12TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AUGUST 23, 2020 | 10:00 AM
WELCOME TO ONLINE WORSHIP AT FIRST CHURCH!
Welcome to all who gather to worship online today! We hope you feel the warmth of God’s presence and welcome right where you’re at. If this if your first time joining us online, we are honored by your presence and hope to see you again soon! To stay informed, please subscribe to our weekly email.
ABOUT US
First, we’re not just friendly, we’re friends! Our primary belief is that everyone (no exceptions!) is created in the loving image of God, who is love itself.
Second, in everything we do, we strive to live our mission: By the power of Christ, we are blessed to be a blessing!
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP
(the people’s words in bold print)
PRELUDE
“Come, Christians Join to Sing”
(MUSIC: H. Robert James)
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
CALL TO WORSHIP
God has created us to become brothers and sisters
with Jesus Christ in the family of God. Let us give thanks!
God has called us to be Christ’s body in the world.
Let us use our gifts and skills for the common good.
God loves us and longs for us to live in unity.
We who are many yet one are called to worship God.
Let us worship with renewed devotion!
HYMN OF PRAISE
“The Church's One Foundation”
(AURELIA)
OPENING PRAYER
(pray together)
Holy God, we praise you this day! You have set us apart to be Christ’s body in the world, sharing our gifts and skills, living in unity with brothers and sisters. Your trust in us to live humbly and joyfully is amazing! Renew our spirits by your Spirit so that, with increased devotion, we may serve others with the love of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S WORD
PIANO MEDITATION
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
(MUSIC: NETTLETON, arr. Don Pardoe)
Brad Thoreson, piano
SCRIPTURE READING - THE EPISTLE LESSON
Romans 12:1-8
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
MESSAGE
A Sermon Discussion
Today we welcome The. Rev. Mary Jo Bray who shares the sermon time with Pastor Lisa. Mary Jo and Lisa graduated seminary together and have been close friends for 30 years. Mary Jo pastors Hampton Park Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Toledo, Ohio.
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
WE DEPART TO SERVE
CLOSING HYMN
“Here I Am, Lord”
(HERE I AM)
BLESSING + BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Be Thou My Vision/I Am Thine, O Lord”
(MUSIC: Irish hymn/W. H. Doane, arr. Christi Stills)
GOD’S TITHES + OUR OFFERINGS
If you wish to contribute to the work of First Church, you may give online using the button below, or mail your gift to
First Presbyterian Church
810 Georgia Avenue
Lynn Haven, FL 32444.