August 10 - Sanctuary Worship Bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida   

Order of Worship – 11 a.m. Sanctuary Service 

August 10, 2025 – Ninth Sunday After Pentecost 

Rev. Robert Galloway 

Prelude: Two settings on Dix (hymn 14, For the Beauty of the Earth), John Leavitt (b. 1956); Gordon Young (1919–1998) - Jack Rain, organ       

Welcome & Announcements - Robert Galloway 

Call to Worship - Robert Galloway

The night is gone; the day is at hand.  

We wake with hope, for our Lord draws close.  

Let our lamps be lit; let our hearts be ready.  

We come watchful, expectant, and open to grace.  

The Lord calls us to faithfulness in small things and great.  

We share in the Lord’s work of love and mercy.  

We are the ones whom God calls beloved. 

Let us worship the Lord with joy and reverence.

*Hymn #242: “Day of Delight and Beauty Unbounded” IN DIR IST FREUDE 

Call to Confession - Jim Garnett

Prayer of Confession (unison) - Jim Garnett

God of steadfast love, we confess that we are not always watchful. You call us to readiness, but we grow complacent. You ask for faithfulness, but we are often distracted by lesser things. We choose comfort over courage, and we avoid what love demands today. Forgive us, O Lord. By your mercy, awaken us again. Rouse us with your Spirit. Help us to live as those who await your kingdom not with fear, but with love. 

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

Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me, and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me, and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway

Prayer for Illumination - Susan Luehrs

First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 1:1-10 - Susan Luehrs

Sermon Scripture: Luke 12:35-40 - Robert Galloway

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

Sermon - Robert Galloway

*Hymn #14:”For the Beauty of the Earth” DIX

*Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed (unison) - Robert Galloway                                   

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 - Susan Luehrs      

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: 

Faithful God, you have entrusted us with countless blessings - the breath in our lungs, the strength in our hands, and the love that binds us together in Christ. We offer these gifts to you in joyful response to your unending mercy. Take what we bring and bless it: multiply it, and use it for the good of your kingdom. Make us faithful stewards who are eager to serve, willing to share, and ready to respond to your call. Shape us, O God, so we are alert to your presence and awake to our neighbors’ needs. We pray these things in the name of Christ, our teacher, redeemer, and returning Lord. Amen. 

Offertory Solo: “A Simple Song” from Mass, Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) - Paris Cheffer, baritone

*Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

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 #619: “Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven” LAUDA ANIMA 

Charge & Benediction - Robert Galloway

Postlude: “Postlude Gigue on Dix” (hymn 14, For the Beauty of the Earth), David Lasky (b. 1959) - Jack Rain, organ

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Announcements:

Today, August 10

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

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

Wednesday, August 13

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

Friday, August 15

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

Saturday, August 16

  • FPC/SPPS Back-to-School Pool Party, 5-7 p.m., North Shore Aquatic Complex (901 N Shore Dr NE). RSVP by calling the church office or by emailing criley@fpc-stpete.org.

Sunday, August 17

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

  • Blessings of the Backpacks, both worship services

  • 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

  • New Member Inquirer’s Class, Part 1, 10 a.m., Church Office

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

  • Informational meeting for the congregation about upcoming improvements to campus and facility security, 12 p.m., Sanctuary

Upcoming Events:

  • Sunday, August 24, New Member Inquirer’s Class, Part 2, 10 a.m., Church Office

  • Monday, September 1, Church Office closed for Labor Day     

Amy McCutcheon