First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara
August 2, 2026
Worship 9:30 am • Fellowship 10:30 am • Adult Education 11:00 am
Our Vision
God calls us to worship faithfully.
God calls us to serve lovingly.
God calls us into community:
sharing grace unconditionally,
seeing Christ in all people.
We GATHER around the Word
Prelude
Spanish Dance No. 4, Allegro comodo, Moritz Moszkowski, Op. 12
Welcome and Announcements
Rev. Dr. Gordon Hess
Call to Worship
God is faithful in words, and gracious in action.
We look to God for nurture in every season.
God is near to all who call out in truth, and watches over all.
We will praise God's holy name for ever and ever.
Congregational Song
Here, O Our Lord, We See You
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Mysterious and merciful God, we praise you for abundant life, for the beauty of creation, and the blessings of each day. We praise you for communities of care, for your guidance and wisdom, for justice in a broken world and for healing. Your grace satisfies us in every situation, and so, we worship you as the Source of life and love, comfort and courage, as Creator, Christ and Spirit, One God, this day and every day, now and always.
Trusting in your grace and goodness, we confess to you our sins:
Gracious and merciful God, In Christ you show us the way of compassion and forgiveness, yet we neglect the suffering of others and hold grudges. We blame and judge each other in the moments you call us to act with kindness and mercy. Free us from greed and from grievance, and open our hearts so that we may embody Jesus' teachings and walk in his way this day and always. Amen.
Silent Prayer
Assurance of Pardon
God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Know that in Christ, you are forgiven. Forgive one another, and be at peace with God, with yourself and with each other.
Sung Gloria
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Leader: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you!
Following the Passing of the Peace, everyone is invited to sing the first verse of “Jesus Loves Me.”
We RECEIVE the Word
Prayer for Illumination
Holy God, your Word is bread for our journey. Send your Spirit so that we may know your wisdom and live it out for the sake of Christ, your Living Word. Amen.
First Scripture Reading
Matthew 7:24–29
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Following the first scripture reading, children are welcome to join Sunday School in the Children's Education Center.
Second Scripture Reading
1 Peter 2:2–10
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Rev. Dr. Mark Watson
We RESPOND to the Word
Moment for Reflection
How will you apply this message in your life?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you this morning?
Congregational Song
Draw the Circle Wide
Offering of Tithes, Gifts, and Selves
Offertory: Instrumental Music
We COME to the Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Rev. Dr. Mark Watson
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
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.
Sacrament of Holy Communion
As you feel led, please come forward to the stations and receive the bread and the cup. If you are not able to come forward but wish to receive Communion, one of our servers will attend to you. All bread served is gluten free.
Communion Servers: Names Here
Prayer After the Meal
Rev. Dr. Mark Watson
Congregational Song
God Will Take Care of You
We are SENT out to bear the Word into the world
Benediction
Rev. Dr. Mark Watson
Postlude
Leaning on the Lord …
Next Sunday Rev. Dr. Mark Watson will preach on 1 Peter 1:13–25.
Announcements & Community Life
Mission Update ~ New Wilmington Conference
Our very own Commissioned Lay Pastor, Chuck Curtis, just returned this week from attending the 121st New Wilmington Mission Conference in Pennsylvania. Chuck's first time attending this conference was in 2006.
It is an intergenerational and family-friendly Mission Conference that focuses on being challenged to participate in the mission of God through every aspect of life, expressing God's creativity, sustaining God's creation, and cooperating in God's plan of redemption.
August Book Study ~ Wednesdays at 5:30 pm
Each Wednesday evening in August from 5:30–7:30 pm, we will host a book study and enjoy a potluck meal together. Yvonne Bazinet will lead the study.
Book: Do What You Have the Power to Do, Studies of Six New Testament Women by Helen Bruch Pearson.
We will provide the books, so please let us know if you need one by emailing info@fpcsb.org or calling the church office at 805.687.0754.
Dancing Performance Today
Baile de California is happy to share the Fiesta Spirit with First Presbyterian Church once again. Founder and Director, Diana Replogle-Purinton, was baptized in this church at 6 months old and has been a member ever since.
Organic Grape Juice from the Brown Family
Rob and Cheryl Brown were kind enough to supply our grape juice for communion in July and August. The juice is organic (not sprayed) and has no sugar added.
Two Meal Trains
You don't have to be a deacon to help out your FPC family. If you like to cook, or want to send a meal via GrubHub, you can help out this week (or choose a later date). Contact the office if you would like to help out: info@fpcsb.org.
Whale Watching
Save the date of August 22 for our annual whale watching adventure. See the eNews for more details or contact Jan O'Connor with questions.
Worship with us online on YouTube
If you cannot attend in person, you can always participate via our live stream of the service or rewatch a service on our YouTube channel First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara. Subscribe to easily find us again.
Giving
Giving of ourselves is a response to the grace of God in our lives. You are invited to participate by giving of your time, talents, and treasure.
Give by Text Message: text amount to 805-953-7272
Give by Credit Card / Online: visit fpcsb.org and click “Give Online”
Image Release
By entering these premises, you agree that you possibly will be photographed and/or filmed by First Presbyterian Church staff, photographers, and/or videographers. Your attendance at our services or any event on First Presbyterian Church's property grants your permission to be in these photos or videos, which may be used for educational, archival, or promotional purposes without compensation.
This Week at First Pres
TODAY, Sunday, August 2
9:30 am Worship Service, CFC
10:30 am Baile de California Dancing, Patio
1:00 pm English Country Dance, CFC
Tuesday, August 4
8:30 am Men's Bible Study, AL
10:00 am Staff Meeting, AL
11:00 am Marketing Meeting, AL
1:00 pm Congregational Life, AL
5:30 pm CYF Meeting, AL
7:00 pm AA Meeting, Garden Room
Thursday, August 6
1:00 pm Accounting Meeting, Office
Sunday, August 9
9:30 am Worship Service, CFC
10:30 am Fellowship, Patio
Location Key:
AL = Anderson Lounge
CEC = Christian Education Center
CFC = Christian Fellowship Center
GR = Garden Room