January 18 - Sanctuary Worship bulletin

First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida   

Order of Worship – 11 a.m. Sanctuary Service 

January 18, 2026 – Second Sunday after Epiphany 

Rev. Robert Galloway   

Prelude: “Fantasia on Westminster Abbey (hymn 394), Dom Andrew Moore (b. 1954) - Jack Rain, organ

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

Call to Worship - Robert Galloway 

The voice of God calls us from the midst of ordinary days, 

and sets our lives within God’s saving work. 

Christ meets us where we are and calls us by name, 

inviting us into a life shaped by grace. 

The Spirit draws us into worship and sends us in hope, 

that we may live as those who serve in Christ’s name. 

Come, let us worship God. 

*Processional Hymn #157:  “I Danced in the Morning” LORD OF THE DANCE 

Call to Confession - Sally Horrell

Prayer of Confession - Sally Horrell

Holy and merciful God, you know us more deeply than we know ourselves, and still you call us your own. Yet we confess that we do not always answer when you invite us to follow. We cling to old names and old ways, even when you are making all things new. We fail to trust that your purposes are good, and your grace is enough. Turn us again toward you, renew our willingness to listen and to respond, and shape us into people who reflect the love we have first received. 

Assurance of Pardon - Sally Horrell                                                                                                    

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

*Passing the Peace - Sally Horrell 

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

*Response #661: “Why Should I Feel Discouraged?” SPARROW  

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, for his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway

Prayer for Illumination - Ann Murray

First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7 - Ann Murray

*Hymn #39: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” FAITHFULNESS 

Sermon Scripture: John 1:29-42 - Robert Galloway

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

Sermon - Robert Galloway 

*Hymn #279: “Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove” ST. AGNES

*Affirmation of Faith: from A Brief Statement of Faith - Ann Murray              

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. 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 - Ann Murray                                                                     

…Let us give thanks for these offerings and God’s abundance using our Prayer of Dedication: 

Faithful God, you meet us with grace and send us with purpose. We offer these gifts as part of our response to your call, trusting that you will use them for healing, justice, and hope. Bless what we bring and bless the lives from which they come, that your reconciling love may take flesh in this community and beyond. Amen. 

Offertory Anthem: “O Love, How Deep,” Everett Titcomb (1884-1968) - Chancel Choir 

O love, how deep, how broad, how high! How passing thought and fantasy, that God, the Son of God, should take our mortal form for mortals’ sake!

For us he prayed, for us he taught, for us his daily works he wrought, by words and signs and actions, thus still seeing not himself, but us.

All glory to our Lord and God for love so deep, so high, so broad; the Trinity whom we adore forever and forever more. Amen.

*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 #837: “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine” SHOWALTER 

Charge & Benediction - Robert Galloway

Postlude: “Postlude,” Alan Ridout (1934–1996) - Jack Rain, organ  

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Announcements:

Today, January 18

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

Monday, January 19

  • Church Office closed for MLK, Jr. Day

  • Lectio/Visio Divina on break

Tuesday, January 20

  • Ladies’ Bible Study, 9 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, January 21

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

Thursday, January 22

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

Friday, January 23

  • Co-Ed Bible Study (in the book of Romans), 8 a.m., Room N-123

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

Sunday, January 25

  • 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, (2nd grade and up), 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, January 28, Congregational Care brainstorming session, 6 p.m., Chapel 

  • Friday, January 30, Arts Connection Gallery Opening: “FPC Travels the World,” 5:30 p.m.,  Chapel

  • Monday, February 2, Faith & Fiction, 4 p.m., Room N-123

  • Wednesday, February 4, Beach Drive Forum: “The State of Policing,” with guest speaker St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway, 5:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

  • Saturday, February 7, Vienna Boys Choir Concert, 7 p.m., Sanctuary

  • Sunday, February 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Family Day celebrating the new art show, with pizza, playtime, a scavenger hunt, and more!

Amy McCutcheon