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!

May 12th, 2018

Ten o’clock

4th Sunday of Easter

Mother’s Day

GATHERING

REFLECTION

In the Bible, faith is not something you possess but rather something you practice. You have to put it into action or it really doesn’t mean anything. Faith changes things. It’s the energy of transformation, both for individuals and for a society.

— Jim Wallis

PRELUDE

"Spring" from THE FOUR SEASONS

Anontio VIvaldi, arr. Maurizio Machella

Chapel Bells

CALL TO WORSHIP

And Jesus said, “Come!”

To all mothers and all children: he said, “Come!”

to the motherless and the childless: he said, “Come!”

to all who long to be mothered: he said, “Come!”

Jesus said: “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy-laden,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble of heart

and you will find rest for your souls.”

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 7

“Mothering God, You Gave Birth”

Norwich

Serving as Acolyte today is Grace Hemesath

LITANY FOR MOTHER’S DAY

All who gather here are sons or daughters.

We praise God for the women who gave us life.

For mothers brave, strong, compassionate, full of wisdom and grace,

We give God thanks and praise.

For mothers vulnerable, worried, frustrated, and hurried,

We pray for peace.

For relationships that are strained and no longer a source of joy,

We pray for healing.

For mothers who have died, that live no longer with us, but whose light shines on in our hearts and memories,

We pray for those that mourn, and give God thanks for life eternal.

For mothers who grieve, who have lost children born or unborn,

We weep with those with broken hearts.

For those who are struggling to raise children, who are tired and weary,

We pray that we may be their village, offering real help in hard times.

For those who are preparing emptier nests,

We both celebrate and mourn with you, and hope their wings are as strong as their roots are deep.

For stepmothers, navigating the pitfalls and joys of creating a new family,

We pray for wisdom and patience.

For grandmothers who are doing the hard work of raising children again,

We pray the caregivers have those who care for them.

For those who are waiting and sometimes struggling with the biological process to bring new life,

and for those who are waiting for adoptive process to be fulfilled.

We wait eagerly with you, and offer you our hand to hold in the trial.

For women who do not have children, but instead teach, lead, care for, and guide the children of others,

We give God thanks and praise.

For the mothers, sisters, daughters in our midst and around the world. For the women who, created in the image of God, give not just life, but abundant life. For women fighting, struggling, and sweating for the sake of others. For women caring, compassionate, and crying with the heart of

Christ. For the caregivers, prophets, preachers, teachers, leaders, shepherds, healers. For moms, in their wide variety and many forms,

We give God thanks and praise.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 233 (st 3)

“The Day of Resurrection!”

Lancashire

Now Let the heavens be joyful; let earth its song begin;

The round world keep high triumph and all that is therein Let all things seen and unseen their notes of gladness blend, For Christ the Lord has risen, our joy that has no end.

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

"There's No One Exactly Like Me,"

"Dry Bones,"

"Bless My Family"

Cherub Choir & Friends

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 25:31-40

Page 27, NT

SERMON

“Bringing Hope to Those Near and Far”

Dr. Sommers

*HYMN NO. 767

“Together We Serve”

San Anselmo

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

"Family of Faith"

Pepper Choplin

Chancel Choir

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 248 (st 3)

“Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna”

Hymn to Joy

Christ is risen! Earth and heaven nevermore shall be the same. Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain. Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ risen! Get you gone!” God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna everyone!

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 474

“As a Child Rests”

As a Child Rests

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 175

“See Ye First”

Seek ye first the kingdom of God And its righteousness,

And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, 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

†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.

†You are respectfully requested to turn off 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, Harry Coppens, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter, Catherine Fleming, Neil Garland, Bill

Hartman, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Don Hultz, Christopher Kerwin, Edna Lawshe, Dottie

Leonard, Marge Lucas, Thelma Mitchell, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Barbara

Romaine, Bob Scarrillo, Debbie Wefferling, 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.