1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

pentecost, week 18
05 october 2014
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Reflection
“The world isn't fair, Calvin.”
"I know Dad, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favor?”
• Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes
“The [Jacob story] affirms that we do not live in a world where all possibilities are kept open and
we may choose our posture as we please. This [story] speaks about an inversion. It affirms that
we are not fated to the way the world is presently organized.”
• Walter Brueggemann, Genesis
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Preparation
Use the time before the service as an opportunity to prepare for worship, quiet your heart, and
receive Christ. Feel free to read the reflections above. As a courtesy, please turn off your cell
phone, beeper, iPod, or other noisemaker at this time.
Welcome
The ancient Celts believed that there were “thin places” on this earth; places where you could
experience the very presence of God. Worship is a “thin place” between heaven and earth
where we meet with God. When we gather for congregational worship we enter into the very
presence of the Living God. No matter who you are or what you have done, God, by his grace, is
able to change your life forever. Meet with him at this “thin place”: worship.
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Credits
All Scripture references taken from the New International Version (NIV), unless otherwise noted
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Call to Worship
Psalm 95:1-2
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
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Prayer of Invocation
“Sing, You Redeemed” *
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The Call to Worship is an
invitation into the unique
activity of worship. Our
primary activity in the worship
service is to participate in the
gift exchange of worship itself,
by hearing God’s Word, by
offering prayers and praise,
and by receiving spiritual
nourishment offered at the
Lord’s table.
The term invocation implies that
the congregation invokes, or “calls
upon,” God. In it, we express our
longing for God as well as deep
dependence and humility.
From the deep to the highest hill
Rejoice, rejoice
The ransomed nations sing of your Lord and God
The triumphs of your King rejoice
He comes and at his mighty word
The clouds are fleeting past
Over the land of promise they will see
The glory break at last
CHORUS
Sing, you redeemed
Sing for the Lord of glory reigns
There he sits upon his ancient throne
His power and his grace displays
While Zion and its echoing hills
Send forth the voice of praise
Let his praises fill the earth, while all the saints they join
In choruses of triumphs still, speak only of his love
• Words + Music: Phil Letizia (2007)
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*Please rise in body or in spirit
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“How Marvelous” *
I stand amazed in the presence, of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean
CHORUS
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!
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Why do we sing in church?
As God's people gather for
worship, we focus our attention
on God and away from
ourselves by singing together.
We respond with thanksgiving
to God, because we have hope.
And we sing because it is the
best and most complete
response that we can utter.
He took my sins and my sorrows, he made them his very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone
When with the ransomed in glory, his face I at last shall see
’Twill be my joy through the ages, to sing of his love for me
• Words: Charles H. Gabriel (1905)
• Music: Chris Tomlin (2006)
First Reading *
Genesis 25:21-26
21
Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was
childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah
became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her,
and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to
inquire of the Lord.
23
The Lord said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”
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24
As the Bible is the primary
means by which God speaks to
and edifies his people, we read
and listen to the Scriptures
together in worship. In ancient
Israel and the early church,
services of worship were
organized for the public
reading of scripture – a
practice vital to building up the
community of faith.
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to
come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. 26 After
this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was
sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.”
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Call to Confession
Based on Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is
not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that
no one can boast. Because we are saved by grace, let us freely
admit the ways in which we have attempted live life apart from
God.
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Corporate Confession
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
we are your covenant people and our citizenship is in heaven.
Yet we confess, O Lord, that we sometimes lose sight
of your kingdom and its ways.
We confess that we sometimes live more as citizens of our
own land
than as citizens of your kingdom.
By your truth you call all peoples to account.
Forgive us for losing our distinctiveness.
Focus us on the cross and on the salvation
you give through him
who is the Lord and King and Judge of us all,
Jesus, the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
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Private Confession
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Assurance of Forgiveness
Isaiah 44:21-22 (NRSV) 0
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Because sin is so pervasive in
both our corporate and
individual lives, Christians and
non-Christians are called to
come before the Father with
honesty and transparency,
confessing our brokenness
and asking for both forgiveness
and healing through Jesus
Christ…
…we confess corporately to
show our unity even in our
brokenness.
We confess individually in
order to own our failing toward
God and toward humankind in
thought, word and deed.
Christ has given the Church
authority to declare
forgiveness of sins in his
name. Because of this, when
the liturgist proclaims that your
sins are forgiven, you can know
that Christ agrees.
Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel,
for you are my servant;
I formed you, you are my servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist;
return to me, for I have redeemed you.
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“How Long” *
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VERSE 2
Shall
ever be forgot
!As oneI forwhom
thou regardest not?
Still
shall
my
soul
thine absence mourn
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And still despair of thy return?
! CHORUS
! But I have trusted in thy grace
shall again behold thy face
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Behold thy face
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VERSE 1
How long, O Lord, shall I complain
Like one that seeks his God in vain?
Canst thou thy face for ever hide
And I still pray, and be denied?
VERSE 3
How long shall my poor troubled breast
Be with these anxious thoughts oppressed?
And Satan, my malicious foe
Rejoice to see me sunk so low?
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VERSE 4
Whatever my fears or foes suggest
Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest;
My heart shall feel thy love, and raise
My cheerful voice to songs of praise
• Words: Isaac Watts (1719)
• Music: Karl Digerness (2008)
Prayers of the People
After each petition of the prayer, there will be a time to pray silently.
Please join us in the following refrain:
Leader: Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
In response to God's having
gathered us in worship, we
offer our petitions to him for
the church, the nation, the
world, the city and those who
are suffering.
The Lord's Prayer Based on Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is
in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For the kingdom, the
power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
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Passing the Peace
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
CityChurch Update
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Passing the peace is a
tradition rooted in Scripture
that embodies our identity as
peacemakers (Matt. 5:9; 2 Cor.
5:20) and trains ours hearts,
hands, and tongues in the ways
of peace.
Second Reading
Genesis 27:18-34
18
He went to his father and said, “My father.” “Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?”
19
Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and
eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”
20
Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?”
“The Lord your God gave me success,” he replied.
21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my
son Esau or not.”
22
Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of
Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were
hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him. 24 “Are you really my son
Esau?” he asked.
“I am,” he replied.
25
Then he said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my
blessing.” Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. 26 Then
his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me.”
27 So
he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him
and said,
“Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. 28 May God give you
heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. 29 May nations serve
you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother
bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.”
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(continued)
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30
After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother
Esau came in from hunting. 31 He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father.
Then he said to him, “My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give
me your blessing.”
32
His father Isaac asked him, “Who are you?” “I am your son,” he answered, “your firstborn,
Esau.”
33
Isaac trembled violently and said, “Who was it, then, that
hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came
and I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed!”
34
When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud
and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my
father!”
Prayer of Illumination
Sermon
The Gospel According to Jacob and Joseph, Part 1
“Blessing to the Deceiver” – Genesis 27:18-34
Rev. Phil Letizia, Lead Pastor
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The prayer of illumination
acknowledges the Spirit’s work
in this part of worship by
requesting God’s Spirit to act
through the reading and
preaching of Scripture. The
prayer is offered for both the
preacher and the listener, for
both the speaking and the
hearing of the Word.
A sermon is not just teaching
for living; it is mainly a time
when Christ encounters his
people through his Word.
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Affirmation of Faith *
The Apostles’ 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 Spirit, 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 is seated on the right hand of God the Father
Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the
dead.
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When we affirm our
faith together, it reminds us
that we are part of an ancient
and global faith. This basic
creed of Christian churches, as
most familiarly known, is called
the Apostles' Creed. It has
received this title because of its
great antiquity; it dates from
very early times in the Church,
a half century or so from the
last writings of the New
Testament.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, 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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Invitation to the Table
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Words of Institution
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
On the night on which Jesus was betrayed, he sat at supper with his disciples. While they were
eating, he took a piece of bread, said a blessing, broke it, and gave it to them with the words,
“This is my body. It is broken for you. Do this to remember me.” Later he took the cup, saying,
“This cup is God’s covenant, sealed with my blood. Drink from it, all of you, to remember me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he
comes.
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*The word "catholic" refers not to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Distribution of the Bread + Cup
CityChurch welcomes all baptized Christians – those who are
trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation and who are members of
congregations that proclaim the gospel – to receive the Holy
Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper, or the Eucharist)
with us. We will be coming forward to receive Communion.
When you come forward, tear a piece of the bread, and then
dip it into the cup.
Please note that we use wine in Communion. If you cannot
receive wine, non-alcoholic white grape juice is also available. If you
are not able to receive The Lord’s Supper, please use this time
to meditate on one of the prayers below.
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“The Eucharist is the definitive
action practiced in the Christian
community that keeps Jesus
Christ before us as the Savior of
the world and our Savior, and
ourselves as sinners in need of
being saved. The Eucharist is
the sacramental act that pulls
us into actual material
participation with Christ
(eating and drinking bread and
wine) as he gives his very life
“for us and for our
salvation” (cf., the Nicene
Creed)... The Eucharist puts
Jesus in his place: dying on the
cross and giving us that
sacrificed life. And it puts us in
our place: opening our hands
and receiving the remission of
our sins, which is our
salvation.”
• Eugene Peterson, Christ
Prayers of Meditation for Those Not Communing
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Prayer for Those Searching for Truth
Prayer of Belief
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth,
and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by
the cost of following you as I consider the
reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true,
please guide me, teach me, and open to me the
reality of who you are. Give me an
understanding of you that is coherent,
convincing, and that leads to the life that you
promise. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more
sinful than I ever before believed, but through
you I am more loved and accepted than I ever
dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt,
bearing my punishment on the cross, and
offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that
you have been raised from the dead, I turn from
my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Prayer for Those Overcome with Sin
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that I may see in you the
fulfillment of all my need and may turn from
every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true
and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin
that clings so closely and run with perseverance
the race set before me, looking to you, the
pioneer and perfecter of my faith. Amen.
Prayer for Covenant Children (Not Yet
Confirmed)
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for placing me inside
your family, the church. Help me more and more
to know you, to love you and to follow you as
your faithful disciple. Amen.
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Gifts + Offerings
!!Christ
calls us, to give generously as a sign of gratitude for how much he has given us. Our
response to his grace enables us to give sacrificially of ourselves to one another and the work
of Christ’s Kingdom. Your gift is an act of personal worship to God in response to his grace in
your life.
If you’re new to CityChurch, or are exploring Christianity, you’re under no obligation to give.
Consider allocating a significant portion of your tithe and offering to the community where you
invest most of your time, and where others are investing in you.
The offering box is located in the back. For your convenience, one-time or recurring gifts can be
made online. You may also give via text message by simply texting a dollar amount to
954.719.7992 and following the instructions. For more details, visit: citychurchwm.com/giving
Songs of Response – “All The Poor And Powerless” *
All the poor and powerless
And all the lost and lonely
All the thieves will come confess
And know that you are holy
And know that you are holy
CHORUS
And all will sing out, hallelujah
And we will cry out, hallelujah
All the hearts who are content
And all who feel unworthy
And all who hurt with nothing left
Will know that you are holy
• Words + Music: Leslie Jordan and David Leonard (2011)!
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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, amen, amen, amen
• Words: Thomas Ken (1674)
• Music: Louis Bourgeois (1551)
• Arrangement: Phil Letizia (2008)
Benediction *
Based on Psalm 45:7
The Lord Almighty is with you;
the God of Jacob is your refuge. !!
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Just as we ordain new
ministers and send them into
the world to serve, in the
Benediction, Christ ordains
you with a blessing that equips
you for service.
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VISION
!THE VISION OF CITYCHURCH is the Spiritual, Social, and Cultural renewal of Wilton Manors.
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MISSION
WE SEEK TO BE the very presence of Christ in Wilton Manors by cultivating a community of
Faith, Hope + Love
VALUES
The Gospel. The Gospel is the only hope for humankind. The message of the Gospel is that Christ
has done what is necessary to bring us into a relationship with God. We keep it at the center of
everything.
Mission & Movement. Because God is the one who initiates relationships, and sent his Son to
seek and save people, we will pursue relationships with people in hope that they will be restored
to their Father. CityChurch does not exist as an end in itself – we desire to be an incubator for
church planting throughout South Florida, in that when we grow, we will be very intentional
about spinning off and beginning new congregations throughout our city. Each of these
churches will partner with us in pursuing the goal of spiritual, social, and cultural renewal.
The City. Christianity has always thrived in an urban context. We love Wilton Manors, and want
to live, work, celebrate, raise our families, enjoy, and serve this great city.
Arts & Industries. We believe that the good news of the Gospel is about God’s redemption of
this fallen world and its cultural expressions. We are a church that welcomes, encourages, and
equips artists of every medium... and therefore we will seek to offer artists opportunities to show
or perform their work, providing encouragement for them to grow and develop as artists. We
also believe that the good news of the Gospel impacts work and the marketplace. We will
encourage men and women to use their positions, talents, and gifts to the best of their abilities,
and to the betterment of our city.
Life in Community. The Trinity is at the core of Christian truth; namely that God himself has
always been in community – the Father and Son and Spirit all loving, giving and sharing with one
another. We acknowledge that we need each other, and that the life Jesus offers works only in
connection with a community of faith.
Social Healing. The Gospel is the good news of Christ’s kingdom. CityChurch seeks to partner
with local social service agencies that assist the suffering in our own local community.
Furthermore, we will pray for sensitivity to the mercy needs of our community and will seek to
serve our neighbors out of Christ’s love.
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CityGroups
CityGroups are mid-week gatherings giving opportunity for
people to rehearse the Gospel together, live it out to one
another, and to be an extension of God’s love to our neighbors
while serving the community around us.
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Mondays
7p - Led by Dan Franklin and Mary Gundlach
Hosted at the home of Dan Franklin (2832 NW 9 Ter, WM)
If you would like to be a part of this new CityGroup, contact Dan
Franklin ([email protected]) or Mary Gundlach
([email protected]) for more information.
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“We who follow Jesus are a sent
people, even as Jesus was sent
into the world by His Heavenly
Father. We are a community
sent on a mission together: to
keep on doing the ministry of
Jesus so that all people and all
creation might experience the
reconciliation of God. God has
designed the church of Jesus
Christ to be a ‘missional’
fellowship. The word ‘mission’
comes from the Latin word
‘missio’, which means ‘having
been sent.’ Since we have been
sent to do God's work, we are a
‘missional’ community together.”
• Mark D. Roberts
Wednesdays
6p - Led by the Letizias
From 6-6:45pm, dinner will be on the table for everyone. Around 6:45 we'll have our time of
scripture reading and prayer. If you need to leave early after dinner, you're free to. If you can't
arrive until 7-7:30, there'll be food waiting for you and you can jump into the conversation at any
time! Whether you need to put kids to bed, get home earlier, or you get off work late, join us. We're
looking forward to our mid-week CityGroup being a place of wonderful fellowship.
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For more information or to join a CityGroup, email us at: [email protected].
Text-to-Give Platform
We are excited to announce that you can now give via text message to CCWM. Simply send a text
message to 954.719.7992 with the amount you would like to give (i.e. 20). You will receive an
immediate response with a link to enter an email address and a credit/debit card number. Once you
enter this information, you will never have to enter it again, just save the number in your phone for
future giving. You can begin at anytime, and even give during our worship service! For more
information, contact us at [email protected].
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Upcoming Events (Mark Your Calendar!)
Mon, Oct 6, 7:30p – CityChurch Writers Group
Brew VicPark (638 N Federal Hwy, FTL)
Songwriters, poets, playwrights, authors: you are
invited to a monthly meeting of creative minds in
our community. For more information, contact
CityChurch Fort Lauderdale’s Artist-in-Residence
Laura Creel ([email protected]).
Thu, Oct 9 – Day of Prayer & Fasting
With war and persecution throughout the world,
as well as the individual needs of our congregations,
we invite you to spend a day in fasting and
prayer with us at CityChurch South Florida. At
6:30pm we will gather at Tyler and Lauren
Arrington’s house (1361 NE 46 St, Oakland Park,
33334) for a night of prayer and to break the fast.
Please plan to join us. !
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Sun, Oct 19, 12p – Taste of CityChurch
After our Worship Service, we'll share a
lunch together at the Richardson House.
You'll be able to hear stories of how God is
cultivating Faith, Hope + Love in our church
community and in our city. This lunch is for
everyone!
Thu, Oct 30, 7:30p – Codex Book Club
Stork's Bakery & Cafe (2505 NE 15 Ave, WM)
Codex will next discuss A Moveable Feast by
Ernest Hemingway. For more details and to
get in on the discussion, contact Phil Letizia
([email protected]).
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Visit Us Online Keep up-to-date with our events calendar, set up
repeated giving, and more on our website
(citychurchwm.com). Get updates throughout the
week on Twitter (@CityChurchWM) or by joining our
Facebook page (facebook.com/citychurchwiltonmanors).
Ministry Team
Rev. Phil Letizia, Lead Pastor
Dan Franklin, Pastoral Apprentice
Jeff Schmidt, Media Director
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Office ✦ 441 NE 3 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304 | Phone ✦ 754.300.7191
Web ✦ citychurchwm.com Email ✦ [email protected]
CityChurch Wilton Manors has no formal affiliation with the Historic Richardson House.
We are grateful to the City of Wilton Manors allowing us rental space at this facility.
CityChurch Wilton Manors is a Presbyterian congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian