December 7 - Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida 

Order of Worship – December 7, 2025 – 11 a.m. 

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace / Lord’s Supper 

Rev. Robert Galloway 

Prelude: The King of Glory Comes:  I. “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” (hymn 349); II. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (hymn 88), Gilbert M. Martin (b. 1941) - Jack Rain, organ

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

*Processional Hymn #87: "Comfort, Comfort Now My People" GENEVAN 42

Lighting of the Advent Candle of Peace based on Psalm 122 - Eberhard family

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

Peace is more than stillness or the absence of fighting.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

Peace is contentment, wholeness, trust in the midst of doubt and comfort with mystery.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

The way of Christ is a way of peace. Those who travel this way are committed to its cause.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

In God’s house, God’s people work for justice and remember that divisions and hierarchies established by the world do not give life or joy.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

Here we pray for the peace of all nations, all communities, all souls.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

This second 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.  

God’s house is a house of peace.

Hymn #88: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” vv. 3 and 4 VENI EMMANUEL 

O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height  

in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.   

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

O come, thou Root of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny;  

from depths of hell thy people save and give them victory o’er the grave. [Refrain] 

Prayer - Eberhard family

Passing the Peace - Eberhard family

…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 - Kirby Volz

First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 - Kirby Volz

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 - Robert Galloway

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

Sermon: "Lives Worthy of Repentance" - Robert Galloway 

*Hymn #92: "While We Are Waiting, Come" WAITING  

*Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed (unison) - Kirby Volz                                                     

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 

Presentation of Our Gifts - Kirby Volz

Offertory Anthem: "Prayer for Shalom," Kyle Pederson - Chancel Choir 

Shalom. 

God, we ask you bring shalom so peace may dwell in ev'ry home; 
Heal us all that we may know the wholeness of Your great shalom. 

To my friends and family, shalom; to the stranger who I see, shalom; 
to those I'll never meet, shalom; to all humanity, shalom. 

We pray the world may be restored, full of grace and fully Yours. 

Shalom. 

To my enemy I pray shalom; to the refugee I pray shalom. 
to Heal the hurt that tears the soul; hold our hearts and don't let go. 

We pray the world may be restored, full of grace and fully Yours.  

Shalom. 

God's peace to you,  and grace and truth, a place where you will be made new. 

Shalom.  

*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.

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper - Robert Galloway 

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.     

… with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name: 

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. 

…Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.   

…We pray all these things as our Savior taught us, using the words:  

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 

God of grace, you renew us at your table with the bread of life. You nourish us with your unending love. May this gift of grace strengthen us in faith, deepen our love for one another, and empower us to serve you with joy and compassion. Guide us to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. Fill us with your Spirit so that we may be witnesses to your love in all we do. Amen.  

*Closing Hymn #106: "Prepare the Way, O Zion" BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN 

Charge & Benediction - Robert Galloway

Postlude: “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” (hymn 349), Paul Manz (1919–2009) - Jack Rain, organ 

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Announcements:

Today, December 7

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

Monday, December 8

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

  • Faith & Fiction, 4 p.m., meeting at Harbour Hill

Wednesday, December 10

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

Thursday, December 11

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

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

Friday, December 12

  • 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, December 14

  • 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 2), 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:

  • 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.

  • Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, Church Office closed for the Christmas holiday 

Amy McCutcheon