4/2/23 Bulletin & Order of Service

Welcome to St Pete First United Methodist Church! 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.

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

Palm Sunday

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

April 2, 2023

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"Along The Palm-Strewn Way" by Donald Lee Moore

"Fanfare For The King" by Robert J Hughes

Rick Nay, Organist

(11:00) CHORAL ANTHEM

"Festive Praise" by Alan Pote

Chancel Choir and Brass Ensemble

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Margaret Rountree

Pastor: The end of our journey is near.

People: We see the towers of Jerusalem; we hear the shouts of the crowd.

Pastor: We still have a distance to travel.

People: But the parade has begun. Let's rejoice and shout "Hosanna!"

Pastor: Keep your eyes fixed on the road.

People: We march into Jerusalem with joy!

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" Number 278

(11:00) KIDS PRAISE TEAM

"Give Me Oil in My Lamp"

"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"

*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.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Pastor: Christ the Lord invites all to His table who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

People: Loving God, on this day, your Son entered the rebellious city that later rejected Him: we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem’s. Our faith is often more show than substance. Our hearts are in need of cleansing. Have mercy on us, Son of David, Savior of our lives. Help us to lay at Your feet all we have and all we are, trusting You to forgive, to heal, and to receive us as Your own. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

The Lord is God. The Lord brings light to those in darkness, forgiveness to those who truly confess, and pardon to all who seek to follow Jesus. Rejoice that the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever and ever. In the name of Jesus the Christ, receive the love that never dies and never fails. Amen.

(11:00) ANTHEM

"Canticle for Palm Sunday" by Tom Fettke

Chancel Choir and Brass Ensemble

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

"The Palms" by Jean-Baptiste Faure

Karen Shramo and Kendra Aumack, Duet

*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

“Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” Number 277

SERMON

“The Crowds” Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Luke 19: 28-38 (NLT)

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"All Glory, Laud and Honor" (vs 1-3) Number 280

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

"Day Of Triumph" by Vladimir Rebikoff

Rick Nay, Organist

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of

Bob Harris's 93rd birthday on April 6 from his St. Pete First UMC family.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Palm Sunday

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

April 2, 2023

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship

"Hosanna (Praise is Rising)"

Kids Praise Team

"Give Me Oil in My Lamp"

"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"

Passing the Peace

Praise & Worship

"You Are Good"

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings (Click here to GIVE)

"Yahweh"

SERMON

“The Crowds” Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Luke 19: 28-38 (NLT)

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Worship Song

“Jesus Messiah”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of

Bob Harris's 93rd birthday on April 6 from his St. Pete First UMC family.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB Palm Sunday kicks off Holy Week in the life of the Christian church which helps orient us to Jesus’ ultimate mission: go to Jerusalem and be nailed to a cross as payment for our sin. Palm Sunday is a day reminding us of the joy the crowds felt as Jesus rode in on a colt. They waved palms which was a sign of recognizing a conquering king and shouted the words, “Hosanna!” (translation: save us!) What I find interesting is these same crowds that welcomed Jesus like a rock star coming on stage were quick to turn in another direction. What were cries of “save us!” would become “crucify him!”

Truth be known, none of us can get to the empty tomb to celebrate Easter until we have walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem shouting accolades to our Lord and King. We too become the crowds throwing our hopes and dreams onto Jesus only in some fashion to become disappointed he isn’t the king we had envisioned. But is he? That is the question for Holy Week. Come join us and I know you will discover the answer.

— Pastor Bob

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu

$5 kids, $8 adults, $30 family of 5

To-Go available by reservation

Lasagna, Garlic Toast, Salad, Chocolate Mousse

Kids: Mini Corndogs, Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Ice Cream Sandwich

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

Thank you for joining us for worship! These are our attendance numbers for worship from last week. We hope to see you again next week!

March 26: In Person 450 // Online 353

Easter Service Project — March 27 through Easter Sunday:

St Pete First is helping to stock the clothes closet at the Salvation Army Job Center on 4th Street South with gently used or new clothing. In particular, they need attire that can be worn by men or women for a job interview. Please drop off clothing donations in the Fellowship Hall from March 27th thru Easter Sunday. We are also accepting cash/check donations for purchasing needed items. It is our hope to have 100% participation!

Items needed include: dress shirts, men’s and women’s slacks (black if possible), dresses, ties, underwear & socks, dress shoes, work shoes and boots, non-skid shoes (for kitchen work), and steel toe shoes (for construction sites). Casual clothing items are also in demand.

Ash Wednesday stones:

Remember the stone we each received on Ash Wednesday? (Pick one up in the sanctuary this week if you didn't get one yet!). This stone is a reminder to us during this Lenten season of our brokenness, mortality, and desperate need of a Savior. It’s a reminder that darkness once ruled over us. If you haven't already done so, put it in a place where you frequently visit, perhaps your car or kitchen or bedside table so that you can be reminded daily about the significance of Lent. While we wrestle with and contemplate our broken humanity, may we also be filled with hope, for we know that, “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 ESV). Don't forget to bring your stone to the Good Friday worship service!

Join us for Holy Week at St. Pete First!

Click here for more information. Invite a Friend! We have invite cards with Holy Week information at church entrances - share them with your friends and neighbors.

Click here to place a lily in the Sanctuary this Easter (reservations & payment due PALM SUNDAY 4/2). You may take your lily home after Easter services on April 9th.

Maundy Thursday Experience—April 6:

Immerse yourself in the Easter story.

Join us for the Way of the Cross on Maundy Thursday, April 6, in the Chapel. This is a self-paced (approx. 30 minute) experience, including communion, that is open to all children, youth, and adults. Begin anytime between 6:30 & 8:00 pm. All are welcome to join us! Click here for more information.

Good Friday Worship—April 7:

Join us Friday evening at 8 pm for our Good Friday worship service.

We need some help for the Sunrise Service! 4 people are needed at 6:15 am to help set up chairs in William Park on Easter Sunday (4/9) morning. Please call the church office and talk to Craig Wills if you can lend a hand.

Join us for Easter Worship!

Sunrise service at 7 am in Williams Park.

Traditional Worship at 8 & 11 am; Contemporary Worship at 9:30 am. String quartet at 9:30 & 11.

Church Office Holiday Hours: The church office will be closed all day on Friday, April 7 and Monday, April 10.

Allocations Funding:

The Allocations/Memorial Committee is accepting applications for charitable funding from the Church's Permanent Fund. Click here and scroll down for more information.

To see the entire list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.

Job Opening— Preschool Teachers:

St. Pete First UMC Preschool is looking for vibrant teachers to educate, care for, and inspire the young minds at our preschool. If you are interested in joining our amazing team, please give us a call at (727) 822-8767 or email Alicia at aclements@fumcsp.org

Job Opening— Custodian:

Need a part-time job, or know of someone who does? St. Pete First is looking for a self-motivated part-time Custodian. Flexible hours. For more information email Chad Simonds, csimonds@fumcsp.org, or call the church at (727) 894-4661

KIDS

SUNDAYS

9:30 AM

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

11:00 AM

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 (Age 4-5th Grade) Chapel

5:30 PM DINNER Fellowship Hall

6-7 PM WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE 4th Floor/Preschool Hall

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

10:45 AM Confirmation WhereHouse

6:00 PM WH PM (6th – 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)

9:00 am Common Grounds Fellowship Hall

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

TUESDAYS

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Deborah Circle (2nd Tuesdays) Room 103

WEDNESDAYS

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS Parlor – Room 214

6:30 pm PASTOR BOB'S BIBLE STUDY Chapel

6:30 pm PASTOR MARGE'S BIBLE STUDY Room 208

6:30 pm EXODUS BIBLE STUDY Room 103

6:30 pm WOMEN'S STUDY: "THE GIRL'S STILL GOT IT" Room 308

THURSDAYS

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY Zoom

2:00 pm United Women in Faith Abigails (4th Thursdays) Room 103

MUSIC

SUNDAYS

10:20 am CHANCEL CHOIR Room 312

12:10 pm HANDBELLS Room 310

WEDNESDAYS

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP PRACTICE Sanctuary

7:30 pm CHANCEL CHOIR PRACTICE 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 Room 101

SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:30 PM STAFF PARISH Closed Meeting

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 PM FINANCE COMMITTEE Admin Conference Room

FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:30 PM CHURCH COUNCIL Fellowship Hall & Zoom