12/18/22 Bulletin & 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!

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!

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

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 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

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

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