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 19, 2019

Ten o’clock

5th Sunday of Easter

GATHERING

REFLECTION

Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained.

-Helen Keller

PRELUDE

“Annie Laurie Scottish Folk”

arr. Donald Allured

Chancel Handbell Choir

CALL TO WORSHIP

Blessed is God, who created us and loves us beyond measure.

Blessed is God, who calls us to stop measuring out our love.

Blessed is God, who speaks and tells us stories about ourselves.

Blessed is God, who reveals to us who we are and who we could be.

Blessed is God, whose compassion is poured out on every single person.

Blessed is God, who gives us compassion to share with every single person, even people we do not know.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO.1

“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”

Nicaea

Lighting the candles today is Acolyte Ella Flanagan

CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

They may not be beaten down or lying by the road, but there are people we pass by, watching God. Some are family and friends we take so much for granted we cannot see how we have stripped them of our love and compassion.

Others are neighbors: who have been left half-dead by crushing work; who have fallen into the hands of despair; who have been abandoned by all those who walked on by them.

Many are strangers, people we don't know, but quickly judge: they are weak, or poor, or the enemy or because they remind us of whom we once were, or could become.

Rescue us from the power of our sins. Pour out your justice on us, rather than your judgment, that we would be moved with pity, and spurred to action; that we would hear of the hope that is ours, and share it with our sisters and brothers; that we would shower mercy on all we meet, even as we have received forgiveness for our sins through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

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 Taizé Chant The kingdom of God is justice and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Come, Lord, and open in us, the gates of your kingdom.

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“In His Steps”

Kevin Boesiger

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.

MINUTE FOR MINISTRY

The Pittsburgh Project

Luke Pryor

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Loralei Veronica Jones, daughter of Scott and Melissa, born May 2, 2018. Participating in the baptism today is Elder Kim Hicock.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

The Apostles’ Creed (ecumenical)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*HYMN NO. 475

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Nettleton

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 82

Page 512, OT

Luke 18: 9-14

Page 76, NT

SERMON “If Not You, Who?” Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 749

“Come! Live in the Light”

We Are Called

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

“Et misericordia”

from Magnificat, BWV 243

J.S. Bach (1685 - 1750)

Translation: “His mercy continues from generation to generation for those who fear him.” Jill Colavita & Michael Colavita, Duet

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 753 (Stanza 1) “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

Prayer of St. Francis

Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, and where there’s doubt, true faith in you. O, Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love with all my soul.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE 753 (Stanza 2)

“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

Prayer of St. Francis

Make me a channel of your peace. Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, only light, and where there’s sadness, ever joy. O, Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love with all my soul.

*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.

† Thank you to our Session greeters today: Anthony D’Annunzio and Nancy Hauser.

†The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of... ...John V. Vantuno by Diane Vantuno.

† 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, Kara Nancoz, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Barbara Romaine, Bob Scarrillo, Debbie Wefferling, Laura Winter and Helena Wispelwey.

STEPHEN MINISTERS are confidential caregivers available in times of need. For more information about Stephen Ministry call 973-228-0310 Ext. 235.