December 4 Worship Service Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg

Order of Worship - December 4, 2022 – 11 a.m.  

2nd Sunday of Advent / Lord’s Supper  

Rev. Ginny Ellis

Prelude: “Picardy” from Meditations on Communion Hymns (hymn 347), Leo Sowerby (1895–1968) - Jack Rain, organ

Welcome & Announcements - Rev. Jeanie Barnes 

Introit: “Prepare the Way of the Lord,” Anna Laura Page (b. 1943) - Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir

Call to Worship - Jeanie Barnes 

I will listen to what God the LORD will say: God promises peace to the people, to all the saints. 
Surely salvation is near to those who fear God, that God's glory may dwell in our land.                                                                           

Hymn #93: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” TRURO  

Advent Candle Lighting/Reading - Rudy and Jean Kohler  

…We light this candle of Peace as a sign of our belief in the creator working in the tapestry of our lives. We proclaim that God is Weaver, Giver, Maker, Lover, Dreamer, and Author of all. Let us pray together:  

Great Creator God, may we be open to the spirit of John the Baptist, who proclaimed your coming. Help us to hold fast to the promise of your creative and transforming love even when this world seems a wilderness to us. Help us to prepare your way of peace in this world, so that your glory may be revealed, and all people shall see it together, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Advent Response #92: “While We are Waiting, Come” v.1 WAITING                                         

Passing of the Peace - Rev. Ginny Ellis 

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, showing us the way of Peace, let us forgive one another and find peace together. The Peace of Christ be with you all. / Peace also be with you. 

Response: #384: “Soon and Very Soon” v. 1 SOON AND VERY SOON 

Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis                                                                   

Prayer for Illumination - Dave Hunt 

First Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10 - Dave Hunt    

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 - Ginny Ellis                                                                                                                                                             

Sermon: “Preparing the Way” - Ginny  Ellis 

Hymn #106: “Prepare the Way, O Zion” BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN 

Minute for Stewardship - Dr. Harrison (Jamie) Brownlee

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Dave Hunt

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: It is our prayer today, O God, that your vision for this your church may be found in us as we bring our gifts for the work of the church and its ministries.  Take us this day, O God, and make of us a dedicated and eager people, ready to encounter the challenges that you set before us.  And above all else, shape our dreams and our gifts to please and serve you, for we are yours.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Anthem: “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” - Chancel Choir 

Doxology   OLD HUNDREDTH   

Lord’s Supper & Lord’s Prayer  

Invitation 

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving                                                

The Lord be with you. / And also with you.   

Lift up your hearts.  /  We lift them to the Lord.    

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. / It is right to give our thanks and praise.    

… forever sing to the glory of your name: 

Hymn 552 LAND OF REST 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.    

…Great is the mystery of Faith:  

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.  

Gracious God…we are bold to pray: 

Our Father who art 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.   

The Words of Institution 

The Communion of the People   

…Unison Prayer after Communion                                  

Mighty God, we thank you for gathering us at your table and feeding us with the bread of life. As we now leave this table to go to the many places where you send us, send your Spirit with us, that we may share in your magnificent work: lifting up those who are laid low, showing mercy to all in need of human kindness, and feeding the bodies and hearts of all who are hungry, in the name of one who comes; even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Recessional Hymn #129:  “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” ES IST EIN’ ROS’  

Charge & Benediction - Ginny Ellis       

Postlude: “Toccata on Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” from The King of Glory Comes (Advent hymn 93) Gilbert M. Martin (b. 1941) - Jack Rain, organ