10/22/23 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.

Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor

Rev. Margaret Rountree, Associate Pastor

Check-In: Please let us know you're worshipping with us! Click here to check-in.

Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message

Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give

Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

October 22, 2023

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"Cantilene In F Minor" by A. W. Marchant

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

"In the Name of the Lord" by Sandi Helvering

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP Derek Weston

Leader: Some are called to teach.

People: God, show us our gifts.

Leader: Some are called to healing.

People: Jesus, help us see our gifts.

Leader: Some are called to prophecy.

People: Spirit, help us use our gifts for the common good.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"I Stand Amazed in the Presence" Number 371

*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.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

“Apostles’ Creed” Number 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) CHORAL ANTHEM

"Ascribe to the Lord" by Dan Edwards

Chancel Choir

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

(8:00) "Spirit Of Praise" by Edward Broughton

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) "How Great Thou Art" by Stuart K. Hine

Ginny Cannon, Soloist

Dedicated to Margaret Pruitt

*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

“Take My Life and Let It Be” Number 399

SERMON

"Found Freedom" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Luke 8:4-8 (NLT)

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Rise Up, O Men of God" Number 576

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

"The Regal Trumpet" by David Paxton

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Margaret Pruitt's 102nd birthday from the English and Pruitt families.

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!

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

October 22, 2023

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Praise & Worship

"Reckless Love"

"How He Loves"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"It is Well / How Great Thou Art Medley"

Sermon

"Found Freedom" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Luke 8:4-8 (NLT)

Worship Song

“Praises”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Margaret Pruitt's 102nd birthday from the English and Pruitt families.

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 One of the things we can’t keep in our refrigerator is fresh fruit. Our grandkids love fruit and when they come over and see we are stocked, it doesn’t take much time for them to rifle through it. Our oldest grandson is usually messing with his phone and when he finally lifts his eyes long enough to see his siblings eating, he rushes in, whisks open the refrigerator door and shouts out, “Where’s the fruit?” That’s a great phrase to use in describing a healthy church, “Fruit,” and a great question every church family should ask is, “Where’s the Fruit”? Fruit is how God works in a church. A church bears fruit when hungry people are fed, children get loved on and people can hear messages of hope. This past week I sent out a letter along with our 2023 Ministry Action Report. Throughout the pages you will see great examples of the fruit we have been bearing over the last year. From feeding the hungry through our Street Ministry, Pack a Snack, and Meals on Wheels to baptizing new Christians into the faith, it is such a joy to see the fruit. One of the main ways to see fruit in a church is number of baptisms and how new members are received. In 2023 we doubled the number of baptisms and remembrances. Our number of new members received is up 53%, and 91% of our new members came either as first time Christians or ones reconnected through Reaffirmation of Faith. Attendance is up 19% as well! God is doing great and exciting things at your church and I want to invite you to become part of it. You can do this by completing a 2024 Commitment Card to let us know through your generosity how much you will give to support our ministry plan (Budget). You can also check off the ways you will serve in ministry. Friends, God is good and He’s demonstrating that through the life of your church. Let us give thanks for this year and all that is yet to come as we express our Gratitude in God. — 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: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Bread Pudding

Kids: Wing Dings & Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Cookie

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!

October 15: In Person 387 // Online 330

Church Council

The Church Council will NOT be meeting in October.

We need YOUR HELP at Halloween on Central! (10/29)

We have another fall outreach event rapidly approaching, and we need volunteers and donations. This year we'll be participating in Halloween on Central, a downtown St. Pete community event, on Sunday, October 29, from 12-5pm. Volunteers & donations needed! Click here for more info

Discover First New Member Class (11/5):

A class will be held on November 5, with new members officially joining the church on November 12. For more information call the church office or visit our website to register by Tuesday, October 31.

Ministry Fair & Combined Worship (11/12):

On November 12th, we’re interrupting your normally scheduled Sunday to spread the word about all the ministry opportunities at St Pete First. We worship as one that Sunday at 10am. This will allow time before and after the service to see what ministries interest you. There will be no Sunday School classes that Sunday so that you can explore ministry opportunities. Keep an eye on the website for more information.

JOIN OUR TEAM—Custodian needed:

Need a part-time job, or know of someone who does? St. Pete First UMC is looking for a self-motivated part-time Custodian. Flexible hours. For more information please email Chad Simonds, csimonds@fumcsp.org, or call the church at (727) 894-4661.

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

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