12/1/24 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

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR MARGE    

Advent is a very special time in the life of the church. It is a four-week season in the church calendar dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or “advent” of Jesus Christ. In just twenty-five days from today, the very first Sunday of Advent, we will celebrate on Christmas Day Jesus’ arrival, His birth. We will celebrate with family and friends, with lots of food, and, of course, we will celebrate with unwrapping the gifts underneath the tree.

If I were to walk down the St. Petersburg pier during the month of December and if I were to ask the people walking on the pier, “When you think of Christmas, what immediately comes to your mind?” I think more times than not, the answer would be “gifts.” I can see why people would give this answer because our culture here in America loves to materialize Christmas. It loves to make the purpose of Christmas about purchasing the perfect gift for your loved one.

Christmas is about celebrating a gift. It is about celebrating the greatest gift this world has ever received. It is about celebrating the birth of the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ. Luke 2:10-11 says this: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” We are reminded this Advent season that yes, Jesus is a gift for the world at large but we are also reminded this important fact: He is also a personal gift for each of us. The gift of Christ is wrapped in grace, delivered with purpose, and available to anyone who will receive Him. He knows us intimately, our joys, our struggles, our doubts, and our dreams, and yet, He loves us deeply and unconditionally.

Christ’s gift of salvation is not just a universal offering; it is a relationship with each of us. When we accept and receive this gift of grace, we are invited into a new life, one filled with grace, purpose, and the assurance that we are never alone. I challenge you to remember today that Jesus Christ is your personal gift. He sees you, He loves you, and He is with you. Will you open your heart to the full measure of this gift? Will you allow His love to transform you, to make you whole, and to lead you into the abundant life He promises? During this season of Advent, may we all celebrate the love of Jesus-the personal, intimate, and eternal gift that He offers to each one of us.

— Pastor Marge  

First Sunday of Advent

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

December 1, 2024

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

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PRELUDE

“Come To My Heart Lord Jesus” by Paul Ambrose 

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” arr. John Innes

Rick Nay, Organ

LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE

John & Nancy Gainor

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: The days are coming; Your salvation is nearing.

People: Teach us your paths as we wait on Your coming promise.

Leader: The heavens are speaking; Your kingdom is arriving.

People: Strengthen our hearts as we wait on Your coming promise.

Leader: The world is turning; new life is appearing.

People: Keep us alert as we wait on Your coming promise.

Leader: We worship you with waiting hearts this day.

People: Fill us with hope in this season.  

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”     Hymn # 211

*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.

(11:00) ANTHEM

“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” arr. Paul Ayres

Chancel Choir

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

“Lovely Appear” from The Redemption by Charles F. Gounod

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

"People, Look East” Hymn # 202

SERMON

“The Personal Gift”     Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Luke 2:8-14 ESV

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”     Hymn # 196

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall Come” by James Denton

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Jack Collins’ 96th birthday on December 2.

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.

First Sunday of Advent

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

December 1, 2024

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Lighting the Candle of Hope

John & Nancy Gainor

Praise & Worship Praise Team

“Battle Belongs”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“Joy to the World / Joy of the Lord”

Sermon

“The Personal Gift”     Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Luke 2:8-14 ESV

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Worship Song

“Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” 

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Jack Collins’ 96th birthday on December 2.

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 with our Christmas Organ Concert on Monday, December 9. 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 before the concert begins at 2 pm. We also need people to bring a baked (non-refrigerated) treat to share for the reception afterward. Contact Rick Nay for more information 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: Breakfast Casserole, Bacon ,Fruit Salad, Gouda Grits, Assorted Desserts

Kids:  Mac n’ Cheese, Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Applesauce, Ice Cream Sandwich

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

November 24 In Person 496 Online 385

Church Finances

October 2024 Year to Date

Income $168,777 $2,265,182

Expense $239,268 $2,585,812

UPCOMING EVENTS —Mark your calendar!

• THIS SUNDAY Dec 1—last day to return your Angel Tree gifts 

• Wed Dec 4—Family Craft Night on the 4th floor from 6-7:30 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: A Musical Service of Hope and Healing 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—10 am Unity Service, followed by a Reception for Pastor Margaret

• Jan 17-19—Women’s Retreat www.stpetefirst.org/womensretreat. Deadline 12/31.

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

Click here to check out all our upcoming Advent & Christmas events

Christmas Poinsettia orders (Deadline: Tuesday Dec 10)

Reservation forms are in the Info Centers, order online, or call the church office: (727) 894-4661. Your poinsettias will decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas and may be picked up after the 8 pm Christmas Eve service. Due to the hurricanes, our flower costs have increased: poinsettias are $17 per plant. 

Family Craft Night (Wednesday 12/4; 6-7:30 pm)

Families - join your kids on the 4th floor on Wednesday, December 4 from 6-7:30 pm for Christmas crafts, games, hot chocolate and cookies, and A Charlie Brown Christmas movie. All ages welcome (nursery will be open).

Christmas Organ Concert (Monday 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.

Christmas Sing-Along (Wednesday 12/11; 6 pm)

The St Pete First Kids Music Ministry is excited to present our Christmas Sing-Along! Join us in the Fellowship Hall for Wednesday Night Dinner beforehand, then support the children and have some fun as we sing our favorite Christmas songs. Bring your friends and family!

Kids Night Out (Friday 12/13; 6-10 pm):

Our next Kids’ Night Out is Friday, December 13th from 6-10 pm. Reserve your spot here by Wednesday, December 11th. At this SPECIAL KNO, we will go caroling in Williams Park with several community churches. Parents are welcome to stay and carol with the group from 6:30-7pm!! Then we will have pizza and ice cream sundaes, play games, make crafts, have a devotion, and watch a movie while parents finish up that last minute shopping! Open to all children ages nursery - 5th grade. Dinner & snacks are provided. $20 first child, $15 second, $40 for a family of 3 or more. Questions? email Lora at lulrich@stpetefirst.org

Christmas Caroling (Friday 12/13; 6:00 pm) —with other local churches

Meet at 6 pm at St Pete First UMC in the Chapel (facing Williams Park) to get song sheets & warm up. We will walk over to the park for caroling around 6:30, and return to the church around 7 pm. After caroling, everyone is invited to join us for hot chocolate and fellowship. Questions? Contact Derek Weston at dweston@stpetefirst.org

Kid’s Musical: The Little Drummer Dude (Sunday 12/15 @ 6pm):

Come out and support our Children's Music Ministry as the kids present The Little Drummer Dude on Sunday, December 15 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you can, please bring a non-refrigerated dessert to share.

The Longest Night: A Service of Hope and Healing (Saturday 12/21 @ 7pm)

Christmas brings joy, but for some it reminds us of great grief and longing. This musical service of healing is meant to worship while remembering our pain with honesty, seeking God’s beauty in our brokenness, and reclaiming the light only found in God’s grace.

Join us for Christmas Eve Worship!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Tuesday, December 24

4 pm Family — 6 pm Contemporary — 8 pm Traditional

Reception for Pastor Margaret (Sunday Dec 29; after 10am Worship Service)

On Sunday, December 29 we will have ONE SERVICE, a Unity Service at 10 am, followed by a reception for Pastor Margaret in the Fellowship Hall. 

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.

Communion Stewards Needed

We need more Communion Stewards to help prepare and clean up after communion once a month. Contact Kendra Aumack for more information or to volunteer.

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 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