5/11/25 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.

Click here to view a welcome message from our pastor.

Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

Hey Friends,

As we celebrate Mother's Day Sunday, I want us to pause for a moment and give thanks to God for our moms, grandmothers, wives and all women whose presence in our lives has molded and shaped us in a significant way. As the writer said in Proverbs 31 when describing women of great character: "She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instruction with kindness..." 

Wishing all moms a Happy Mother's Day!

— Pastor Bob 

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

May 11, 2025

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

“To a Wild Rose” by Edward MacDowell

“Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy

Rick Nay, organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

“Let Our Song Go Forth” by Fred Bock

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: The God of love and grace invites us in.

People: Blessed be the God of love!

Leader: The God of power and might welcomes us here.

People: Glory to God on high!

Leader: The God of wisdom and truth speaks to us now.

People: Praise the One who speaks truth to our hearts! 

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“Maker, in Whom We Live”     Hymn # 88

*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

“Great is the Lord!” by Michael W. Smith

Chancel Choir

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

“I Am Ready” by Twila Paris

Grace Weston, soloist

Rick Nay, organ

*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

“Seek Ye First”     Hymn # 405

SERMON

“Shattered Dreams”     

Rev. Ed Weston

Director of Development for the Preacher's Aid Society and Benefit Fund

Text:  Genesis 37:23-26 NRSV

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”     Hymn # 140

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“When There’s Love At Home” by Roger C. Wilson

Rick Nay, organ

Happy Mother’s Day! The carnations are given with love to all mothers and motherly figures from your St. Pete First UMC family. Please pick up a carnation as you leave the service.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Ginny & Tom McLean on the week of their wedding anniversary, from Susan & Brent McLean.

The rose is given to the glory of God in love and honor of the birth of Chaseley Rose Robinson, born on April 23, 2025, granddaughter of Scott & Kristin Epstein and daughter of Stephen & Autumn Robinson.

Our acolyte this week is Bailey Bridge.

Thank you for joining us today!

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

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

May 11, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

“O Praise Him” 

“Indescribable” 

“Tremble”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“King of my Heart”

Sermon

“Shattered Dreams”     

Rev. Ed Weston

Director of Development for the Preacher's Aid Society and Benefit Fund

Text:  Genesis 37:23-26 NRSV

Worship Song

“God With Us”  

Benediction

Happy Mother’s Day! The carnations are given with love to all mothers and motherly figures from your St. Pete First UMC family. Please pick up a carnation as you leave the service.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Ginny & Tom McLean on the week of their wedding anniversary, from Susan & Brent McLean.

The rose is given to the glory of God in love and honor of the birth of Chaseley Rose Robinson, born on April 23, 2025, granddaughter of Scott & Kristin Epstein and daughter of Stephen & Autumn Robinson.

Our acolyte this week is Bailey Bridge.

Thank you for joining us today!

Reminder: If you are out of town or if you are not feeling well, 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.

Our newly-formed Disaster Response Team needs more members! Our purpose is to be prepared to assist in natural disasters as they occur, working through the Florida Conference of the UMC. There are some upcoming ERT (Early Response Team) trainings coming up in the next few weeks, and it is recommended that participants be certified. We are a volunteer group and are only expected to respond as we are able. Interested? Contact Doug Porter: dporter1950@aol.com

Click here to go to our Serve form, then select the ministries you are interested in.

Wednesday Night Live

Wednesday Night Live & dinner is on summer break.

See you September 3rd!

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!

Weekly Groups 178

May 4 Worship 552  In Person 391  Online

        Groups 141

Church Finances

March 2025 Year to Date

Income $220,673  $727,156

Expense $ 419,325  $926,480

Upcoming Events—Mark your calendar!

• Sun May 18—Blood Pressure Clinic 9-11:30 am; 1st Floor Nurse's Area

• Sun May 18—Discover First 10:45am-1pm (www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst)

• Sun May 18—Move Up Day for 5th & 6th grade

• Sun May 18—Club 56 & Youth Roller Skating 5:30-7:30 pm

• Mon May 26—Church office closed for Memorial Day

• June 9-13—VBS Setup (volunteer; more: www.stpetefirst.org/camp)

• 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

• Jan 23-25, 2026—Women’s Retreat

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

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 return on September 3

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 returns September 28

11:00 am CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) 4th Floor, Room 404

6:00 pm YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse

WEDNESDAYS return on September 3

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    return on September 3

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 BIBLE STUDIES 

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

10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312 

12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310 (on break until Fall)

TUESDAYS 

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel returns on September 3

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