2/9/25 Bulletin & Order of Service
- St Pete First
- Feb 8
- 11 min read
Welcome & Church Information
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
Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB
The season has come for our Bishop and Cabinet to begin convening on appointments for this coming season. Their first gathering will be this month as they fill their time with prayer and discernment on churches seeking pastoral appointments and clergy seeking a move for missional reasons. I want to ask that we as a church begin a season of prayer for discernment, guidance and wisdom for Bishop Berlin, our District Superintendent The Reverend Emily Hotho and other Superintendents on the Cabinet for God's hand to lead them in identifying our new Associate Pastor.
This is truly and exciting time for our church and through our prayers, we can be assured the gifts and graces of our new Associate Pastor will compliment our vision and mission as a church.
— Pastor Bob
8 & 11 am Order of Service
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM
February 9, 2025
*Please stand as you are able. Congregational responses are in bold.
PRELUDE
"Sheep May Safely Graze" by Johann Sebastian Bach
Rick Nay, Organ
(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT
"In the Name of the Lord" by Sandi Helvering
Chancel Choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
People: Let us be glad this day for life, for breath, and for freedom of worship.
Leader: Blessed are you, who come in the name of the Lord.
People: We come to offer our gifts of praise and gratitude to the King of Creation.
*HYMN OF PRAISE
“O Church of God, United” Hymn # 547
*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.
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
“Apostles’ Creed” # 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.
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
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
"Blessed Are You" by Craig Courtney
Chancel Choir
COMMISSIONING OF 2025 LEADERS
WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS (Click here to GIVE)
"Spirit Of God" by W.H. Meidlinger
Nadine Johnson, Soloist
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
"Dear Jesus, in Whose Life I See” Hymn # 468
SERMON
“Myth Busters: You Don’t Have to Belong to a Church” Rev. Bob Martin
Text: Romans 12:3-8 NLT
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
"Blest Be the Tie that Binds” Hymn # 557 (vs. 2 - 4)
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
"Jubilation" by James Denton
Rick Nay, Organ
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Ginny & Tom McLean on the week of their wedding anniversary, from Susan & Brent McLean.
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.
9:30 am Order of Service
Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM
February 9, 2025
Praise & Worship Praise Team
“This is Amazing Grace”
“How Great is our God”
"You are my King (Amazing Love)"
Passing the Peace of Christ
Reception of New Members
Commissioning of 2025 Leaders
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
“Praises”
Sermon
“Myth Busters: You Don’t Have to Belong to a Church” Rev. Bob Martin
Text: Romans 12:3-8 NLT
Worship Song
“The Church”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Ginny & Tom McLean on the week of their wedding anniversary, from Susan & Brent McLean.
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.
Bulletin/Announcements
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).
Common Grounds needs volunteers to take a one-hour once-a-month shift on Sunday mornings (8-9 am, 9-10 am, 10-11 am) to serve pastries, make coffee, and assist with clothing distribution to those in need. Contact Hal Heitler (halheitler@gmail.com) or Chad Simonds (csimonds@stpetefirst.org) to sign up.
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: Spanish Bean Soup, Salad, Cornbread, Tres Leches Cake
Kids: Pizza, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Cookie
Last Week's Attendance Numbers
Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!
Weekly Groups 206
February 2 Worship 460 In Person 136 Online
Groups 137
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
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 (sign up here)
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
Our Visitation Ministry Needs Your Help!
The Visitation Team ministry connects our homebound members with their church family. Monthly visits, with an offer for communion, give our homebound members the opportunity to stay current with the life of the church. Please contact Kendra at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661 if you know of anyone in our church family who would enjoy a monthly visit.
Souper 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 outside the Fellowship Hall and in the 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.
Common Grounds (Reimagined!)
Give God an extra hour on Sunday: one hour in worship, one hour showing God’s love to our guests in the Fellowship Hall. This is our call to be the hands and feet of Jesus! Serve pastries, make coffee, and assist with clothing distribution to those in need. Your shift can be one Sunday a month from 8-9 am, 9-10 am, or 10-11 am. Join this new ministry by contacting either Hal Heitler at 727-448-6291 (halheitler@gmail.com) or Chad Simonds at 727-667-7169 (csimonds@stpetefirst.org). Clothing donations also needed (but only specific items)! Contact Linda Delaney at 610-515-5201 (rocklin@ptd.net) for details.
Job Openings
To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.
Kids & Youth
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
Weekly & Monthly Events
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
