4/7/24 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

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR MARGE    

Growing up, I always had this feeling that I still feel today as a grown woman and even as a pastor. Perhaps you can identify with me a little here. Every year, on the first Sunday after Christmas and on the first Sunday after Easter, I have always felt a little "let down." What about you? Before you jump to any conclusions, just hear me out for a moment. We spend the entire Advent season, so four entire weeks, preparing ourselves for the birth of Jesus. Then Christmas happens and then we are left asking ourselves the question, “Well, now what?” Then we spend forty days, called Lent, preparing for the greatest miracle of all time, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and then we celebrate Easter on Resurrection Sunday. Yet again, we are left asking ourselves the question, “Well, now what?” Another Christmas has come and gone, and another Easter has come and gone. What now? Now what? The sad truth is, now that Easter is over, many of us will not think about the Resurrection for another year until Easter comes and goes again. This is much like Christmas, which also only gets our attention once a year. But, it should not be that way, should it? The joyful truth today is that the Resurrection changes everything about everything about everything in our lives. And I mean everything. When we encounter the Risen Christ, everything changes.

Perhaps, at one point or another in your life, you have heard that God is the “God of second chances.” I am going to have to strongly disagree with this title and I will explain why. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ does not give us a second chance at life. You and I do not need a second chance at life. What we need is a new life; we need Jesus’s life. That is different than just having another chance to try again and hope for a better outcome. It is not about us trying to do better or trying harder but rather, it is about God Almighty doing in us and for us what we could never do on our own and that is free us from our sin and condemnation. However, post-Resurrection Christians realize that for anybody that encounters the Risen Christ, God does not just forgive them, He gives them His righteousness. He gives them a new, transformed life full of meaning, purpose, and mission. Jesus Christ has not only saved us “from” something, He has saved us “for” something. He has commissioned us to carry His ministry forward so that others will know God through our words and actions. The question we all must answer in this life is this: “What is Jesus telling you to do?” Whatever it is, may you step out in faith and courageously follow Him.

— Pastor Marge 

First Sunday After Easter

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

April 7, 2024

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

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PRELUDE

"Gentle Shepherd" by William J. Gaither

"Fling Wide The Gates" (from The Crucifixion) by John Stainer

Rick Nay, Organ

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: This is the good news which we proclaim to you.

People:  Jesus Christ is raised from the dead!

Leader: Walk in the light of His love.

People:  Live in the light of His teachings and healing mercies.

Leader: Come, let us worship the One who overcame death.

People:  Let us celebrate the triumph of our Lord.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Easter People, Raise Your Voices" Hymn # 304

*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

Leader: 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: Almighty and merciful God, we open our hearts up to you, trusting that your love and goodness is stronger than all of our shortcomings. We have been afraid to trust You, and we have forgotten the assurance of Your unending presence. We have sacrificed our convictions, quieted our voices, given in to distractions, and looked out for ourselves above all else. We have thought about giving up when the task before us seems too great. Forgive us for all these things, and help us to be guided by Your Spirit and to be filled with the One who gives us life. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

When we walk in the light of Christ, we have fellowship with one another. When we confess our sins, the Lord forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. For in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has showered mercy upon the entire world. Amen.

(11:00) CHORAL ANTHEM

"One Faith, One Hope, One Lord" by Craig Courtney

Chancel Choir

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

"He Shall Feed His Flock Like A Shepherd" by George F. Handel

Ginny Cannon, Soloist; 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

"Breathe On Me, Breath of God" Hymn # 420

SERMON

"Do You Love Me?"  Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: John 21:3-17 ESV

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Because He Lives" Hymn # 364

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

"Christ Is The Cornerstone" by Edward Broughton

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Shirley Bassett’s 85th birthday and Bob Harris’ 94th birthday 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

April 7, 2024

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Praise & Worship Praise Team

"This is Amazing Grace"

"Do It Again"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"Tremble"

Sermon

"Do You Love Me?"  Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: John 21:3-17 ESV

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Worship Song

“You Keep on Getting Better”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Shirley Bassett’s 85th birthday and Bob Harris’ 94th birthday 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.

Volunteer Help Needed

Do you like meeting and welcoming others? 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!

Adults: Lemon Dijon Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Cornbread, Roasted Vegetables, Apple Crisp

Kids: Pizza, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Cookie

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!

Maundy Thursday: In Person 97 Online 94

Good Friday:       In Person 190 Online 115

Easter Sunrise:       In Person 223

Easter (Sanctuary):      In Person 955 Online 354

Church Finances

February 2024 Year to Date

Income $206,783 $565,636

Expense $310,166 $515,77

Vision Sunday (4/14):

Mark your calendar for Vision Sunday on April 14. We will have a pancake breakfast offered by The WhereHouse Youth Ministry from 8:30am-9:45am, one worship service at 10am, and Sunday School at 11:15am. Join us in the Fellowship Hall for some good eats and fellowship and stay to hear what's coming up next in the life of the church. See you then!

Pancake Breakfast-Vision Sunday (4/14):

The WhereHouse Youth Ministry is sponsoring a FREE pancake breakfast for Vision Sunday, on April 14. We will be serving from 8:30 am-9:45am. Donations accepted! One worship service for Vision Sunday at 10am, with Sunday School at 11:15am. Join us in the Fellowship Hall for some good eats and fellowship.

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.

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.

Internet & WiFi update:

We are currently updating our Internet and Wi-Fi connections. If you have problems with Internet or Wi-Fi on campus, please let us know! Email us at: facilities@fumcsp.org

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 

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

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