October 12 - Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida   

Order of Worship – 11 a.m. Sanctuary Service 

October 12, 2025 – Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost 

Rev. Robert Galloway  

Prelude: “Versetti in E minor” (Verses I–IV and Canzona), Domenico Zipoli (1688–1726) - Jack Rain, organ

Welcome & Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Rev. Robert Galloway

Introit: "Ubi Caritas," Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) - Chancel Choir

Call to Worship - Choir/Congregation 

Choir: Come, people of God, with hearts open to the Spirit. 

Congregation: We come, ready to be shaped by God’s mercy and love. 

Choir: In giving, we discover grace; in grace, we discover joy. 

Congregation: For God’s abundance is never exhausted. 

Choir: Let us bring our praise, our prayers, our lives before the Lord. 

Congregation: Together, we worship the One who gives without measure. 

*Processional Hymn #694: "Great God of Every Blessing" AURELIA 

Call to Confession - Jim Garnett 

Prayer of Confession (unison) - Jim Garnett 

God of overflowing mercy, you have poured out blessings beyond measure, but we confess that gratitude does not always shape our days. We judge worth by what we possess, and generosity by what we can spare. You call us to seek your kingdom, but we hold on to comfort and control. Loosen our grip, O Lord, and teach us the freedom of those who trust in you.

Assurance of Pardon - Jim Garnett 

…Friends, believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! 

Passing the Peace - Jim Garnett 

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

*Response #623: "I've Got Peace like a River" PEACE LIKE A RIVER 

I’ve got peace like a river; I’ve got peace like a river;

I’ve got peace like a river in my soul. I’ve got a river, in my soul.

Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway

Prayer for Illumination - Mary-Linda Armacost 

First Scripture Reading: Micah 6:6-8 - Mary-Linda Armacost 

*Hymn #36: "For the Fruit of All Creation" AR HYD Y NOS 

Sermon Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 13-15 - Robert Galloway 

…The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon: "Growing Together in Giving: Spirituality of Giving” - Robert Galloway 

*Hymn #692: "Spirit, Open My Heart" WILD MOUNTAIN THYME

*Affirmation of Faith: Adapted from the Brief Statement of Faith (unison) -

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God, who proclaimed God’s reign of justice and peace, calling all to repent and believe the gospel. In life and in death, he gave himself freely for our salvation. We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love, God created the world good and made everyone equal in God’s image, to live as one community. We trust in God, the Holy Spirit, who gives us courage to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Moment of Stewardship - Greg Helck

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Mary-Linda Armacost 

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: 

God of abundant grace, you have entrusted us with blessings too many to count. We return a portion of them now, grateful for your faithfulness and mindful of your call. Let these gifts become bread for the hungry, shelter for the weary, and good news for the poor. And let our lives, shaped by your generosity, be instruments of your love and justice, so that through all we offer, your name may be praised and your reign made visible among us. Amen. 

Offertory Anthem: "Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace," Mary McDonald (b. 1956) - Chancel Choir  

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Wherever there’s despair, hope. Where there’s darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. 

O Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. 

For it is in giving that we receive.  For it is by faith that we believe.  For in forgiving, we are forgiven.  It is in dying that we are born to eternal life! 

*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 #716: "God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending" BEACH SPRING 

Charge & Benediction - Robert Galloway

Postlude: “Prelude and Fughetta in G” from Ariadne musica, Johann Kaspar Ferdinand Fischer (1665–1746) - Jack Rain, organ

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Announcements:

Today, October 12

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

  • Men’s Meatloaf Ministry, 1:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Monday, October 13

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

Tuesday, October 14

  • Ladies’ Bible Study (David: Seeking a Heart Like His), 9 a.m., Youth Center

  • Christian Meditation, 7 p.m., Chapel

Wednesday, October 15

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

  • Beach Drive Forum: Cancer: Where Are We in our Quest to Defeat the Disease? by Dr. Monique Sajjad, DO, 5:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Thursday, October 16

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

Friday, October 17

  • 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, October 19

  • Congregational Meeting following each worship service

  • 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

Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, October 20, 6:30 p.m., “Medicare Basics” presentation, Youth Center

  • Wednesday, October 22, 6:00 p.m., “Frightfully Fun” Fellowship Cookout Dinner: burgers and hot dogs and a pumpkin decorating contest!

  • Sunday, October 26, Trunk or Treat...fun for the whole family! 3-5 p.m. in the back parking lot. We will be collecting wrapped candy every Sunday until then!

  • Monday, October 27, Stated Session Meeting, 7 p.m.

  • Sunday, November 2, New Member Inquirers’ Class (Part 1), 10 a.m., Church Office

  • Monday, November 3, Faith & Fiction, 4 p.m., Room N-123

Amy McCutcheon