June 23 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida   

Order of Worship – June 23, 2024– 11 a.m.   

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 

Guest Preacher: Taina Specie

Prelude: “Improvisation on a theme of Händel,” Darwin Wolford (1936–2023) - Jack Rain, organ 

Welcome - Tai Specie  

Call to Worship - Susan Schlecht 

O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us.

So will your ways be known upon the earth and all nations learn your salvation. 

Let the peoples praise you, O God, and let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and shout for joy with uprightness. 

You rule the peoples; you guide the nations on earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its fruit, for God our God has blessed us.

May God still give us his blessing that all the ends of the earth may revere him. Amen. 

from Psalm 67:2-8 “The Revised Grail Psalms: A Liturgical Psalter,” prepared by the Benedictine Monks of Conception Abbey, GIA Publications, 2010.                                                                                                                               

Hymn #327: “From All That Dwell Below the Skies” LASST UNS ERFREUEN   

Call to Reconciliation - Susan Schlecht

Prayer for Forgiveness - Susan Schlecht 

Jesus, when sin and death hover around us, hungry to feed upon us, you fill us with new strength so we are not consumed. When bitterness clamps tight around our hearts with its steel-like teeth, you pry us free with your scarred hands so we can walk freely with you. When we stack our hurts one on top of another, like kindling wood, ready to set the match of anger to the pile, you pour your spirit of forgiveness upon those hurts, until they are soaked so thoroughly nothing can ignite them. Our help, our hope, our life, and our peace are truly found in your name, our Lord and Savior. Help us to believe this and trust it… in the name of Christ we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness - Susan Schlecht 

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people.

      Once we were no people but now we are God's people.

      Once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy. 

Friends, believe the Good News.  

      In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. 

Passing the Peace - Susan Schlecht 

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

*Response #288: “Spirit of the Living God” LIVING GOD

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. 

Moment for All Ages - Lynne Mormino                                                                         

Prayer for Illumination - Jim Garnett

First Reading: Jonah 1:1-3 - Jim Garnett  

Sermon Scripture: Jonah 4:9-11 - Taina Specie  

Sermon: “Praying for the Bandits” - Taina Specie  

*Hymn #506: “Look Who Gathers at Christ's Table!” COPELAND 

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Jim Garnett 

…Please join me in a unison prayer of dedication:  

We give thanks, O Lord, for the privilege of receiving. Now we also give thanks for the privilege of giving. For while in receiving we are filled, in giving we are fulfilled. So it is that we give both ourselves and our substance for your glory and service, in the name of Christ. Amen. 

Special Music - “Shalom Rav” (a prayer of peace), Aminadav Aloni (1928–1999) - Victoria Stout, mezzo soprano

*Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH                                                                                                                                 

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer -Taina Specie 

…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.

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Jim Garnett

Hymn #547: “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” AR HYD Y  

Charge & Benediction - Taina Specie 

Postlude: “Hornpipe” from Water Music, G. F. Händel (1685–1759)- Jack Rain, organ  

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Announcements: 

Today, June 23

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

Tuesday, June 25

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

Wednesday, June 26

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

Friday, June 28

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

Sunday, June 30

  • 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

  • No Presbyterianism class 6/30

Upcoming Events:

  • Thursday, July 4, Church Office closed

  • Thursday, July 4, Ice Cream Social, 7 p.m., Fellowship Hall. Fun for all! Water activities for kids (wear your swimsuit!) and games for adults. Create your own ice cream sundae and stay for the downtown St. Pete fireworks display (scheduled to start at 9 p.m.)

Amy McCutcheon