4/14/24 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.

Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message

Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

Hey Friends!

I am so excited this week we will all be together at once at 10AM as we celebrate the vision and mission leading us into the future! You will not only hear what I believe to be God’s direction for our church, but experience the powerful worship and music of our choir and praise team. Everyone has been readying for this special day and I can’t wait to be there with you. 

On another note… I wanted to pass along to you the fruit of your generosity from a couple weeks ago when we lovingly supported a special offering for our friends from Gideon International. With the funds you gave, they will be distributing almost 400 new testaments to the students and faculty on the USF campus! This continues our mission to reach people for Jesus. I am deeply touched by all we accomplish together in the name of Jesus.

— Pastor Bob 

Vision Sunday

Blended Worship—10 AM

April 14, 2024

*Please stand as you are able.

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"Praise Medley" arr. John Innes

"My Tribute" arr. John Innes

Rick Nay, Organ

WELCOME            Rev. Margaret Rountree

*PRAISE & WORSHIP Praise Team

"Everlasting God"

"Lion and the Lamb"

*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.

SERMON

"From Good to Great"  Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Acts 2:42-47 NLT

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Be Thou My Vision" Hymn # 451

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

"We Walk By Faith" by Lloyd Larson

Chancel Choir

*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.

*PRAISE & WORSHIP Praise Team

"Way Maker"

SERMON

"Getting There"  Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Luke 12:48 NLT

*CLOSING SONG

"The Blessing"

Praise Team & Chancel Choir

*BENEDICTION

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Dorothy Fitchett's parents, husband, mother-in-law, and father-in-law.

Thank you for joining us today!

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

Volunteer Help Needed

Our Street Ministry Team needs volunteers for a new opportunity to serve the less fortunate. We are partnering with Metropolitan Ministries and Christ United Methodist Church to serve lunch every Thursday out of a facility at Christ UMC. Volunteers are needed from 11am to 1 pm to set up food and drink, serve, and clean up afterward. You don't need to be available every week. A welcoming heart is all the experience needed.

To volunteer, contact Hal Heitler at 727-448-6291 / heitlerh@tampabay.rr.com or

Click here to go to our volunteer form, then select "Street Ministry 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!

Adults: Fava Bean Salad w/Farro (chilled), Pita Chips, Assorted Desserts

Kids: Hotdog & Chips, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Ice Cream Sandwich

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 during Holy Week. We hope to see you again next week!

April 7: In Person 450 Online 300

Church Finances

February 2024 Year to Date

Income $206,783 $565,636

Expense $310,166 $515,777

In Our Father's House:

St. Pete First UMC offers condolences to the family of Ryan Heacox, who passed away on April 5, 2024. His memorial service will be held in the Sanctuary on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 pm.

Graduation Sunday on 5/5 (we need your RSVP now!):

Are you graduating? It would be our honor to show some love from your church family for all the hard work that you have done, by recognizing you on Sunday, May 5 at the 9:30am and 11am services. Any high school or college graduates please RSVP ASAP to KayLee: kbennett@fumcsp.org. Include one toddler photo and one graduation photo.

Kids Night Out (4/16):

Children’s Ministry will host KIDS’ NIGHT OUT on Friday, April 19th from 6-10pm. Join us for pizza, games, ice cream sundaes, a devotion, and movie. $20 first child, $15 second, $40 for a family of 3 or more. Registration required by Wednesday, April 17th. Click here to register.

Discover First (4/21):

Our next Discover First informational meeting for those interested in joining the church will be Sunday, April 21 from 10:45 to 1pm in the chapel. Childcare and lunch provided. Click here to sign up.

Street Ministry Lunch - Servers needed:

Street Ministry has a new opportunity to serve the less fortunate. We are partnering with Metropolitan Ministries and Christ United Methodist Church to serve lunch every Thursday out of a facility at Christ UMC. Volunteers will set up food and drink (beginning at 11:00 am), serve these items to patrons (11:30 am to 12:30 pm) and clean up the area (12:30 to 1:00 pm). You don't need to be available every week to volunteer. A welcoming heart is all the experience needed. Contact Hal Heitler at 727-448-6291 or heitlerh@tampabay.rr.com

United Women in Faith meeting (4/23):

All ladies are invited to join with United Women in Faith on Tuesday, April 23 from 10:30-noon in the Fellowship Hall to learn about our mission projects and the other exciting projects we we are planning. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to Cindy Ripley redreavis@aol.com or Nancy Fallis nfallis40@yahoo.com

Sponsor United Women in Faith in the Wonder Walk (deadline 4/26):

Our United Women of Faith has a team walking this year in Cornerstone Family Ministries’ annual Wonder Walk/Run, which raises scholarship funds for Rosa Valdez Early Learning Center & Lab Schools so children living in the inner-city can have a safe place to learn and grow. Make your check out to Cornerstone Family Ministry or designate cash for this ministry. Deadline is April 26,2024. Questions? Marilyn Cutting: mfroglady@gmail.com

Children's Musical: Malice in the Palace—The Story of Esther (4/28):

Come out and support our Children's Music Ministry as the kids present Malice in the Palace—The Story of Esther on Sunday, April 28 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you can, please bring a non-refrigerated dessert to share.

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

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

Free Mental Health Seminar (5/4):

St. Pete First Counseling Center is offering their yearly FREE seminars (+ fundraiser) on May 4 from 12:30 to 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Pre-register here so we have enough snacks and chairs.

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.

Scam Alert

Scammers are always active, and some like to target churches. Don't forget that our pastors do not solicit money via emails or text messages. An example of the kind of scam text currently circulating: "Hello [your name], Kindly let me know if you're available I need your assistance as soon as you're available... Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor". This text (and others like it) is a scam and is NOT from Pastor Bob. More information here.

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  (ended 3/20)

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  (ended for the semester)

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

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH (April meeting will begin at 6:30pm)

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