2/12/23 Bulletin & Order of 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.

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Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

February 12, 2023

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

PRELUDE

"Hymnus" by Alexander Von Fielitz

Rick Nay, Organist

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS (Click here to check-in)

Rev. Bob Martin

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

"We Have Come to Worship the Lord" by Charles Yannerella

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Pastor: Happy are those who walk in God’s ways.

People: Blessed are those who observe God’s commandments.

Pastor: Faithful are those whose eyes are fixed on righteousness.

People: Joyful are those whose hearts are filled with praise.

Pastor: Come, let us love the Lord our God.

People: We come to worship the One who leads us in the ways of life.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"God of Grace and God of Glory" Number 577

*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.

*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

"Give Me Jesus" arr. Douglas Wagner

Chancel Choir

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

"Blessed Be The Name" by Ralph E. Hudson

Kendra Aumack & Karen Shramo, Duet

*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

“My Faith Looks Up to Thee” Number 452

SERMON

“Rule #6 - Adopt a Generous Spirit” Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (ESV)

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Because He Lives" Number 364

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

"Postlude Pomposo" by George Blake

Rick Nay, Organist

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of the wedding anniversary of Brent's parents, Ginny & Tom McLean, from Brent & Susan McLean.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

February 12, 2023

Welcome, Announcements, & Prayer (Click here to check-in)

Rev. Bob Martin

Passing the Peace

Praise & Worship

Shaila Thomas, Guest Worship Leader

"House of the Lord"

"A Thousand Hallelujahs"

"The Stand"

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

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.

"Honey in the Rock"

SERMON

“Rule #6 - Adopt a Generous Spirit” Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (ESV)

Worship Song

“Come Thou Fount”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of the wedding anniversary of Brent's parents, Ginny & Tom McLean, from Brent & Susan McLean.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

A NOTE FROM PASTOR MARGE For the past five weeks, we’ve been in our sermon series titled, “7 Perfect Rules for ’23.” These are seven rules we are committing to live by in the year 2023. We are on Rule #6 this week, which is “Adopt a Generous Spirit.” Generosity is an integral part of our faith journeys as disciples of Jesus Christ. If we are striving to become disciple-making disciples, then we need to realize and understand that generosity is vital in the disciple-making business. Here’s the thing about generosity: generosity is an act of love. And love that is genuine is naturally generous. Just look at Christ. He had all the privileges that were rightly His as King of the entire universe, yet He gave them up to become a Jewish baby bound for the cross. While He had every right to stay comfortably where He was, which was a position of power, His love drove Him to a position of weakness for the sake of eternally saving mankind. Love that is genuine is naturally generous.

As Jesus followers, we too can adopt a spirit of generosity because God did it first. Because our identity is rooted in Christ, naturally what follows next is a generous outpouring of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, peace, wisdom, thankfulness, joy, and genuine love. We lavish these good works on others because of the grace that was first given to us by God Himself. The root of generosity is not in our circumstances, our abilities, our bank accounts, or our religiousness. The root of generosity is in the cross, God’s inexpressible gift to us, where Jesus gave us abundant life. May we be generous in every way so that our generosity would result in thanksgiving to our good and gracious Heavenly Father. May the world look at us and not merely see generous people but see instead disciples of Jesus Christ.

— Pastor Marge

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu

$5 kids, $8 adults, $30 family of 5

To-Go available by reservation

Chicken Parmesan, Penne Pasta, Roasted Vegetables, Cake Kids: Hotdogs & Chips, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Ice Cream Sandwich

Join us each Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall for dinner at 5:30, then stay for the groups and classes for children, youth, and adults. Click here for more info on our adult 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!

February 5: In Person 392 // Online 308

Interested in Joining St. Pete First?

If you've ever considered becoming a member of St. Pete First UMC, now is the time! Our next New Member Class is on Sunday February 19th, from 10:45 am to 1 pm. Click here to register and/or drop by our information table in the Fellowship Hall between services this Sunday, February 12th.

Meet Bishop Tom Berlin — Feb. 13:

Did you know that we have a new Bishop in the Florida Conference as of January 1st? Bishop Tom Berlin introduces himself to us in this video. The Gulf Central District is holding a Welcome Event for Bishop Berlin on February 13th from 9-11am at The Portico in Tampa (1001 N. Florida Ave.). All Clergy and Laity in the Gulf Central District are welcome to enjoy refreshments and fellowship while getting to know our new Bishop. Bishop Berlin will speak briefly in the middle of this event; the rest of the time will be for conversation.

Ladies Valentine Luncheon — Feb. 14:

All ladies are invited to join with United Women in Faith to celebrate Women with a Heart for God on February 14th at 11 am in the Fellowship Hall. Our guest speaker will be Sandy Sauers. Cost for lunch is $10. Click here for event info.

Help the Counseling Center Plan!

Help the Counseling Center Plan the FREE Mental Health Awareness Event on May 6, 2023. Topics? Speakers? Exhibitors? We are inviting your suggestions by Sunday, Feb. 12th. Look for the surveys on the Information Tables, in your Sunday School Rooms, and at Wednesday dinner, or click here to complete the survey online. Please place your printed surveys in the decorated box in the Fellowship Hall or bring to the front desk of the Administration Building. This event is also a fundraiser for the William A. Smalling Scholarship Fund to remove financial barriers for clients needing mental health services provided at the Counseling Center.

Looking for a Volunteer Opportunity in 2023?

Family Promise of Pinellas offers emergency shelter and stabilization/prevention programming for needy families in our County. Learn more about how St Pete First volunteers can partner with this very successful local and national program. If you volunteered in the past, come learn about how they adapted and changed over the past 2 years. Drop by our table in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, February 12, 2023 between 9 & 11 am. Click here for more info and sign-up.

Ash Wednesday — Feb. 22:

We will be soon moving in to the season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22. Click here for more info.

Chili Cook-Off — Feb. 26:

It's that time again! Start practicing your best recipes and get ready to cook on Feb. 26th. Look for more info (and entry rules) on the info tables or click here for more info.

Kids Night Out — March 3:

Drop your kids off for a night of FUN on March 3rd from 6-10 pm! At Kid's Night Out, kids will be served pizza and snacks, have ice cream sundaes, play games, watch a movie, sing songs and have an interactive devotion! Open to all children ages nursery - 5th grade. Dinner & snacks are provided. $20 first child, $15 second, $40 for a family of 3 or more. Register at stpetefirst.org/children by Wednesday, March 1st.

VBS & Summer Camp Registration:

Start planning for summer! Registration opens on March 3rd. Visit the children's ministry webpage to register.

Are you looking to have a positive impact on a person’s life?

Become a member of the Street Ministry Team at the Salvation Army Job Center! You will help people find jobs in order to escape being homeless. We serve Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am. Go to www.stpetefirst.org/street-team or contact Hal Heitler (727-448-6291 or heitlerh@tampabay.rr.com) to volunteer.

To see the entire list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.

JOB OPENING— Custodian:

Need a part-time job, or know of someone who does? St. Pete First UMC is looking for a self-motivated part-time Custodian. Flexible hours. For more information please email Chad Simonds, csimonds@fumcsp.org, or call the church at (727) 894-4661

Job Opening— Preschool Teachers:

St. Pete First UMC Preschool is looking for vibrant teachers to educate, care for, and inspire the young minds at our preschool. If you are interested in joining our amazing team, please give us a call at (727) 822-8767 or email Alicia at aclements@fumcsp.org

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

5:00 PM KIDS PRAISE TEAM (Age 4-5th Grade) Chapel

5:30 PM DINNER Fellowship Hall

6-7 PM WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE 4th Floor/Preschool Hall

6:30-7:30 PM NURSERY (Birth - 3 years) Room 105

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

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

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 208

WEDNESDAYS

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS Parlor – Room 214

6:30 pm PASTOR BOB'S PRODIGAL SON STUDY Chapel

6:30 pm PASTOR MARGE'S PRAYER BIBLE STUDY Room 208

6:30 pm EXODUS BIBLE STUDY Room 103

6:30 pm WOMEN'S STUDY: "THE GIRL'S STILL GOT IT" Room 308

THURSDAYS

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY Zoom

2:00 pm United Women in Faith Abigails (4th Thursdays) Room 103

MUSIC

SUNDAYS

10:20 am CHANCEL CHOIR Room 312

12:10 pm HANDBELLS Room 310

WEDNESDAYS

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP PRACTICE Sanctuary

7:30 pm CHANCEL CHOIR PRACTICE 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 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