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 21, 2019

Ten o’clock

6th Sunday after Pentecost

 

GATHERING

 

REFLECTION

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,

you must know the sorrow as the other deepest thing.

You must wake up with sorrow. You must speak to it till your voice catches the thread of all sorrows and you see the size of the cloth.

 -Naomi Shihab Nye

 

PRELUDE

Music from Taizé

(Ecumenical faith community in Taizé, France)

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

God has called us to this place. What do you see?

We see people who model for us God's joyous embrace of all people.

God has brought us to this place. What do you hear?

We hear God's hope that we are able to see each person as our sister or brother.

God has challenged us to open our lives and hearts to others. What will you do?

We will do only one thing: welcome everyone in God's name!

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

*HYMN SING

Serving as Acolyte today is Ella Flanagan

 

CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

In the mirror we call scripture, we see ourselves for who we are and are not. We complain about those who are not doing what we think they should, and ignore our failings. We speak words which harm the life of family and friends. We step over the poor on our way to get more and more, ignoring their needs. Forgive us, Reconciling God. Sit us down at Jesus' feet, so we may learn the life you intend for us. Then, and only then, we can set aside our grudges, to offer our gifts to our

neighbors; we can stop licking at our hurts, to bring healing to others; we can reach out and welcome our sisters and brothers, even as we have been welcomed into your heart 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 NO. 544

“Bless the Lord”

Taizé

Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name.

Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.

 

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

 

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. 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.

 

TAIZÉ COMMISSIONING

Katie Kreil, Amanda Lecuona, Victoria Lecuona, Lydia Nathans, Eliana Salierno.

 

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS

We welcome into the life and ministry of FPC the following: Jessica Valentine Abramovich,

Nancy Bahr, Megan and Shawn Bien, India and Gregory Blanc.

 

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Delilah Rose Morrison Bahr, granddaughter

of Nancy Smith, born July 22, 2018; and Nancy Anne Smith Bahr, born March 11, 1967. Assisting

in the baptism today is Elder Donna Heun.

 

*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. 488

“I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”

Waterlife

 

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 107:1-9 Page 528, OT

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Page 175, NT

 

SERMON

“Rescued and Rescuer”

Rev. Don Brown

 

*HYMN NO. 300

“We Are One in the Spirit”

They’ll Know We Are Christians

 

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

Psalm 23

Jody Lindh

Amanda Lecuona, Soloist

 

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 466

“Come and Fill Our Hearts”

Confitemini Domino

Come and fill our hearts with your peace.

You alone, O Lord, are Holy.

Come and fill our hearts with your peace.

Alleluia!

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

GOING FORTH

 

*BENEDICTION

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 635

“Sing, Praise, and Bless the Lord”

Laudate Dominum

Sing, praise, and bless the Lord. Sing, Praise, and bless the Lord.

Peoples! Nations! Alleluia!

Sing, praise, and bless the Lord. Sing, praise, and bless the Lord.

Peoples! Nations! 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

 

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

...Erick Roemer by Adele and James Tierney.

 

† 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.

 

STEPHEN MINISTERS are confidential caregivers available in times of need. For more

information about Stephen Ministry call 973-228-0310 Ext. 235.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT CALDWELL

326 Bloomfield Avenue

Caldwell, NJ 07006

973-228-0310