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!

 

August 18, 2019

Ten o’clock

10th Sunday after Pentecost

 

GATHERING

 

REFLECTION

“A known captivity is frequently more desirable than an unfamiliar freedom”

 -C.S. Lewis

 

PRELUDE

"Aria"

Flor Peeters

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 50)

God the Lord speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

God says, “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me.”

Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor the Lord.

To those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.

All: Let us worship God!

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

*HYMN SING

Serving as Acolyte today is Eliana White

 

CONFESSION

 PRAYER OF CONFESSION

What more can we say, Expectant God, that you don't know already? You long for justice for all people, but it is washed away by the flood of violence in our world. You hope that righteousness will walk with us, but you hear the clear cries of those we mistreat. You ask us to speak up for those in need, but we shut our mouths and turn away. Forgive us. Have mercy when we do not bear the fruit we could. Even though we have not lived our faith to the fullest, may we receive the promises of hope and grace you have given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

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

 

ANTHEM

“Because He Lives”

arr. Jack Schrader

Cynthia Welborn and Melissa Welborn, Duet

 

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.

 

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

We welcome into the family of God through baptism Harvey Wilco Macaluso, son of Jeffrey and Kendra, born April 23, 2019. Assisting in the baptism today is Elder, Brittany 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. 482

“Baptized in Water”

Bunessan

 

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 103 Page 523-524, OT

Romans 8:1-8 Page 147, NT

 

SERMON

“The End to Pretend”

Rev. Don Brown

 

*HYMN NO. 366

“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

Hyfrydol

 

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

“As the Deer"

arr. John Carter

 

*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 9:30am service today, we hope you will join us for Lemonade on the lawn (weather permitting).

 

† We express our sympathy as a Christian family to….

….Kristin Ingersoll and her family on the death of Joel Kraus, on Monday August 5, 2019.

 

† 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.