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!

March 17th, 2019

Ten o’clock

2nd Sunday in Lent

GATHERING

REFLECTION

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but God did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

PRELUDE

“I Cry to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ”

arr. Helmut Walcha (1907-1991)

CALL TO WORSHIP

God’s gifts are as many as the stars,

God’s grace as endless as the evening sky.

Let us worship the Christ who binds us together,

the One in whom we place our trust.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 49

“The God of Abraham Praise”

Leoni

Serving as Acolyte today is Lily Phillips

CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER

Eternal God, we are quick to join Abram’s doubt and impatience, but we find it difficult to copy Abraham’s faith and trust. We want to believe your promises, but the here-and-now problems of daily life consume our focus and erode our faith. Open our eyes to your light. Open our hearts to your love. Open our minds to your possibilities.

Speak to us today, O God, and strengthen our faith, that we, too, may know the everlasting power of your love.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus, who remains faithful even when we do not, we pray.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 649 (stanzas 1&4)

“Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”

Amazing Grace

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

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

MINUTE FOR MINISTRY

Alzheimer & Dementia Caregiver Support Group

Dave Whetton

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Page 11, OT

Hebrews 6:13-20

Page 207, NT

SERMON

Living on a Promise

Dr. Sommers

*HYMN NO. 838

“Standing on the Promises”

Promises

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

“Prayer of St. Patrick”

Mark Burrows

Chancel Choir

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 724 (stanza 4)

“O Jesus, I Have Promised”

Angel’s Story

O Jesus, thou hast promised to all who follow thee

That where thou art in glory there shall thy servant be.

And, Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end:

O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 692

“Spirit, Open My Heart”

Wild Mountain Thyme

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 816 (stanza 3)

“If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee”

Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott

Sing, pray, and swerve not from God's ways, but do thine own part faithfully. Trust the rich promises of grace; so shall they be fulfilled in thee. God never yet forsook at need the soul secured by trust indeed.

*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! For more information about

our church, please visit our website: www.firstprescaldwell.org. An information packet is available at the rear of the sanctuary and an Usher or one of the Greeters that you met as you came in will be glad

to provide you with more information.

†Session Greeters today are, Nancy Hauser and Jack Dusinberre.

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

.....in memory of Dorothy McConnell by Dorothy Leonard

.....in memory of Norma and Bernard, beloved parents and grandparents. By Lisa Ryan Stein

†The red rose today celebrates the birth of.....

.....Sadie Francis on February 25th to Jeff Lanza and Claire Hudson. She is the granddaughter of John and Diane Lanza.

† Nursery care is provided for children up to 24 months in our Cradle Room during the10:00AM Worship Service. There is Christian Education during the 10:00AM Worship Service. The Cradle Room and Rest Rooms are located through the door to the left of the pulpit then left down the

hallway.

†You are respectfully requested to turn off all pagers and 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:

...Mary Aharrah, Maggie Bischoff, Thelma Campbell, Harry Coppens, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter,

Catherine Fleming, Alice Gibson, Gordon Gibson, Bill Hartman, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Don

Hultz, Christopher Kerwin, Edna Lawshe, Dottie Leonard, Marge Lucas, Barbara Piggery, Louise

Ritscher, Richard Rose, Erwin Rosin, Barbara Romaine, Bob Scarrillo, Debbie Wefferling, Laura

Winter and Helena Wispelwey.

† Notary Service is available in the church office Sundays from 9am-12pm.