10/1/23 Bulletin & Order of Service

Welcome to St Pete First United Methodist Church! 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.

Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor

Rev. Margaret Rountree, Associate Pastor

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World Communion Sunday

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

October 1, 2023

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

Gwenn Weston, Piano

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Margaret Rountree

Leader: Our world is so divided, fragmented by anger and hate.

People: Lord, draw us together at your table.

Leader: Heal our wounds and build bridges of help and hope for all people.

People: Lord, meet us at the table and feed us with your healing words.

Leader: Lord, call us together to feast on your mercy and goodness.

People: Nourish us with words of peace that we may go into your world with love and compassion for all your people.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Let Us Break Bread Together" Number 618

*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

Leader: 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: God of mercy, we confess that we have not loved you with all our being. We have done things which we ought not to have done, and we have left undone things which we ought to have done. We have built walls between neighbors and between countries, and we have ignored the cries of those in need. Forgive us and set us free, that we may live into the hope of your calling, that your reign may come on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Hear the good news, friends! While we wandered in fear, God was with us, offering us hope and courage. God is with you this day, this very minute, lifting you from despair to hope. This is the good news! God is always with us.

(11:00) CHORAL ANTHEM

"We Remember Thee" by Jay Althouse

Chancel Choir

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

Gwenn Weston, Piano

*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

“Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast” Number 616

SERMON

"Remain Strong" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Revelation 3:7-13 (NLT)

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood" Number 622, verses 1 & 5

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

Gwenn Weston, Piano

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of the St. Pete First Facilities Staff from their church family.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please take advantage of our livestream worship. COVID is spiking again in Florida and we want to keep everyone safe!

World Communion Sunday

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

October 1, 2023

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship

"At Your Name"

"Great Are You Lord"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"When You Walk into the Room"

Sermon

"Remain Strong" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Revelation 3:7-13 (NLT)

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Worship Song

“King of my Heart”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of the St. Pete First Facilities Staff from their church family.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please take advantage of our livestream worship. COVID is spiking again in Florida and we want to keep everyone safe!

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB

I wanted to take a moment and share that we have a great opportunity in October to meet the community around us. The first is our Annual Trunk or Treat Fall Festival on Friday, October 20 from 6-8 PM. We expect about 500 people to be mulling around on our campus with their little trick or treaters. I want to encourage each of you to supply us with bags of candy so that we fill their baskets full. In addition, we will have family events, food trucks and a great way to let St. Pete know we are the Heart of our city! We also need folks to decorate their cars for our candy distribution. You won't want to miss out on this!

The second event is a first for us. On Sunday, October 29th we will participate in St. Pete's Halloween on Central (on Central Avenue between MLK & 31st), where over 125,000 people are expected to attend. Why are we doing this? We want our community to know there is a church that takes to heart their care and well being. As a good neighbor we will have two tents along the event path where we will welcome, love on and get to know our St Pete friends. We need folks to help man the tents in one-hour shifts (including set up and tear down), and donations to help buy prizes for a giveaway. The event runs from 12-5 PM, with set up from 11 AM-noon and tear down from 5-6 PM. So, take a moment to sign up and let us know you will be part of this new thing we are embarking on. Check the website for more information and to sign up.

— Pastor Bob

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu

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

To-Go available - just walk in and ask for a to-go plate!

Adults: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Garlic Toast, Peach Pie

Kids: Mac n' Cheese, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Ice Cream Sandwich

Click here for Wednesday Night Live information

Last Week's 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!

September 24: In Person 378 // Online 323

August 2023 Giving

August Income $171,729

August Expenses $232,081

UWF Personal Item Drive (through 10/13):

United Women In Faith are collecting personal items for the St. Petersburg Free Clinic beginning on Sunday (9/24) thru Oct. 13th. We need small sizes of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, socks, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. to fill our ditty bags. There will be a collection box in the Fellowship Hall. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Fallis at 727-504-5186.

Pastor Marge's Esther Bible Study (begins THIS WEEK 10/4):

Everyone loves a transformation story. Rags to riches. Plain to beautiful. Weak to strong. The story of Queen Esther is that and so much more. Come join Pastor Margaret on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm (starting on October 4th) as she dives into the beautiful Old Testament book of Esther for ten weeks. We will learn timeless lessons that can be applied to your own life, including:

• The importance of standing up for what you believe in, even when it's difficult.

• How to embrace your God-given strength.

• The true limits of retaliation.

Click here to sign up

Charge Conference (10/15):

Our Charge Conference will be held on Sunday, October 15, at Pasadena UMC at 2:00 pm. At the Charge Conference only members of Church Council can vote and we will only be voting on (1) the recommendation of 2024 clergy compensation to be presented by Pam Campbell, (2) election of new leaders presented by Pastor Bob on behalf of the Lay Leadership Team, and (3) removal from the church membership list of any members pursuant to the annual membership audit. There are no more agenda items.

We need YOU at our Fall Events!:

We have two fall outreach events rapidly approaching. Both are open to the community, and we need volunteers and donations for each. Our Trunk or Treat Fall Festival is Friday, October 20 from 6-8pm at the church. This year we'll also be participating in Halloween on Central, a downtown St. Pete community event, on Sunday, October 29, from 12-5pm. Click here for more info on our Fall Events.

Job Opening: Preschool Ministry Coordinator:

With the departure of Elizabeth Nagel (see above), we have an opening for a person to lead the preschool age children on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Approximately 10 hours per week plus special events. Contact Lora Ulrich at lulrich@fumcsp.org for more information.

Job Opening: Full-Time Security:

St Pete First UMC is looking for a full-time Security Staff member to provide a welcoming & safe environment at our main entrance on weekday afternoons and Sunday mornings. Must have security training and/or experience. Contact our Facilities Director, Craig Wills, at cwills@fumcsp.org or (727) 894-4661 for more information.

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 (Birth - 2 years) Room 105

2’s TODDLER Room 104

PRESCHOOL (Age 3 - K) Sunday School Preschool Hall

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

11:00 AM

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

Nursery (Birth - 2 years) Room 105

2’s TODDLER Room 104

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 PRAISE TEAM (Age 4-5th 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) Room 105

YOUTH

SUNDAYS

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

10:45 AM CONFIRMATION WhereHouse

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

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

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 YOUNGISH ADULTS -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

TUESDAYS

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Deborah Circle (2nd Tuesdays) -Room 103

WEDNESDAYS

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS MEN'S GROUP Parlor -Room 214

6:30 pm BIBLE 101 - A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BIBLE STUDY -Room 103

6:30 pm DISCOVER SHAPE -Chapel

6:30 pm PASTOR MARGE'S ESTHER BIBLE STUDY -Room 208 (Begins Oct. 4)

THURSDAYS

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom

2:00 pm United Women in Faith Abigails (4th Thursdays) -Room 103

MUSIC

SUNDAYS

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

10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312

12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310

TUESDAYS

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

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 -Fellowship Hall & Zoom

FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 PM LEARN PILLAR

SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 PM SERVE PILLAR

6:00 PM INVITE PILLAR

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

2:00 PM NURTURE PILLAR