Christ Presbyterian Church

Worship Service

May 7, 2023
Facebook Live: @christpc
Call and Listen: 351-888-7756
Sanctuary Parking Area: FM105.3
 Welcome to Sunday Worship Service
Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 7, 2023 10:00AM
* Please stand if you are able.

Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Call to Worship
One: God is our Rock and our Fortress.
All: In God, we find refuge and strength.
One: God’s house has many dwelling places.
All: We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
One: Christ himself has gone to prepare a place for us.
All: For us, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
One: So let us worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

Prayer of Adoration
Steadfast God, you are our refuge in times of trouble our shelter when we are afraid,
and our spiritual dwelling place forever. In you alone we place our trust for you set the
way before in Christ Jesus and your Spirit gives us courage to follow him. And so we
offer you our worship and love as the Source of life for the world, as the Son who
preached the truth of grace and mercy, and the Spirit who guides us this day and
always. Amen

*Hymn
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord and precious, binding all the church in one;
holy Zion's help forever, and our confidence alone.

2
 To this temple, where we call you, come, O Lord of hosts, and stay;
come, with all your loving-kindness; hear your people as we pray,
and your fullest benediction shed within these walls today.
Here bestow on all your servants what they seek from you to gain;
what they gain from you, forever with the blessed to retain;
and hereafter in your glory evermore with you to reign.
Laud and honor to the Father, laud and honor to the Son,
laud and honor to the Spirit, ever three and ever one:
one in might and one in glory while unending ages run!

Prayer of Confession
Steadfast God, we confess Jesus as the way, the truth and the life for us, yet we often
fail to follow him, too often gone our own way. Forgive us when we fall short of your
purpose for our lives. Give us courage to follow Jesus, who continues to show us the
way. every day. Amen

Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
*Affirmation of Faith Apostle’s Creed
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.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Prayer of Illumination
Reading from the Old Testament
Psalms 31:1-5
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver
me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to
3
save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my
spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989)

Reading from the New Testament

1 Peter 2:2-7
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected
by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones, let yourselves be built
into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through
Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture: ‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen
and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’ 7 To you then who believe,
he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become
the very head of the corner.’
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989)

One: This is the Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!

Family Choir
In Christ There Is No East or West
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;

his service is the golden cord close-binding humankind.

Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate'er your race may be.
All children of the living God are surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both east and west; in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.

Reading from the Gospel

John 14:1-20
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house
there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place
4
for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself,
so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am
going.’ 5 Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the
way?’ 6 Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know
him and have seen him.’ 8 Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’
9 Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? 10 Do you
not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not
speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the
Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.
12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will
do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in
my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything,
I will do it. 15 ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and
he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the
world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he
abides with you, and he will be in you. 18 ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In
a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.
20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989)

One: This is the Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!

Special Music
How Beautiful
Solo – Susan Taylor

Sermon Rev. William Cowfer

“Take Heart”

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Invitation to Giving
Offertory

5
*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.
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn
Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken; the wine is poured; Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Refrain
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again; pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one; at the table he sets the tone,
teaching people to live to bless, love in word and in deed express.
refrain
Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere!
refrain

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.

6
 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
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
For the Bread Which You Have Broken
For the bread which you have broken, for the wine which you have poured,
for the words which you have spoken, now we give you thanks, O Lord.
By this promise that you love us, by your gift of peace restored,
by your call to heaven above us, hallow all our lives, O Lord.
With the saints who now adore you seated at the heavenly board,
may the church still waiting for you keep love's tie unbroken, Lord.
In your service, Lord, defend us; in our hearts keep watch and ward;
in the world to which you send us let your kingdom come, O Lord.
Benediction
Postlude
7
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Bill Cowfer’s Schedule and Contact Information
Tuesdays and most Thursdays in the Church Office from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
Appointments, Office Visits & Phone Calls ; invited and welcome.
Home & Residence Pastoral Visitation, generally in the afternoons.
Emergency or Special Pastoral Care as needed or requested.
Email address - cowferwj@gmail.com and Cell Phone # 727-434-2768

Donation of Toiletries
If you have traveled lately and have unused toiletries articles that can donated to one of mission groups at St Vincent de Paul
in their work with homeless. Please contact Jeanne Gres.

Hymn Studies
Want to learn and understand more about the hymns we sing on Sunday morning? Terry Mapes is leading a discussion group
each Tuesday at 10 AM in the pantry room next to the church office. Hope to see you there!

CPC Night Out on The Town

Join us on Thursday May 18th at 5 PM for dinner at Longhorn Steak House on East Bay Drive. If interested, please contact
the church office at 727-584-8695 or Chad at 727-304-7577 by Monday April 15th to make a reservation.

Wednesday Night Take Out Dinner

Meals are available for delivery or pickup at 4:45 PM on Wednesdays. This week’s menu is salad, italian sausage with pepper
& onions, potato salad, and carrot cake. If interested in receiving a meal, please contact June Sanchez at 727-409-4199 or
the church office at 727-584-8695. Delivery area is limited.

Neighborhood Ministries
Please help us keep the pantry full as our community continues to struggle with hunger. Food items can be dropped off on
Sunday mornings and placed in the wheeled grocery cart or at the church office.
The Neighborhood Meals continue to provide bagged meals on Tuesdays at 5PM in front of the church.
Pak-a-Snack continues until the end of the school year.
Financial contributions to support the food ministries will be welcomed.

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

CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Phone: 727-584-8695 • Fax: 727-585-1079 • 3115 Dryer Ave, Largo FL 33770
www.LargoCPC.org • email: Office.largocpc@gmail.com •
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: Cowferwj@gmail.com

Secretary Sarah Reeves email: Office.largocpc@gmail.com
Director of Music Steven Radeck email: StevenRadeck@gmail.com
Custodian June Sanchez email: JuBug616@aol.com
8
All songs used by permission CCLI #863215 and streaming CPSL 139714, Expiration date 7/31/2023
FYI - Video and audio equipment are used for the livestreaming & recording of the worship service.