March 3 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida       

Order of Worship - March 3, 2024 – 11 a.m.       

Third Sunday in Lent/Lord’s Supper   

Rev. Ginny Ellis        

Prelude: “Let Us Break Bread Together,” Martha Sobaje (b. 1948) - Jack Rain, organ

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

Call to Worship  - Ginny Ellis 

“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel. 

I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. 

I will be their God and they will be my people. 

They will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.”  So declares the Lord. 

We come to worship this covenant-making God. 

Prayers for Peace - Ginny Ellis                                                                 

*Processional Hymn #52: “When Israel was in Egypt’s Land” GO DOWN MOSES 

Call to Reconciliation - Ginny Ellis

Prayer for Forgiveness unison - Ginny Ellis 

Lord God, your power and love are beyond our imagining.  We know that when we fear the future we do not hold faith in your providence.  So today, in this place, we entrust ourselves, those we love, the church, and the world once again in your care. Forgive us the tendency to want to take control.  Help us to give our fears to you and trust enough to leave them there. May your Spirit fill us with the faith we need each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  silence is kept

Response #576: “Lord, Have Mercy” SINGAPURA  

Assurance of Forgiveness - Ginny Ellis

Hear the Good News!  Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ. 

And Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.

If anyone is in Christ, that person becomes a new person altogether.

The past is finished and gone.  Everything has become fresh and new.

Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.                                                                

Passing the Peace - Ginny Ellis 

…The peace of Christ be with you. / And also with you. 

*Response #322: “We Are One in Christ Jesus” first ending sung twice SOMOS UNO                      

Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis                                                                                                

Prayer for Illumination - Ann Murray                                                                                       

First Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17 - Ann Murray    

Sermon Scripture: John 2:13-20 - Ann Murray  

Sermon: “Covenant of Law: Setting a Framework” - Ginny Ellis   

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Joe Folz 

…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: “How Beautiful” arr. Craig Courtney - Chancel Choir 

*Doxology  OLD HUNDREDTH 

Sacrament of the Lord's Supper - Ginny Ellis

Invitation to the Table 

*Hymn #515: “I Come with Joy” verses 1-2 DOVE OF PEACE 

The Great 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. 

Prayer of Consecration

Words of Institution 

Breaking of the Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Unison Prayer after Communion:                           

Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. You have fed us with the bread of life, and renewed us for your service. We give ourselves to you, and ask that our daily living may be part of the life of your Kingdom. May our love be your love reaching out into the life of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Recessional Hymn #515: “I Come with Joy” verses 3-5 DOVE OF PEACE

Charge & Benediction - Ginny Ellis        

Postlude: “Toccata in G minor,” Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706) - Jack Rain, organ 

———————————————

Announcements:

Today, March 3

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

  • We are collecting candy and eggs (and candy-filled eggs!) for our upcoming Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday, March 24.

Monday, March 4

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

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

Wednesday, March 6

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

Thursday, March 7

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

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

Friday, March 8

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

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

Sunday, March 10

  • 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

  • “Next” Adult class meets at 10 a.m. in Room S-100

  • Presbyterianism class meets at 10:10 a.m. in the Church Office Conference Room 

Upcoming Events:

  • Sunday, March 17, 10:10 a.m., New Member Inquirer’s Class, Church Office Conference Room

  • Sunday, March 17, 1:30 p.m., Outing to the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

  • Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 p.m., Beach Drive Forum, “The Dynamic History of St. Petersburg’s Marine Science Complex” by Peter R. Betzer, PhD

Amy McCutcheon