First Presbyterian Church
Cranford, New Jersey
Founded 1851
September 26, 2010 10:00 a.m.
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Those who are able, please stand.
Thank you for turning off cell phones.
We Gather Around God’s Word
Prelude
Introit
Prelude in F
Welcome
to include your e-mail address.)
Stanford
Rev. Diane Curtis (Please fill out the Friendship Pad completely, pass it along, and return it to its starting point. Be sure
Opening Prayer (responsive)
Betsy Koehler
L: We who dwell in the shelter of the Most High God, abide under the shadow of the
Almighty.
P: We shall say to the Lord, “Our refuge and our stronghold, our God in whom we
put our trust.”
L: God of grace, You seek to grow new things within us.
P: We confess that we don’t give you much to work with.
L: The seed of faith is small within us. Hope is hard to muster.
P: Love is often inconvenient. Our sin keeps us from responding to you.
All: Have mercy on us.
L: Stir us, empower us, redeem us,
P: so that we might reach to you and move toward you and grow in the ways of faith,
hope, and love.
All: We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Opening Hymn 486
When Morning Gilds the Skies
Moment for Mission
Peacemaking Offering
Update from the Pastor Nominating Committee
Hymn 486
When Morning Gilds the Skies
Laudes Domini
(verses 1 & 2)
Jeff Brown
Karen Buchanan
Laudes Domini
(verses 3 & 4)
A Time for Children
Rev. Valencia Norman
(All children are invited forward. Afterward, children may go to Sunday School classes for all ages.)
We Proclaim God’s Word
First Scripture Reading
L: The Word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.
Anthem
(p.897 of Old Testament)
Jeremiah 31:1-3, 6-14
Precious Lord Take My Hand
Chancel Choir – Dr. Frederick Irwin directing
Dorsey, arr. Shrader
Second Scripture Reading
(p.256 of New Testament)
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Sermon
“The Empty Suitcase”
Rev. Diane Curtis
Fight the Good Fight
Duke Street
*Hymn 307
We Respond to God’s Word
We Worship With Our Offerings
Offertory
*We Give Praise to God
Aria
Carter
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him all creatures here below. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who are 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 555
*Benediction
Postlude
Now Thank We All Our God
Nun Danket Alle Gott
Go In Peace – to Serve in Love
LARGE PRINT bulletins and hymnals, and special children’s bulletins are available from the ushers. Whenever possible, please help your fellow worshipers by exiting and entering the
sanctuary at times other than during prayers or scripture readings. Thank you.
WELCOME and thank you for your contribution to this service of worship. Visitors, members and friends: please fill in the Friendship Pad completely, noting those near you, and pass it along.
May you sense in this place, the presence and the love of God in Christ.
NURSERY CARE for children 2 years and younger is always available during worship in the Nursery, located downstairs in Memorial Hall (adjacent to the sanctuary) across from the Thomson
Youth Center. A Crib Room is also available. Please ask an usher for directions.
SUNDAY SCHOOL classes for all ages (2 & ½ and up) are located in the Education Building. Church School leaders are available to help students and parents locate their classrooms.
THE FLOWERS today are given to the glory of God by Richard & Dorothy Baldwin in honor of our family’s nine birthdays.
TO REACH THE PASTOR, you may contact the Rev. Diane Curtis at 908 803-6395 or by e-mail at [email protected]; or the Rev. Valencia Norman at 201 404-6935 or by email at [email protected].
CHAPEL PRAYER TIME – Following each Sunday’s worship service, the Dorothy Snyder Chapel is open for prayer and quiet meditation. All are welcome.
OCTOBER 10TH the municipal parking lot across from the church on North Union Avenue will be closed. You will still be able to park on Springfield Avenue, in Gray’s Parking Lot, on Miln
St., Alden St., and at the Station Plaza extension parking lots.
NEW MEMBERS CLASSES Classes will be held on October 3, 10 and 17th for anyone who would like to know more about the Presbyterian Church in the USA, and specifically this church in Cranford. They
will be held in the Board Room following worship each Sunday. There is no obligation to join. Lunch will be provided.
ADULT MINISTRIES is offering 2 book discussion groups on Forgiving Ararat, a novel by Gita Nazareth. If you looking for a great book or want to stay more spiritually connected, this is for you. The book
is about a young lawyer who dies unexpectedly and arriving in heaven learns she has been chosen to join the elite lawyers who prosecute and defend souls at the Final Judgment. Forgiving Ararat is a miraculous
and mesmerizing novel about life, death, healing, justice, forgiveness, and what it means to be both human and Divine. Study Guides are available from Pastor Diane or in the church office. Discussions are
today, September 26th at 11:30 in the Thomson Youth Center and Monday, September 27 at 7 p.m. in Mettam Lounge.
What’s
in your suitcase?
First Presbyterian Church of Cranford
Interim Pastor & Head of Staff – The Rev. Diane Curtis
Associate Pastor – The Rev. Valencia B. Norman
Music Director of Adult & Youth Choirs – Dr. Frederick Irwin
Music Director of Jubilee Bell & Childrens Choirs – Elsa G. Hahn
Organist – Robert Grube, Jr.
Director of Christian Education – Mary E. Beckhusen
Church Administrator – Gail L. Clauer
Church website: www.firstprescranford.org
What’s Happening
at First Presbyterian Church this Week?
Sunday, September 26th
10:00 a.m.
Worship Service
10:15 a.m.
Sunday school
11:20 a.m.
Chapel Time
11:30 a.m.
Westminster Choir
11:15 a.m.
Fellowship Time
11:30 a.m.
Adult Ed. Book Discussion – Forgiving Ararat
6:00 p.m.
Youth Fellowship
7:00 p.m.
Journey to Wholeness – Seminar #2
Sanctuary
Christian Education bldg.
Dorothy Snyder Chapel
Music Room
Thomson Youth Center
Library
Room 302
Mettam Lounge
Monday, September 27th
7:00 p.m.
Pastor Nominating Committee
7:00 p.m.
Adult Ed. Book Discussion – Forgiving Ararat
Board Room
Mettam Lounge
Thursday, September 30th
3:30 p.m.
Caroler Choir
4:30 p.m.
Crusader Choir
6:30 p.m.
Jubilee Bell Choir
7:30 p.m.
Chancel Choir
Friday, October 1st
10:00 a.m.. Play N’ Date
Sunday, October 3rd – World Communion/Peacemaking Sunday
10:00 a.m.
Worship Service
10:15 a.m.
Sunday school
11:20 a.m.
Chapel Time
11:30 a.m.
Fellowship Time
11:30 a.m.
Westminster Choir
11:30 a.m.
Adult Education- Communities of Shalom
6:00 p.m.
Youth Fellowship meets
7:00 p.m.
Journey to Wholeness – Seminar #3
Music Room
Music Room
Music Room
Music Room
Playground or Rm. 102
Sanctuary
Christian Education bldg.
Dorothy Snyder Chapel
Thomson Youth Center
Music Room
Michael Christensen, PhD
Room 302
Mettam Lounge
Looking Ahead
September:
September 26th
September 27th
11:15 Book Discussion – Forgiving Ararat
Following the Worship Service in the
7:00 Book Discussion – Forgiving Ararat
Library
Mettam Lounge
October:
October 3rd
October 3rd
October 27th
11:30 New Members Classes begin
11:30 Peacemaking Sunday - Michael J. Christensen PhD
“Communities of Shalom”
Thomson Youth Center
9:00 Fall Gathering of Presbyterian Women
in the Presbytery at the
Central Presbyterian Church in Summit
2:00 CROP Walk
Cranford United Methodist Church
11:30 Book Discussion – Eat, Pray, Love
Following the Worship Service in the
Lord & Taylor—Shop Smart. Do Good!
October 31st
11:15 Annual Congregational Meeting
October 16th
October 17th
October 24th
Library
October Adult Education
October 3rd: Peacemaking Sunday
Communities of Shalom
at Drew University
Presenting Michael J. Christensen, PhD
Dr. Christensen is the national director of the Shalom Initiative and Affiliate Associate Professor of Spirituality at Drew University. He teaches courses in spirituality and social justice in the College and
Theological School. He is a certified field traumatologist with expertise in urban ministry, disaster response, international community development and community mental health.
Shalom seeks to build community, weave unity and transform the world one community at a time. A ‘shalom zone’ is a faith-based empowerment zone of four square city blocks, a neighborhood of
one-square mile, or a rural community of many households where shalom work is active.
Shalom is working together to engage congregations and communities in building a future of hope and peace through multi-cultural and multi-faith collaboration to Build, Weave and Transform.
S
systemic and sustainable change
H
healing, health, harmony and wholeness
A
asset-based community development
L
love for God, self and neighbor
O
organizing for direct action
M
multi-cultural, multi-faith collaboration
October 3rd at 11:30 a.m. in the Thomson Youth Center.
Dr. Christensen will also be preaching during the worship service.
Dedication Plaque Order Form
Honoring and Remembering the Special People in Our Lives
We all have people who have made an impact on us during our lives. These are the ones who have touched our hearts, guided us in our faith journey, and encouraged us in our personal growth. We remember
them and honor them.
Just as these people have a permanent place in our memories and hearts, they can now always be remembered in our church. First Presbyterian Church will be offering you the opportunity to purchase brass
dedication plaques that will be permanently installed on the backs of the pews in our beautiful sanctuary. The names of the special people will be in front of all who worship with us as a reminder of the
faithfulness and love others bring to our lives.
These brass dedication plaques will by 1 inch by 3 inches, and may contain up to 3 lines of dedication text appropriate for display in the sanctuary. Plaques will be $150 each, and will be available for ordering
beginning in September. These plaques will also be available for purchase in the future so that you can continue to honor those you love. The proceeds from each plaque purchased will support the on-going
ministry and programs of First Presbyterian Church.
If you are interested in placing your order for one or more plaques, you may fill out the order form below and return it to the church office with a check for the full amount of your order. Suggestions for
dedications may include: “Dedicated to the Glory of God, by …” “In Memory of …,” or “In Honor of….”. (baptism, marriage, graduation, or anniversary).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Brass Dedication Plaque Order Form
Your Name ________________________________________________________________
Phone Number _____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Plaque Dedication Text: (you may attach an extra sheet for more than 1 plaque order)
Number of Plaques ordered _______ at $150 each.
Total enclosed __________________
Prayers of the Church Family
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10
Prayer for those in the First Pres. family facing health challenges and the loss of family members.
And for loved ones & friends of the First Pres. family.
Please offer prayers for peace, for those affected by war and violence, all who have lost jobs, for all who are homeless and hungry, for families in
conflict, for fighters and survivors of disease, their families and friends, and those suffering thru natural disasters.
The CROP Hunger Walk – Oct. 17th
The CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, October 17. The walk will begin and end at the United Methodist Church on the corner of Lincoln & Walnut Ave., Cranford. Registration
begins at 1:45 PM and the walk begins at 2:00 PM. Walkers are asked to bring their donation envelope and a food item for Cranford Family Care to the walk. 25% of the proceeds from the walk
will be donated to Cranford Family Care.
This year's CROP Walk will be dedicated to the memory of Mavis and Sig Serafin, long-time supporters of the CROP Walk.
Cranford Family Care food items needed: paper products, dish detergent, clothes detergent, school snacks, juice boxes, oatmeal (all varieties), grape jelly, mac & cheese, canned pasta, spam,
canned beef stew, and pasta sauce. Bring your donation to the walk.
Please help raise money to end hunger at home and around the world by signing up to walk or sponsoring a walker. Sign-ups will be held in the narthex before church and at fellowship time in
the Thomson Youth Center. For questions, contact Sharon Smith Cooley at [email protected] or 908-272-1037.
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Lord &Taylor
Wednesday, October 27, 2010.
Shop Smart. Do Good! is a special event hosted by Lord & Taylor in support of local fundraising organizations. On this day, there will be special events throughout the
store, including national makeup artists who will be on hand to provide complimentary makeovers at any cosmetic counter.
Other events include special guest appearances, a gift with purchases and much more. Plus, you can register for your chance to win one of many great prizes.
This is your chance to help your church raise money in style! With the purchase of a $5 ticket, you will receive a 20% coupon to be used on one sale or regular priced item, and a 15% savings
pass, valid all day, on almost anything in the store including cosmetics and fragrances!
Call Barbara Matten for tickets. (908) 276-3989 or e-mail [email protected]