February 18 - 9 AM Connect Service

February 18, 2024 – 9 a.m. Connect Worship Service 

First Sunday in Lent / Mission Sunday

Rev. Ginny Ellis 

Gathering and Welcome - Kevin Clark

1st Gathering Song: “God So Loved” - FPC Praise Band 

2nd Gathering Song: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” - FPC Praise Band                                                                  

Call to Worship  - Gretchen Letterman 

God’s promise is for all generations 

God’s covenant is with every living thing. 

Welcome, travelers to the journey of faith. 

We come, continuing our quest. 

We will show our faith by living life to the fullest. 

Beginning this very day with our worship.                                                                               

Lighting the Peace Candle and Passing the Peace - Gretchen Letterman 

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

Response: “Doxology (Amen)” - FPC Praise Band   

Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis                                                                                        

Worship Song: “Jesus Paid It All” - FPC Praise Band   

Invitation to Offering - Gretchen Letterman 

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication:   

Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess:  grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and remembering the account which we must one day give, may we be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Offertory Song: “His Mercy Is More” - FPC Praise Band 

Prayer for Illumination - Gretchen Letterman

First Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17 - Gretchen Letterman    

Sermon Scripture: Mark 1:9-15 - Ginny Ellis

Sermon: “First Covenant: Blessing for All Creation” - Ginny Ellis           

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Gretchen Letterman

Announcements  - Ginny Ellis

Final Song: “Glorious Day” - FPC Praise Band 

Benediction - Ginny Ellis                         

Praise Band tag

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Announcements:

Today, February 18

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

  • Join us in the Fellowship Hall right after this service for our Mission Sunday activity - packing shoes for Lakewood

Monday, February 19

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

Wednesday, February 21

  • Beach Drive Forum: Standing on the Promises: The Woodson African-American Museum of Florida on the Historic Gas Plant Site; 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

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

Thursday, February 22

  • Evening at the Dalí  Museum, 5:01 p.m. (discounted admission for adults after 5:00 is $14.50/person)

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

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

Friday, February 23

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

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

Sunday, February 25

  • 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-100

  • Teens class meets at 10 a.m. in Room S-205 (every other week)

Upcoming Events:

  • Friday, March 1, The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay Concert   invites you to explore excerpts of Anne Frank's diary in a performance of James Whitbourn's Annelies; 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This is a ticketed event; please call 813-355-9609.

Amy McCutcheon