3/10/24 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.

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Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

March 10, 2024

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"I Surrender All" by Franklin Ritter

"Breathe On Me, Breath Of God" arr. Harold DeCou

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

"I Was Glad" by Lloyd Larson

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP Derek Weston

Leader: We gather to share in our love of God.

People: Lord, open our hearts and let us share your Good News.

Leader: We gather to share our witness to God’s goodness.

People: Lord, let our lives bear witness through service to Your people.

Leader: We gather to praise God whose love is eternal.

People: Lord, open our hearts today to sing Your praises.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" Number 127

*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

"I Waited for the Lord" by Felix Mendelssohn

Chancel Choir

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

"Violin Concerto (Second Movement)" by Johann Sebastian Bach

Hunter Krause, Baritone Sax; 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

"The Old Rugged Cross" Number 504

SERMON

"The Baggage of Self-Centeredness"  Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Matthew 20:1-16 (ESV)

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Have Thine Own Way, Lord" Number 382

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

"Postlude Pomposo" by George Blake

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Betty Schaefer and Kelly Bonyata and the Children's Music Ministry, from their 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

March 10, 2024

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

"At Your Name"

"You Keep on Getting Better"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Sacrament of Baptism

Maverick Henry Hedden

Parents: Terry & Andra Hedden

Grandparents: Pam & Angelo Rivera and Cathy & Terry Hedden

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"Beautiful Things"

Sermon

"The Baggage of Self-Centeredness"  Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Matthew 20:1-16 (ESV)

Worship Song

“Graves into Gardens”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Betty Schaefer and Kelly Bonyata and the Children's Music Ministry, from their 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 MARGE    

We are in our fourth week of our Lenten sermon series called, “Baggage.” In this series we have been looking at some “baggage,” those things that stand in our way, run us off track, and block us from living the life promised by our Heavenly Father. The question is not, "Do I have baggage" but rather, it is, “What can be done to set us free from our baggage, from these things in our lives that just weigh us down every single day?” The answer is that we, you and I, can do absolutely nothing on our own. We do not have the ability, the power, or the strength to get rid of our baggage. The only person in the entire world that can set us free from our baggage is Jesus Christ. He is the only one and the only way to a baggage-free life. The baggage we focused on this week was self-centeredness. Self-centeredness is being concerned only with your own desires, needs, or interests. It’s when we think too highly of ourselves.

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard is told by Jesus and is only found in the Gospel of Matthew. We can learn some important lessons about the baggage of self-centeredness from this parable. In the parable, the landowner represents God, and the laborers represent us. We're just standing around every day hoping and praying we can survive this day and make it to the next. We've done absolutely nothing to deserve to work in the vineyard, for an opportunity not only to survive but to flourish and thrive. In fact, we've done so many things that should completely bar us from working on the vineyard, from entering the kingdom of God. Yet, because of God's endless grace, no matter what time of the day it is, there is a place for you and for me in the vineyard. There is a place for you and for me in the Kingdom of God. It's never too late to say yes to the landowner, to say yes to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to say yes to Jesus Christ.

This parable puts things into a bigger perspective for us. That it’s not about us. Rather, it's about God and His unending grace. We must look deeply at what God has done for us. We, who have nothing on our own, have been called to the kingdom of heaven and endowed with the privilege of being Jesus' disciples, with the promise of the greatest reward ever. That reward is eternal life and salvation, made possible by Christ's life, death, and resurrection. A reward that we could never receive without Christ's ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. We, who deserved death, instead are rewarded with eternal life. How in the world is that fair?

When we can take our eyes off of ourselves and focus them instead on the empty tomb, the only appropriate response we should have is gratitude. Gratitude that we get to be co-heirs with and children of God. Gratitude that we have been called into the Kingdom of God. Gratitude for the fact that all that we are, everything that we have, and all that we ever hope to accomplish is a pure, blood-bought gift and our only appropriate response is gratitude. In the light of what our Savior has done for us, for the grace He freely offers to every single one of us, the only appropriate response is grateful worship before the throne of the God who created us and all things.

Today, you are invited to trade in what you have done for what Jesus has already done for you on the cross. It's not about what you've done, it's about what has already been done for you. It's about Christ's work on the cross and His defeat of the grave. But often, the greatest hurdle is our own pride and self-centeredness. You are invited to step off the throne of your own life and instead, let the Lord Jesus Christ take His rightful seat as Your only Lord and sacrificial Savior.

Amen.

— Pastor Marge      

Volunteer Help Needed

We need YOU to be an Usher or Greeter! The role of the Greeter is to be a “Welcome Ambassador” for everyone attending events in our Sanctuary. Ushers provide assistance to any and all persons attending a St. Pete First event, including distributing bulletins and helping guests find a seat, and assist the pastors during worship. Both Ushers & Greeters serve in monthly commitments for a particular worship service. Interested? Contact Shirley Bassett at sbassettUNI@gmail.com or fill out our online volunteer form.

We also need volunteers to help out at our community Spring Picnic. Click here to see what's needed and to volunteer.

Not sure about your best fit for volunteering? Check out our SHAPE class on Wednesdays 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.

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: Italian Sausage Soup, Salad, Garlic Toast, Espresso Brownie

Kids: No kids meal/programming (Spring Break) 

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!

March 3: In Person 627 // Online 326

Church Finances

January Year to Date

Income $358,852 $358,852

Expense $205,611 $205,611

Easter Lilies for the Sanctuary:

We will have peace lilies and Easter lilies this year. Flowers are $12 per plant (check/cash/card). All orders must be received and paid for by Palm Sunday (3/24). We will place all flowers in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday for decoration, then you may pick up your flower(s) in the Sanctuary after the 11 am Easter Sunday service has finished. Click here to order a lily in honor or memory of a loved one. 

Wednesday Night Live this week (3/13):

No kids or youth activities due to Spring Break. Dinner and all adult activities are continuing as usual.

Cheerful's 102nd Birthday Celebration (3/17):

Come help us celebrate Cheerful’s 102nd birthday on Sunday, March 17th at 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall!

Stained Glass Window Committee Organizational Meeting (3/20):

Would you like to help spread the story of Jesus as told in the beautiful stained glass windows in our sanctuary? You are invited to attend an organizational meeting for a new Stained Glass Window committee on Wednesday, March 20, at 1:00pm in room 208. The committee is looking for members with varied interests & expertise, including research, writing, using technology in creative ways, publicity, and outreach. To learn more or to let us know you're interested in attending, please contact the church office at 727-894-4661.

Local Outreach Service Project:

We are collecting personal care products, blankets, rain ponchos, socks, flip-flops, and other needed items for people in need in our local community. Click here for more information and a list of needed items. We are also collecting monetary donations to go toward buying these items. Click here to donate money for this project.

Community Gathering & Spring Picnic (3/23):

Our 2024 community gathering & picnic is coming up on March 23! This year we will be gathering on the grounds of the church. Activities, food, and fun for all ages—everyone is welcome! Click here for more details.

Holy Week Events:

Spring 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.

Lenten Devotionals:

During this Lenten season, we 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. 

VBS & Summer Camp registration is OPEN:

VBS - June 17-21

Camp Friendship Week 1 - July 8-12

Camp Friendship Week 2 - July 15-19

Elementary Art Adventure Camp - July 8-12

Elementary Slimetopia Camp - July 15-19

Click here to Register.

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.

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.

Welcome to our new members!

Please give a warm welcome to the 10 new members who joined St. Pete First UMC on February 25!

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 & MUSICAL REHEARSAL (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

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 (ended 3/6)

6:30 pm DISCOVER SHAPE -Chapel

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 Deborah Circle (4th 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 (not meeting in March)

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

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm INVITE PILLAR

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

2:00 pm NURTURE PILLAR