12/24/23 Christmas Eve Candlelight: 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

Christmas Eve

Family Candlelight Service - 4 PM

December 24, 2023

Pre-Service Activities (Click here to check-in)

Congregational Singing (Children will be invited forward)

"Jingle Bells"

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

"O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Lighting the Christ Candle

Readers: Steve and Lindy Grimes

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

"I'll Be Home for Christmas"

'Twas the Night Before: A Christmas Story

Worship Song

"O Come, All Ye Faithful"

Sharing the Light of the Christ Candle

Songs of Light and Love

“Silent Night”

"Joy to the World"

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!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Contemporary Candlelight Service - 6 PM

December 24, 2023

(Click here to check-in)

Lighting the Christ Candle

Readers: Steve and Lindy Grimes

Praise & Worship

"The Christmas Song"

"O Come, All Ye Faithful"

“The First Noel”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Scripture Reading

John 1:1-18 (NLT)

Sermon

"Come Home" Rev. Bob Martin

Sharing the Light of the Christ Candle

Songs of Light and Love

“Silent Night”

"Joy to the World"

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!

Merry Christmas!

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

Christmas Eve

Traditional Candlelight Service - 8 PM

December 24, 2023 

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

Christmas Selections for Organ, Flute, and Strings

String Quartet

Kelly Bonyata, Flute

Rick Nay, Organ

"Angels We Have Heard on High" arr. Jason W. Krug

Fellowship Ringers

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

Readers: Steve and Lindy Grimes

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Bob Martin

Pastor: The impossible is about to happen in a stable. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

People: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them has the light shined!

Pastor: This is the evening when creation stood still and held its breath, for God was doing the most unbelievable, dangerous thing.

People: This is the evening when God embraced humanity from the inside, as one of us, from birth to death.

Pastor: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

People: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"O Come, All Ye Faithful" Number 234

CHORAL ANTHEM

"On a Night of Wonder "by Jay Althouse

Chancel Choir

SCRIPTURE READING

John 1:1-18 (NLT)

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"The First Noel" verses 1,2,4 Number 245

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

"All Is Well" by Michael W. Smith

Gwen Weston, Soloist

SERMON

"Come Home" Rev. Bob Martin

*SHARING THE LIGHT OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

*SONGS OF LIGHT AND LOVE

“Silent Night, Holy Night” Number 239

"Joy to the World" verses 1 & 4 Number 246

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

Fantasia On "The First Nowell" by Robert J. Hughes

Rick Nay, Organ

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!

Merry Christmas!

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

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB      

Tonight is a night that we all have been waiting for. It’s a night filled with hopes and dreams. It’s also a night where we expect the unexpected. For many, that’s what draws them home to churches so that something miraculous can happen this special time of year. I have always been amazed with Christmas Eve. So many memories of being home as a child to seeing Christmas experienced through the eyes and hearts of my grandchildren. Whether you are regular here to St. Pete First United Methodist Church or one who is searching for something this Christmas season, I know what you seek you will find. Seek God this season. Come home for Christmas and know you are welcomed and loved!

— 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, including Upcoming Classes

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 17: In Person 732 // Online 365

Church Finances

November Year to Date

Income $313,645 $2,497,634

Expense $221,665 $2,600,826

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

Morning services will include our regular kids activities and nursery during both time slots. In the evening a nursery will be available at 6 & 8 pm.

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

WEDNESDAYS (Returns 1/10)

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm CLASSES & GROUPS

THURSDAYS

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Abigail/Deborah Circle (3rd Thursdays) -Room 101

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 - NO DECEMBER MEETING

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