05/26/2023
Calvin Presbyterian Church, Linden, NJ
LAST SERVICE - MAY 28, 2023
Serving God, Community, World
1934 - 2023
Elder Linwood Bagby, Guest Preacher
Rev. David J. Krotchko, Pastor Emeritus
Dr. Anna Kroik, Organist
128 Arthur Street, Linden, NJ 07036
908-862-5446
May 28, 2023 Day of Pentecost / Celebration of the Lord’s Supper 11:00 a.m.
Closing Service
Praise Band: Here I am to Worship
Gather in God’s Name
Prelude Dr. Anna Kroik
Welcome Elder Anne Kenderes
We are here to celebrate the life of Calvin Presbyterian Church, to give thanks to God for the gifts that have come to us and to others through this ministry, to acknowledge our sadness at the close of this ministry, and to affirm again our faith in Jesus Christ. Let us be grateful for God’s gifts, honest about our sorrow, open in our love, trusting in Jesus Christ, the only head of the church.
The service today marks a passage for this congregation. A ministry of 89+ years is coming to a close; something new is about to be born. God is calling the members of this congregation to a new ministry. Congregations are formed and congregations are disbanded, but the Lord our God reigns forever.
*Call to Worship − please stand, if you are able Elder Mary Arrowood
Leader: The Lord God says: For as the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there, but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
People: so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10, 11)
Leader: God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us, may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us, may the gifts of your Spirit be our goal and our strength, now and always.
People: Amen.
*Hymn No. 324 Open My Eyes That I May See Blue Hymnal
Call to Confession Elder Robert Jenco
The Spirit of God helps us in our weakness, interceding with sighs too deep for words. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
Prayer of Confession (unison)
You cry out for us to open our hearts, but we keep them shielded from the goodness of your spirit. You call us to open our minds, but we would rather confine them to what we already know. You long for us to open our ears, but we shy away from the language of your grace. Forgive us, God of mercy. Heal us, embrace us, and wash us in your love. Breathe your spirit on us once more, and move us to respond with lives of faithfulness. (You are invited into a time of personal confession)
Assurance of Pardon Elder Dan Speich
Leader: Hear the god news of God’s promise: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God.
Praise Band: Amazing Grace
*Response to God’s Pardon Glory to God (Whose Goodness Shines on Me)
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
Hear and Proclaim God’s Word
Prayer for Illumination (unison) Elder Linwood Bagby
God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us through your Word. May the gentleness of your Spirit lead us, and may the gifts of your Spirit be our goal and our strength, now and always. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 40:27 – 31
Children'
Gospel: Acts 17:22 – 28
Slovak: Skutky Svätych Apoštolov 17:22 – 28 Kristina Jankovich
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Message: Leaving Legacy
*Hymn No. 370 Just as I Am, Without One Plea
*Slovak No. 195 Tak jaký som, ač nič nemám vs. 1, 2, 3, 6
Response to God’s Word
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Rev. Susan T. Friedl, Elder Linwood Bagby
Please come to the table for communion. Your choice of red wine or white grape juice is available. The elements will be served to you seated, if desired.
Passing the Peace Elder John Arrowood
We have been charged by Jesus to pass peace wherever we go, whomever we share with and with anyone we have ever offended in our life. We state “Peace of the Lord be with you!” and reply, “And also with you.”
We ask God to bless and provide peace wherever and in whatever need we may have in our life. The “Passing of Peace” is not a greeting of carelessly saying, “Hi, how are you? I’m good and hope you are too.” It is not to merely greet, but rather it is a charge by God. It’s a charge to do God’s will to fulfill God’s work.
In the passing of peace, God desires us to share peace, His peace and His forgiveness. So as we pass the peace today, seek out those we treasure and also those we have offended, either knowingly or without awareness. Proclaim, “The Peace of the Lord be with you!” Then forgive, forgive completely as God has forgiven us, never to remember or recall. God’s Peace is Love! Forgive, forget, give peace and love, and rejoice when we hear the reply, “And also with you”. For at this moment God has enabled you to be whiter than snow if you freely give peace and accept forgiveness and peace. Share God’s love!
Bells: Let There Be Peace on Earth
Time of Sharing / Remembering – Nadia Ayoub (Mission co-worker in Greece), Rev. Ryan J. Landino (former pastor at Calvin), Mr. James Macklin (Bowery, NYC), Anne Kenderes (Clerk), others:
We remember in prayer all the churches in the City of Linden; Bloomfield Presb. Church on the Green; Mideast Evangelical Presb. Church, Jersey City; all of our communities; all people in all lands during the pandemic and wars, storms, tornadoes, shootings and with PC (USA) for Pentecost. All: Empowering God, Pentecost Sunday reminds us of the Spirit’s power to transform lives. Help each of us to hear the Spirit’s call every day of our lives. May we follow that call and build up the body of Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer*
Offering Elder John Arrowood
Today, as we witness and embark on a new calling set forth by Our Almighty God, we will provide our offering using a very different approach. We will not pass the collection plate in our normal fashion, but rather if you desire to give an offering, the collection plate will be in the Narthex so that as you leave you can deposit your final gift.
Today, at this last service celebrated to our God under the call of “Calvin Presbyterian”, our offering is a personal offering of all of us to the service of our God to do God’s work. Our journey, my friends, is not ending, it’s never-ending, for we have been chosen and called to answer God’s call and we freely accept and are ready to go forth to share that call and God’s gifts with those we encounter in God’s name. God spent our lifetimes empowering, preparing, and enabling us to not sit and rest or mourn those whom we have lost but to go forth, as Jesus charged the disciples to go forth, and share God with others.
Today the gift of offering is us! Therefore, let us joyfully proclaim, “Yes Lord, here I am!” and go forth to do as we have been called and charged to do. Let us not lose sight and focus on the past, but look forward with eagerness, assurance and excitement. We ask you to remember and pray for us on our journey, as we will pray for you. If you agree to pray for us and with us as “Calvin Presbyterian Church”, please say, I will, with God’s help, commit to God’s call and charge.
God has heard the acceptance of your gift and pledge. May God go forth with all of us as we serve God.
*Doxology**
Praise Band: Awesome God
Rite of Passage to New forms of Ministry Elder Mary Ellen Tango
Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah: I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19
It is time for the ministry of this congregation to come to an end. It is also time to look at the new thing God is doing, as the people of Calvin Presbyterian Church journey on
to offer gifts of ministry in new ways and in other places.
*Hymn No. 540 God Be With You Till We Meet Again
Go in God’s Name to Share the Gospel
*Charge & Benediction Elder Linwood Bagby
*Slovak Benediction Elder Anne Kenderes
Postlude / Praise Band: Big House Let the River Flow
Lord I Lift Your Name on High
* Stand at your own discretion
* The Lord’s Prayer, #16 Blue Hymnal / ** doxology #592 Blue Hymnal
We thank Elder Linwood Bagby for wanting to be part of this closing service. He is a retired Speech and Language Specialist with Elizabeth Public Schools for 33 years. He remains active in Elizabeth community, founded Restore Ministries, Inc. in 1994. He is an Elder at Second Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, where he preaches, teaches Sunday School and is on Session. He resides in Union; likes reading, playing his acoustic guitar, cooking and biking.
In the event of a pastoral emergency, please contact Anne Kenderes at 908 561 7617
Thursday night prayer group at 7:30 p.m. will continue – Please join us by dialing
667 771 7923 - Access code 1598177
҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉҉
Quote of the Day:
We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.
John Calvin (1509 – 1564)
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HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Perth Amboy and Linden congregations met as one body, along with Slovak people from Fords, in the Hungarian Reformed Church of Perth Amboy prior to 1923.
In November, 1923, they withdrew from the Hungarian Reformed Church and conducted services in the Sunday School rooms of the Methodist Church, Perth Amboy, under the pastoral guidance of The Rev. Joseph Simko.
Christmas Day, 1925, marked the first service of worship on the site of the Slovak Presbyterian Chapel on Herbert Street, Perth Amboy.
March 24, 1934, the Slovak Calvinistic Presbyterian Chapel was founded in Linden.
October 6, 1935, the church building on Arthur Street, Linden was dedicated.
In 1950, an extension was put on back of church, including the pulpit and choir chancel.
In 1951, a Manse was erected at 218 Madison Street, Linden; sold in 2004.
June 27, 1967, the Linden and Perth Amboy congregations were organized and received by the Presbytery of Elizabeth as The Calvin Presbyterian Church of Linden and Perth Amboy. Three services of worship were conducted every Sunday, English and Slovak for 22 years.
In 1970, the front extension of Linden church was built, including the entrance, narthex, toilets, boiler room, kitchen and Pastor’s office and air conditioning. It was dedicated on November 21, 1971.
In 1989, the building in Perth Amboy was sold, and the remaining members came to Linden.
Pastors and supplies who served the congregations:
The Rev. Joseph Simko
Mr. Sandor Kovacs
The Rev. Andrew Slabey
The Rev. Michael Magyar
The Rev. George Virchick
The Rev. John Milyoscik
The Rev. Charles Bogar
Mr. Michael Kotora
The Rev. Peter S. Sharick
The Rev. David J. Krotchko 1966 – 2007
The Rev. Bebb Stone 2008 – 2010
The Rev. Ryan J. Landino 2010 – 2015
The Rev. Susan T. Friedl 2016 – 2022
Sanctuary Stained Glass Window nameplates:
John Isky George Pivarnik Anna Kiseli Anna Vircik – Verona Avenue
John Pivarnik Anna Chengeri
Michael Kraynick Sr. George Kontra Valiska George Gergel
George Sitch Mike Pallaipal
Paul Sitch
