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!

January 19, 2020

9:30 AM

2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday

GATHERING

REFLECTION

“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

PRELUDE

Fantasy and Fugue on “My Lord, What a Mourning”

Ralph Simpson

Written for the Diamond Anniversary of the National Association of Negro Musicians (1994)

Call to Worship Liturgist: Maureen Prince, Elder

We worship the God who inhabits our world and indwells our lives.

We need not look up to find God, We need only look around:

within ourselves, beyond ourselves, into the eyes of another.

We need not listen for a distant thunder to find God, we need only listen to the music of life,

the words of children, the questions of the curious, the rhythm of a heartbeat.

We worship the God who inhabits our world and who indwells our lives.

OPENING PRAYER

*HYMN NO. 766

“The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound”

Mc Kee Serving as Acolyte today is Mikyle Staehle

A COVENANT PRAYER OF RECOMMITMENT TO JUSTICE

Liturgist: O God, who has created your children to be free, we attest in word and deed that you are our God and we are your people. From our earliest days as the people whom you intend to be free, O God, you have called us forth from self-seeking bondage, comfort, complacency, and complaint, to freeing and redeeming action for justice everywhere in the world.

People: You are our freeing God, and we would be your free and freeing people.

Liturgist: O God of Exodus and the Burning Bush, of the Prophets and of Jesus, we hear your powerful calling to be your servants in the service of all those who are oppressed. At every turn we hear your voice in the cries of the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned, and the broken, for you made yourself one with those who seek justice, freedom, and peace. We share a vision, a promise, and a yearning for the day of your reign, O God.

People: You are our servant God, and we would be your serving people.

Liturgist: O God, Our Sustainer, search our hearts and reveal to us our sinfulness, all the ways that we contribute to injustice and to self-destroying bondage. Give us deep courage to find the true path of your way, ready to give our very selves as living sacrifices for your will. We have heard your calling. Hear us now as we make our pledge. (All rise, if able).

People: You are our God and we are your people. We pledge ourselves now to pursue relentlessly that living, breathing justice which transforms persons and peoples. To your will for justice we recommit ourselves and pledge ourselves, our funds, our actions. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 447

“We Are Forgiven”

We Are Forgiven

We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

ANTHEM

“I Have a Dream”

Max V. Exner (1910 - 2004)

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, 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

Isaiah 55:1-13

Page 644, OT

SERMON

“God’s Currency”

Rev. Don Brown

*HYMN NO. 318

“In Christ There Is No East or West”

St. Peter

OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“Walk Together Children”

Traditional Spiritual

arr. Moses Hogan Cynthia Welborn, Solo

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE 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.

GOING FORTH

HYMN NO. 734

“Hope of the World”

Donne Secours

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO. 466

“Come and Fill Our Hearts”

Confitemini Dominio

Come and fill our hearts with your peace. You alone, O Lord, are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace. 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

† We are glad you have chosen to worship here today! Please come again!

† 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, Jay Courter, Catherine Fleming, Neil Garland, Diane Hanley, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Ann Hicock, Brian Johnson, Sandy Johnson, Edna Lawshe, Marge Lucas, Fred Page, Mimi Page, Kaye Prasad, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Ginny Schmidt, Lydia Spinelli, Marlene Todd, and Debbie Wefferling.

The church office will be happy to verify their home addresses for should you wish to send them words of encouragement or get well wishes.

We express our sympathy as a Christian family to…. ….Eleanor Casagrand the death of her brother, on January 12, 2020. ….Linda Ogden on the death of her brother, Jimmy Rusignulo, on January 8, 2020.

†The white rose on the communion table celebrates the life of First Presbyterian Church Member, Ray Corbin, and remembers the promise of the resurrection in his death on Monday, January 13, 2020. Our sympathy is extended to Ray’s family and friends.

†The white rose on the communion table celebrates the life of First Presbyterian Church Member, Judy Swift, and remembers the promise of the resurrection in her death on Sunday, January 12, 2020. Our sympathy is extended to Judy’s family and friends.

†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.

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

†Order your Flower Memorials for 2020! Please Call or email us. 973.228.0310 - fpc@firstprescaldwell.org