2/18/24 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 in Lent

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

February 18, 2024

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

(8:00) "Lenten Meditation" by Louise E. Stairs

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) "Softly and Tenderly" arr. Kevin McChesney 

Fellowship Ringers

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Margaret Rountree

Leader: We trust in You, O God, for You are faithful.

People: Show us Your ways and teach us Your paths.

Leader: We wait for You.

People: Lead us in Your paths of truth.

Leader: Do not remember our failures.

People: Out of Your merciful grace, forgive us.

Leader: You are faithful, O God. Your love is steadfast.

People: We lift up our souls to You, and praise You always.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know" Number 163

*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

“Nicene Creed” Number 880

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. 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) CHORAL ANTHEM

"Restoration" by Heather Sorenson

Chancel Choir

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

"Return To God" by Marty Haugen

Ginny Cannon, Soloist; Rick Nay, Organ

*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

"Rock of Ages" Number 361

SERMON

"The Baggage of Complaining" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"My Faith Looks Up to Thee" Number 452

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

"Allegro" from the 6th Symphony by Charles Marie Widor

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Loren Russell and the Contemporary Music Ministry from the 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.

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

February 18, 2024

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

"King of my Heart"

"It is Well / How Great Thou Art"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"Heart Won't Stop"

Sermon

"The Baggage of Complaining" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)

Worship Song

“God I Look to You”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Loren Russell and the Contemporary Music Ministry from the 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 BOB    

As much as any of us would want a life that is complication free, the truth is, it’s just not possible. Some people handle life’s challenges fairly well while some struggle to get through. Either way, it’s baggage. We all have it. We all carry it. It’s just there. Baggage comes in the form of relationship outcomes, business deals going south, arguments within our churches. Yep, baggage can even come from our spiritual life. So, what do you do? Some of us take the route to complain about it. It becomes such a burden that the only way we can process our baggage is to complain. We complain about what we don’t like, people we have troubles with. We complain about politics, cultural topics…you name it, we can quickly carry the baggage of complaining. But you know what? Complaining doesn’t solve a thing. In fact, I think instead of complaining about what we don’t like, perhaps we can suggest a solution that could yield a positive outcome. So, baggage. It’s there. Is complaining one of the bags you carry?

— Pastor Bob    

Volunteer Help Needed

We still need 8-10 volunteers to help with the St. Pete First booth at Localtopia on Saturday, February 24. Click here for more information and to sign up.

Street Ministry is seeking 6 volunteers to serve meals to the homeless population in St. Petersburg on the 1st Monday and 1st Tuesday of every month. Volunteers serve food at the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Hal Heitler is the Coordinator for this Ministry and to obtain more information contact him at 727-448-6291 or by email at heitlerh@tampabay.rr.com. No prior experience in serving food is needed.

Not sure about your best fit for volunteering? Check out our SHAPE class, beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6:30pm, where you will explore your talents, spiritual gifts, personality, experience, and interests to determine what types of volunteer positions you will find most rewarding. Click here to sign up.

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!

Adults: Swedish Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables, Garlic Toast, Pie

Kids: Hotdog & Chips, Carrots & Celery, Apple Sauce, Ice Cream Sandwich

Click here for Wednesday Night Live information

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

Thank you for joining us for worship! These are our attendance numbers for worship from this past week. We hope to see you again next week!

February 11: In Person 440 // Online 365

February 14 (Ash Wednesday): In Person 176 // Online 51 // Ashes-to-Go 71

Church Finances

December Year End 2023

Income $311,383 $2,809,017

Expense $205,271 $2,806,097

Localtopia (2/24):

Join us from 10am-5pm at Williams Park and surrounding streets as we join with the community to celebrate all things local! We will have a booth near the front steps of the church so we can spread our message to LOVE.ST.PETE.  We need volunteers to help out!  CLICK HERE to volunteer.

Chili Cook-Off (2/25):

It's that time again! Start practicing your best recipes and get ready to cook on Feb. 25th. Click here for more info (and to sign your entries up).

SHAPE (returns 2/21):

SHAPE is back this spring for a new semester! Whether you are a long-time member, a new member, or a church visitor, you are invited to join SHAPE. Over 8 weeks you will explore your talents, spiritual gifts, personality, experience, and interests, helping to find your best ministry, small group, or class fit at St. Pete First UMC!  Click here to sign up.

Join a Street Ministry Team:

Street Ministry is seeking 6 volunteers to serve meals to the homeless population in St. Petersburg on the 1st Monday and 1st Tuesday of every month. Volunteers serve food at the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Hal Heitler is the Coordinator for this Ministry and to obtain more information contact him at 727-448-6291 or by email at heitlerh@tampabay.rr.com. No prior experience in serving food is needed.

Save the Date—VBS & Summer Camps:

VBS - June 17-21

Camp Friendship WK1 - July 8-12

Camp Friendship WK2 - July 15-19

Elementary Art/Adventure Camp - July 8-12

Elementary Half-Day Adventure Camp (TBD) - July 15-19

Registrations open on website in March.

Lenten Devotionals:

During this Lenten season (beginning on 2/14/24), we will email a daily devotional each day, written by either a staff member or member of the congregation. Click here to get on the email list. We need devotional writers! Anyone can write a devotional. If you're interested, please email Pastor Margaret at mrountree@fumcsp.org

Save the Date—Holy Week Events:

Church Picnic (at the church this year!) - Sat. Mar. 23 (4-6 pm)

Palm Sunday - Sun. Mar. 24 (8/9:30/11 am)

Maundy Thursday Communion Service - Thurs. Mar. 28 (7 pm)

Good Friday Service - Shadow of the Cross - Fri. Mar. 29 (7 pm)

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service - Williams Park - Sun. Mar. 31 (7:30 am)

Easter Sunday Worship - Sun. Mar. 31 (9:30/11 am)

Click for more information.

Calling all Kids! We're planning a Spring Musical:

Does your child (age 4-6th grade) have an interest in music, acting, or just plain fun? Join us each SUNDAY at 9:30 on the 4th floor as we start rehearsing our Spring Musical. So that more kids have the opportunity to participate, we will be having our main rehearsals on Sunday mornings during the 9:30-10:30 am hour, with optional rehearsals during Kids Praise Team rehearsals on Wednesdays at 5 pm in the Chapel. Rehearsals begin on Sunday, February 4th, with a dress rehearsal on Sunday, April 21st & performance on Sunday evening, April 28th at 6 pm. Come have fun with us! For more information, contact Kelly Bonyata (kbonyata@fumcsp.org) or Lora Ulrich (lulrich@fumcsp.org).

Calling All Students! Scholarships (apply Feb 1-Apr 2):

Are you currently attending or bound for college or vocational school? Applications for St. Pete First Scholarships will be accepted beginning February 1st. Completed applications, along with supporting documents, must be delivered to the church office no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 2. All continuing students must re-apply. Click here for more info & application form.

Wednesday Classes & Groups:

We have a new Wednesday Morning Women's Bible Study ("Questions God Asks" with Sue Allen), plus SHAPE (explore your spiritual gifts and find your place in the life of the church, with LeighAnne Cheeseman), Band of Brothers men's group, a Beatitudes Bible study with Pastor Bob, and Pastor Margaret's Lenten Bible Study (The Third Day: Living the Resurrection).

CLICK HERE to find out more.

Mural Paintings:

Over the next few weeks, a mural artist will be painting on our campus. Please watch for roped-off areas to avoid paint and equipment.

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

KIDS SPRING MUSICAL REHEARSAL (Age 4-6th Gr) -Room 402

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

5:00 pm KIDS PRAISE TEAM (Age 4-6th 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

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

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 (returns 2/21)

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

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

9:30 am KIDS SPRING MUSICAL REHEARSAL (Age 4-6th Gr) -Room 402

10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312

12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310

TUESDAYS

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS PRAISE TEAM (Age 4-6th Grade) Chapel

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

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