Christ Presbyterian Church

Worship Service

A Place for New Beginnings

December 3, 2023
Facebook Live: @christpc
Call and Listen: 351-888-7756
Sanctuary Parking Area: FM105.3
 Welcome to Sunday Worship Service
First Sunday of Advent
December 3, 2023 10:00AM
* Please stand if you are able.

Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
One: The Peace of Christ be with You.
All: And also with You.
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Advent Reading and Wreath Lighting

Call to Worship
One: The nights are long and the days are short,
All: And so we wait for Jesus.
One: The heavens are trembling with anticipation,
All: And so we wait for Jesus.
One: Our redemption is drawing near,
All: And so we wait for Jesus.
One: Let us put our hope in God as we prepare to welcome the birth of new life
once more.

Prayer of Adoration
Creator God, You made the heavens and the earth. You set the planets in their
courses, lit the sun with fire, caused the stars to shine and the world to turn.
Life springs up wherever your breath moves. In Jesus Christ, you brought
hope into a world full of fear and despair. You sent your Spirit to enliven our
hope and guide us on the way. Now we wait in anxious times for the world to
be made new. Move in us and in all your creation to bring forth new life, while
we wait with hope in your grace and goodness. AMEN.
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*Hymn
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us;
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Prayer of Confession
God of wisdom, we confess that we sometimes prefer our own plans to
your purposes. Have mercy when we shrink from acts of service that seem
too demanding. Forgive us when our commitment wavers and we think
someone else will take up the challenges we face. Inspire us with the
example of Jesus, and energize us with your Spirit to follow him as our
Shepherd wherever he leads.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
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*Affirmation of Faith 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
I believe Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or
arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or
resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for
tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9 For we
know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; 10 but when the complete
comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like
a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an
adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly,
but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know
fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 And now faith, hope, and love
abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Special Music
Be Born in Me
Solo – Susan Taylor
PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Prayer of Illumination
Reading from the Old Testament
Psalm 80:1-7
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are
enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and
Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! 3 Restore us, O God; let
your face shine, that we may be saved. 4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will you
be angry with your people’s prayers? 5 You have fed them with the bread of
tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. 6 You make us the scorn of
our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us, O God of
hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, 1989)
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Reading from the New Testament
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give
thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given
you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech
and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been
strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you
wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the
end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is
faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, 1989)

One: This is the Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!
Family Choir
Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days
Lord, who throughout these forty days
for us did fast and pray,
teach us with you to mourn our sins
and close by you to stay.
As you with Satan did contend
and did the victory win,
O give us strength to persevere,
in you to conquer sin.
And through these days of penitence,
and through this Passiontide,
yes, evermore, in life and death,
O Lord, with us abide.
Abide with us, till when this life
of suffering shall be past,
an Easter of unending joy
we may attain at last.
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Reading from the Gospel
Matthew 13:24-37
“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon
will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers
in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in
clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and
gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of
heaven. 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes
tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when
you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have
taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass
away. 32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven,
nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know
when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves
home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the
doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know
when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at
cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes
suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, 1989)

One: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!
Sermon Rev. William Cowfer
“Light and Life Out of Darkness”
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Hymn
Comfort, Comfort Now My People
“Comfort, comfort now my people;
tell of peace!” So says our God.
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 “Comfort those who sit in darkness
mourning under sorrow’s load.
To my people now proclaim
that my pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their sins I cover,
and their warfare now is over.”
For the herald’s voice is crying
in the desert far and near,
calling us to true repentance,
since the reign of God is here.
O, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way.
Let the valleys rise in meeting
and the hills bow down in greeting.
Straight shall be what long was crooked,
and the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits God’s holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
now on earth is shed abroad,
and all flesh shall see the token
that God’s word is never broken.

Invitation to Giving
Offertory
*Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Invitation to The Lord’s Table
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and
praise, O Lord our God, creator and ruler of the universe
who forever sing to the glory of your name:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven
and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
One: You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus
Christ, your Son, our Lord. In Jesus, born of Mary, your
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and
truth. Great is the mystery of Faith:
All: Christ has died, Christ is Risen. Christ will come again.
One: Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon
these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break
and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body
and blood of Christ
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 Receiving the Bread and Cup
Post Communion Prayer
Gracious God, through the gift of this spiritual feast you heal our
brokenness and strengthen our spirits. Increase our faith that the power of
your Holy Sacrament will bring us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN!
GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD

*Hymn
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily:
to us the path of knowledge show;
and teach us in her ways to go.
refrain
O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times didst give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
refrain
Benediction
Postlude
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 ANNOUNCEMENTS
**Please join us for coffee fellowship today in Parlor after worship.**
Stewardship
With great thanks, we report that gifts of $50,000 from our CPC families, above
and beyond their normal pledge amounts, have been made available to help pay
towards our 2024 deficit. With additional families participating, we could
eliminate the loss entirely for 2024. Please turn in your pledge card as soon as
possible, even if zero.
2023 Poinsettias
A limited amount of Poinsettias are available for purchase for $12.00. If you are
interested and would like to dedicate a plant in memory of or in honor of someone
to be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin, please mail in the insert back or
contact the church office. Deadline for submissions is December 10th.
Christmas Eve Service
Please join us for our Christmas Eve Service on Sunday, December 24th at
4:30 PM in the sanctuary or virtual on Facebook. We will have a beautiful
Lessons & Carols Candlelight Service as we celebrate the birth of our newborn
King.
Wednesday Night Take-Out Dinner
Take-out meals will be available for delivery or pickup at 4:45 PM on
Wednesdays. The cost per meal is $10. This week’s menu is salad, ham, twice
baked potato casserole, green beans, and chocolate mousse cake. If interested
in receiving a meal, please contact June Sanchez at 727-409-4199 or the church
office at 727-584-8695. The delivery area is limited.
CPC Night Out on The Town
Join us on Thursday December 21st at 5 PM for dinner at Cheddar's Scratch
Kitchen at 2655 Roosevelt Blvd Clearwater. If interested, please contact the
church office at 727-584-8695 or Chad Bender at 727-304-7577 by Monday
December 18th make a reservation.

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Neighborhood Ministries
* To help support our food ministries you can make financial contribution
to the “Neighborhood Funds.”
The Neighborhood Food Program distributes bags of groceries on Wednesdays
from 5PM to 6PM. These bags provide additional food items to supplement
caring for the families in need. Food items can continue to be dropped off on
Sunday mornings and placed in the wheeled grocery cart or at the church office.
Pak-a-Snack has resumed providing food bags to students at Anona
Elementary.
Thrift Store Volunteers Needed
The thrift store is looking for volunteers to help out once a month on Saturdays
from 8:45 AM to 1:15 PM. If you are interested, please contact June Sanchez at
727-409-4199.
Ways to support your church in tithes and offerings
1. Online at www.largocpc.org
2. Through Vanco Mobile Faith Engagement App on
Apple or Android devices
3. Mail a gift directly to the church or drop in office mail
slot
4. Use the bill pay option through your bank
5. Scan the QR code to the right using your phone

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 Our Vision:
To know God and to make Him known.

Our Mission:
We are a community of people committed to serve Jesus Christ,
empowered by the Holy Spirit, in the love of God,
and called to make that love real.

Our Core Values:

Seeking to be like Christ
Bringing the Good News to our world
Worshiping the Living God
Teaching and learning God’s Word
Supporting and serving one another.

CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Phone: 727-584-8695 • Fax: 727-585-1079 • 3115 Dryer Ave, Largo FL 33770
www.LargoCPC.org • email: [email protected] •
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9 AM – 11:30 AM or by appointment.
Pastor Cowfer will be in the office on Tuesdays and most Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 12:00PM,
if you would like to reach him, please call 727-434-2768 or the church office.

Pastor Rev. William Cowfer email: [email protected]

Secretary Sarah Reeves email: [email protected]
Director of Music Steven Radeck email: [email protected]
Custodian June Sanchez email: [email protected]
All songs used by permission CCLI #863215 and streaming CPSL 139714, Expiration date 7/31/2024
FYI - Video and audio equipment are used for the livestreaming & recording of the worship service.

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