A SERVICE OF WORSHIP ON THE LORD S DAY WTH THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM November 22, 2015 at 10:00 am Christ the King We Gather Around God s Word Prelude Now Thank We All Our God J.S. Bach Robert Grube, Jr., Organist Welcome Introit Sine Nomine Williams/Wagner Jubilee Bell Choir, Elsa G. Hahn, Directing *Call to Worship: Psalm 147 Leader: Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God. People: He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills Leader: He blesses your children, grants peace within your borders; People: He fills you with the finest of wheat Leader: He makes his wind blow and his waters flow. All: Praise the Lord with song! *Hymn of Gathering #559 We Gather Together Kremser Prayer of Adoration and Confession You are holy, Lord. We sing our praises to you and glorify your Name. In your merciful presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we are sorry for the many ways we have turned from you. Forgive us, we pray, and help us to live in your light, walk by your ways, and exemplify your love, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior, in whose name we pray and offer our silent confession Congregational Response Come and fill our hearts with your peace. You alone, O Lord, are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace. Alleluia! Assurance of Reconciliation Rev. Liz Alexander *We Give Glory to God (holding hands) Glory be to the Father And to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end, Amen, Amen. Gloria Patri Children s Message Child care will be provided for infants to 2 ½ year olds in the Nursery on the first floor across from Thomson Youth Center. Regular classes will be held for all children in their Sunday school classrooms. Special Music All Nature Has a Song Wagner Caroler Choir, Elsa G. Hahn, Directing Recognition of 50 Year Members God of the Universe Crusader Choir, Elsa G. Hahn, Directing We Proclaim God s Word Cristofferson Ginette Bracke Prayer of Illumination Open our hearts and minds, O God, by your Spirit, that we may hear with refreshed hearts and renewed minds your Word prepared for us this day. Through Christ, the Living Word, we pray. Amen. Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28-34a (N.T. pg. 60) Sermon: Make It Happen: Who We Are! We Respond to God s Word *Hymn of Preparation #492 Baptized in Water and Mel Layfield Bunessan Sacrament of Baptism and the Welcome of New Members Through the Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant Rev. Kile Presentation Renunciations and Profession of Faith with the Apostle s Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he
ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen Thanksgiving Over the Water Prayers of the People and The Lord s Prayer Baptism Prayers For Those Reaffirming the Baptismal Covenant and Laying on of Hands Welcome and Sharing of Christ s Peace FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CRANFORD 11 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey 07016 Phone (908) 276-8440 www.firstprescranford.org We Worship With Our Offerings and Dedication of Our Annual Pledges Offertory Autumn Carol Widmar Chancel Choir and Jubilee Bells, Alison R. Nead, Directing *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, Ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen Old Hundredth *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn of Sending # 554 Now Thank We All Our God NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT Benediction and Postlude Go In Peace to Love and Serve the Lord! The Ministers of the First Presbyterian Church, Cranford NJ: The Entire Congregation of FPCC Pastor and Head of Staff Rev. John Christian Kile Associate Pastor Rev. Liz Alexander Music Director Alison R. Nead Assistant Music Director Elsa G. Hahn Organist Robert Grube, Jr. Administrative Coordinator Carol Thee Love God Love your neighbor
Prayers of the Church Family Pray for those in the FPCC Family facing health challenges and the loss of family members. Pray for loved ones and friends of the FPCC Family. Please ask for God s daily comfort and the blessing of faithful trust for all who serve in the military especially those beginning their military service and those in leadership of our nation and for students everywhere and married couples facing turmoil. Emergency and immediate prayer support is available for friends and family of the Church! Please join over 100 of us on the First Presbyterian Church Prayer Chain. We would love to have you. There are no calls to make; simply receive emails and add them to your prayer list. We are here to help you with this special Spirit-filled ministry. To add someone, contact Linda Thorn at lindathorn427@gmail.com. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 11 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey 07016 Phone (908)276-8440 E-mail Office@firstprescranford.org www.firstprescranford.org TO REACH THE PASTORS Pastor Chris Kile can be reached via cell phone at 215-933-8805 or at jckile@firstprescranford.org. Pastor Liz Alexander can be reached at the church office (extension 13) or at lizalexander@firstprescranford.org. TODAY WORSHIP BAGS for children and for toddlers may be found in a basket at the entrance to the sanctuary. Please return the worship bags following the worship service. FLOWERS TODAY The Thanksgiving arrangement was donated by Dreyer Farms and arranged by Betsy Kluge and Judy Bobucky. In His Footsteps: Let's Make it Happen FPCC's Stewardship/Financial Campaign for 2016 has begun and will conclude on Consecration Sunday, November 22. We have been blessed this year with the completion of our Mission Study, PROCEEDING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS, which includes a comprehensive plan resulting from congregation members' surveys, focus group meetings, one-on-one visits, and a lot of prayer! During the Campaign, all congregation members will be urged to do their part in funding the programs and missions that we all want to see supported as part of our five year plan. Each Sunday, a different aspect of FPCC's Christ-centered ministry will be highlighted and presented by members of the congregation: November 1: Congregational Care November 8: Spiritual Growth November 15: Youth and Education November 22: Identity The Stewardship team looks forward to answering your questions and addressing your concerns about financial matters during the campaign and throughout the year. Please join us in making 2016 a great kick-off to an amazing five years of ministry ahead. LOOKING AHEAD CALLING ALL CAROLERS! Please join us on December 6 th for caroling! Time is 2 pm. We will go around and sing to some of our church members that are unable to attend church. After we will enjoy some pizza! Everyone is welcome! Any questions, please contact Kristine Farley at kfarley@comcast.net. ADVENT STUDY - Adult Ministries is pleased to offer an Advent study - "Pausing on the Road to Bethlehem - A Journey Through Advent" for all interested adults. This four part series will provide an opportunity to consider the meaning of Advent with a group of fellow disciples through study, discussion and fellowship. The Study, facilitated by Elders Randy Williams and Donna Graziano will begin on the first Sunday of Advent - November 29 th immediately following Worship (11:30) and continue for the four Sundays of Advent concluding on Sunday December 20 th. Contact Randy at 201-320-0763 or at Randy.r.williams@aol.com or Donna at 276-3274 or dagraz@verizon.net, Mark Oricchio or the Church Office to register for the study. Child care will be provided as required. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT On November 29 th Sunday School classes kindergarten through eighth grade will take part in United Sunday School in Thomson Youth Center. It will include an Advent lesson and worship service led by Pastor Liz Alexander and will be followed by Advent crafts which will become gifts to our Friends At Home. All church
members are invited to join the Advent craft making and festivities after worship. Pizza will be served at noon to all participants. SAVE THE DATE! Christmas Luncheon will be held on Sunday, December 20 th immediately after worship which will include the Christmas Cantata. Broadway's "Carols for a Cure" 2015 Holiday CD Now Available - The 2015 version of Broadway's "Carols for a Cure" is now available and can be purchased for $20 during coffee hour after Sunday service or anytime through the Church office. Hear the stars and casts of Broadway's leading shows perform traditional Christmas carols and Holiday songs. This year's version features casts from such shows as Hamilton, The King and I, Phantom of the Opera, Kinky Boots, Wicked, and many more. These CDs make wonderful gifts for teachers, neighbors, and friends. Volumes from previous years are also available. All proceeds go to support mission programs of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford. Please call Gary Thorn (908-272-8299) for additional information. Holiday Gifts For Friends & Family That Give Back to FPC! We are excited to say FPC s SCRIP gift card program is back for the holidays! Through the SCRIP program, First Pres receives a portion of each dollar spent on gift cards from hundreds of stores. Cards offered in the program are the same as those you would buy at a store what we are offering is a convenient way to order them through First Pres with a portion of each dollar spent going back to us for use in our ministry. (Plus, buying them through FPC means no wasting money on those processing/activation fees that come when buying a gift card at a pharmacy! Many popular retailers participate, including Panera, Gap, Barnes & Noble and Whole Foods, and many more, just to name a few. This Christmas season we hope you will consider purchasing gift cards for friends, family, teachers, your Secret Santa, the mailman, etc. through First Pres Scrip Program. It is truly a gift that gives twice! We will place our Holiday Order on Monday, December 7, and the gift cards will be available for pick up the following Sunday. Order forms are located in the bulletin, in the Narthex, in the church office or email cesposito@rodmanmedia.com, and we can send one over to you ASAP! NEWS FROM THE GREATER COMMUNITY This year s Christmas Season is rapidly approaching. Each year First Pres. Cranford has had a Giving Tree loaded with informational tags of children whose families need help in providing gifts of clothes and toys for Christmas. Once again First Presbyterian Church of Cranford will partner with St. Anneʼs Church of Garwood to collect gifts to go to St. Josephʼs Social Center in Elizabeth. The Giving Tree Board is available in Thomson Youth Center today! Be sure to sign the form with the information from the card you select. Gifts must be returned to our church by December 6 th, unwrapped with tissue paper in a Christmas gift bag with the tag stapled to the upper right corner of the bag. Thank you for once again sharing Godʼs Love and helping to brighten Christmas for others who are in difficult circumstances. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SOCKS! Something we pull onto our feet when the weather is wet, cold or whenever we want to. Many of the Cranford-Elmora Soup Kitchen guests do not have this luxury. As the cool weather approaches, donations of socks would be appreciated. If you care to donate men's, women's or children's socks, please put them in the container across from the office. Also, thank you for continuing to collect plastic grocery bags to be used to distribute bread to our guests each Sunday. THIS WEEK S FPCC CALENDAR Sunday, November 22 nd 8:30 am Bible Explorers Board Room 10:00 am Worship New Members and 50 Year Members Recognized Sanctuary 10:15 am Sunday School 11:00 am Fellowship Library Monday, November 23 rd 7:00 pm Cranford Thanksgiving Service (see below) 7:30 pm APNC Board Room Wednesday,November 24 th 6:30 am Men s Prayer Breakfast Rustic Mill Diner 10:00 am Pray First Dorothy Snyder Chapel AGAPE Pick-up Office closed at 1pm Thursday, November 25 th Thanksgiving Day Office Closed Friday, November 26 th Office Closed Sunday, November 29 th 8:30 am Advent Adult Education Board Room 10:00 am Worship Sanctuary 10:15 am United Sunday School Advent Workshop Thomson Youth Center 11:15 am Fellowship/Advent Workshop Thomson Youth Center 1:00 pm Labyrinth Bates Hall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please join us in giving thanks as a community at the Community of Cranford Thanksgiving Service An ecumenical service hosted by The Cranford Clergy Council, representing our 10 houses of worship And the Interfaith Human Relations Committee St. Mark A.M.E. Church 34 High Street Monday, November 23 at 7pm Our town has many reasons to be thankful. Please consider joining us and bringing a non-perishable food item to be donated to Cranford Family Care. We Welcome Our Newest Members SCRIP Information and order sheets