1/12/25 Bulletin & Order of Service

Welcome to St Pete First United Methodist Church, the Heart of the City! All are welcome. All belong. Whether a first-time guest or a lifelong member, you are a part of our family. God has called you to worship here, and for that we are glad.

Click here to view a welcome message from our pastors.

Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor

Check-In: Please let us know you're worshipping with us!

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

Hey friends,

2024 couldn't end fast enough for many and some still ponder what is still to come. The Scriptures reveal to us that no matter what life throws our way there is always a path that leads to the goodness of God. Thriving, rather than surviving, is the key focus for the year. My hope and prayer for you is over the next three weeks you will connect with a positive message on the plans God has for you in 2025.

— Pastor Bob 

Baptism of the Lord Sunday

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

January 12, 2025

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

“A Calm Retreat” by James J. Bell

“My God And I” by Austria A. Wihtol

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

“Praise the Lord in His Holy Temple” by Charles Yannerella

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Happy are the people who follow the Lord!

People: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised!

Leader: Every day I will bless you, Loving God, and praise your name forever and ever.

People: We worship the God who has conquered sin and death, who is raised to eternal life, and who claims us as brothers and sisters with our Lord Jesus Christ.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”     Hymn # 139

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

*CONGREGATIONAL SONG

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” Hymn # 557

Blest be the tie that binds

our hearts in Christian love;

the fellowship of kindred minds

is like to that above.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

“Apostles’ Creed” # 881

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; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at 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 Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

PASTORAL PRAYER / 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

(11:00) ANTHEM

“The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” by Tom Fettke

Chancel Choir

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

“His Eye is on the Sparrow”  by Charles Gabriel 

Kendra Aumack and Karen Shramo, duet

*DOXOLOGY Hymn # 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

“I Surrender All”     Hymn # 354

SERMON

“Remember Your Roots” Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Jeremiah 18:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Have Thine Own Way, Lord”     Hymn # 382

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“Praise Ye The Lord of Hosts” from Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in memory of John J. Juist, from Dorothy Juist and the St. Pete First UMC Family.

Thank you for joining us today!

Reminder: If you are not feeling well or if you are traveling, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

January 12, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

“Lion and the Lamb” 

“Reckless Love” 

“Tremble”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

Sermon

“Remember Your Roots”                      Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Jeremiah 18:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

Worship Song

“The Potter’s Hand”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in memory of John J. Juist, from Dorothy Juist and the St. Pete First UMC Family.

Thank you for joining us today!

Reminder: If you are not feeling well or if you are traveling, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

TAKE ACTION! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.

Volunteer Help Needed

A little time out of your week can make such a difference! Join us as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we serve and Love. St. Pete. We need a Grant Writer ASAP. Please contact Kendra Aumack if you can help out. 

Click here to go to our Serve form, then select the ministries you are interested in.

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu (Click here to see classes & activities)

$5 kids, $8 adults, $30 family meal

Adults: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Bread Pudding

Kids: Hotdogs & Chips, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Cookie

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!

January 5 In Person   529 Online 278

Church Finances

November 2024 Year to Date

Income $238,597 $2,504,205

Expense $ 212,911 $2,777,809

UPCOMING EVENTS —Mark your calendar!

• Wednesday Classes & Groups are back! < Click here for more info

• Jan 17-19—Women’s Retreat www.stpetefirst.org/womensretreat

• Jan 12-Feb 23—Souper Bowl Collection (canned & dried food)

• Jan 17-19—Women’s Retreat www.stpetefirst.org/womensretreat

• Mon Jan 20—Church office closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

• Sun Feb 9—New Member Sunday

• Sat Feb 22—Localtopia 10 am-5 pm. Volunteers needed.

• Sun Feb 23—Chili Cook-Off at 6 pm

• Sun Mar 2—Interactive Seder Meal 6-8pm

• Tues Mar 4—Crosstown Shuffle 6:30-8:30 pm

• Wed Mar 5—Ashes-to-Go 11:45 am-1:15 pm; Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 pm

• Sun Mar 9—Confirmation Sunday 9:30 am

• Fri Mar 14—Organ Concert with Samuel Metzger at 7 pm

• Mar 17-21—Spring Break Week: No church activities

• Sun Mar 30—Discover First 10:45 am-1 pm

• Sat April 12—Spring Picnic 4-6pm

• Sun April 13—Palm Sunday

• Wed Apr 16—No Wednesday Night Live

• Thurs April 17—Maundy Thursday service 7 pm

• Fri April 18— Church office closed; Good Friday service 7 pm

• Sun April 20—Easter Sunday services 7:30 (Sunrise)-9:30-11 am

• Mon Apr 21—Church office closed for Easter Monday

• Sat April 26—Free Mental Health Event: Hope 10 am-1 pm

• Wed April 30—Last week for Wed Night activities before Fall

• Sun May 4—Graduation Sunday 9:30 am

• Sun May 4—Danny & the Shacks -Kids Musical- at 6 pm

• Mon May 26—Church office closed for Memorial Day

Soup-er Bowl of Caring (through Sunday, Feb 23)

Tackle hunger in St. Pete! Help the Youth collect 1000 pounds of canned and dried food for the St. Pete Free Clinic. Drop off canned and dried food in the blue collection bins in the Fellowship Hall, Sanctuary & WhereHouse.

Calling all Kids! We're planning a Spring Musical

Does your child (age 4-6th grade) have an interest in music, acting, or just plain fun? Join us THIS SUNDAY at 9:30 on the 4th floor as we start planning our Spring Musical. We will be having our main rehearsals on Sunday mornings during the 9:30-10:30 am hour, with optional rehearsals during Kids Praise Team rehearsals on Wednesdays at 5 pm in the Chapel. Rehearsals begin this Sunday, Jan 12, with dress rehearsals on Sunday, April 27 & May 4 at 9:30 am, and the performance on Sunday evening, May 4 at 6 pm. Come have fun with us! For more information, contact Kelly Bonyata.

Wednesday classes & groups are back - we'd love to have you join us!

Click here for more information



Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study with Sue Allen (Begins Wed Jan 8: 9:30-11 am; Room 208)

Psalms: An Ancient Challenge to Get Serious About Your Prayer and Worship, an 8-session study with video authored by Sandra Richter, addresses the questions ‘What makes the Psalms so special?’ and ‘What do the Psalms have to do with me today?’ She discusses the role of Psalms in the culture and worship practices of ancient Israel. As we connect with our ancestors in faith, we’ll discover how the Psalms can empower our prayer and worship. The required study guide includes lessons to be completed independently at home. On Wednesdays, we’ll gather for the video presentation and discussion. To reserve a study guide or for more information, contact Sue Allen (sallen0903@gmail.com or 727-418-8155). Click here to sign up.

Pastor Bob’s Bible Study: Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets (Begins Jan 8: 6:30 pm; Chapel)

Our decisions don't just affect our present circumstances; they radiate into our future. Most of the time, it's impossible to know what will come of the decisions we make. But this doesn't have to paralyze you. You can train yourself to ask well-placed, appropriately timed, thought-provoking questions that will result in stronger decisions and fewer disappointments down the road.

In this six-week Bible study, author and pastor Andy Stanley gives you five key questions to ask when you have a decision to make and you're not sure what to do (or even if you think you do know what to do!). These five simple questions will empower you to:

• Pause when feeling tension over a decision

• Take the long view

• Look for the wise option

• Focus on the relational impact of decisions

Every decision we make impacts our stories and the stories of those closest to us. It's time to start deciding with our heads instead of with our guts. Click here to sign up.

Patti Martin’s Women’s Bible Study (Begins Jan 8: 6:30 pm; Room 208)

The Bible study The Frazzled Female: Finding Peace in the Midst of Daily Life by Cindi Wood is based on Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God”. This thought-provoking, yet lighthearted, study helps women discover practical, biblical help to confront issues that otherwise leave them discouraged. It helps participants develop Biblical skills to handle stressful situations, grow in their relationship with Jesus, and ultimately experience peace, joy, and a saner lifestyle. Click here to sign up

TAKE ACTION! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.

Communion Stewards Needed

We need more Communion Stewards to help prepare and clean up after communion once a month. Contact Kendra Aumack for more information or to volunteer.

To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.

KIDS

SUNDAYS

8:00 am

Infant Lounge/Cry Room Room 204 (Livestreaming available during all services)

9:30 am

Infant Lounge/Cry Room Room 204 (Livestreaming available during all services)

Nursery/Toddlers (Birth - 3 years) Preschool Hall

PRESCHOOL (Age 3 - K) Sunday School - Preschool Hall

ELEMENTARY (1st - 5th Gr) Kids Church - 4th Floor

KIDS MUSICAL PRACTICE 4th Floor

11:00 am

Infant Lounge/Cry Room Room 204 (Livestreaming available during all services)

Nursery/Toddlers (Birth - 3 years) Preschool Hall

PRESCHOOL (Age 3 - K) Kids Church - Preschool Hall

ELEMENTARY (1st - 5th Gr) Sunday School - 4th Floor

CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) Room 404

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6-7 pm WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE (Preschool & Elementary) Preschool/4th Floor

6:30-7:30 pm NURSERY (Birth - 3 years) Preschool Hall

YOUTH

SUNDAYS

9:30 am WORSHIP (Look for the youth up front) Sanctuary

10:45 am YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse

10:45 am CONFIRMATION WhereHouse

11:00 am CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) 4th Floor, Room 404

6:00 pm YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse

WEDNESDAYS

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6-7:30 pm Youth Group WhereHouse

 SUNDAY WORSHIP 

8:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary

9:30 am Contemporary Service -Sanctuary

11:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary

FELLOWSHIP TIME (BETWEEN SERVICES) 

9-11:30 am Common Grounds (Coffee, Food & Fellowship) -Fellowship Hall

9-11:30 am (2nd Sundays) Blood Pressure Clinic -1st Floor Nurse's Area

 ADULTS 

SUNDAYS 

9:30 am QUEST -Zoom & Room 208

      10:45 am PROMISED LAND -Zoom & Room 301

10:45 am THE GAP -Room 101

11:00 am BECOMERS -Zoom & Room 103

11:00 am DISCIPLE MAKERS -Library-Room 212

11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208

MONDAYS 

11:30 am United Women in Faith FAST Crowd (3rd Mondays) -Location Varies                        

WEDNESDAYS   

9:30 am WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY (Sue Allen) -Room 208

5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS -Parlor-Room 214 

6:30 pm BETTER DECISIONS, FEWER REGRETS (Pastor Bob) -Room TBA

6:30 pm WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY (Patti Martin) -Room TBA

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Deborah Circle (4th Thursdays) -Rm 101                            

 MUSIC

SUNDAYS 

8:30 am IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary

9:30 am KIDS MUSICAL PRACTICE -Room 402

10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312 

12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310

TUESDAYS 

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel

7:30 pm CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312   

 CARE & SUPPORT

WEDNESDAYS 

12:00 Noon CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP -Zoom

THURSDAYS 

6:30 pm WOMEN'S JOURNEY -Chapel

7:30 pm AL-ANON Parlor -Room 214

 LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETINGS

FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

5:30 pm BOARD OF TRUSTEES -Admin Conference Room

SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 pm STAFF PARISH -Closed Meeting

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 pm FINANCE TEAM -Admin Conference Room

FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 pm CHURCH COUNCIL -Room 208 & Zoom

SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm LEARN PILLAR

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm INVITE PILLAR  

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

9:00 am NURTURE PILLAR 

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

5:00 pm SERVE PILLAR