12/31/23 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

First Sunday after Christmas Day

Blended Worship—10 AM

December 31, 2023

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"The Shepherds Christmas" by Benton Price

Rick Nay-Organ

"Children Of The Heavenly Father" arr. Brent Olstad

James Wilber- Tenor Sax

Hunter Krause- Baritone Sax

Rick Nay-Organ

*CALL TO WORSHIP Derek Weston

Pastor: We have welcomed the Christ child and declared the glory of God’s salvation that comes to live among us. And yet, still, we wait.

People: We watch and work for God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Pastor: We prepare to welcome a new year, thankful for how God has brought us through the past year and anxious to discover what the new year might bring.

People: We watch and work for God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Pastor: Come, let us worship God, whose love endures from generation to generation, guiding us from one year to the next.

People: Come, let us worship as we live in anticipation of God’s kingdom on earth as it is heaven.

*HYMN

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice" Number 224

*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.

*HYMN

"There's a Song in the Air" Number 249

*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.

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

"King of my Heart"

SERMON

"The Search" Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Luke 2:41-52 (NRSV)

*PRAISE & WORSHIP

"Yes and Amen"

*BENEDICTION

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of the Meals on Wheels team from their St. Pete First UMC Family.

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 MARGE      

Have you ever lost something before and then went on a long search to find it? I remember one time in college I lost my dorm room keys and I basically tore apart my entire room searching for them. Eventually, out of frustration, I opened my mini fridge to get something to drink and lo and behold, there were my dorm room keys, just chilling in the fridge (get it, chillin')? On this first Sunday after Christmas and on the eve of a new year, we too find ourselves searching. We make our New Year's resolutions, seeking and searching for a better life, a better version of ourselves. Maybe we find ourselves searching for a better routine or a healthier diet. Perhaps we are searching for a better way to do our finances. Perhaps we are searching for answers to questions we have been wrestling with in 2023. Perhaps we are searching for meaning and purpose. Perhaps we are searching for a deeper faith. Perhaps we are searching for any faith at all.

As another year begins, the question is this: what or who are you searching for in 2024? Are you searching for the things of this world, like a better job or a better house or a better car or a better school or a better family or a better schedule or a better body? Or are you searching for Jesus, for God, the One who came to be with us forever?

In this new year, you are invited to search for Jesus Christ. What does searching for Jesus actually look like, you may be wondering? Perhaps for you, you have never had faith in Him before. Perhaps your search looks like believing for the very first time that when Jesus died on the cross, He indeed died for you too. Perhaps for another, your search will look like deepening your faith. Maybe your faith has been surface-level, and you want to go deeper. So perhaps for you, that looks like signing up for a Bible study in the new year or establishing a daily routine to be in God's Word. Perhaps for another, you have some big questions about the Christian faith and so maybe your search will involve attending worship here, as Pastor Bob and I will be preaching about tough questions in the faith. Perhaps for someone else, maybe your search will involve putting your faith into action. Perhaps you will get involved in one of our many local mission opportunities here at the church or volunteer in some sort of capacity.

Whatever your search will look like in 2024, remember this: our search for Jesus doesn't stop at the manger. Our search for Jesus, for the personal, knowable, yet incomprehensible God, is a life-long pursuit. John Wesley would call it sanctification. It's the process of searching for and seeking God with all of our hearts and all of our souls and all of our minds and all of our strength, becoming more and more like Him as we do. The great promise for each person who searches for and seeks the Lord is that you will find Him. And when He is found, we will receive the greatest reward: God himself.

Happy New Year, St. Petersburg First United Methodist Church!

— Pastor Marge 

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 24 morning: In Person 381 // Online 254

December 24 candlelight: In Person 1391 // Online 255

Church Finances

November Year to Date

Income $313,645 $2,497,634

Expense $221,665 $2,600,826

St Pete First at First Night (THIS SUNDAY 12/31 4-8 PM):

As the church at the Heart of the City, St Pete First is delighted to be a part of First Night on New Year's Eve. We are supporting the "Heartfelt Message Exchange." Give and receive messages of hope and encouragement and help spread happiness for the new year.

First Night St Petersburg is the largest family-friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration of the Arts in Florida. Between 4pm and 8pm, North Straub Park will be filled with music, dance, theatre, a Literary village, dance, sing-along songs, and so much more! As always it is family-oriented fun for everyone.

This year’s celebration is FREE for everyone and all ages, thanks to the event Sponsors.

If you would like to volunteer at First Night sign up here.

Holiday Office Hours (Monday 1/1):

The church office will be closed on New Year's Day (January 1st).

Undecorating the Sanctuary (Sunday 1/7): 

Altar Guild will be taking down the decorations in the Sanctuary on Sunday, January 7, after the 11:00 service. Please contact Sherry Smith at 727-519-4906 if you can volunteer your help. We will provide lunch for all helpers, and we are usually done within a couple of hours with enough help. Come for whatever time you can give. Thank you!

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.

New Wednesday Classes & Groups begin 1/10:

We have a new Wednesday Morning Women's Bible Study starting, plus SHAPE, Band of Brothers men's group, and a Beatitudes Bible study with Pastor Bob. Pastor Margaret's Lenten Bible Study begins in February.

CLICK HERE to find out more and to sign up for classes.

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.

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)

9:30 am WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY -Room 208 

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS -Parlor-Rm 214 

6:30 pm PASTOR BOB'S BEATITUDES BIBLE STUDY -Room 308 

6:30 pm DISCOVER SHAPE -Chapel

6:30 pm PASTOR MARGE'S LENTEN BIBLE STUDY -Room 208 (begins 2/7)

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