October 26 - Sanctuary Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida
Order of Worship – 11 a.m. Sanctuary Service
October 26, 2025 – Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
Presbyterian Heritage Sunday/Reformation Sunday
Rev. Robert Galloway
Prelude: “Fanfare on Ein’ feste Burg” (hymn 275), James Pethel (b. 1936) - Jack Rain, organ
Welcome & Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Rev. Robert Galloway
Call to Worship - Robert Galloway
From generation to generation, God has been faithful.
From our ancestors in faith to this present hour, God's love endures.
We gather as one people—Presbyterian, Reformed, the body of Christ.
From every nation, tribe, and tongue, we are called to be God's people.
Today we celebrate the colors and patterns that tell our stories—
Tartans of Scotland, symbols of heritage, woven together in harmony.
Today we remember. Today we give thanks. Today we worship the God of all generations.
Let us lift our hearts in praise to the One who unites us in the Spirit.
Procession of Bagpipes: “Ode to Joy” - St. Andrew’s Pipes and Drums
*Processional Hymn #611: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" HYMN TO JOY
Litany of the Tartans - Robert Galloway
Almighty God, faithful through all generations, we come before you with grateful hearts. You have been our dwelling place from age to age. You have called us into one family through Jesus Christ. You have given us a heritage of faith worth celebrating and sharing.
We praise you, O God.
Today we ask your blessing upon these tartans —reminders of history, symbols of identity, threads that connect us to those who came before. These tartans are a symbol of your people, a way they declared their identity that is rooted in you. Whether we trace our roots to Scotland or to other lands, whether we wear tartan or not, we are united as your people, called by grace, sustained by faith.
We praise you, O God.
Bless this day and speak to us through your Word. Draw us closer to you and to one another. As these colorful patterns adorn this place of worship, let them remind us that you are weaving us together into something beautiful—a family formed in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We praise you, O God.
May we be faithful witnesses in our generation, so that those who come after us will know of your great love and eternal promises. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Call to Confession - Sally Horrell
Prayer of Confession (unison) - Sally Horrell
Gracious God, you have called us your beloved children, but we do not always live as though we belong to you. We have rejected the foundation you laid, preferring our own wisdom. We have been silent when we should have proclaimed your mercy. We have hoarded grace when we were called to share it. Forgive us, Lord. Rebuild us in your household, that we might become the people you have called us to be—a community of mercy, that bears witness to your saving grace.
Assurance of Pardon - Sally Horrell
…Friends, believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Passing the Peace - Sally Horrell
…The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
*Response #463: "How Firm a Foundation" v. 1 FOUNDATION
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word! What more can be said than to you God hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway
Prayer for Illumination - Ann Murray
First Scripture Reading: Joshua 4:1-7 - Ann Murray
Musical Meditation: “Amazing Grace” - St. Andrews Pipes & Drums
Sermon Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10 - Robert Galloway
…The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Sermon - Robert Galloway
*Hymn #275: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" EIN' FESTE BURG
*Affirmation of Faith: Scots Confession of 1560, chapter 1 (unison) - Ann Murray
We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone is our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable providence for such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice may have appointed, and to the manifestation of his own glory.
Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation - Ann Murray
Offertory Anthem: "Brother James's Air," arr. Mack Wilberg (b. 1955) - Chancel Choir
The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
the quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again;
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for His own Name's sake.
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for His own Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling place shall be.
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling place shall be.
*Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Robert Galloway
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.
*Closing Hymn #307: "God of Grace and God of Glory" CWM RHONDDA
Charge & Benediction - Robert Galloway
Bagpipe Recessional - “Scotland the Brave” - St. Andrews Pipes & Drums
Postlude: “Postludium” from Partita on “Ein’ feste Burg” (hymn 275), Charles Callahan (1951–2023) - Jack Rain, organ
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Announcements:
Today, October 26
A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service
Trunk or Treat...fun for the whole family! 3-5 p.m. in the back parking lot.
Monday, October 27
Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m., via Zoom
Card Fellowship, 1:30 p.m., Church Office Conference Room
Stated Session Meeting, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 28
Ladies’ Bible Study (David: Seeking a Heart Like His), 9 a.m., Youth Center
Christian Meditation, 7 p.m., Chapel
Wednesday, October 29
Praise Band Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center
Thursday, October 30
Bell Choir rehearsal, 6 p.m., Choir Room
Chancel Choir rehearsal, 7 p.m., Choir Room
Friday, October 31
Men’s Bible Study (in the book of Acts), 8 a.m., Room N-123
Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom
Sunday, November 2
Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203
Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center
Power Hour class, 10 a.m., Church Office Conference Room
Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-5th), 10 a.m., S-100
Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel
“Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123
New Member Inquirers’ Class (Part 1), 10 a.m., Church Office
Last day to visit the Alfredo Garcia art show in the Chapel Art Gallery, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
Monday, November 3, Faith & Fiction, 4 p.m., Room N-123
Saturday, November 8, Collage Workshop in Fellowship Hall, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday, November 9, New Member Inquirers’ Class (Part 2), 10 a.m., Church Office
Sunday, November 9, “A Veteran’s Salute” concert, 4 p.m., Sanctuary