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 24th, 2019

Ten o’clock

3rd Sunday in Lent

GATHERING

REFLECTION

“God’s dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are Family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness and for compassion.”

-Desmond Tutu

PRELUDE

“My Faith Looks Up to Thee”

arr. Linker& McFadden

First Church Ringers

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 63) Henry Jones, Lay Reader

O God, we seek you, and our souls thirst for you.

Our flesh faints for the Lord, as in a dry and weary land.

O God, your steadfast love is better than life itself!

Let us bless the Lord as long as we live, lift up our hands and call on God’s name.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 65

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

CWM Rhondda Serving as Acolyte today is Sally Capizzi

CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER

O God, you speak to us in a variety of ways: the rush of the wind, the cry of a child, the caress of a loving touch. We confess we don’t listen to the word that you send, so help us to hear and recognize the sound of your voice. You give us Jesus, the Word of Life in our midst, who offers us living water. We confess our hesitance to let go and drink deeply of his peace and love. You promise the Holy Spirit, a source of counsel and power. We confess ignoring such guidance, choosing instead to heed competing voices. Forgive us, and help us through Christ to enter the rest you have promised.

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. 626

“As the Deer”

As the Deer

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“There Is A Balm in Gilead”

arr. John Leavitt

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

MINUTE FOR MINISTRY

Worship Committee Kris George

SCRIPTURE Psalms 146 Page 549, OT Jeremiah 6:13-21 Page 664, OT

SERMON

“The Ancient Path” Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 703

“Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me” St. Catherine

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

“Wondrous Love”

arr. David N. Johnson

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 712

“As Those of Old Their Firstfruits Brought” (stanza 1) Forest Green

As those of old their firstfruits brought of vineyard, flock, and field to God, the giver of all good, the source of bounteous yield, so we today our firstfruits bring, the wealth of this good land: of farm and market, shop and home, of mind and heart and hand.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 360

“Christ Is Coming”

Unser Herrscher

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 543

“God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me”

God, be the love to search and keep me; Green Tyler God, be the prayer to move my voice;

God, be the strength to now uphold me:

O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.

*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.

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

…..in memory of our grandparents, by Erika & Jim Day.

† 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. 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, 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,Thelma Mitchell, 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.