July 27 - 9 AM Connect Service

9 a.m. Connect Worship Service 

July 27, 2025 – Seventh Sunday After Pentecost 

Guest Preacher: Rev. Courtney Jones 

Gathering and Welcome - Kevin Clark 

1st Gathering Song: “Rising” - FPC Praise Band 

2nd Gathering Song: “God of Wonders” - FPC Praise Band

Welcome - Kevin Clark

Call to Worship - Kevin Clark 

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. 

Call to Confession (from 1 John 1:8-9) - Ron Braun

Prayer of Confession (unison) - Ron Braun 

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 - Ron Braun 

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

Passing the Peace - Ron Braun 

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

Response: “Doxology (Amen)” - FPC Praise Band 

Friendship Pad Announcement - Kevin Clark

Time for Young Disciples - Carol Riley

Worship Song: “Grace Greater” - FPC Praise Band 

Prayer for Illumination - Bill Wanless

First Scripture Reading: Psalm 138 - Bill Wanless

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

*Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed (unison) - Bill Wanless 

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. 

Invitation to Offering - Bill Wanless 

…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 Song: ”His Mercy Is More” - FPC Praise Band 

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.  

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Bill Wanless

Final Worship Song: “God So Loved” - FPC Praise Band 

Benediction - Rev. Courtney Jones                         

Praise Band tag 

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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