The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell
326 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-228-0310
www.firstprescaldwell.org
July 19, 2020
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Reflection
"Matthew may have been clear that there
are only two types of people - the wheat and the weeds - but it is a clarity
that escapes most of us, we who have encountered both kinds in ourselves, and
in our neighbors and in the world. Most of our fielder full of mice plantings,
or worse. Sometimes I think that if I examined mine closely, I would not find
wheat or weeds. They have grown together so long that a hybrid would be more
likely, a mongrel seed that is neither one nor the other." -- Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor
PRELUDE
“Jacob’s
Ladder” arr. Robert Lau & Randolph Johnston
WORDS OF WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP &
OPENING PRAYER
From the
moment we open our eyes each morning, until we close them at night, God is with
us.
There is
no one like you, our God!
In times when
we are surrounded with struggles, in all the surprising places we find hope,
Jesus is with us.
There is
no one like you, our Brother!
When we feel
orphaned by the world, when we are welcomed into faith’s family, the Holy
Spirit is with us.
There is
no one like you, Witnessing Spirit.
God of Jacob,
who rested his head on a stone pillow and saw visions of your angels, be with
us this day. Give us a vision of your presence in the midst
of our strife. Give us courage and confidence that you are with us,
calling us to be your loving people in the world. For we ask these things in
Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
SUMMER HYMN SING
“His Eye
Is on the Sparrow” (Hymn No. 661, St. 1 & 3)
Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home,
when Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he:
his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. REFRAIN
REFRAIN: I sing because I’m
happy, (I’m happy)
I sing because I’m free, (I’m
free)
for his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
when song gives place to sighing, when hope within me
dies,
I draw the closer to him; from care he sets me free:
his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. REFRAIN
“God of the Sparrow” (Hymn No. 22, St. 1 & 6)
God of the sparrow God of the whale
God of the swirling stars.
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise.
God of the ages God near at hand
God of the loving heart.
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home.
“When in Our Music God Is Glorified” (Hymn No. 641,
St. 1 & 5)
When in our music God is glorified,
and adoration leaves no room for pride:
it is as though the whole creation cried:
Alleluia!
Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always:
Alleluia!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Insolently,
we turn against you, God of truth. When we follow those desires that control
us; when we live for ourselves, shutting off the gifts of those around us; when
we think we do not need to share love, hope, peace with others, we show how we
have joined that league of hooligans who ignore your way of life. Yet, you have
chose to adopt us as your children,
God-who-stand-with-us, forgiving us and making us inheritors with Jesus of your
grace and joy. So lead us by the Spirit, that we might
follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, into creation which groans for love
and healing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends,
hear the Good News! All who are moved by
the Spirit of
God are children of God.
We are
heirs of God’s splendor with Jesus Christ.
Friends,
believe the Good News!
In Jesus
Christ, we are forgiven.
HYMN N0. 750 “Goodness Is Stronger than Evil” GOODNESS IS STRONGER
Goodness is stronger
than evil; love is stronger than hate;
light is stronger than
darkness; life is stronger than death.
Victory is ours;
victory is ours through God who loves us.
Victory is ours;
victory is ours through God who loves us.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Susan Jones & Amy Kolb
SPECIAL MUSIC “Here I Am, Lord” arr. Lloyd Larson
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 28:10 – 22
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
SERMON “Jacob: The Future Can Be Different” Rev. William Schram
SPECIAL MUSIC “Dawning of the Day” arr. Zack Kline
PASTORAL PRAYER & 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.
CLOSING HYMN
NO. 541, St. 1 “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” RANDOLPH
God be with you till we
meet again;
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a shepherd’s care enfold you:
God be with you till we meet again.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Toccata for a Joyful Day Emma Lou Diemer
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Rev. William Schram
Rev. Barbara Piercy
Alexis Chiappetta, Soloist
Billy Slater, Viola Duet
Paul Salierno,
Cantor
Ray Liptak & Rob Thiemann, Technical
Assistance