September 4 Worship Service Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida 

Order of Worship – September 4, 2022 – 10 a.m. 

13th Sunday after Pentecost/Lord’s Supper

Rev. Ginny Ellis

Prelude: “Variations on Holy Manna” (hymn 509), Raymond H. Haan (b. 1938) - Jack Rain, organ

Welcome & Announcements - Rev. Ginny Ellis

Call to Worship from a poem by Ann Weems - Ginny Ellis

Faces and words and glimpses of souls....One by one we come.

We are many, and then we are One. Precious faces, tender words, sweet glimpses into souls...

Just being here together is a joy! Unending thank-you's rise to God for the Church and its people.

O God, Blessed be each one in our worship! O God, Bless our worship today!

Hymn #307: “God of Grace and God of Glory” CWM RHONDDA

Unison Prayer of Confession poem from Ann Weems - Ginny Ellis

O God, we confess that we often forget who we are. We don't listen for a still small voice. We walk with our heads down and miss all the stars that could be ours. Still we know, O God, that you are a God of Hope who does not forget your covenant with us, a Shepherd-God who looks for lost sheep, a faithful God who keeps calling us in spite of our deafness, a God who enters our history, opening our eyes and healing our blindness. O God, accept us as your stewards and send us out in the hope of your love. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon from Ann Weems  - Ginny

Born in the light of the Bright and Morning Star, we are New. Not patched, not mended... but new like a newborn... new like the morning... The guilt-blotched yesterdays are gone; the soul stains are no more!

There is no looking back; there are no regrets. In our newness, we are free.

In the power of God's continuing creation, we are new shoots from the root of Jesse, new branches from the one true Vine, new songs breaking through the world's deafness.

This then is a new day. New shoots, new branches, new songs, new day....  

Bathed in the promise of God's New Creation, we now begin!     

Passing of the Peace - Ginny Ellis

May the peace and joy and forgiveness of Christ be with you / And also with you.  

Response #71 refrain (sung twice) FIRST SONG

Surely it is God who saves me, I will trust and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense and God will be my Savior.

Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis      

Prayer for Illumination - Lynne Mormino

First Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 - Lynne Mormino

Praise Song: “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” - FPC Praise Band

Sermon Scripture: Luke 14:25-33- Ginny Ellis                                         

Sermon: “Counting the Cost: All About Soup” - Ginny Ellis 

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Lynne Mormino

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication:

We dedicate these gifts, Lord, even as we dedicate ourselves, trusting you in all times of our lives. 

Use us, Lord, in the work of Your kingdom and make us truly grateful for all your gifts.  Amen.

Offertory Anthem:  “Quia respexit” from Magnificat, BWV 243, J.S. Bach - Leah Kirkland, soprano; Anna Kirkland, oboe; Jack Rain, harpsichord

Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

Praise Song: “Rising” - FPC Praise Band             

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER                    

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.

…we join the unending hymn:                                     

Hymn 552: 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.   

… we offer ourselves in trust and hope, in service and sacrifice, as we proclaim the mystery of faith: 

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

… Hear us as we pray today, using the words that Jesus taught his disciples, for 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 

Prayer of Thanksgiving                                                                                                        

Hymn #525: “Let Us Break Bread Together” - LET US BREAK BREAD

Charge & Benediction - Ginny Ellis

Postlude: “Recessional” (Bourrée), Raymond H. Haan (b. 1938) - Jack Rain, organ