1/1/23 Bulletin & Order of Service

8 & 11 am Order of Service

Epiphany Sunday

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

January 1, 2023

*Please stand as you are able. Congregational responses are in bold.

PRELUDE

"All Things Are Become New" by Robert J. Hughes

Rick Nay, Organ

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS (Click here to check-in)

Derek Weston

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Pastor: How magnificent is all creation!

People: God’s love is poured throughout all God has created.

Pastor: God’s love is poured out upon us each day.

People: Praise be to God!

Pastor: Let your souls and spirits rejoice at the goodness of God.

People: Let all the people praise God!

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing" Number 57

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

*CONGREGATIONAL SONG

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” Number 557

Blest be the tie that binds

our hearts in Christian love;

the fellowship of kindred minds

is like to that above.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Pastor: Christ the Lord invites all to his table who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

People: We come to you this day, gracious Lord, exhausted from all the activities of the season. It seems that we spend so much energy, time, and resources in preparation, and then when it is over, we collapse. We wonder what happened to all the enthusiasm we had. Lord, forgive us for placing our energies in getting and gathering. Give us peace and strength to renew our commitment to you. Remind us again to look around at the many ways in which we can be of service to you by serving others. Help us move forward in our compassion and not collapse in our witness. Heal us, merciful Lord, for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Though the world swirls around you and exhaustion threatens to overtake you, rest your spirits in the great God of all creation who is with you now and forever! God will give you strength and restore your spirits. Amen.

(11:00) ANTHEM

"I Will Remember Thee" by Jay Althouse

Chancel Choir

WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS (Click here to GIVE)

"Christ Receiveth Sinful Men" by Robert J. Hughes

Rick Nay-Organist

*DOXOLOGY Number 95

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.

*HYMN OF PREPARATION

“It Is Well with My Soul” Number 377

SERMON

“Baby Overboard!” Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Matthew 2:1-11 ESV

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" Number 462

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

“Fanfare For The New Year” by David Paxton

Rick Nay, Organist

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving honor of

the Street Team, who cooks and serves meals for St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter,

from the St. Pete First UMC family.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

9:30 am Order of Service

Pastor's Note

A NOTE FROM PASTOR MARGE

Have you ever had that moment when you thought you were in control and then you suddenly realized you weren’t? I know I have certainly had many of those moments and so did King Herod. Matthew 2:1-11 depicts the two blatantly different reactions between King Herod and the Magi when they realized they were not the ones in control.

Christ has been born and King Herod is ruling over Rome. Magi from the east come to Herod, for they have seen the star and are looking for Jesus. When Herod hears this news, Scripture tells us that he and all of Jerusalem are troubled. Why? These wise men have come to king Herod with good news of great joy that will be for all people but yet Herod and all of Jerusalem are troubled? Herod knew he was not the rightful heir to the Davidic kingdom. He had usurped the throne by aligning himself with Rome. He was concerned about being ousted and the one true King being placed on the throne instead. Herod was concerned about losing his control and the power to the one true King. He was filled with great fear. And not only was Herod troubled but the Bible tells us that all of Jerusalem was troubled too. Why would the Jewish nation, who have been patiently waiting for the Messiah to come for hundreds of years, be troubled with literally the best news? The reaction of Jerusalem being “troubled” gives us some deep insight into the spiritual health of Israel’s leadership at the time. Israel’s leaders had aligned themselves politically with Herod, and if Herod’s power base was threatened, so was theirs. We would expect the religious leadership to celebrate at the report of the birth of the king of Israel, but in reality, the arrival of the true King of the Jews presents a threat to Israel’s corrupt religious and political power. It is sobering to recognize that those who had the greatest opportunity to worship the true King became pawns of the usurper, Herod instead.

But then the Magi react when they come face to face with Jesus. The Bible tells us in Matthew 2:10-11 that “they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy… and fell down and worshipped him.” They personally encountered the Messiah, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Mighty Counselor, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace and their only response was to fall on their knees and worship Him with great joy.

St. Petersburg First United Methodist Church, maybe you spent 2022 like Herod and Jerusalem. Maybe you were too fearful to let go of that control and that power and that pride so that Jesus could be the King of your heart. But do not be afraid. Fear not! Do not worry because a new day and a new year is upon us. We have been given the greatest opportunity to surrender our lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ. My hope and prayer for this church in 2023 is that we would rejoice exceedingly with great joy and worship the one true King, Jesus Christ. Behold our King, the Savior, who is Christ the Lord! Happy New Year, church.

— Pastor Marge

Bulletin/Announcements

Church Office Holiday Hours: The Church Office will be closed all day on Monday, January 2 so our staff can enjoy a day with their families. We will reopen Tuesday, January 3, with regular business hours 9 am-5 pm.

Wednesday Night Dinner & Activities will resume on January 11th

Christmas Attendance Numbers

Thank you for joining us for worship! These are our attendance numbers for worship from last week. We hope to see you again next week!

December 24: In Person 1018 // Online 304

December 25: In Person 156 // Online 149

Year to Date Financials as of November 30, 2022

YTD Income $2,288,548

YTD Expenses $2,654,676

2023 Giving Envelopes (for those who requested them) are available outside the Library (2nd floor hallway). They are placed in alphabetical order by last name.

Undecorating the Sanctuary: Altar Guild will be taking down the decorations in the Sanctuary on Sunday, January 8, after the 11:00 service. Please contact Sherry Smith at 727-519-4906 if you can volunteer your help. We will provide lunch for all helpers, and we are usually done within 2 1/2 hours with enough help. Thank you.

Looking for a VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY in 2023?

Family Promise of Pinellas offers Prevention, Emergency Shelter, and Stabilization programming for needy families in OUR County. Learn more about how St. Pete First volunteers can partner with this very successful local and national program. If you volunteered in the past, come learn about how they adapted and changed over the past 2 years. See you Wednesday Jan 11, 2023 at 6:30 in Room 208. Any questions email Denece denece_stratton@hotmail.com or Caroline carolinefeaster@gmail.com

Upcoming Wednesday Night Classes:

Begins January 11th! Pastor Bob will lead this class on an in-depth look into one of Jesus’ best loved parables—the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). In the study we will dive into uncovering some of the least known secrets of the parable’s purpose and expose the depth of God’s love and how His grace extends into some unexpected places. Using the book The Prodigal God (written by best-selling author Timothy Keller) as a resource, Pastor Bob will help illuminate the treasures found in this critical story told by Jesus. Click here to sign up.

Begins January 11th! The Gospel in Exodus- a picture of the New Testament in the book of Exodus. Click here to sign up.

Begins January 11th! As a woman of today, have you ever thought about what God is calling you to do? Better yet, are you stopping long enough to hear God speak? This study on the story of Ruth is one of calling and yet an uncertain future. It helps take a story of history and bring it to life in today’s context for the busy woman who juggles so many balls each day. Click here to sign up.

Begins January 18th! ...You pray for your own needs and for the needs of others. You pray in the face of conflict, and you pray for forgiveness. You pray to pour out your heart to God and to gain a glimpse of God's heart for you. Come join Pastor Margaret on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm starting on January 18th as we study for twelve weeks the prayers of men and women in the Bible (Mary, Abraham, Moses, Daniel and more!). We will gain new insights into why, what and how to pray. This study will help you to experience more fully the adventure that prayer can be. Click here to sign up.

Interested in Joining St. Pete First? Our next New Member Class is on Sunday February 19th, from 10:45 am to 1 pm. Click here to register.

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St. Petersburg First United Methodist Church
212 3rd Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727.894.4661

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