October 27 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida   

Order of Worship – October 27, 2024– 11 a.m.   

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost / Reformation Sunday 

Rev. Ginny Ellis

Prelude: "Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott” (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, hymn 275), Johann Gottfried Walther (1684–1748) - Jack Rain, organ

Welcome - Ginny Ellis

Call to Worship  - Ginny Ellis 

Come, all who are suffering. 
We come to pray. 
Come, all who are cheerful. 
We come to sing songs of praise. 
The prayers of the people are powerful. 
We will call on God’s name for all that we need. 
Let us worship God!     

Procession of Bagpipes:  “Ode to Joy” - St. Andrew’s Pipes and Drums   

Processional Hymn #611: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” HYMN TO JOY 

The Presentation and Blessing of the Tartans and the Clans of the Kirk - Ginny Ellis

Today we acknowledge our heritage of faith, as seen in the Scottish tartans, the African tartan and the rainbow tartan. In spirit with God’s people everywhere we present the tartans! 
We bring them to God!   
We praise God for the heritages of our faith.   
We give thanks for God’s eternal presence. 

With the people of this Kirk, we ask God’s blessing on all the clans, ethnicities, races, and families represented among us. Almighty God, you have promised that wherever two or three are gathered in your name you will meet with your servants to bless them. Fulfill now your promise and make us joyful in the house of the Lord, that our worship being offered in the name of your Son and by the guidance of your Holy Spirit may be acceptable to you. Bless, we pray, these tartans, that they may be to us and to all a token of the faith of our ancestors and a sign of our continuing service to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Amen. 
Let the world know that God’s truth abideth still. 
God’s kingdom is forever.                                                                         

Passing of the Peace - Ginny Ellis 

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  And also with you. 

*Response #71: “Surely, It is God Who Saves Me” (refrain only; sing twice) FIRST SONG      

A Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis 

Musical Meditation: “Amazing Grace” - St. Andrews Pipes & Drums       

Prayer for Illumination - Lynne Mormino                                   

First Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 - Lynne Mormino            

Sermon Scripture: Romans 8:2 - Ginny Ellis                                 

Sermon: “Seasons. So Many Seasons” - Ginny Ellis 

Affirmation of Faith (unison): Scots Confession of 1560, chapter 1 -  Robin Lyle

We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone is our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable providence for such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice may have appointed, and to the manifestation of his own glory. 

A Moment for Stewardship - Lynne Mormino 

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Robin Lyle

…Please join me in a Unison Prayer of Dedication:  

Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess: grant us grace that we may honor you and our neighbors with our time, talent and treasure as faithful stewards of your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Offertory Anthem:  “The Summons,” arr. Sonya K. Tucker - Chancel Choir

Doxology  OLD HUNDREDTH

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer - Ginny Ellis     

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Ginny Ellis

Hymn #366: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” HYFRYDOL 

Charge & Benediction - Ginny Ellis       

Bagpipe Recessional: “Scotland the Brave” - St. Andrews Pipes & Drums 

Postlude: "Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott” (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, hymn 275), Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706) - Jack Rain, organ 

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Announcements:

Today, October 27

  • A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service

  • The Arts Connection Gallery is open through 12:30 p.m., Chapel

Monday, October 28

  • Card Fellowship, 1:30 p.m., Church Office Conference Room

  • Stated Session Meeting, 7 p.m. 

Tuesday, October 29

  • Ladies’ Bible study, 9 a.m. Youth Center

Wednesday, October 30

  • Praise Band Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center

Thursday, October 31

  • Bell Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m., Choir Room

  • Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Choir Room

Friday, November 1

  • Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom

Sunday, November 3

  • Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203

  • Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center

  • Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-5th), 10 a.m., Room S-202

  • Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel

  • Power Hour class, 10 a.m., Youth Center

  • “Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123 

Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, November 4, 4 p.m., Faith & Fiction, Room N-123

  • Wednesday, November 13, 5:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall

  • Sunday, November 17, 4 p.m., Bethune Cookman Concert Chorale, Sanctuary

  • Wednesday, November 20, Beach Drive Forum: “Remembering My Friend, Elie Wiesel,” Fellowship Hall

  • Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, Church Office closed for Thanksgiving

Amy McCutcheon