November 30 - Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida   

Order of Worship – 11 a.m. Sanctuary Service 

November 30, 2025 – First Sunday of Advent - Hope 

Rev. Robert Galloway   

Prelude: “Fantasia on Veni Emmanuel” (hymn 88) - Jack Rain, organ

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

Introit: “Creator of the Stars of Night,” arr., Richard Peek (1927–2005) - Handbell Choir and Chancel Choir

Creator of the stars of night, Thy people’s everlasting light, O Christ, the Savior of us all, we pray now hear us when we call.

At the great name of Jesus now, All knees must bend all hearts must bow, and things celestial Him must own, And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit Three in one, Laud, honor, might and glory be from age to age eternally.  Amen.

*Processional Hymn #82: "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" HYFRYDOL 

Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope Based on Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (responsive) - Robin Lyle

Our God is the hope of ages past and for the generations to come. 

Blessed be God’s glorious name forever.  Let the earth be filled with God’s glory. 

Human rulers fall short, yet our God rules in perfection.

Blessed be God’s glorious name forever.  Let the earth be filled with God’s glory. 

The rivers, mountains, and creatures are beloved to their Creator and their trust is not misplaced. 

Blessed be God’s glorious name forever.  Let the earth be filled with God’s glory. 

The mighty acts of God are wondrous, of which nothing is equal. 

Blessed be God’s glorious name forever.  Let the earth be filled with God’s glory. 

The first candle is a reminder that we are Advent people,  trusting and responding to what is already true and hoping in what is promised to come. 

Blessed be God’s glorious name forever.  Let the earth be filled with God’s glory. 

Hymn #88: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” vv. 1 and 2 VENI EMMANUEL

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,  that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.   

Refrain:  Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.  

  O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily:  to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go. [Refrain] 

Prayer - Robin Lyle

Passing the Peace - Robin Lyle

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

*Response #100: "My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout" STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN  

Stanza 1 and refrain

My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?

My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.

Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway 

Prayer for Illumination - Mike Hurtubise       

First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 - Mike Hurtubise       

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44 - Robert Galloway

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

Sermon - Robert Galloway

*Hymn #377: "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” HOUSTON

Affirmation of Faith: from A Brief Statement of Faith (unison) - Mike Hurtubise                                  

We trust in God the Holy Spirit everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. In a broken and fearful world The Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and 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!”

Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation and Prayer - Mike Hurtubise

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: 

Gracious God, receive these gifts as signs of our gratitude and hope. Shape our generosity into acts of compassion, that your light may shine through our living and your peace may grow in this world. Strengthen our hands for the work you set before us, and ready our hearts for the day when all creation walks in your light. Amen.

Offertory Anthem: "Light Dawns on a Weary World," arr., David M. Cherwein (b. 1957) - Chancel Choir  

Light dawns on a weary world when eyes begin to see all people’s dignity.  Light dawns on a weary world: the promised day of justice comes. 

The trees shall clap their hands; the dry lands gush with springs; the hills and mountains shall break forth with singing!  We shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace, as all the world in wonder echoes shalom. 

Love grows in a weary world when hungry hearts find bread and children’s dreams are fed.  Love grows in a weary world: the promised feast of plenty comes. 

Hope blooms in a weary world when creatures, once forlorn, find wilderness reborn.  Hope blooms in a weary world: the promised green of Eden comes. 

*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 #93: "Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates" TRURO 

Charge & Benediction - Robert Galloway

Postlude: “Toccata on Truro” (hymn 93) from The King of Glory Comes, Gilbert M. Martin (b. 1941) - Jack Rain, organ

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Announcements:

Today, November 30

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

Monday, December 1

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

Tuesday, December 2

  • Decorating the worship spaces for Christmas, starting at 9:30 a.m.

  • Many Moods rehearsal, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, December 3

  • Children’s Ministry Christmas Party, 6 p.m., Fellowship Hall

  • Many Moods rehearsal, 6 p.m.

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

Thursday, December 4

  • Many Moods rehearsal, 6 p.m.

Friday, December 5

  • Many Moods of Christmas benefit concert, 7 p.m., Sanctuary

Sunday, December 7

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

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

  • New Member Inquirer’s Class (Part 1), Church Office

  • Power Hour class, 10 a.m., Church Office Conference Room

  • Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-2nd grade), 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, December 8, 4 p.m., Faith & Fiction, meeting at Harbour Hill

  • Sunday, December 14, 10:00 a.m., New Member Inquirer’s Class (Part 2), Church Office

  • Wednesday, December 17, 6:00 p.m., “Festive Fun” Fellowship Dinner, Fellowship Hall

  • Wednesday, December 24, Christmas Eve! Family-friendly service at 4 p.m., Lessons & Carols service at 7 p.m.

  • Thursday, December 25, Church Office closed for Christmas holiday

Amy McCutcheon