Christ Presbyterian Church

Worship Service

July 9, 2023
Facebook Live: @christpc
Call and Listen: 351-888-7756
Sanctuary Parking Area: FM105.3
 Welcome to Sunday Worship Service
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
July 9, 2023 10:00AM
* Please stand if you are able.

Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Call to Worship
One: God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love.
All: God offers compassion to all creation.
One: With all God’s creation, give thanks to the Lord.
All: With all God’s creatures, great and small, we will bless the Lord.
One: In worship let us speak of God’s glory and tell of God’s wonder.
All: We come to praise God and seek God’s peace in Jesus’ name.
Prayer of Adoration
You, O God, are overflowing with love, infinite in kindness, and
incomparable in glory. There is no other like you in all our imagining. Your
presence breaks into our lives in the beauty of summer and refreshes us
like a gentle breeze breath on a still day. You renew us to meet life’s
changes and challenges. In this time of worship, we offer thanks in our
prayers, praise from our hearts, and honor with our lives, to you, our
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, this day and every day, now and always.
Amen.

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*Hymn
When Morning Guilds the Skies
When morning gilds the skies,
my heart awaking cries:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer
to Jesus I repair:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, while life is mine,
my canticle divine:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this the eternal song
through all the ages long:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Prayer of Confession
Wise and patient God, You offer us peace, yet we confess life often feels
frustrating and unsettled. You offer us courage, yet we are resentful when
life is challenging. You offer us a mission with meaning and purpose, But
sometimes we are preoccupied with our own plans and desires. Forgive
us, O God, and draw our attention back to you. Amen
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.
PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Special Music
You Raise Me Up
Solo – Susan Taylor

Prayer of Illumination
Reading from the Old Testament
Psalms 145:8-14
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. 10 All
your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. 11
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power, 12 to make
known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout
all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989)

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Reading from the New Testament
Romans 7:15-25
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the
very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.
17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I
know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is
right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not
want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but
sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what
is good, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost
self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind,
making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched
man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to
God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
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
Our God Reigns
How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
who brings good news, good news
announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness:
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Refrain
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!

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 He had no stately form; he had no majesty
that we should be drawn to him.
He was despised, and we took no account of him;
yet now he reigns with the Most High!
refrain

Reading from the Gospel

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-
places and calling to one another, 17 “We played the flute for you, and you did
not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” 18 For John came neither eating
nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; 19 the Son of Man came eating
and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-
collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’ 25 At that time
Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have
hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to
infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been
handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son
chooses to reveal him. 28 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying
heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn
from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989)

One: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!

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Sermon Rev. William Cowfer
“Wisdom is Vindicated by Her Deeds”
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Hymn
There’s a Wideness in Gods Mercy
There's a wideness in God's mercy,
like the wideness of the sea.
There's a kindness in God's justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth's sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth's failings
have such kindly judgment given.
For the love of God is broader
than the measures of the mind.
And the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful,
we would gladly trust God's Word,
and our lives reflect thanksgiving
for the goodness of our Lord.
Invitation to Giving
Offertory

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*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
GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD

*Hymn
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
Refrain
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness, calling and free.
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
wind, wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters;
you called to the deep;
then you coaxed up the mountains
from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons you called to each thing,
"Awake from your slumbers
and rise on your wings."
refrain

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 You call from tomorrow;
you break ancient schemes;
from the bondage of sorrow
the captives dream dreams.
Or women see visions;
our men clear their eyes.
With bold new decisions
your people arise.
refrain
Benediction
Postlude

Please join us for coffee fellowship today in Narthex E after worship.

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 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mid-Year 2023 CPC Status Report
After 3 months of having contributions exceed expenses, April and May dip
negative. Our loss year to date was ($8,650) at the end of May, compared to our
budgeted loss of ($36,192) for that time. Expenses are almost exactly as
budgeted, but contributions have been considerably more than budgeted, mainly
in the Envelopes - unpledged category. Reimbursements are also exceeding our
budget. Our expenses are considerably lower than 2022 due in large part to
lower personnel costs.
Please note:
Thru May, 100 percent of our budgeted Honduras mission payment was made
and 50 percent of our other budgeted mission payments were made.
Our Per Capita payments to Presbytery are up to date.
The Presbytery CCV grant to help replace our damaged electronic sign is not
included in contributions. This grant is included in the dedicated account
Res(Self insured), along with the insurance settlement payment.
Please note that the partial payment toward repairing our sign is not included in
expenses. This payment was received to the dedicated account Res(Self
insured). Expected installation of the sign is 8 weeks.
We are still running short in our Neighborhood food donations, so we are using
the carry over from 2022 donations in the dedicated account. The Neighborhood
food missions programs seem to be helping, but are costing more than our
donations.
The lease for our copier is signed, and delivery is expected in about 6 weeks.
This new lease will save CPC about one third of our existing lease costs.
In July, we will have major expenses of $15,000 for insurance and $7,000 for
replacement of a classroom A/C system.
All in all, CPC is doing extremely well, considering our situation.

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Church Office Hours
Office volunteers are always available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from
9 to 11:30 AM. Pastor Bill’s office hours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM if you would like to reach him, please call 727-434-2768 or
the church office.
CPC Night Out on The Town
Join us on Thursday July 13th at 5 PM for dinner at Hibachi Buffett on Gulf to Bay
Blvd. If interested, please contact the church office at 727-584-8695 or Chad at
727-304-7577 by Monday July 10th to make a reservation.
Neighborhood Ministries
*Currently the “Neighborhood Funds” are running low any financial
contributions to support the food ministries will be welcomed.*
Our “Blessing Box” food pantry delivery method has changed to a bag
distribution 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.
The Neighborhood Meals continue to provide bagged meals on Tuesdays at
5PM in front of the church.
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.
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

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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
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.

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