12/11/22 Bulletin & Order of Service

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

December 11, 2022

Welcome, Announcements, & Prayer (Click here to check-in)

Rev. Margaret Rountree

Lighting the Candle of Joy

Passing the Peace

Praise & Worship

"The Hymn of Joy"

"Angels We Have Heard On High"

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings (Click here to GIVE)

"What Child is This?"

Betty Schaefer, Soloist

SERMON

“Sadness turns to Joy” Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Psalm 126 (NLT)

Worship Song

“Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God

in loving memory of our parents, Freeda & Elbert Matthews,

from daughters Mary Ann Carroll and Linda Marsh.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Third Sunday of Advent

Traditional Worship—11 AM

December 11, 2022

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS (Click here to check-in)

Rev. Margaret Rountree

INVOCATION

LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF JOY

A WEARY WORLD REJOICES       by Joseph Martin

Chancel Choir Orchestra

Rick Nay, Organ

Overture of Joy

Orchestra

A Weary World Rejoices

Choir and Orchestra

READING AND PRAYER 

Rev. Bob Martin

Redeem, Restore, Renew  

Karen Shramo, Soloist

READING AND PRAYER

Rev. Margaret Rountree

Arise! Rejoice!

Choir and Orchestra

READING AND PRAYER

Rev. Bob Martin

Come, Graceful Rose

Kirby Malone, Soloist

READING AND PRAYER

Rev. Margaret Rountree

Away in a Manger

Grace Weston, Soloist

READING AND PRAYER

Rev. Bob Martin

Sing, O Heavens

Choir and Orchestra|

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

Christmas, Glorious Christmas           arr. Larry Shackley

Kelly Bonyata—Flute, Rick Nay—Organ

READING AND PRAYER

Rev. Bob Martin

Beautiful Star

Choir and Orchestra

READING AND PRAYER

Rev. Margaret Rountree

Cantique de Noël 

Sara Smith, Soloist

BENEDICTION 

Rev. Bob Martin

POSTLUDE

Orchestra

The flowers are given to the glory of God

in loving memory of our parents, Freeda & Elbert Matthews,

from daughters Mary Ann Carroll and Linda Marsh.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB

One of the family traditions we have on Christmas morning is to awaken and read the story of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2. Our family has come to know that under the tree great happiness will soon be found in the presents. Whether it be toys, new clothes, an experience purchased…happiness. I get gigged by the family because my happiness is found in picking up all the wrapping paper as it is thrown on the floor. Don’t make fun of me as I know many of you do that too! :-)

One year, as a joke, I gave Patti some coal. It was the first present she opened. Was she happy? If you know her, you already know the answer to my question. Happiness is fleeting, isn’t it? I mean, happiness is interpreted as happy with things or circumstances and when those don’t work out the way you want, well, your happiness is fleeting and it turns to despair.

The Christmas season is a reminder that happiness is not what we search for. Happiness is not found in the manger; but joy is! Joy comes from God and it can’t be stripped away under any circumstance. That is why the Scriptures remind us, “Joy comes every morning!”

— Pastor Bob

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu for Dec. 7

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

To-Go available by reservation

Roasted Corn & Chicken Chowder, Salad, Cornbread, Peppermint Bark Brownie

Kids: Pizza, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Cookie

Last Week’s Attendance Numbers

Thank you for joining us for worship! These are our attendance numbers for worship from last Sunday. We hope to see you again next week!

December 4: In Person 355 // Online 285

Year to Date Financials as of October 31

YTD Revenue $2,092,629

YTD Expenses $2,429,277

Finance Team (12/20) and Church Council (12/27) will not be meeting this month due to the holidays.

TODAY, Dec. 11: Christmas Cantata

Our annual Christmas Cantata is today, Sunday, December 11 during the 11 am service. No 8 am service on the day of the cantata! Please join us at 11 am, instead.

TODAY, Dec. 11: St. Pete First T-shirts are here

If you ordered a St. Pete First T-shirt, don't forget to pick it up in the Fellowship Hall TODAY, from 9 to 11 am or after the Cantata. If you didn't order one this time, stay tuned for your next opportunity to order!

TODAY, Dec. 11: Christmas Poinsettia orders are due

Reservation forms are on the information tables or call the church office: (727) 894-4661. Christmas poinsettias will be added to the decorations in the Sanctuary from December 18-25. Your poinsettias may be picked up after the 8 pm Christmas Eve service or after the 10 am Christmas Day service.

MONDAY Dec. 12: UWF Christmas Luncheon

Please join us as we celebrate the season with a Christmas Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. $10 per person. Bring a Christmas ornament to exchange ($5 limit). RSVP to Nancy Fallis 727-504-5186 or Cindy Ripley 727-823-5671 ASAP.

THIS WEDNESDAY, Dec. 14: Christmas Sing-Along

The St Pete First Kids Praise Team is excited to present our second annual Christmas Sing-Along! Join us for Wednesday Night Dinner beforehand, then support the children and have some fun as we sing our favorite Christmas carols. Bring your friends & family!

Come support our Preschool students as they present their Christmas program!

Dec. 5 through Christmas: Christmas Diaper Drive

Be a part of Local Missions’ Christmas Diaper Drive, serving young mothers and newborns through the New Life Solutions (previously called Pinellas County Pregnancy Center) to bring hope and help to hundreds of young Moms and their babies who are in exceptional need. On December 5th and through Christmas a playpen will be in the Fellowship Hall to collect newborn disposable diapers. The diapers collected will be picked up the following week. This is just another way to make a difference in our community during this joyous Christmas season. Questions? Call Gus Schaefer at (727) 823-7435.

Dec 4-25: Born to Serve/Showered and Empowered Winter Donations

Our 4th Wednesday Homeless Outreach ministry partner has asked for the following donations (by 12/25) to be distributed on 12/28:

New or gently used: winter hats, throw blankets, gloves, and book bags.

New only: socks, underwear, toiletries, toothpaste, razors, and deodorant.

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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KIDS

SUNDAYS

9:30 AM

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

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 4th Floor

YOUTH

SUNDAYS

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

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

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

10:45 AM Confirmation WhereHouse

6:00 PM WH PM (6th – 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 (NO SERVICE ON 12/11)

9:30 am Contemporary Service -Sanctuary

11:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary —CHRISTMAS CANTATA Today

FELLOWSHIP TIME (BETWEEN SERVICES)

9:00 am Common Grounds Fellowship Hall

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

WEDNESDAYS (Last Wed. night before the holidays - activities resume Jan. 11)

5:30 PM DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:00 PM CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG Fellowship Hall (EVERYONE INVITED!)

6:30 PM BAND OF BROTHERS Chapel

THURSDAYS

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY Zoom

MUSIC

SUNDAYS

10:20 am CHANCEL CHOIR Room 312 (9:30 AM on Nov. 13)

12:10 pm HANDBELLS Room 310

WEDNESDAYS

6:00 pm IGNITE BAND PRACTICE Sanctuary

7:00 pm IGNITE PRAISE TEAM PRACTICE (1st & 3rd Wed) Sanctuary

7:30 pm CHANCEL CHOIR PRACTICE Room 312

CARE & SUPPORT

WEDNESDAYS

12:00 Noon CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Zoom

THURSDAYS

6:30 pm CELEBRATE RECOVERY Chapel

7:30 pm AL-ANON Parlor – Room 214

LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETINGS

FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

5:30 PM BOARD OF TRUSTEES Room 101

SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:30 PM STAFF PARISH Closed Meeting

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 PM FINANCE COMMITTEE Admin Conference Room (no meeting on 12/20)

FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:30 PM CHURCH COUNCIL Fellowship Hall & Zoom (no meeting on 12/27)