11/17/24 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!

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

Friends,

I’m so proud of the work we are doing as a church as we continue to live into our mission “Love. St. Pete.” This week I’ve received so many stories from people in our community who have been touched by the generosity and love of our church. To some, that might be surprising to hear people are seeing our love and support but from my viewpoint, it’s the church God has called us to be! I love all of you so much!

I have a special message this week on forgiveness. It’s one I think to be so important. Forgiveness is such a vital part of the Christian journey. Come worship with us in person or on-line. I think you’ll feel the impact of what the day will bring.

— Pastor Bob 

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

November 17, 2024

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

“Festal Prelude with Chimes” by William R. Spence

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

“The Lord Is In His Holy Temple” by Lloyd Larson

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Let our hearts rejoice in the God of hope and faithfulness.

People: Our strength is in the Maker of heaven and earth.

Leader: Our foundation is the Cornerstone that never fails.

People: The Rock of Ages is a foundation like no other.

Leader: Hope arises, as the tools of war are broken and the weak are given strength.

People: Hope lives when the hungry are fed and the poor are lifted up.

Leader: God comes bringing judgment to the ends of the earth, calling us to hope and faithfulness.

People: Come, Rock of Ages, come quickly now. 

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“Rock of Ages”     Hymn # 361

*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

“Modern Affirmation”     # 885

Pastor:

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true church, apostolic and universal, whose holy faith let us now declare:

Pastor and People:

We believe in God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power, and love, whose mercy is over all his works, and whose will is ever directed to his children's good.

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of man, the gift of the Father's unfailing grace, the ground of our hope, and the promise of our deliverance from sin and death.

We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and help in time of need.

We believe that this Faith should manifest itself in the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord, to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. Amen.

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS

PASTORAL PRAYER/LORD’S PRAYER

(11:00) ANTHEM

“The Lord of Everything” by Joseph Martin

Chancel Choir

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

“A Quiet Song” by Lani Smith

Rick Nay, Organ

*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

“He Touched Me”     Hymn # 367

SERMON

“Drop Your Stone”     Rev. Bob Martin

Text: John 8:1-12 NLT

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Grace Greater than Our Sin”     Hymn # 365

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“March In D” by Felix Mendelssohn

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Rev. Tanner White’s birthday on November 23.

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

November 17, 2024

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

“You Keep on Getting Better” 

“O Praise Him” 

“Goodness of God”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Reception of New Members

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

Sermon

“Drop Your Stone”     Rev. Bob Martin

Text: John 8:1-12 NLT

Worship Song

“Praises”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Rev. Tanner White’s birthday on November 23.

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 volunteers to assist at the Salvation Army Job Center (open M-Th 9:30-11:30 am)— volunteer one day/week. Our 1st Tuesday Street Ministry Cooking Team also needs help 4-5 pm every 1st Tuesday preparing a meal in our church kitchen for the homeless. No experience needed & all training is provided. Visit stpetefirst.org/street-team for more info. To join our team, contact Hal Heitler at 727-448-6291 or halheitler@gmail.com or 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: Butter Chicken, Basmati Rice, Roasted Vegetables, Naan Bread, Chocolate Chip cookies

Kids: Hotdog & 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!

November 10 In Person 493 Online 265

Church Finances

September 2024 Year to Date

Income $212,688 $2,096,405

Expense $209,480 $2,346,544

UPCOMING EVENTS —Mark your calendar!

• STARTS THIS WEEK: Sun Nov 17 & 24—Angel Tree: pick up an angel to gift a child in need; return gifts by 12/1

• Sun Nov 24—Decorate the Sanctuary at noon

• Thurs Nov 28—Free Thanksgiving Dinner in the Fellowship Hall at 1 pm

• Wed Dec 4—Family Craft Night on the 4th floor from 6-7 pm

• Mon Dec 9—Christmas Organ Concert in the Sanctuary at 2 pm

• Wed Dec 11—Christmas Sing-Along in the Fellowship Hall at 6 pm

• Fri Dec 13—Kids Night Out 6-10 pm

• Fri Dec 13—Christmas Caroling in Williams Park with other local churches (meet at 6:00 pm in the Chapel)

• Sun Dec 15—The Little Drummer Dude Kids Musical in the Fellowship Hall at 6 pm

• Sat Dec 21—The Longest Night Christmas Cantata in the Sanctuary at 7 pm

• Tues Dec 24—Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: Family 4 pm - Contemporary 6 pm - Traditional 8 pm

• Sun Dec 29—No 8 am service; 9:30 and 11 am only

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

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

Free Flu Shots (TODAY 11/17; 9-11:30am)

Get a free flu shot THIS SUNDAY at the first floor nurse area near the Fellowship Hall.

Angel Tree (Sunday Nov 17 & 24; 9-11am — Return gifts by Dec 1)

St. Pete First, in partnership with the Salvation Army, is sponsoring a Christmas Angel Tree to provide clothing & toys to local children in need. On November 17th & November 24th, an Angel can be obtained from the Angel Tree in the Fellowship Hall from 9 AM till 11 AM. Unwrapped Angel gifts must be returned to a St. Pete First representative in the Fellowship Hall no later than Sunday, December 1st. Please prayerfully consider participating in this heartwarming ministry.

Christmas Decorating (11/24)

We need your help decorating the sanctuary for Christmas on November 24 from noon-4pm. Snack/light lunch will be provided. Please contact Sherry Smith to RSVP or for more info: jsmit107@tampabay.rr.com

Thanksgiving Dinner (11/28):

Todd Seales and family are cooking up another great Thanksgiving Day meal at St. Pete First at 1pm. Call the church office at 727-894-4661 or CLICK HERE to RSVP by noon on Monday 11/25 to reserve your spot. Invite friends and family! Reservations are limited; please RSVP as soon as possible. Dinner is free! Donations accepted and greatly appreciated. Click here to donate to this ministry.

Christmas Organ Concert (12/9; 2 pm)

Bring your family and friends on Monday, December 9 at 2 pm to listen and sing along to Christmas favorites as organist Rick Nay (with guests) beautifully showcases our magnificent new organ amid our beautiful stained glass and Christmas decorations. This is an outreach event for our community. We NEED VOLUNTEERS to come at 1 pm to help welcome and assist our guests from nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Refreshments will be served after the concert. Please bring a baked (non-refrigerated) treat to share. For those unable to attend in-person, the concert will be livestreamed and recorded. Contact Rick Nay for more information.

Women's Retreat (New Date! Jan 17-19, 2025) < Sign Up NOW! Deadline is 12/31

Join us for St. Pete First's bedazzling Women’s Retreat the weekend of January 17-19 at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp & Conference Center in Fruitland Park, Florida. Click here for more information & to register online.

Cooking for the Homeless

Join the Street Ministry Cooking Team every 1st Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 PM to prepare a meal in our church kitchen for the homeless. No experience is necessary. Visit stpetefirst.org/street-team for more info or contact Hal Heitler at 727-448-6291 or halheitler@gmail.com

Job Center Volunteers Needed:

We need volunteers to assist the unhoused and others with computer access and other job-related services at the Salvation Army Job Center. The Job Center is open Monday thru Thursday, 9:30 to 11:30 am— volunteer one day/week. No experience needed & all training is provided. Visit stpetefirst.org/street-team for more info. To join our team, contact Hal Heitler at 727-448-6291 or halheitler@gmail.com

Hurricane Relief Helpers

Thank you to all who have signed up to help with work to be done with people affected by the hurricanes. We appreciate your willingness to reach out with our church family and our community. We are finding most people in a holding pattern right now and remind ourselves this is a marathon not a sprint, and we are in this for the long haul.  Please stay tuned for our next steps in how you can help.

In the meantime, you can donate to St Pete First Local Hurricane Relief or if you would like to make a meal to show some love from our church, please email KayLee Bennett-McFall

Hurricane relief:

We are here to help. Please let us know what needs you may have and we will work to help coordinate relief. Click here to go to the Hurricane Relief Fund Application or contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org. Additional information on hurricane recovery can be found here.

Many people have lost homes due to the hurricanes. Do you know of any rental properties available for displaced persons? If so, please call the church office with the information (727-894-4661).

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.

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