12/17/23 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.

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! Click here to check-in.

Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message

Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give

Third Sunday of Advent

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

December 17, 2023

(Click here to check-in)

Lighting the Candle of Joy

Readers: Mary Ann Carroll and Roberta Funke

Praise & Worship South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra

"Go Tell It On the Mountain"

"O Come, All Ye Faithful"

"Take Your Shoes Off Moses"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"What Child Is This?"

Sermon

"A Home Abounding in Joy" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Luke 1:57-66 (NLT)

Worship Song

“Go Tell It On the Mountain” (reprise)

Benediction

The poinsettias are given to the glory of God in love, honor, and memory of loved ones. Click here to see the list of poinsettia donations.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

Third Sunday of Advent

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

December 17, 2023

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"Christmas, Glorious Christmas" arr. Larry Shackley

Kelly Bonyata, Flute

Rick Nay, organ

LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF JOY

Readers: Mary Ann Carroll and Roberta Funke

WELCOME Rev. Margaret Rountree

APPALACHIAN WINTER

By Joseph Martin

Chancel Choir and Orchestra

PRELUDE

Orchestra

PART ONE

"'Tis a Season for Singing"

Chancel Choir

"Long Time Ago"

Sara Smith, Soloist

"Hope and Expectation"

Chancel Choir

"Carol of the Winter Wind"

Kirby Malone, Soloist

"Mountain Carol"

Chancel Choir

WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

"Gentle Carols of Bethlehem"

Chancel Choir

PART TWO

"While Shepherds Watched"

Chancel Choir

"A Rustic Star Carol"

Ginny Cannon, Soloist

"Children, Go Tell It on the Mountain"

Chancel Choir

*BENEDICTION                                  Rev. Bob Martin

POSTLUDE

Orchestra

The poinsettias are given to the glory of God in love, honor, and memory of loved ones. Click here to see the list of poinsettia donations.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB      

Most people get “joy” and “happiness” confused. Happiness is more of a feeling that we can create through circumstances. I’m happy when my dog greets me with a wagging tail at the door. I’m happy when the Bucs finally win a football game. I’m happy when I get to chill and not have to work so hard. Unhappiness is controlled by circumstances as well. I’m unhappy when my grandson eats the last pork rind. I’m unhappy when someone throws shade my way. I’m unhappy when things don’t go as planned. Happiness (and unhappiness) are based upon circumstances.

Joy on the other hand isn’t. Joy is what comes from God. It’s a gift; something that gives your life a lift and makes you feel like a million bucks. Joy remains no matter what. So the problem becomes we let circumstances get in our way and we confuse joy and happiness. Instead of remembering God brings us joy and joy lives in us, we lose sight of the greater good and get lost in chasing after happiness instead. The first Christmas the angels didn’t say to everyone they told about Jesus’ birth, “I bring you happiness…” They said, “I bring you great ‘JOY’!” There’s a difference.

I know the Christmas season can be a bummer, especially if happiness is the high value item you are looking for. Maybe it’s time to ditch the search for happiness and embrace the gift of Joy that comes from the Lord. It’s a gift that never ends.

— 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!

Wednesday Night Live is done for the year! We will return on January 10th.

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!

December 10: In Person 495 // Online 279

December 13 (Moravian Love Feast): In Person 103

Church Finances

November Year to Date

Income $313,645 $2,497,634

Expense $221,665 $2,600,826

Christmas Cantata & Bluegrass Sunday (TODAY 12/17):

Our annual Christmas Cantata, featuring the Chancel Choir, organ, and orchestra, will be on Sunday, December 17 during the 11 am service.

There will be no 8 am service on 12/17. Our 9:30 am Ignite service will be at its regular time and will feature the South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra. We hope to have everyone then join us for the Christmas Cantata at 11 am. This is a perfect Sunday to invite a guest to join you in church! Childcare for all ages will be available at both 9:30 & 11.

Join us for Christmas Eve Worship!

Worship on Christmas Eve Morning:

9:30 am Contemporary — 11 am Traditional

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services:

4 pm Family — 6 pm Contemporary — 8 pm Traditional

Click here to hear about Christmas Eve from Pastor Bob & Pastor Margaret.

Stephen Ministers are here for YOU:

The holidays can trigger many emotions and it’s good to have someone who will listen and care.

Stephen Ministers provide confidential,caring ministry to adults during this and any other time that you or someone you know is having a hard time. 

Stephen Ministers are trained lay ministers that meet one on one with those who are facing life’s challenges. We are here for anyone that could benefit from a listening, caring ear. The challenges can be of any nature,like facing loneliness, grief, divorce, serious medical issues or any other issue that disrupts someone’s life.

You can refer a friend or family member and there is no requirement that this person is affiliated with St Pete First, or perhaps you would personally like a Stephen Minister.

To find out how to make a referral or to have a Stephen Minister just call the church office at 727-894-4661 and you will be referred to a Stephen Ministry Leader who will help you, or if it’s after business hours or on the weekends, contact Barb Willey at 703-409-8003 by call or text.

2024 Giving Envelopes:

If you requested giving envelopes for 2024, they are available outside the Library (2nd floor hallway). Envelope packets are arranged alphabetically by last name.

Holiday Office Hours:

The church office will be closed on December 25-26 and New Year's Day.

New Year's Eve (12/31):

New Year's Eve falls on the Sunday after Christmas. We will have one blended service that Sunday at 10 am.

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 (Returns 1/10)

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 (Returns 1/10)

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 (Returns 1/10)

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm CLASSES & GROUPS

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