December 3 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida
Order of Worship – December 3, 2023– 11 a.m.
First Sunday of Advent / Lord’s Supper.
Rev. Ginny Ellis
Prelude: “Reverie-Improvisation” (Advent hymn 347), Robert L. Bedell (1909–1974) - Jack Rain, organ
Lighting of the Peace Candle - Ginny Ellis
Welcome and Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Ginny Ellis
Call to Worship - Ginny Ellis
Our God is the One who comes to us
In a burning bush, in an angel’s song, in quiet everyday moments.
We know that when God is ready, God will come,
So let’s watch, that we might be ready whenever, wherever God comes.
*Processional Hymn #93: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” TRURO
The Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope - Carol Lee Wathen & Gail Volovordova
The Advent Reading - Isaiah 64:1-2
The Candle Is Lit
Advent Litany
Advent is a time to wait
We wait in hope for the Lord, our help and our shield.
During Advent, we wait for light in the darkness
We wait in hope for the Lord, our help and our shield.
During Advent, we wait for freedom from captivity
We wait in hope for the Lord, our help and our shield.
During Advent, we wait for comfort in sorrow.
We wait in hope for the Lord, our help and our shield.
Choral Response #92: “While We Are Waiting, Come” (verse 1) - FPC Chancel Choir
Passing of the Peace - Ginny Ellis
The peace of Christ be with you. / And also with you.
*Response #384: “Soon and Very Soon” (verse 1) SOON AND VERY SOON
Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis
Moment for Stewardship: Celebrate and Support First Presbyterian Church - Jamie Brownlee
Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Ann Murray
…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication:
O God, as we come to receive your gifts of bread and cup, we bring gifts for the church to use in your name. These gifts came from your own hand, and we return them to you. Use them, even as you use us, to accomplish your purposes in Jesus Christ, the Head of the church and the Lord of our lives, for we are yours, we ourselves along with all we have. Amen.
Offertory Anthem: “All Things New” by Elaine Hagenberg-Hope - Chancel Choir
Light after darkness, gain after loss, Strength after weakness, crown after cross; Sweet after bitter, hope after fears, Home after wandering, praise after tears. Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end, He is making all things new. Springs of living water shall wash away each tear, He is making all things new. Sight after mystery, sun after rain, Joy after sorrow, peace after pain; Near after distant, gleam after gloom, Love after loneliness, life after tomb.
*Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Prayer for Illumination - Jim Garnett
Sermon Scripture: I Corinthians 1:3-9 - Jim Garnett
The Word of the Lord. / Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “Needing to Find Hope” - Ginny Ellis
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.
…joining our voices in their unending praise:
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.
…give you praise and Thanksgiving as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.
…Let us pray together:
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 (unison):
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Hymn #82: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” HYFRYDOL
Charge & Benediction - Ginny Ellis
Postlude: “Helmsley” (Advent hymn 348), James Vivian (b. 1974) - Jack Rain, organ
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Announcements:
Today, December 3
A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service
Monday, December 4
Lectio Divina, 10 a.m., via Zoom
Faith & Fiction, 4 p.m., Room N-123
Tuesday, December 5
Ladies’ Bible Study, 9 a.m., Youth Center
Decorating our worship spaces for Christmas, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Christian Meditation, 7 p.m., virtual
Wednesday, December 6
Praise Band rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center
Thursday, December 7
Bell Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m., Choir Room
Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Choir Room
Friday, December 8
Men’s Bible Study, 8 a.m., Room N-123
Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom
Sunday, December 10
Pledge Sunday! Bring and/or dedicate your pledges for 2024.
Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203
Faith Journey class meets at 9:45 a.m. in Room S-202
Power Hour class meets at 10 a.m. in the Youth Center
Young Adults/Parents class meets at 10 a.m. in Room S-206
Teens class meets at 10 a.m. in Room S-205 (every other week)
There will be a congregational meeting held at the end of each worship service to elect church officers.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, December 12, HoHoHo Taco Tuesday Dinner and Christmas cookie decoration project, 5:30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall); kids’ choir practice, 6:10 p.m. (Youth Center)
Friday, December 15, 7 p.m., Many Moods of Christmas Concert. Celebrate the miracle of Christmas through this beloved annual event benefitting St. Petersburg Free Clinic.
Sunday, December 24, we will have our regular morning worship times of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. PLUS two evening Christmas Eve services: 4 p.m. (kid-friendly) and 7 p.m. (by candlelight). All are welcome at the evening services; there will be no childcare provided.