3/24/24 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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Palm Sunday

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

March 24, 2024

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

(8:00) "Along The Palm-Strewn Way" by Donald Lee Moore

"Fanfare For The King" by Robert J. Hughes

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) "Rondo Jubilee" by Brenda Austin

Fellowship Ringers

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Margaret Rountree

Leader: Let all creation shout!

People:  Let us wave the palm branches high. Jesus is coming!

Leader: He comes in humility to claim God’s own.

People:  May He claim us this day and heal our hearts!

Leader: Hosanna to the Son of David!

People:  Hosanna to the blessed Son of God!

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" Number 278

(11:00) KIDS PRAISE TEAM

“Sing the Glory” by Ruth Elaine Schram

*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

"Hosanna! Sing Praises!" by Jack Schrader

Chancel Choir & Kids Praise Team

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

"The Palms" by Jean-Baptiste Faure

Nancy Allison, Soloist

*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

"All Glory, Laud, and Honor" (vs. 1, 3, & 4) Number 280

SERMON

"The Baggage of Fear"  Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Matthew 27:45-46 NLT

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" Number 277

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

"Day Of Triumph" by Vladimir Rebikoff

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of SHAPE, the ministry that helps others explore their spiritual gifts and find their place in the life of the church.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

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

Palm Sunday

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

March 24, 2024

(Click here to check-in)

Welcome              Rev. Margaret Rountree

Praise & Worship Praise Team

"Graves Into Gardens"

"Blessed Be Your Name"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Kids Praise Team

“Sing the Glory” by Ruth Elaine Schram

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"Do It Again"

Sermon

"The Baggage of Fear"  Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Matthew 27:45-46 NLT

Worship Song

“Build My Life”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of SHAPE, the ministry that helps others explore their spiritual gifts and find their place in the life of the church.

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 BOB    

Palm Sunday was one of those days when the crowds showed their admiration and support for Jesus. It was the custom to wave palms ad throw outer garments on the ground upon which to walk, when one was seen as a king. That triumphant day would soon transition from shouts of “Hosanna!” to “crucify!”

As we move into holy week it is a time not to tire of the journey lasting almost forty days, but, to understand that emptying of self leads one closer to the cross of Jesus. Holy week also includes times of deeper reflection as we who are Christians draw closer to the story of passion. Thursday will be “Maundy Thursday.”  Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “commandment”. This day is named after Jesus’ commandment to love one another. Tradition holds we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (the Eucharist—‘Great Thanksgiving’) as Jesus demonstrated His love over the meal.  Friday moves us into “Good Friday.” I am often asked, “If Jesus suffered on the cross on Friday, why do we call it ‘Good’?”  Perhaps it is called Good Friday because God took the most tragic event life could muster (crucifixion) and turned it into something “Good” as Jesus saves us of our sin.

Let me invite you to come and experience this week of focus leading into Easter and I guarantee you, it will be a life changer!

— Pastor Bob     

Volunteer Help Needed

Our new member ministry, Discover First, needs more volunteers to help with informational meetings for people interested in joining St Pete First. Click here to go to our volunteer form, then select "New Member Team.

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!

No Wednesday Dinner or Programming during Holy Week. Please join us for worship on Maundy Thursday (3/28) at 7 pm and Good Friday (3/29) at 7 pm.

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 17: In Person 490 // Online 335

Church Finances

February 2024 Year to Date

Income $206,783 $565,636

Expense $310,166 $515,777

Easter Lilies for the Sanctuary (deadline is Sunday night 3/24 at midnight):

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 the end of the day today, 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. 

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.

UWF Diaper & Book Drive (through 3/31):

Through the end of March, the United Women In Faith will be collecting diapers (any brands - sizes 4,5,6) baby wipes, and new or slightly used children’s books for Cornerstone Ministries’ Rosa Valdez Early Learning Center.  Help us support this amazing organization by dropping off these items in the Fellowship Hall from now until March 31st. If you are not attending church or would like to contribute without purchasing the items, you may write a check to the United Women In Faith and mail it to: Nancy Fallis, 6440 Gulfport Blvd. S., St. Petersburg 33707.

Everyone Needs a Little Jesus Challenge:

Challenge from our WhereHouse Youth Ministry to you! There have been 200 mini-Jesus figures placed around and in our church. If you see a Jesus, pick Him up and give a little Jesus away. Great way to invite someone to our Easter services. Don't forget you can find Jesus in the craziest of places in your own life.

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 or read earlier devotionals. 

Holy Week Events:

NO Wednesday Night Live dinner or activities this week. See you next week!

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.

Maundy Thursday Communion Service - Thurs. Mar. 28 (7 pm)

Good Friday Service - The Shadow of the Cross - Fri. Mar. 29 (7 pm). The Chancel Choir, orchestra, and narrators will present The Shadow of the Cross, a service of darkness which walks us through the final hours of Jesus' life, including his crucifixion. But as John affirms, "the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:5).

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service - Williams Park - Sun. Mar. 31 (7:30 am)

Easter Sunday Worship - Sun. Mar. 31 (9:30/11 am)

The church office will be closed all day on Friday, March 29 and Monday, April 1.

Join our Praise Team:

Do you like to sing? We'd love to have more singers at our 9:30 am contemporary worship service. Contact Loren Russell at (863) 617-5087 or LRussell@fumcsp.org

Calling All Students! Scholarships (4/2 deadline):

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.

Allocations/Permanent Fund Request (5/3 deadline):

The Allocations Committee is accepting applications for charitable funding. Click here for more information.

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 (FULL, but you can join the wait list)

Elementary Slimetopia Camp - July 15-19

Click here to Register.

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 (ended 3/20)

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