Christ Presbyterian Church

Worship Service

April 30, 2023

Facebook Live: @christpc
Call and Listen: 351-888-7756
Sanctuary Parking Area: FM105.3
 Welcome to Sunday Worship Service
Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 30, 2023 10:00AM
* Please stand if you are able.

Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Call to Worship
One: God, our Shepherd, offers us abundant life.
All: God, you are with us!
One: God, our Shepherd, leads us by still waters.
All: God, restore our souls!
One: God, our Shepherd, walks with us through every dark valley.
All: God, we will not be afraid!
All: God, our Shepherd, we praise for your goodness and mercy with us every day.

Prayer of Adoration
God of love, we come trusting that your love has the power to defeat evil in the world.
Jesus shows us that your love defeats even the power of death. You are with us through
the darkest valleys so that we are not afraid. We worship you with glad hearts, praising
you in the name of our Risen Lord, praying with the breath of your Spirit in us. Renew
our strength and courage to face whatever each day holds, so our lives will bring you
honour and glory now and always. AMEN

*Hymn
Come Sing O Church in Joy
Come sing, O church in joy!
Come join, O church in song!
For Christ the Lord has led us through the ages long!
In bold accord, come celebrate
the journey now and praise the Lord!

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 Long years have come and gone,
and still God reigns supreme,
empowering us to catch the vision, dream the dream!
In bold accord, come celebrate
the journey now and praise the Lord!
Let courage be our friend;
let wisdom be our guide,
as we in mission magnify the Crucified!
In bold accord, come celebrate
the journey now and praise the Lord!
Come sing, O church in joy!
Come join, O church in song!
For Christ the Lord has triumphed the ages long!
In bold accord, come celebrate
the journey now and praise the Lord!

Prayer of Confession
God of love, we confess that too often we let the events around us shatter our trust in
your love. When chaos strikes and innocents fall, we wonder if love can defeat violence.
When truth gets lost among misleading claims, we wonder if love can prevail over what
is no true. Forgive us, God, when we lose our trust in the power of your love so soon
after it raised Jesus from death and a tomb.

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.

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 PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Prayer of Illumination
Reading from the Old Testament
Psalms 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with
oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989)

Reading from the New Testament

Acts 2:41-47
So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand
persons were added. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many
wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and
had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the
proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the
temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47
praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their
number those who were being saved.
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
How Great Thou Art
O Lord, my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

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 Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;
refrain
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
refrain
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim: my God, how great Thou art!
refrain

Reading from the Gospel

John 10:1-10
‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another
way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The
gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name
and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep
follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from
him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with
them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So again Jesus said to them,
‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and
bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
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!
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Special Music
On Eagles Wings
Solo – Susan Taylor

Sermon Rev. William Cowfer

“Called by Name”

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Hymn
Savior Like A Shepherd, Lead Us
Savior, like a shepherd lead us; much we need your tender care.
In your pleasant pastures feed us; for our use your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us: we are yours.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us: we are yours.
We are yours: in love befriend us; be the guardian of our way.
Keep your flock: from sin defend us; seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear your children when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear your children when we pray.
You have promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
you have mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.
Early let us seek your favor; early let us do your will.
Blessed Lord and only Savior, with your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us; love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us; love us still.

Invitation to Giving
*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
GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD

*Hymn
You Servants of God
You servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad Christ’s wonderful name.
The name all victorious of Jesus extol,
whose kingdom is glorious, who rules over all.
“Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!"
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces, and worship the Lamb.
Then let us adore and give him his right:
all glory and power, all wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing, with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing, and infinite love!
Benediction
Postlude

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 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Church Office Hours
Office volunteers are always available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 to 11:30 AM. Pastor Cowfer currently
has office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 AM – 12:00PM, if you would like to reach him, please call
727-434-2768 or the church office.
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 taco salad and brownies.
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 Thursdays from 9:30 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
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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.