August 3 - 9 AM Connect Service
August 3, 2025 – 9 a.m. Connect Worship Service
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost / Lord’s Supper
Guest Preacher: Bryan Bardin
Gathering - Kevin Clark
1st Gathering Song: “Thanks and Praise” - FPC Praise Band
2nd Gathering Song: “Open Up the Heavens” - FPC Praise Band
Welcome - Kevin Clark
Call to Worship - Kevin Clark
When Israel was a child, God loved him—
And out of Egypt, God called this child.
Though we turn away, God’s compassion still grows.
God bends down to feed us with mercy.
The Lord is our God, our creator.
Let us return to the One who will not give us up.
Come, let us worship God.
Call to Confession - Don Doddridge
Prayer of Confession (unison) - Don Doddridge
Holy and loving God, you are faithful when we are forgetful, tender when we are harsh, abundant when we are grasping. We confess the many ways we hoard what you intend to be shared—our time, our money, our attention. We confess the pride that imagines we are self-made, and the fear that keeps us from surrendering to your care. Turn our hearts toward you. Re-form us by your grace, that we may live with courage, compassion, and joy.
Assurance of Pardon - Don Doddridge
…Friends, believe the Good News: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Passing the Peace - Don Doddridge
…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 - Bryan Bardin
Worship Song: “Take My Life” - FPC Praise Band
Prayer for Illumination - Gretchen Letterman
First Scripture Reading: Hosea 11:1-11 - Gretchen Letterman
Sermon Scripture: Luke 12:13-24, 34 - Bryan Bardin
…The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “The Attention Economy” - Bryan Bardin
Affirmation of Faith: “We Believe” - FPC Praise Band
Invitation to Offering - Gretchen Letterman
Offertory Song: “Good, Good Father” - FPC Praise Band
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper - Rev. Bill Wildhack
Invitation
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise..
…Now with the confidence of the Children of God, we are bold to pray:
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.
Words of Institution
The Bread and the Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison):
God of grace, you renew us at your table with the bread of life. You nourish us with your unending love. May this gift of grace strengthen us in faith, deepen our love for one another, and empower us to serve you with joy and compassion. Guide us to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may be witnesses to your love in all we do. Amen.
Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Gretchen Letterman
Final Worship Song: “Love the Lord” - FPC Praise Band
Benediction - Bryan Bardin
Praise Band tag
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Announcements:
Today, August 3
A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service
Wednesday, August 6
Praise Band Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center
Friday, August 8
Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom
Sunday, August 10
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
Men’s Meatloaf Ministry, 1:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall kitchen
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, August 16, 5-7 p.m., FPC/SPPS Back-to-School Pool Party, North Shore Aquatic Complex (901 N Shore Dr NE). RSVP by calling the church office or be emailing criley@fpc-stpete.org.
Sunday, August 17, Blessings of the Backpacks, both worship services