First Presbyterian Church

Cranford, New Jersey

Founded 1851

 

March 7, 2010 10:00 a.m. Worship                                  Third Sunday in Lent  

Those who are able, please stand.                                                                                  

Thank you for turning off cell phones.

We Gather Around GodŐs Word

Prelude                                              Andante Sostenuto                                                   Widor           

 

Introit

 

*Call to Worship (from Matthew 11)                                                   Rev. Valencia Norman

Leader:   Jesus said:  Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.                 

People:  We come with expectant hearts.

         L:   Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; 

         P:   We come with open minds.

         L:    For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

         P:   We come seeking your grace.

         L:    For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

            All:    We come being embraced by your love.                 

 

*Opening Hymn 355                        Hear the Good News of Salvation                                 Nettleton

 

 Prayer of Preparation and Confession (unison)                                         Lynne Fitzpatrick

            Fountain of life, we have drunk from dusty wells of our own making.  Bread of        heaven, we have set our table with the meager fruits of our own labors.         Treasure of all, we have sought riches in bankrupt storehouses of our own   building.  Forgive us for turning away from your generous grace.  Satisfy our    hunger with your bounty, that we may praise you joyfully, cling to you only, seek   you wholly, and tell of your goodness gladly.

                            Our silent prayers of preparation & confession

Assurance of GodŐs Love and Forgiveness

 

*We Give Glory to God (holding hands)                                                                Gloria Patri

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.

Welcome and Ritual of Friendship                                                                        Rev. Diane Curtis           

(Please fill out the Friendship Pad completely, pass it along, and return it to its starting point. Be sure to include your e-mail address.)

A Time for Children

(All children are invited forward.  Afterward, children up to 5 yrs old may go to Sunday School classes.  All other children remain in worship today.)

*Hymn           329                                   Break Thou the Bread of Life        William Fiske Sherwin, 1877

We Proclaim GodŐs Word

First Scripture Reading                (p.838 of Old Testament)                               Isaiah 55:1-9

L: The Word of the Lord.

P: Thanks be to God.

Anthem                                                    Order My Steps                                              Burleigh

                                       Chancel Choir – Dr. Frederick, Irwin Director       

Second Scripture Reading           (p.648 of Old Testament)                              Psalm 63:1-8

Sermon                                             ŇQuench Your ThirstÓ                           Rev. Diane Curtis

Special Music                                                 Your Mercy Flows                                            Anderson

                                                              Westminster Choir               

We Respond to GodŐs Word

We Worship With Our Offerings              

Offertory                                    Canzona (Dearest Jesus, We Are Here)                             Purvis

*We Give Praise to God                                                                                      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.

Prayer of Dedication

 

*Communion Hymn 516     Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation

                                                                                                                            O Quanta Qualia

Sacrament of the LordŐs Supper

Invitation

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Words of Institution

Breaking of Bread

Communion of the People

 

Prayers of the People and The LordŐs 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 101              When I Survey the Wondrous Cross                             Hamburg

                                        

*Benediction

 

Postlude

 

Go In Peace – to Serve in Love

 

LARGE PRINT bulletins and hymnals, special ChildrenŐs Bulletins and individual hearing devices 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.

 

 

 

First Presbyterian Church of Cranford

Interim Pastor & Head of Staff – The Rev. Diane Curtis

Associate Pastor – The Rev. Valencia B. Norman

Director of Music Ministries – Dr. Frederick Irwin

Assistant Music Director – Elsa G. Hahn

Organist – Robert Grube, Jr.

Director of Christian Education – Mary E. Beckhusen

Youth Director – Melissa E. Layfield           

                                            Church Administrator – Gail L. Clauer

 

Church website:  www:firstprescranford.org

 

WhatŐs Happening This Week at First Presbyterian Church

 

Sunday, March 7, 2010 – Third Sunday in Lent

  10:00 a.m.     Worship Service                                                                                Sanctuary

  10:00 a.m.     Sunday school                                                  Sanctuary & Christian Ed.bdg.                             

  11:30 a.m.     Westminster Choir                                                                        Music Room

  11:30 a.m.     Congregational & Corporation meeting                                             Sanctuary

  11:30 a.m.     Confirmation Class                                                                           Room 302

    1:00 p.m.     Labyrinth Walk                                                          Thomson Youth Center

    6:00 p.m.     Middle School Fellowship                                                                Room 302

    7:00 p.m.     Youth share supper                                                                          Room 302

    7:00 p.m.     Journey to Wholeness – Seminar #6 – Memories/Coping       Mettam Lounge

    7:30 p.m.     High School Fellowship                                                                    Room 302

Tuesday, March 9th

    7:30 p.m.     Worship Team                                                                             Board Room

    8:00 p.m.     Membership Team                                                                             Library

Wednesday, March 10th 

  12:00 p.m.       Brown Bag Bible Study                                                                     Library

    7:30 p.m.        Trustees                                                                                    Board Room

Thursday, March 11th

    3:30 p.m.     Caroler Choir rehearsal                                                                 Music Room

    4:30 p.m.     Crusader Choir rehearsal                                                              Music Room

    6:30 p.m.     Jubilee Bell Choir rehearsal                                                           Music Room

    7:30 p.m.     Chancel Choir rehearsal                                                                Music Room

Friday, March 12th

  10:00 a.m.      Play NŐ Date                                                                                    Bates Hall

Sunday, March 14h – The Fourth Sunday in Lent

  10:00 a.m.     Worship Service                                                                                 Sanctuary

  10:00 a.m.     Sunday school                                     Sanctuary & Christian Education bldg.

  11:15 a.m.     Fellowship Time                                                          Thomson Youth Center     

  11:30 a.m.     Westminster Choir                                                                        Music Room

  11:30 a.m.     Adult Bible Study-The Shack                                                               Library

    6:00 p.m.     Middle School Fellowship                                                               Room 302

    7:00 p.m.     Youth share supper                                                                         Room 302

    7:00 p.m.     Journey to Wholeness – Seminar #7  Loneliness/Disconnection

                                                                                                                         Mettam Lounge

    7:30 p.m.     High School Fellowship                                                                    Room 302

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL class for  (2 & ½ and three year olds) is located in the Education Building.  Church School leaders are available to help students and parents locate their classroom.  All other children will worship in the sanctuary with their parents today for Family Worship and Communion.

THE FLOWERS today are given to the glory of God by Jeff Berns in memory of Arnold Berns Sr., Arnold Berns, Jr. P. N. Slough, Sr. and Marion Hanson Berns; and by Joann G. Brown in memory of Eleanor Golightly McChesney; and by Karen Bruno and Vikki Cruz in loving memory of their niece Amanda Schultz.

TO REACH THE PASTOR, you may contact the Rev. Diane Curtis at 908 803-6395 or by e-mail at dianecurtis@firstprescranford.org; or the Rev. Valencia Norman at 201 404-6935 or by e-mail at vbnorman@firstprescranford.org.

THE LORDŐS SUPPER at First Presbyterian Church, is celebrated the first Sunday of each month. All baptized Christians are welcome at the LordŐs Table, trusting that forgiveness and abundant life are not rewards conferred on the worthy, but gifts of grace offered by a loving God to those who come in faith, acknowledging their brokenness and need for God, and seeking reconciliation with God and neighbor. Baptized children who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation to the Table at their level of understanding are invited to receive the LordŐs Supper.  Welcome.

TODAY IS FAMILY DAY IN WORSHIP  Children in the 1st through 8th grade will be worshipping with us this morning to participate in the LordŐs Supper.  There will be Sunday school for those children 2 ½ to 3 years old and PreK/Kindergarten in their regular classrooms.  Room 101 and 201 respectively.  Cherub Choir rehearsal will be held during the last 15 minutes of class time.

THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS participated in the Communion Workshop yesterday:  Daniel Acocella, Kate Bracke, Erin Esposito, Colin Farley, Anthony Graziano, Daniel Graziano, Mikaylee Grohol, Andrew Hill, Louis Matten, KC Pringle, Madeline Simone, Anne Stochel, Katherine Stochel, Mason Towery.

THE ŇLOOSE OFFERINGÓ (undesignated monies) given today and every Communion Sunday support the DeaconsŐ Fund, providing emergency assistance to those in need in this congregation & community.

LABYRINTH WALK TODAY – You are invited to walk a canvas replica of the Chartres Labyrinth in France today from 1-4 p.m. in the Thomson Youth Center. This ancient meditative practice is a wonderful means for Christians to feel closer to God, to promote peace and healing, to focus on mindfulness, and to experience the Divine Presence.  More information is available at the walk.  First Pres. offers the Labyrinth Walk to members, friends and the community the first Sunday of each month.

 

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TODAY A meeting of the congregation and of the Corporation of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, will be held on Sunday, March 7th in the sanctuary, immediately following morning worship.  The purpose of the meeting will be:

             (1) to elect church officers (elders, deacons and trustees) for the Class of 2013;  

             (2) to present the 2010 budget of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford;

             (3) to approve the Terms of Calls for Associate Pastor Valencia Norman;

             (4) to approve changes to the By Laws of the First Presbyterian Church (Book of                              Order reference numbers and terminology);  and

             (5) to conduct any other business that may come before the body.

Signed:            

Arthur Winter Jr., Clerk of Session                Dale Pritchett, Secretary Board of Trustees

Child care is available in Room 102 immediately following the worship service.      

There will be no fellowship due to the congregational meeting.

    

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING MARCH 21, 2010

A special meeting of the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2010 in the sanctuary, immediately following morning worship.  The purpose of the meeting will be:

             (1) to present the Mission Study; and

             (2) to approve the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to begin the search for a new

                        Pastor.

Signed:            

Arthur Winter Jr., Clerk of Session               

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES Girl Scout Troop #362 will be having a cookie sale at coffee hour on March 14th.  If people don't want to buy cookies for themselves, They are accepting boxes of cookies as donations to give to Cranford Family Care.  There will be a donation box for that purpose.  Cookies will cost $4 per box this year.

EASTER BASKETS  The Sunday school children will once again be spreading GodŐs love by assembling Easter baskets for the HOME program and Cranford Family Care.  Please consider donating the following items:  Easter candy without nuts, NEW stuffed toys, bubbles, coloring books, crayons, markers, pens, pencils and activity toys such as jump ropes and sidewalk chalk.  All donations may be dropped off at the Children and Youth Team office no later than Sunday, March 28, 2010.  If you have any questions, please contact Mary Beckhusen, Director of Christian Education.

 

 

 

Prayers of the Church Family

ŇEven though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.Ó                                                               Psalm 23: 4                                           

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADULT EDUCATIONŐS

 

THE SHACK

By William Young

 

 ŇThe Shack is a one of a kind invitation to journey to the very heart of GodÓ

– Patrick Roddy, producer for ABC News

 

    Join Mary Beckhusen and Diane Curtis for a two part discussion of this New York Times bestseller.  We will meet at 11:30 am on Sundays, March 14 and 21 in the library, with an optional questions and answer session on March 28 if there is interest.  Please read the book, which is available at most bookstores, before the first session.

------------------------------------------------------------------

BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY FOR LENT

During the season of Lent, Pastor Diane will be leading an hour-long brown bag Bible study on Wednesday at noon.  Each week we will discuss one of the parables of Jesus.  Bring a lunch and join us. 

 

Each Wednesday

12 noon  to 1 p.m.

Library

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAVE THE DATE -VOLUNTEER !

MARCH 28th  - APRIL 11th

You are needed to help us host our homeless guests for the

Interfaith Hospitality Network.

You can host a weekday, weekend, or overnight, prepare a meal, or help set up.

Contact: Janice Grevious 688-2659 or Betsy Koehler (for meals) 276-3297.

 

 

Calendar for Holy Week

 

 

March 28                 Palm Sunday

                                    ChildrenŐs Palm Processional

                                                Worship 10:00 a.m.

                                                One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

                                                Guests from HomeFirst arrive today

 

April 1                      Maundy Thursday

                                                Tenebrae Worship Service with                               

                                                Communion in the Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.

 

April 2                      Good Friday

                                                Worship Service in the Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.

                                               

                                                Easter Vigil begins immediately following

                                                the service.

                                               

 

 

 

April 4                    Easter Sunday

                     Services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dedicating Flowers

Flowers add to the beauty of our sanctuary during worship services.  If you would like to dedicate flowers in memory/honor of a loved one, or to the glory of God, please fill out the form below and return it to the Church Office.

Weekly floral deliveries are $40 and dedications are printed in the Sunday bulletin.

 

During Easter and Christmas, the Church is abundantly decorated with lilies, hyacinths, tulips or poinsettias.  Dedications for these two dates can be for any amount and will be printed in the holiday bulletins.

 

                                    Calendar for 2010

March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27;

July 4, 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; September 5, 12, 19, 26;

October 3, 10, 17, 24 31; November 7, 14, 21, 28; December 5, 12, 19, 26;

Easter is April 4th; Christmas Eve Services are December 24th 

% ---------------%---------------%---------------%------------------% ------------

Flower Dedications

Easter Flowers_____     Christmas Flowers______

Date for a Sunday donation(s)_______________

Donated by_________________________________________

Dedicated in honor/memory of__________________________________

Please make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church.  In the memo portion of the check, please write ÔFlowersŐ.  Drop this tear-off in the collection plate or send it to the Church Office.

HELP FOR CHILI On Saturday, February 27, 2010, an earthquake measuring 8.8 occurred off the coast of Chile in the Maule region approximately 115 kilometers north of the country's second largest city, Concepci—n. Early reports are that there were several hundred casualties. Our partner church in the region, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Chile reports no victims. The church in Talca has been destroyed. (Talca is located between Concepci—n and Santiago.) We currently have no PC(USA)-appointed mission personnel deployed in Chile. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with our ecumenical partner Church World Service (CWS) in Chile to provide basic humanitarian assistance and to help local partners in assessing the needs. Gifts for responding in Chile may be designated for DR000185 in the memo portion of your check.  One Great Hour of Sharing funds will be used for an initial response.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Époverty, and hunger-related diseases – all completely preventable!  The good news is that your youth group has decided to do something about it:

         World VisionŐs 30 Hour Famine.

 

 

The problem is huge, but the solution is not.  Just $30 a month – roughly $1 a day – can help.  feed and care for a child in most developing countries. As students go 30 hours without food, theyŐll get a taste of what itŐs like to be hungry, all the while reaching out to others in need. And as they do that, their compassion will grow: for people around the world, and right here at  home.

 

Please help your Youth Fellowship by:

   1. Praying for the Famine participants, and for those theyŐre working to save.

   2. Supporting Famine participants with a donation. ItŐs through your gifts that lives are     changed forever.

   3. Find out who is fasting and pledge to support their 30 hour fast!

 

   To find out more information about First PresŐs Youth FellowshipŐs 30 Hour Famine and how you can help starve hunger, please contact Melissa Layfield at 732-388-1687 or  e-mail at:   mel1978nj@yahoo.com.

 

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?Ó Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)