12/18/22 Bulletin & Order of Service

8 & 11 am Order of Service
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Traditional Worship-8 & 11 AM
December 18, 2022
*Please stand as you are able. Congregational responses are in bold.
PRELUDE
"O Little Town Of Bethlehem" by Benton Price
Rick Nay, Organ
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS (Click here to check-in)
Rev. Margaret Rountree
INVOCATION
LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF LOVE
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Now is the time of watching and waiting.
People: The time of expectation of new life.
Pastor: Now is the season of hope unfolding.
People: The dark winter season when hope is waiting to be born.
Pastor: Let us come before God with receptive and willing spirits.
People: May our souls magnify God’s name and may our spirits rejoice in God our Savior!
*HYMN OF PRAISE
"Angels We Have Heard on High" Number 238
*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.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
Ada Marilyn Chase
Parents: Brett & Kristi Chase
Grandparents: Timothy & Julie Anderson and Larry & Teri Chase
*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) ANTHEM
"Sing We Now of Christmas" arr. Jay Althouse
Chancel Choir
WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS (Click here to GIVE)
"In The Name Of The Lord" arr. Tom Fettke
Becky Aumack, Soloist
*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
“What Child is This?” Number 219
SERMON
“Fear turns to Love” Rev. Bob Martin
Text: Luke 2:12,14; Matthew 2:1-2 NIV
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
"Angels from the Realms of Glory" Number 220
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Joy To The World” by Robert J. Hughes
Rick Nay, Organist
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Joe Manning, on our 62nd wedding anniversary today, by Jackie Manning and Family.
Thank you for joining us this morning!
9:30 am Order of Service
Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM
December 18, 2022
Welcome, Announcements, & Prayer (Click here to check-in)
Rev. Margaret Rountree
Lighting the Candle of Love
Passing the Peace
Praise & Worship
"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"
"Angels from the Realms of Glory (Emmanuel)"
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing"
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings (Click here to GIVE)
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Kelly Bonyata, Flute
SERMON
“Fear turns to Love” Rev. Bob Martin
Text: Luke 2:12,14; Matthew 2:1-2 NIV
Worship Song
“Go Tell It On the Mountain”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Joe Manning, on our 62nd wedding anniversary today, by Jackie Manning and Family.
Thank you for joining us this morning!
Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB
I love giving gifts. Its not my love language, but it certainly is something that shows my love to others. One year I was so excited about a special gift I purchased for Patti. It was unique, something she hadn’t ever been given before and if I was a betting man, I would bet it’s not even something she had on her radar. What was the gift? A Chia Head! Did she love it? Er eh…what do you think?
The Christmas season focuses on love. Love is the greatest gift of all because God not only is love, God came into our presence to show His love in the flesh as the gift of Jesus. I am reminded of the story of a little boy who one night in bed was afraid when the lightning from the storm was flashing in his window. He cried out for his daddy to come lay in bed with him. His daddy hollered from his room, “Jesus is with you son, don’t be afraid.” This happened a couple more times and finally when the boy called in a panic for his daddy to come to him, he once again heard his father’s words from the other room, “Don’t be afraid. Jesus is with you,” to which the boy shouted back to his father, “I need Jesus with skin on!”
God is love and my prayer for you this season is you experience not only love with others but that you receive and embrace the love of God!
— Pastor Bob
Bulletin/Announcements
Wednesday Night Dinner & Activities will resume on January 11th
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 11: In Person 438 // Online 397
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.
Church Office Holiday Hours: The Church Office will be closed all day on Monday/Tuesday December 26-27 and on Monday, January 2.
Christmas Eve Greeters & Ushers Needed! If you are available to help at any of the services (4pm—6pm—8pm), please contact Shirley Basset at (727) 310-7044 or sbassettUNI@gmail.com
Christmas Poinsettias have been added to the Sanctuary decorations. Thank you to everyone who ordered flowers in honor or in memory of loved ones! Your poinsettias may be picked up after the 8 pm Christmas Eve service or after the 10 am Christmas Day service.


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.

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.



Christmas Eve Candlelight Services:
4 pm Family — 6 pm Contemporary — 8 pm Traditional
Worship on Christmas Day
10 am Service

Welcome & Church Information
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
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
Kids & Youth
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
Wednesday Night Activities resume on January 11th
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 —Wednesday Night Activities resume on January 11th
5:30 PM DINNER Fellowship Hall
6-7:30 PM Youth Group WhereHouse
Weekly & Monthly Events
SUNDAY WORSHIP
8:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary
9:30 am Contemporary Service -Sanctuary
11:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary
FELLOWSHIP TIME (BETWEEN SERVICES)
9:00 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
Wednesday Night Activities resume on January 11th
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
FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
6:30 PM CHURCH COUNCIL Fellowship Hall & Zoom
