1/19/25 Bulletin & Order of Service
- St Pete First
- Jan 18
- 10 min read
Welcome & Church Information
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!
Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message
Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give
Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB
Attitude sets the pace for life. How we approach life and actually negotiate life falls into the hands of the attitude we keep. I recall the story of sportscaster Howard Cosell who travelled with boxing heavyweight champion Mohammed Ali. During his fighting career Ali only lost two fights before he retired from the ring. Cosell said both of those fights had one thing in common: Before the fight, Ali gave a press conference and made a statement, “If I should lose this fight…” “If” is the word of doubt. He set himself up and those were the only two fights he lost prior to retirement.
Friends, 2025 is before you and each day you have a choice. You can begin all decisions with "if" (and hope it happens) or you can say with boldness, "When" and see it through.
— Pastor Bob
8 & 11 am Order of Service
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM
January 19, 2025
*Please stand as you are able. Congregational responses are in bold.
PRELUDE
“Benedictus” by Alec Rowley
Rick Nay, Organ
(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT
“Rejoice in the Lord” by John Horman
Chancel Choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: No matter how far we wander from You, O God,
People: Your steadfast love finds us.
Leader: No matter how unjust the world seems to us, O God,
People: Your steadfast righteousness sustains us.
Leader: No matter how vulnerable our lives seem to us, O God,
People: Your steadfast presence gives us hope.
Leader: No matter how unloved we feel, O God,
People: You hear our cries and answer our prayers.
*HYMN OF PRAISE
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” Hymn # 133
*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
“I Will Praise the Lord All the Days of My Life” by Dave Fischer
Chancel Choir
WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS (Click here to GIVE)
(8:00) “Distant Chimes” by Blanche Douglas Byles
Rick Nay, Organ
(11:00) “He Leadeth Me” arr. Jerry Ray
Gwenn Weston, Piano
*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
“Close to Thee” Hymn # 407
SERMON
“From Thunder to Butterfly Sneezes” Derek Weston, Senior Director of Ministry & Church Operations
Text: 1 Peter 4:8-11 ESV
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
“Hallelujah! What a Savior” Hymn # 165
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Chorale” from Suite Gothique by Léon Boëllmann
Rick Nay, Organ
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Vicente Alejandro Munoz Gonzalez from Jordan Bonyata and the Bonyata & Stuckey families.
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.
9:30 am Order of Service
Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM
January 19, 2025
Praise & Worship Praise Team
“Battle Belongs”
“What a Beautiful Name”
“Goodness of God”
Passing the Peace of Christ
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
Sermon
“From Thunder to Butterfly Sneezes”
Derek Weston, Senior Director of Ministry & Church Operations
Text: 1 Peter 4:8-11 ESV
Worship Song
“How He Loves”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Vicente Alejandro Munoz Gonzalez from Jordan Bonyata and the Bonyata & Stuckey families.
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.
Bulletin/Announcements
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.
We also need volunteers to help out at our Localtopia booth on Saturday, Feb 22. Sign up for a one-hour shift between 10 am & 5 pm, or we also need help setting up and breaking down. Help us spread our message to LOVE.ST.PETE! CLICK HERE to volunteer.
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: Tuscan Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Italian Green Beans, Dinner Roll, Pie
Kids: Wing Dings & Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Ice Cream Sandwich
Last Week's Attendance Numbers
Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!
January 12 In Person 537 Online 294
Church Finances
November 2024 Year to Date
Income $238,597 $2,504,205
Expense $ 212,911 $2,777,809
“Thank You” St. Pete First!
To our church family in St. Petersburg, FL:
Chris and I wanted to take a moment and say “thank you” for all the ways you lavished your love upon us on our last Sunday with you. Words cannot express how grateful we are for the beautiful reception, cards, flowers, words of affirmation and encouragement, and gifts that you gave to us. We will always have a special place in our hearts for you and we know that God has amazing plans in store for St. Pete First UMC. We are praying for you all and from the bottom of our hearts, again we say, “thank you.”
Yours In Christ,
Pastor Margaret & Chris Rountree
UPCOMING EVENTS —Mark your calendar!
Through Feb 23—Soup-er Bowl Collection (canned & dried food)
Mon Jan 20—Church office closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Sun Feb 9—New Member Sunday (sign up here)
Sat Feb 22—Localtopia 10 am-5 pm. Volunteers needed: sign up here.
Sun Feb 23—Chili Cook-Off at 6 pm (enter your chili or other dish here)
Sun Mar 2—Interactive Seder Meal 6-8pm (sign up here)
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 2000 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.
Church Office Closed on Monday (Jan 20)
The church office will be closed on Monday, January 20 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will be open regular hours the rest of the week.
New Member Sunday (Sunday, Feb 9)
Are you interested in becoming a member here at St Pete First? Sign up here, or contact Kendra Aumack for more information: kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661
Localtopia (Saturday, Feb 22; 10 am-5 pm)
Join us from 10am-5pm at Williams Park and surrounding streets as we join with the community to celebrate all things local! We will have a booth near the front steps of the church so we can spread our message to LOVE.ST.PETE. CLICK HERE to volunteer.
Chili Cook-Off (Sunday, Feb 23; 6 pm; Fellowship Hall)
It's that time again! Start practicing your best recipes and get ready to cook on Sunday Feb. 23. Click here for more info (and to sign your entries up).
Seder Meal (Sunday, March 2; 6-8 pm; Fellowship Hall)
The WhereHouse Youth Ministry invites you participate in a traditional Seder meal on Sunday, March 2 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall, presented by Jews for Jesus. Cost is $5, and a love offering for Jews for Jesus will be taken. EVERYONE is invited to participate (not just youth). Join us as we sit down to experience a symbolic traditional Seder meal. Explore the meaning of the meal as we become closer with Christ in the Passover. This is an experience, not a full meal; please plan to eat dinner before or after. Click here to RSVP.
Save the Date—VBS & Summer Camps: (Registrations open on website in March)
VBS - June 16-20
Preschool Camp Friendship WK1 - July 7-11
Preschool Camp Friendship WK2 - July 14-18
Elementary Slime Camp - July 7-11
Elementary Art/Adventure Camp - July 14-18
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 Sundays at 9:30 on the 4th floor as we rehearse 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.
TAKE ACTION! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.
Job Openings
To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.
Kids & Youth
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
Weekly & Monthly Events
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
