December 1 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida   

Order of Worship – December 1, 2024– 11 a.m.   

First Sunday of Advent/Lord’s Supper 

Rev. Ginny Ellis 

Prelude: “Pour l’Advent” (For Advent), Dom Paul Benoit (1893–1979) - Jack Rain, organ         

Lighting of the Peace Candle - Ginny  Ellis

Welcome - Ginny Ellis  

Call to Worship - Ginny  Ellis 

As we come to worship at Advent, we approach the window of our hope. 

      To open the Advent window is to look for the Light of the World, 

The Light of Expectation, when the Messiah will come with justice for all the earth.

      We come to let light and expectation fill us with God’s gift of hope.  

*Processional Hymn #97: “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night” ABERYSTWYTH   

The Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope - Susan Schlecht 

The Advent Reading: Isaiah 9:2-3

The First Candle Is Lit  

Unison Prayer:   

O God, as we come in Advent, we come waiting for the Messiah you have promised. We come with hope. May your coming be soon. Amen.

Passing of the Peace  - Susan Schlecht 

Friends, the peace of the coming Christ be with you. And also with you. 

*Response #384: “Soon and Very Soon” (verse 1) SOON AND VERY SOON 

Moment for All Ages - Opening the Advent Calendar Window: Reflections on Hope - Ginny Ellis

Prayer for Illumination - Robin Lyle   

First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16 - Robin Lyle 

Sermon Scripture:   1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 - Ginny Ellis 

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 

Sermon:  "Night and Day” - Ginny Ellis

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Robin Lyle

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:   “Advent Carol,” Beth Kenreich - Chancel Choir

*Doxology  OLD HUNDREDTH  

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper - Ginny Ellis  

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 worship and adore Your glorious name, 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.     

 …Therefore in remembrance of your mighty Acts in Jesus Christ, we take this bread and this cup and 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. 

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

*Hymn #88:   “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” VENI EMMANUEL   

Charge & Benediction - Ginny  Ellis

Postlude: “Fantasy on Hyfrydol” (Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, Advent hymn 82), Mark Thallander (b. 1950) - Jack Rain, organ

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Announcements:

Today, December 1

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

Monday, December 2

  • Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m. via Zoom

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

Tuesday, December 3

  • Ladies’ Advent Bible Study, 9 a.m., Youth Center

Wednesday, December 4

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

Friday, December 6

  • Men's Bible Study, 8 a.m., Room N-123

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

  • Many Moods of Christmas benefit concert, 7 p.m., Sanctuary

Sunday, December 8

  • 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

  • Men’s Meal Ministry, 1:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall kitchen

Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, December 9, 7 p.m., stated Session meeting

  • Wednesday, December 11, 5:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Dinner: Christmas Edition!

  • Tuesday, December 24, 4 p.m., Christmas Eve family service; 7 p.m., Christmas Eve candlelight service

Amy McCutcheon