January 7 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida
Order of Worship - January 7, 2024 – 11 a.m.
Baptism of the Lord / Lord’s Supper
Rev. Ginny Ellis
Prelude: “Improvisation on We Three Kings” (hymn 151), David Holden (1911–1996) - Jack Rain, organ
Welcome & Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Ginny Ellis
Call to Worship - Ginny Ellis
O Lord, you have searched me and known me,
You know when I sit down and when I rise up.
You discern my thoughts from afar; you are familiar with all my ways
Search me and know my heart, O God, and lead me in the way everlasting.
*Hymn #150: “As With Gladness Men of Old” DIX
Lighting the Peace Candle and Passing the Peace - Susan Schlecht
…The peace of Christ be with you. / And also with you.
*Response #620: “Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven” v. 1 LAUDA ANIMA
Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis
Prayer for Illumination - Kirby Volz
First Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2, 7-11 - Kirby Volz
Sermon Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-14 - Ginny Ellis
Sermon: “Considering the Stars We Follow” with thanks for Ann Weems’ Christmas poems - Ginny Ellis
Hymn #152: “What Star is This, with Beams So Bright?” PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Susan Schlecht
…Let us pray the Unison Prayer of Dedication:
It is our prayer today, O God, that your vision may be found in us as we bring our gifts for the work of the church and its ministries. Make of us a dedicated and eager people, ready to encounter the challenges that you set before us. And above all else, shape our dreams and our gifts to please and serve you, for we are yours. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Organ Solo - Guest organist, Bradley Welch
Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
LORD’S SUPPER & LORD’S PRAYER
Invitation to the Table
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.
Hymn #552: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 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. Hosanna in the highest.
…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.
…Now with the confidence of the Children of God, we are bold to pray:
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
Unison Prayer after Communion:
You have given yourself to us, Lord; now we give ourselves for others. Your love has made us a new people; as people of love, we will serve you with joy. Your glory has filled our hearts; help us to glorify you in all things. Amen.
Hymn #158: “Born in the Night, Mary’s Child” MARY’S CHILD
Charge & Benediction - Ginny Ellis
Postlude: “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” (How brightly shines the morning star; hymn 827), Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706) - Jack Rain, organ
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Announcements: