April 27 - Sanctuary Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida
Order of Worship – 11 a.m. Sanctuary Service
April 27, 2025 - Second Sunday of Easter
Guest Preacher: Rev. Rebecca Blazier-Higman
Prelude: “Duke Street” (Jesus Shall Reign; hymn 265), Wilbur Held (1914–2015), “Truro” (Christ Is Alive!; hymn 246), J. Wayne Kerr (b. 1958) - Jack Rain, organ
Welcome & Announcements - Dave Hunt
Call to Worship - Dave Hunt
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood,
And made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father,
To him be glory and dominion forever and ever.
Look! He is coming with the clouds;
Every eye will see him,
Even those who pierced him;
And on his account all of the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,
who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Processional Hymn #251: “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” MFURAHINI, HALELUYA
Call to Confession - Fran Sims
Prayer of Confession - Fran Sims
Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy on us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ.
Assurance of Pardon - Fran Sims
…Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Thanks be to God.
Passing the Peace - Fran Sims
…The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
*Response #837: “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine” SHOWALTER
Time for Young Disciples - Rebecca Blazier-Higman
Prayer for Illumination - Jim Garnett
First Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:14-29 - Jim Garnett
Sermon Scripture: John 20:19-31 - Rebecca Blazier-Higman
Sermon: “There's More to Thomas than Doubt” - Rebecca Blazier-Higman
*Hymn #26: “Earth and All Stars!” EARTH AND ALL STARS
*Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed (unison) - Jim Garnett
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 – Invitation and Prayer - Jim Garnett
…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication:
Holy and loving God, we offer these gifts with gratitude, knowing that all we have is from you. Bless these offerings, that they may support your work which brings hope to all. Make us mindful stewards of our money, time, energy, and lives. Teach us to give freely and joyfully, trusting that you provide for us in abundance. Grant that we live in ways that further your justice, mercy, and peace in the world. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
Offertory Anthem: “For the Beauty of the Earth,” John Rutter (b. 1945) - Chancel Choir
*Doxology with Alleluias #609 LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Rebecca Blazier-Higman
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 #257: “The Risen Christ” WOODLANDS
Charge & Benediction - Rebecca Blazier-Higman
Postlude: “Alleluia No. 1” (hymn 240), Jeffrey Honoré (b. 1956) - Jack Rain, organ
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Announcements:
Today, April 27
A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service
Monday, April 28
Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m., via Zoom
Card Fellowship, 1:30 p.m., Church Office Conference Room
Tuesday, April 29
Ladies’ Bible Study, 9 a.m., Youth Center
Wednesday, April 30
Praise Band Rehearsal on break (resumes next Wednesday)
Thursday, May 1
Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Choir Room
Friday, May 2
Men's Bible Study, 8 a.m., Room N-123
Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom
Sunday, May 4
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-202, S-100
Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel
“Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123
New Member Class (Part 1), 10 a.m., Church Office
Rev. Robert Galloway’s Installation Service, 4 p.m., Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Chapel
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m., New Member Inquirers’ Class (Part 2). Please call the Church Office to RSVP!
Sunday, May 11, Session has called (brief) congregational meetings after each worship service to approve the recommendation by the Nominating Committee to fill the 2025 session term for an elder who will be moving.
Sunday, May 11, Mission Sunday project, 10 a.m., Fellowship Hall (packing health kits for our summer Honduras mission trip; see First News for details!)
Wednesday, May 14, Wednesday Night Dinner: Fiesta! 5:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP online or by calling the Church Office.