April 7 Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida       

Order of Worship - April 7, 2024 – 11 a.m.   

Second Sunday After Easter / Lord’s Supper    

Rev. Ginny Ellis 

Prelude: “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing,” Peter Pindar Stearns (1931–2016) - Jack Rain, organ

Welcome - Ginny Ellis

Call to Worship - Ginny Ellis 

The Word of Life spoke 

so we could hear the alleluias of the angels. 

The Word of Life reached out 

so we could touch the hope that heals us. 

The Word of Life walked out of death’s dread tomb 

so we could follow him into life forever.

Processional Hymn #238: “Thine is the Glory” JUDAS MACCABEUS 

Lighting of the Peace Candle and Passing of the Peace - Susan Schlecht 

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

*Response #240: “Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks!” ALLELUIA NO. 1 Singing verse 1 and then the refrain (no refrain at beginning) 

Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis  

Prayer for Illumination - Robin Lyle

First Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2 - Robin Lyle 

Sermon Scripture: John 20:19-31 - Ginny Ellis 

Sermon: “Love Seen When Not Seen” - Ginny Ellis 

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Robin Lyle

…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, for we are yours, we ourselves along with all we have. Amen.

Offertory Anthem: “Dona Nobis Pacem” - Chancel Choir 

*Doxology with Alleluias #609 LASST UNS ERFREUEN 

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper - Ginny Ellis

Invitation to the Table 

*Hymn #507: “Come to the Table of Grace” TABLE OF GRACE

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. 

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.

...Through Christ, with Christ in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, All glory and honor are yours, Almighty God, forever and ever. Amen. 

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.   

Unison Prayer after Communion:        

Loving God, You have given us a share in the one bread and the One Cup and made us one with Christ. Help us to bring your salvation and joy to all the world. We ask this through Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.

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

Recessional Hymn #215: “What Wondrous Love is This” WONDROUS LOVE 

Charge & Benediction - Ginny Ellis   

Postlude:  “Resurrection Fanfare,” June Nixon (b. 1942) - Jack Rain, organ

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Announcements:

Today, April 7

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

  • Concert Series Town Hall Meeting, 12:15 p.m., Choir Room

  • FPC Explorers will be going to the Fine Arts Museum for “Art in Bloom,” 1 p.m. 

Monday, April 8

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

  • Faith & Fiction, 2:00 p.m., Room N-123

Tuesday, April 9

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

  • Christian Meditation, 7 p.m., Chapel 

Wednesday, April 10

  • Italian Dinner Night, 5:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall. Please call the Church Office to RSVP.

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

Thursday, April 11

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

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

Friday, April 12

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

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

Sunday, April 14

  • Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203

  • Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center

  • “Parable Quest” class (for kids pre-K through 5th grade) begins, 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 S-100

  • Presbyterianism class, 10 a.m., Church Office Conference Room 

Upcoming Events:

  • Wednesday, April 17, 5:30 p.m., Beach Drive Forum: “From Folk Medicines to Therapeutic Drugs” by Dr. Akiko Tanaka, president, and  co-founder of The Tampa Bay Research Institute (TBRI)

  • Sunday, April 21, 10 a.m., New Member Inquirer’s Class, Church Office Conference Room

Amy McCutcheon