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 26, 2019

Ten o’clock

6th Sunday of Easter

 

GATHERING

 

REFLECTION

“But grief is not the end of all. I seem to hear the funeral march become a paean (song of praise). I see beyond

the forest the moving banners of a hidden column. Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of life, not

death‐‐of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen, the great chorus of

life and joy begins again, and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and

evil our trumpets sound once more a note of daring, hope, and will.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

on the occasion of Memorial Day, 1864

 

PRELUDE

“Eternal Father Strong to Save”

Arr. David Schwoebel

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make God’s face to shine upon us, that God’s way may be known upon earth, God’s saving power among all nations.

Let all the people praise God; let all the people sing praise!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for God judges the peoples with equity and guides the nations upon earth.

Let the people praise God; let all the people sing praise!

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

*HYMN NO. 756

“O God of Every Nation”

Llangloffan

 

CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of every nation, as we remember those that gave their lives in service to their country, let us be stirred to action in their memory. We confess that we have not done all that is possible to promote peace and justice in our world. We have not loved our neighbors, let alone our enemies. Forgive us for failing to live up to your commandments. Empower us to work for your kingdom in this world, and welcome us by your grace into

your kingdom in the next.

 

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

“Sometimes a Light Surprises”

Craig Courtney

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

John 15:9-17

Page 103, NT

 

SERMON

“Love One Another”

Dr. Sommers

 

*HYMN NO. 316

“Where Charity and Love Prevail”

Twenty-Fourth

 

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

“O Beautiful, For Spacious Skies”

arr. Emma Lou Diemer

 

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 337 (Stanza 4)

“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”

America

Our fathers’ God, to thee, author of liberty, of thee we sing. Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light; Protect us by thy might, great God, our King.

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

GOING FORTH

 

*HYMN NO. 354

“Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory”

Battle Hymn

 

*BENEDICTION

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 338 (Stanza 2)

“O Beautiful for Spacious Skies”

Materna

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!

America! America! God mend thine every flaw;

confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!

 

*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.

 

†The red rose this morning celebrates the birth of...

....Harvey Wilco Macaluso on April 23, 2019 to Jeff and Kendra Macaluso

 

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

...Sp 4. Ross Applegate and Sgt. Robert Parker by Ray Liptak.

 

† 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.