May 23 Worship Service Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida
Order of Worship - May 23, 2021 – 10 a.m.
Day of Pentecost
Pastor Dawn Conti
Prelude: “Come Down, O Love Divine” (Hymn 282) Walter L. Pelz (b. 1926) - Performed by Jack Rain, organ
Welcome and Announcements - Rev. Dr. Dawn Conti
Call to Worship - Dawn Conti
The day of Pentecost has come, and we are together. Will the works of God be known among us today?
We live in the valley of dry bones. Around and within us is emptiness.
God comes to us as a gentle breath or violent wind. Catch your breath, God’s breath, and live.
There are stirrings deep within that give us hope. There is a Spirit linking us to one another.
The fires of love dispel life’s shadows. God’s Spirit comes to give us new life.
Surely God is in this place! May the glory of God be known among us today!
Hymn # 289: “On Pentecost They Gathered” MUNICH
Call to Reconciliation - Dawn Conti
Like the first disciples, we have much to learn about sin and righteousness and judgment. Almost without conscious awareness, we slip into the valley of dry bones, devoid of meaning and hope, unable even to pray. But together we can join our voices, asking that our spirits will awaken to new possibilities.
Unison Prayer of Forgiveness - Dawn Conti
When your face is hidden from us, mighty God, we forget that there is more to life than the daily pursuits that occupy our attention. We are weak because we have not tapped the resources you place within us. We are engaged only by what we can see and touch and hear. Our frantic self-centeredness dries up our bones and we lose hope. Call us out of the graves in which we have chosen to live, the deep ruts that keep us from knowing the fullness of life you reveal when we welcome your Spirit. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness - Dawn Conti
In hope we are saved. The Spirit helps us in our weakness, intercedes for us, and guides us into all truth. God seeks to restore us to the fullness of life, to offer us hope, to assure us of our worth and value. Feel the flames of God’s love resting on us, empowering us to love and serve in Christ’s name. Friends, believe the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Praise Song: “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
Children’s Message - Dawn Conti & Megan McMillan
1st Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14 - Megan McMillan
2nd Scripture Reading: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b - Megan McMillan
Hymn for Illumination (# 288): “Spirit of the Living God” (once)
Sermon Scripture: Acts 2: 1-21
A very unique Pentecost worship service has been planned by your FPC worship team for today. Although the Good News is traditionally proclaimed through a sermon, other acceptable Presbyterian forms of proclamation include song, drama, dance, and testimony. This Sunday, the Good News of Pentecost will be proclaimed through a reader’s theatre interspersed with music, visual art, and dance.
Thank you to our readers today who include: Kyle Brinkman, Kevin Conti, Mike and Michelle Carothers, and Don Zegel. Thank you also to those who are providing music including Matt Clear and the Chamber Singers, Kevin Clark and the Praise Band, and Jack Rain. Additionally, we are grateful to Helen French who will share her gifts of dance and for the visual arts provided through A Sanctified Art. Finally, thank you Dave Aumack for taking care of all our audio-visual needs.
Video
Hymn # 291: “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”, verses 1 and 2
Praise Song: “Soul on Fire” - Performed by FPC Praise Band
Hymn # 291: “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”, verses 3 and 4
Prayers of the People - Megan McMillan
Anthem: “Come Thou Fount” arr. Mack Wilberg - Performed by Chamber Singers
Presentation of our Gifts: Invitation and Prayer - Dawn Conti
Doxology with Alleluias LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Hymn # 295: “Go to the World!” SINE NOMINE
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Variation IV from Prelude, Adagio and Chorale with Variations on the theme of the “Veni Creator” Maurice Duruflé (1902–1986) - Performed by Jack Rain, organ