2/22/23 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

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Ash Wednesday Service

February 22, 2023 — 6:30 pm

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

PRELUDE

"I Rest in the Lord" by Franklin Ritter

Rick Nay, Organist

WELCOME (Click here to check-in)

Rev. Margaret Rountree

*GREETING

Pastor: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.

People: God's mercy endures forever.

OPENING PRAYER

O God, maker of everything and judge of all that you have made, from the dust of the earth you have formed us and from the dust of death you would raise us up. By the redemptive power of the cross, create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit, that we may repent of our sins and lead lives worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

*WORSHIP SET Praise Team

"In Christ Alone"

"How Deep the Father's Love for Us"

SCRIPTURE READING

Ecclesiastes 3:19-22 NIV

Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

ANTHEM

"Restoration" by Heather Sorenson

Chancel Choir

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Teach us wisdom in the secret places of our hearts, O God. Speak truth to our spirits, that we may honestly face the sins that separate us from the abundant love you offer us each day. Hear our prayers, that we may return to you and be restored to the joy of your forgiveness and grace.

SERMON

“Dust in the Wind” Rev. Bob Martin

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND PARDON

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgement. Amen.

THANKSGIVING OVER THE ASHES

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen.

*IMPOSITION OF ASHES

*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN

"What Wondrous Love Is This" Number 292

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

"The Spotless Lamb" by Charity Boyles

Rick Nay, Organist

Thank you for joining us!

What is the significance of Ash Wednesday and why do we celebrate it?

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent in the church, a time when Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance (turning away from sin and towards God), moderation and spiritual discipline. Ash Wednesday emphasizes two major themes: our sinfulness/brokenness before God and our human mortality, which have both been forever defeated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day, ashes are imposed on our foreheads with the sign of the cross. Ashes are an ancient symbol. In the book of Genesis, we read that God formed human beings out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7). After Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden, they are told by God, “you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). The Hebrew word translated “dust” is occasionally translated “ashes” elsewhere. Throughout Scripture, ashes are part of rituals when people seek forgiveness and mourn their sin. So, through the imposition of ashes on this first day of Lent, we come before our God recognizing our humanity, repenting of our sin, and remembering who we are and who we can be in Jesus Christ.

Today, those celebrating Ash Wednesday with us at St. Pete First will receive a black stone. This stone will serve as a reminder to you during this Lenten season of your brokenness, mortality, and desperate need of a Savior. It’s a reminder that darkness once ruled over us. Take this stone with you. Put it in a place where you frequently visit, perhaps your car or kitchen or bedside table so that you can be reminded daily about the significance of Lent. While we wrestle with and contemplate our broken humanity, may we also be filled with hope, for we know that, “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 ESV).

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu (TONIGHT)

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

To-Go available by reservation

Mojo Pork, Black Beans & Rice, Salad, Cuban Bread, Pie Kids: Wing Dings, Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Cookie

Join us this Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall for dinner at 5:30, then stay for the Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:30 in the Sanctuary.

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.

New Bible study begins March 1:

Pastor Bob will lead a short study on the Gospel of John beginning Wednesday, March 1 and ending on April 5. All you need to bring is your Bible or Bible app.

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.

Discover SHAPE Workshop — March 5:

The Discover SHAPE Workshop is an opportunity to explore your individual gifts and talents, both to help you find your place at St Pete First United Methodist Church and to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are meeting on Sunday, March 5, from 10:45 am-1 pm. Lunch & childcare will be provided. Please register by the Tuesday before the workshop (Feb. 28). Click here for more info and to sign up.

Men's Breakfast— March 11:

Join the men of the church for food and fellowship! Special Guest: Rev. Ricardo Welch, Pastor at Prayer Tower Church (south St. Pete) Click here for more info.

Family Promise Training — March 12:

Complete all the training needed for Family Promise in-person on Sunday, March 12, from 12:30-2 pm. A light lunch will be provided. Click here for more info.

Early Response Team Training — March 18:

Want to help with disaster recovery? We are re-forming our Early Response Teams. If you are interested in ERT Training, click here for more information.

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.

Join us for Holy Week at St. Pete First!

Click here for more information

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

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 103

WEDNESDAYS

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS Parlor – Room 214

6:30 pm PASTOR BOB'S BIBLE STUDY Chapel

6:30 pm PASTOR MARGE'S 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