December 3 - 9 AM Connect Service
December 3, 2023 – 9 a.m. Connect Worship Service
First Sunday of Advent / Lord’s Supper
Rev. Ginny Ellis
Gathering and Welcome - Kevin Clark
1st Gathering Song: ”Who You Say I Am” - FPC Praise Band
Call to Worship - Lynne Mormino
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.
The Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope - Chris, Cameron, Liv, and Henry Blair
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.
Response: “Soon and Very Soon” (verse 1) - FPC Praise Band
Passing of the Peace - Ginny Ellis
The peace of Christ be with you. / And also with you.
2nd Gathering Song: “Open Up the Heavens” - FPC Praise Band
Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis
Moment for Stewardship: Celebrate and Support First Presbyterian Church - Jamie Brownlee
Worship Song: ”O Come All Ye Faithful” - FPC Praise Band
Invitation to Offering - Lynne Mormino
…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 Song: “Christmas Time Is Here” - FPC Praise Band
Prayer for Illumination - Bill Ferrari
First Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-4 - Bill Ferrari
Sermon Scripture: I Corinthians 1:3-9 - Ginny Ellis
Sermon: “Needing to Find Hope” - Ginny Ellis
Lord’s Supper & Lord’s Prayer - Ginny Ellis
Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Consecration
…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
Communion of the People
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
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
Final Song: “The First Nowell” - FPC Praise Band
Benediction - Ginny Ellis
Praise Band tag
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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.