glad to have you here. Please ask an usher to direct you to Visitor packets at the rear of the church. They can be found on the table near the usher’s closet under the balcony stairs. After the 10:00am service today, we hope you will join us for Coffee Hour in Room 120.

 

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:

 

...Mary Aharrah, Maggie Bischoff, Thelma Campbell, Harry Coppens, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter, Catherine Fleming, Gordon Gibson, Bill Hartman, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Christopher Kerwin, Edna Lawshe, Dottie Leonard, Ruth Luckenbach, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Erwin Rosin, Bob Scarrillo, Lois Schnell, Debbie Wefferling, Laura Winter and Helena Wispelwey.