3/23/25 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.

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Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

I had a friend recently who shared with me her commitment to the Lenten season and how she was honoring the 40 days. She reminded me that Lent is a time to give up something near and dear to the heart—a habit, addiction, annoying attribute (I didn't share this one with my wife because I was afraid that annoying attribute would be me), or favorite calorie-filled food in preparation of Easter. She mentioned she decided instead to send out a poem she was writing to 40 friends letting them how they were appreciated, prayed for and a blessing in her life. Secondly, she said in writing the poem she thought it might draw attention to God's cherished love for each of us as well as His creation. A great reminder that God is always the source of our peace and everlasting joy. I was deeply touched by her, including me in this prayerful moment.  Friends, the season of Lent is real and one that can impact each of us on a powerful way and remind us we are all treasured by our Heavenly Father. 

— Pastor Bob 

Third Sunday in Lent

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

March 23, 2025

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

“Courage” by Charles Demorest  

Rick Nay, organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

“Our Sacrifice of Praise” by Don Wyrtzen

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: The table is set. The banquet is laid.

People: Our souls hunger and thirst for God.

Leader: Our gracious Host welcomes us here.

People: God’s steadfast love is better than life.

Leader: Sing for joy in the shadow of God’s wings.

People: We have come to praise the living God. 

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us”     Hymn # 381

*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.

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

“All to Jesus I Surrender” arr. Mark Hill

Chancel Choir

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

“O Rest in the Lord” from Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn

Rick Nay, organ

Nancy Allison, soloist

*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

“Amazing Grace”     Hymn # 378

SERMON

“Crossing the Line: The Blind Man” Rev. Bob Martin  

Text: John 9:1-11 NLT

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Open My Eyes, That I May See”     Hymn # 454

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“Trumpet Tune and Chorale” by Lani Smith

Rick Nay, organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Jim Gee, who was a dedicated leader for many years in our Cuba and UMCOR mission work, from Dotty Newman.

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

March 23, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

“One Thing Remains” 

“When You Walk into the Room” 

“Here I Am to Worship” 

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“Beautiful Things”

Sermon

“Crossing the Line: The Blind Man” Rev. Bob Martin  

Text: John 9:1-11 NLT

Worship Song

“Heart Won’t Stop” 

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Jim Gee, who was a dedicated leader for many years in our Cuba and UMCOR mission work, from Dotty Newman.

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.

*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***

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.

Help needed at our Spring Picnic!

We need some volunteers to help out at our Spring Picnic on Saturday, April 12! We need volunteers before 4pm for setup; during the event (4-6pm) to welcome people & help our event run smoothly, grill, serve food, manage bounce houses & more; and after 6pm for cleanup and tear-down. Our picnic is open to the community so invite your friends & neighbors to join us! Click here to volunteer.

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: Cottage Pie, Salad, Garlic Toast, Gooey Butter Cake

Kids: Wing Dings & Tots, 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 118

March 16 Worship   497 In Person 304 Online

Groups 102

Church Finances

February 2025 Year to Date

Income $254,394 $505,770

Expense $221,371 $507,156

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

• Through April 6—Diaper & Children’s Book Drive (collection bins in Fellowship Hall & WhereHouse)

• Feb 1-March 31—St Pete First Scholarship Applications: www.stpetefirst.org/scholarship

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

• THIS WEEK! Wed Mar 26—Stress Busters class begins, with Dr. Jim Meyer at 6:30 pm in the Chapel

• 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

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 STRESS BUSTERS (Dr. Jim Meyer) -Chapel

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