10/13/24 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

Rev. Margaret Rountree, Associate 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

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

St. Pete First family,

As I sit here in a darkened room this evening without power, I am writing you this note recognizing how so many in our community and church family have been hit so hard by Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton. Darkness reminds us of our ever present hope for light. It is out of darkness that light emerges to bring new things into our focus.

Just today as Patti and I had worked hard clearing debris from our yard and spending time checking on our neighbors, I was reminded how in the midst of chaos, something good always comes. I had taken a breather and was seated on our outside deck. In the background were the sounds of chainsaws and generators. To say the noise was overpowering would be an understatement. It’s funny how our loving God chooses to respond in these kinds of moments.

Less than 24 hours before, the outside world was filled with the sounds of the angry and blustering 100+ mile an hour winds of what has been described as the hurricane of the century here in Tampa Bay.

It was hours of raging winds to a few hours of chainsaws and generators and I was reminded that in the midst of the noise and chaos, God does hear us and sends us objects to remind us He is indeed near. Even though today was drowned out by the sounds so many of us were hearing in our neighborhoods, there was a solid hour where I heard nothing but the birds of creation. Chaos was brewing and then God’s created order sprang to life with sounds that soothed my soul. It was truly remarkable and I am thankful for the gift.

Know in the days ahead, Patti and I along with your whole St. Pete First UMC staff are praying for you. My hope is instead of hearing the chaos of the storm that came and went, you will hear the sounds of God’s voice through creation reminding you that you are His beloved.

I hope you will connect with us this week as I give a special message on Hope.

Peace and grace,

— Pastor Bob     

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

October 13, 2024

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE     

“Litany” by Franz Schubert 

“Summer Breezes” by Walter R. Clarke

Rick Nay, Organ

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Come, give thanks to the Lord with all your heart and soul!

People: We come, rejoicing over God’s many blessings poured out on us!

Leader: God’s works are great!

People: We delight in learning about them.

Leader: Respect for God and all that God offers to us is the beginning of wisdom.

People: With gratefulness, we shall praise and honor God all our lives.

HYMN OF PRAISE

“Holy, Holy, Holy”     Hymn # 64

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.

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

“When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” by Lani Smith

Kelly Bonyata, Flute

Rick Nay, Organ

SERMON Rev. Bob Martin

“Calm in the Chaos”     

Text:      John 20:19 NLT

PRAISE & WORSHIP

“Battle Belongs” 

Praise Team

BENEDICTION

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. Keep an eye on our hurricane recovery page to see where we currently need help - the information here may change daily. Click here to volunteer.

Hurricane relief:

We are here to help. Please let us know what needs you may have and we will work to help coordinate relief. Want to help those who need assistance? We will find you something to do! To get help or offer help, click here or contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org. Additional information on hurricane recovery can be found here.

Click here to donate to St Pete First Local Hurricane Relief or login to Realm and choose “Local Hurricane Relief.” Donations will go to aid local hurricane relief; any residual will be forwarded to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief).

You may also donate to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), which supports this and other US disaster response efforts.

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

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

Adults: Chicken Alfredo Lasagna, Roasted Vegetables, Garlic Toast, Pumpkin Cake

Kids: Hotdogs & Chips, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Ice Cream Sandwich

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

October 6 In Person 382 Online 245

Church Finances

August 2024 Year to Date

Income $207,100 $1,883,717

Expense $304,666 $2,141,563

UPCOMING EVENTS: More Information

• Postponed due to Hurricane Milton! —2024 Women's Retreat

• 10/18—Trunk or Treat (6-8 pm)

• 11/1—Organ Premier Concert (7 pm)

Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival (THIS Friday, October 18; 6-8 pm):

The St. Pete First Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival is a fun and family-friendly event open to the community. Children can go from trunk to trunk to collect candy and treats from decorated vehicles. There will also be bounce houses (including separate bounce houses for the little ones on the playground), face painting, a balloon artist, a petting zoo, pony rides, an outdoor movie, and preschool-age activities inside the preschool. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged! This event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome! We hope to see you there. Click here for more information.

Join in as we Love. St. Pete.: Click here to register your decked-out trunk! We also need candy donations - drop them off in the collection bins in the Fellowship Hall or Narthex.

Overwhelmed? Exhausted? Afraid? Anxious? If you are feeling these emotions or many others, Stephen Ministers are available to help.

We can LISTEN to you without judgement and with compassion. We can provide you with a quiet place to sit for an hour and share, cry, pray or just be silent together. We are a safe place for you to come for care. Our motto is "We are the CAREGIVERS, and God is the CUREGIVER."

To learn more and/or request a Stephen Minister, for even just a few weeks to help you get over this difficult time, call the church office with your request, or if it is after office hours text 'Stephen Minister Help' to 703-409-8003 with your name and the best time to reach you. 

Join our Centennial Celebration Committee:

Our historic sanctuary is turning 100! We're forming a committee to plan a special celebration marking this milestone. If you have ideas or would like to serve, we need your help to make it unforgettable. Join us in honoring a century of faith and fellowship in our beloved sanctuary. For more information or to sign up, please contact Kendra Aumack. Let's celebrate 100 years together!

Wednesday Night Live is back - join us!

After-School Karate:

Kids & youth >> Join our after-school karate class! Have fun and learn karate while you develop concentration, fitness, self-control, and self-confidence. Join any time of the month (first month will be prorated if you join later in the month). Classes are fun, safe, and professional, and taught by an experienced black-belt instructor. Contact Kelly Bonyata for more information. Visit the youth page for more info & to register.

Get your St. Pete First Travel Mug!

Click here to order a travel mug ($20) and show your support of St. Pete First and our mission to Love St. Pete.

Social Media Assistant Job Opening:

5-10 hrs per week. The person in this position may work at the church plus remotely, capturing photo/video content and using editing software & social media platforms/analytics to help implement the church’s digital communication strategy. For more information, contact Kelly Bonyata.

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 Room 402

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   

5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall

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

6:30 pm PAUL BIBLE STUDY (Pastor Margaret) -Room 208

6:30 pm LEADERSHIP STUDY (Pastor Bob) -Chapel

6:30 pm THE BIBLE JESUS READ (Pat Mason) -Room 103

6:30 pm DEVOGA (Emily Strong) -Narthex/back of Sanctuary

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 -Fellowship Hall & Zoom

FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm LEARN PILLAR

SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 pm SERVE PILLAR  

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm INVITE PILLAR  

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

9:00 am NURTURE PILLAR