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!

July 14th, 2019

9:30 AM

5th Sunday after Pentecost

GATHERING

REFLECTION

I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure.

— Eric Liddell in “Chariots of Fire”

PRELUDE “Pasticcio”

Jean Langlais (1907-1991)

CALL TO WORSHIP

Drawn by God’s presence. . .

. . .we gather

Inspired by God’s spirit. . .

. . .we worship

Empowered by God’s grace. . .

. . .we live

Opened by God’s love. . .

. . .we share

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN SING

Serving as Acolyte today is Lily Phillips

CONFESSION UNISON PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

Lord God, you have shown us such love, and stretched out your arms to draw us into your embrace. Yet we so often fail to show that love within our lives, or recognize its source. Forgive our short-sightedness, for the times we've failed to see your love in the generosity of friend or stranger, the shoulder to cry on, willing ear to listen, a word of encouragement, holding our hand that extra mile. Forgive us for failing to notice how much you care for us.

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 292 (stanza 2)

“As the Wind Song”

Wairua Tapu

As the rainbow after rain, as the hope that’s born again, so it is with the Spirit of God, as the green in the spring, As a kite on a string, so it is with the Spirit of God, making worlds that are new, making peace come true, Bringing gifts, bringing love to the world, as the rising of the yeast, as the wine at the feast, so it is with the Spirit of God.

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“Sing Ye a Joyful Song”

(from Ten Biblical Songs)

Paul Salierno, Soloist

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

Please note: Children over the age of 5 will worship with their families in the Sanctuary. Children up to the age of 5 can join us in the nursery (during the summer months).

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

“Oasis”

Ellen Johnson

SCRIPTURE

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Page 161, NT

SERMON

“Placing Ourselves in Position”

Dr. Sommers

PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH TRIENNIUM COMMISSIONING

The Presbyterian Youth Triennium is a 5-day gathering for high school age youth from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Held every three years on the campus of Purdue University, the 2019 theme is “Here’s My Heart,” drawn from the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” FPC participants include Kaitlyn Heun (advisor), and students Jack Jones, Caitlin Joy, Hayat Pryor, and Mike Soccio.

*HYMN NO. 475

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Nettleton

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

“Shall We Gather at The River”

Arr. Robert Lau

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Old Hundredth

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

GOING FORTH

*HYMN NO. 846

“Fight the Good Fight”

Duke Street

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 543

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

God, be the love to search and keep me; God Be With You 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.

†You are respectfully requested to silence 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, Alice Brackmann, Harry Coppens, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter, Catherine Fleming, Neil Garland, Bill Hartman, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Christopher Kerwin, Edna Lawshe, Dottie Leonard, Marge Lucas, Thelma Mitchell, Kara Nancoz, Kaye Prasad, 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.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT CALDWELL

326 Bloomfield Avenue

Caldwell, NJ 07006

973-228-0310