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!

 

March 8, 2020

9:30 AM

2nd Sunday in Lent

 

GATHERING

 

REFLECTION

“Forget injuries, never forget kindness.”

-Confucius

 

PRELUDE

“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”

arr. David Paxton 

 

Call to Worship                                                                    Liturgist: Darcy Asche, Deacon

We come this day hoping to encounter Christ.

We come with burdens and questions that only He can answer.

May we open our hearts to Him.

May our lives be healed and strengthened for service 

 

OPENING PRAYER 

 

*HYMN NO. 45

“I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes”

Dundee                                                   Serving as Acolyte today is Vivien Iversen

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

Lord, we are such stubborn people. We want to know all the answers. We find it hard to place our trust even in your Son. When Jesus proclaims that we can have a new life, we want to know how this is possible. How can we get rid of the old burdens and difficulties and start over again? Wouldn’t it be just like climbing back into the womb to make a fresh start? How we have misunderstood what Jesus has said. New life is possible. We can place our trust in God’s healing care. Forgive us, and help us, gracious Lord.

 

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. 519

“You Are My Strength When I Am Weak”

Jernigan

You are my strength when I am weak;  you are the treasure that I seek; you are my all in all. When I fall down, you pick me up; when I am dry,  you fill my cup; you are my all in all. Jesus, Lamb of God, worth is your name! Jesus, Lamb of god, worthy is your name!

 

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

 

ANTHEM

“Blessed Lamb, On Calvary’s Mountain”

arr. K. Lee Scott

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.

 

MINIUTE FOR MIINISTRY

Buildings and Grounds

Mike Bruchac

 

SCRIPTURE

Mark 15:33-39

Page 51, NT

 

SERMON

“The Truest Word”

Rev. Don Brown

 

*HYMN NO. 441

“Hear the Good News of Salvation”

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

“What Wondrous Love Is This”

arr. Jan Sanborn 

 

*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. 12

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

St. Denio

 

*BENEDICTION

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE NO.733 St. 3

“We All Are One in Mission”

Es Flog Ein Kleins Waldvögelein                                                                                              Now let us be united and let our song be heard.         Now let us be a vessel for God’s redeeming word. We all are on in mission; we all are one in call, Our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.

 

*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, Gordon Gibson, Diane Hanley, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Ann Hicock, Bob Hicock, Brian Johnson, Sandy Johnson, Edna Lawshe, Gail Lee, Mimi Page, Kaye Prasad, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Ginny Schmidt, 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.

 

†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.