2/2/25 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

Check-In: Please let us know you're worshipping with us!

Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message

Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

Have you ever wondered if some of the things people say are really true? In fact, some things you discover sound good, but just don't have any truth whatsoever. Some call these kinds of things myths. Maybe you can recognize some myths: Bigfoot actually exists (one of my daughters would agree with that). If you have an earache, put a hot onion on it to feel better. Myths...

There are also some myths we carry about our faith. How do you know what is truth and what isn't? Join us over the next several weeks and we will discover the truths that erase the myths.

— Pastor Bob 

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

February 2, 2025

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

“With This Wine And Bread” by Ross Anderson 

“Ave Verum” by Wolfgang A. Mozart

Rick Nay, Organ

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Beloved of God, live as children of the light.

People: We clothe ourselves with faith and love, and the hope of salvation.

Leader: Christ died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live with Christ.

People: We give thanks for Christ’s saving work.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”     Hymn # 154      ( vs. 1, 2, 4, 6)

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

*CONGREGATIONAL SONG

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” Hymn # 557

Blest be the tie that binds

our hearts in Christian love;

the fellowship of kindred minds

is like to that above.

(11:00) ANTHEM

“Just As I Am” by Don Besig

Chancel Choir

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

"Blessed Savior of All" by Franklin Ritter

Rick Nay, Organ

*DOXOLOGY Hymn # 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

“Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast”     Hymn # 339

SERMON

“Myth Busters: Now That I Am a Christian I Can Do Whatever I Want”   Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Hebrews 10:26-31; Romans 6:1-2 NLT

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Victory in Jesus”     Hymn #370

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“Postlude In D” by Chester Nordman

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Kadyn's 13th Birthday, from Daddy, Mommy, and sister Kendyl DePalmo.

The flowers are given in loving memory of Todd Hilliard, Jackie Carrick's fiancé. Jackie is the receptionist at the Counseling Center.

Thank you for joining us today!

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

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

February 2, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

“One Thing Remains” 

“Build My Life”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“The Church”

Sermon

“Myth Busters: Now That I Am a Christian I Can Do Whatever I Want”   Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Hebrews 10:26-31; Romans 6:1-2 NLT

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Worship Song

“Indescribable”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Kadyn's 13th Birthday, from Daddy, Mommy, and sister Kendyl DePalmo.

The flowers are given in loving memory of Todd Hilliard, Jackie Carrick's fiancé. Jackie is the receptionist at the Counseling Center.

Thank you for joining us today!

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

TAKE ACTION! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.

Volunteer Help Needed

A little time out of your week can make such a difference! Join us as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we serve and Love. St. Pete.

We need a Grant Writer ASAP. Please contact Kendra Aumack if you can help out. 

We need volunteers to help out at our Localtopia booth on Saturday, Feb 22. Sign up for a one-hour shift between 10 am & 5 pm, or we also need help setting up and breaking down. Help us spread our message to LOVE.ST.PETE!  CLICK HERE to volunteer.

Ushers & Greeters needed! If you’d like to help out and welcome others at one of our worship services, contact Kendra Aumack: kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661

Vacation Bible School is one of our largest outreach events of the year and we need lots of volunteers! Get ahead of the game and sign up now to help. VBS Setup Week is June 9-13 (drop in to help anytime between 9 am & 3 pm); VBS Week is June 16-20 (9 am - noon).

Click here to go to our Serve form, then select the ministries you are interested in.

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu (Click here to see classes & activities)

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

Adults: BBQ Braised Pulled Pork, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Garlic Toast, Apple Crisp

Kids: Mac n’ Cheese, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Ice Cream Sandwich

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!

January 26 In Person   588 Online 311

Church Finances

December 2024 Year to Date

Income $607,491 $3,111,696

Expense $225,465 $3,003,274

UPCOMING EVENTS —Mark your calendar!

Upcoming Events—Mark your calendar! (www.stpetefirst.org/spring)

• Through Feb 23—Soup-er Bowl Collection (canned & dried food)

• Through March 31—St Pete First Scholarship Applications: www.stpetefirst.org/scholarship

• Sun Feb 9—New Member Sunday (Interested in joining St Pete First? sign up here)

• Sat Feb 22—Localtopia 10 am-5 pm. Volunteers needed: sign up here.

• Sun Feb 23—Chili Cook-Off 6-8pm (enter your chili or other dish here)

• Sun Mar 2—Interactive Seder Meal Experience 6-8pm (sign up here)

• Tues Mar 4—Crosstown Shuffle 6-8pm (www.stpetefirst.org/shuffle)

• Wed Mar 5—Ashes-to-Go 11:45 am-1:15 pm; Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 pm

• Sun Mar 9—Confirmation Sunday 9:30 am

• Fri Mar 14—Organ Concert with Samuel Metzger at 7 pm

• Mar 17-21—Spring Break Week: No church activities

• Sun Mar 23—Discover First 10:45 am-1 pm

• Sat April 12—Spring Picnic 4-6pm

• Sun April 13—Palm Sunday

• Wed Apr 16—No Wednesday Night Live

• Thurs April 17—Maundy Thursday service 7 pm

• Fri April 18— Church office closed; Good Friday service 7 pm

• Sun April 20—Easter Sunday services 7:30 (Sunrise)-9:30-11 am

• Mon Apr 21—Church office closed for Easter Monday

• Sat April 26—Free Mental Health Event: Hope 10 am-1 pm

• Wed April 30—Last week for Wed Night activities before Fall

• Sun May 4—Graduation Sunday 9:30 am

• Sun May 4—Danny & the Shacks -Kids Musical- at 6 pm

• Mon May 26—Church office closed for Memorial Day

• June 9-13—VBS Setup (volunteer)

• June 16-20—Vacation Bible School

• July 7-11—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1 Elementary Slime Camp

• July 14-18—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2 Elementary Art/Adventure Camp  Elementary Amusement Park STEM Camp

New Member Sunday (Sunday, Feb 9; deadline for sign-up: Wed. Feb 5)

Are you interested in becoming a member here at St Pete First? Sign up here, or contact Kendra Aumack for more information: kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661 

Soup-er Bowl of Caring (through Sunday, Feb 23)

Tackle hunger in St. Pete! Help the Youth collect 2000 pounds of canned and dried food for the St. Pete Free Clinic. Drop off canned and dried food in the blue collection bins in the Fellowship Hall, Sanctuary & WhereHouse.

Localtopia (Saturday, Feb 22; 10 am-5 pm)

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.  CLICK HERE to volunteer for an hour.

Chili Cook-Off (Sunday, Feb 23; 6 pm; Fellowship Hall)

It's that time again! Start practicing your best recipes and get ready to cook on Sunday Feb. 23. Click here for more info (and to sign your entries up).

Seder Meal Experience (Sunday, March 2; 6-8 pm; Fellowship Hall) 

The WhereHouse Youth Ministry invites you participate in a traditional Seder meal on Sunday, March 2 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall, presented by Jews for Jesus. Cost is $5, and a love offering for Jews for Jesus will be taken. EVERYONE is invited to participate (not just youth). Join us as we sit down to experience a symbolic traditional Seder meal. Explore the meaning of the meal as we become closer with Christ in the Passover. This is an experience, not a full meal; please plan to eat dinner before or after. Click here to RSVP.

Calling All Students! Scholarships (apply Feb 1-Mar 31):  

Are you a church member who is 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 Monday, March 31. All continuing students must re-apply. Click here for more info & application form.

Crosstown Shuffle (Tuesday, March 4; 6:00-8:00 pm):

Join us for a night of fellowship and fun with our Christian brothers and sisters from neighboring churches in St. Pete for a friendly game of shuffleboard. Let's get to know each other so we can shine a brighter light in St. Pete for Jesus! St Pete Shuffleboard Club: 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N. St. Pete. $5 for adults; free for youth 18 & under. Guests and families welcome! Previous shuffleboard experience not required. Experienced players will be available to provide guidance. A food truck will also be on site. Click here for more information.  

Save the Date—VBS & Summer Camps:

VBS - June 16-20

Preschool Camp Friendship WK1 - July 7-11

Preschool Camp Friendship WK2 - July 14-18

Elementary Slime Camp - July 7-11

Elementary Art/Adventure Camp - July 14-18

Elementary Amusement Park STEM Camp - July 14-18

Registrations open on website in March.

TAKE ACTION! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.

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/Toddlers (Birth - 3 years) Preschool Hall

PRESCHOOL (Age 3 - K) Sunday School - Preschool Hall

ELEMENTARY (1st - 5th Gr) Kids Church - 4th Floor

KIDS MUSICAL PRACTICE 4th Floor

11:00 am

Infant Lounge/Cry Room Room 204 (Livestreaming available during all services)

Nursery/Toddlers (Birth - 3 years) Preschool Hall

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 MUSIC (Age 4-8th 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) Preschool Hall

YOUTH

SUNDAYS

9:30 am WORSHIP (Look for the youth up front) Sanctuary

10:45 am YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse

10:45 am CONFIRMATION WhereHouse

11:00 am CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) 4th Floor, Room 404

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 THE GAP -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 (Sue Allen) -Room 208

5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall

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

6:30 pm BETTER DECISIONS, FEWER REGRETS (Pastor Bob) -Room TBA

6:30 pm WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY (Patti Martin) -Room TBA

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Deborah Circle (4th Thursdays) -Rm 101                            

 MUSIC

SUNDAYS 

8:30 am IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary

9:30 am KIDS MUSICAL PRACTICE -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 MUSIC (Age 4-8th 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 -Room 208 & Zoom

SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm LEARN PILLAR

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm INVITE PILLAR  

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

9:00 am NURTURE PILLAR 

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

5:00 pm SERVE PILLAR