July 27 - Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida   

Order of Worship – 11 a.m. Sanctuary Service 

July 27, 2025 – Seventh Sunday After Pentecost 

Guest Preacher: Rev. Courtney Jones 

Prelude: Two chorale preludes on “Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott” (hymn 275), Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706); Johann Nicolaus Hanff (1663–1711) - Jack Rain, organ

Welcome and Announcements - Fran Sims

Call to Worship - Fran Sims 

Come, all who long to know God more deeply—  

We come to ask, to seek, to knock.  

Christ meets us not with silence, but with mercy.  

The door of grace stands open wide.  

Rooted in Christ and overflowing with gratitude,  

Let us worship the God who forgives, restores, and calls us beloved. 

*Hymn #275: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” EIN’ FESTE BURG 

Call to Confession - Fran Sims

Prayer of Confession (unison) - Fran Sims 

God of covenant and compassion, you call us into relationship, yet we often turn away. We live as though scarcity were our fate. Our distrust shapes our decisions. Our fear limits our love. We fail to ask boldly, seek justice, or persist in prayer. We forget that Christ closed the door of death so that we might walk in resurrection life. Forgive our timidness and transform us by your steadfast love, so that we might live as people freed and formed by grace. 

Assurance of Pardon - Fran Sims 

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

Passing the Peace - Fran Sims 

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

*Response #582: “Glory to God Whose Goodness Shines on Me” (v. 1) GLORY TO GOD 

Time for Young Disciples -

Prayer for Illumination - Robin Lyle

First Scripture Reading: Psalms 138 - Robin Lyle 

Solo: “Meditation” on Psalm 19:14 (sung in Hebrew, then English), Marshall A. Portnoy (b. 1944) - Victoria Stout, alto

Sermon Scripture: Luke 11:1-3 - Rev. Courtney Jones 

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

Sermon: “Persistence in Prayer” - Rev. Courtney Jones

*Hymn #175: “Seek Ye First” LAFFERTY

*Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed (unison) - Robin Lyle 

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 - Robin Lyle 

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: 

Loving God, we bring these offerings with open hands and hopeful hearts, trusting that you can do far more with them than we could on our own. Use them to feed the hungry, comfort the lonely, lift the brokenhearted, and strengthen your church. Teach us, in giving, to grow in grace, and to offer not only our treasure, but our time, our talents, and our very lives, in service to your justice, your peace, and your redeeming love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Offertory Solo: “For Everyone Born,” Brian Mann; arr. by Tom Trenney - Victoria Stout, alto

*Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Rev. Courtney Jones 

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 #465: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” CONVERSE 

Charge & Benediction - Rev. Courtney Jones 

Postlude: “Een vaste Burg is onze God,” setting #3 (hymn 275), Jan Zwart (1877–1937) - Jack Rain, organ

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Announcements:

Today, July 27

  • Mission Sunday! We are partnering with Live Love St Pete to pack supplies into backpacks (our goal this year is 1,000 backpacks!) that will be given away to families in need at the start of the school year.

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

Monday, July 28

  • Stated Session meeting, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, July 29

  • Ladies’ Bible Study, 9 a.m., Youth Center

Wednesday, July 30

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

Friday, August 1

  • Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom 

Sunday, August 3

  • 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-203

  • Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel

  • “Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123 

Amy McCutcheon