5/19/24 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.

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Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor

Rev. Margaret Rountree, Associate Pastor

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR MARGE    

Pentecost Sunday occurs fifty days after Easter, and it is the fulfillment of Christ’s promise of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost signals that we as Christ-followers have a new power for ministry and that is the power of the Holy Spirit living and dwelling in us. While the Holy Spirit serves many roles in our lives as believers, including helping us, convicting us, changing us from the inside out, bringing us everlasting peace, and teaching us, specifically at Pentecost, we witness one of the major roles the Holy Spirit has in our lives; the Holy Spirit empowers us to share our faith and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the very ends of the earth. It is a message that has eternal, everlasting significance.

Over two-thousand years ago, one hundred and twenty believers were gathered in a small house to celebrate the ancient Jewish harvest festival, called Pentecost, which was celebrated on the fiftieth day after the Passover. Suddenly, there came from heaven “a sound like a mighty rushing wind” that filled the whole house and “divided tongues of fire” rested on each of the one hundred and twenty people. What happened next was a miracle. These people filled with the Holy Spirit began to “speak in other tongues,” in other languages, that were not their own. In other words, they started to proclaim the truth, the Gospel, to the large crowd that had gathered in languages they did not know.

Thousands and thousands of Jewish pilgrims from all over the world had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, which was an ancient Israel festival. There were all these different languages and cultures present and so when the apostles began to speak in other tongues, it was astonishing because people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Parthia, Egypt, etc, were hearing each of the apostles speak in their own language. In other words, they were speaking in other tongues. How were they doing this, you may be wondering? The apostles had been filled with the Holy Spirit, who was directing the syllables the apostles spoke. It was a true miracle.

There were two reactions from the crowd that heard the faithful proclamation of God’s Word by the apostles: confusion and rejection. In fact, the crowd eventually mocked the miracle, claiming that the apostles were drunk. Then the apostle Peter gets up and preaches the very first sermon to the very first official church service on planet earth. The main message of Peter’s sermon to the crowd is this: it is all of our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross and it is that same sin that is forgiven at the cross for anyone who believes and receives. The apostle Peter wants this confused, unbelieving crowd to know for certain that they are not just mistakers in need of a life coach but are sinners in need of a Savior. So, the crowd is cut to the heart by Peter’s Holy-Spirit-filled sermon, and they ask Peter, “What shall we do?” Peter responds by saying, “Repent and be baptized…and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The Biblical account of Pentecost ends by proclaiming that on that day, three-thousand people surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and were baptized.

It is my prayer that even still today, on this Pentecost Sunday, thousands of people would be cut to the heart and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the Good News of the Gospel with this confused, skeptical, and unbelieving world. That same power that lit the apostles’ heads on fire in that house in first-century Jerusalem lives and dwells in anybody who believes and receives. We have the power, not our own power but the Holy Spirit’s power, to set this world on fire in the best possible way. My prayer even still today is this: come, Holy Spirit, come.

— Pastor Marge    

Day of Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

May 19, 2024

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

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PRELUDE

(8:00) "Be Of Good Cheer" by Charles E. Overholt

"Holy Spirit, Truth Divine" by Louise E. Stairs

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) "Are Ye Able" arr. Matthew Compton

Fellowship Ringers

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Come, Holy Spirit. Inspire our hearts with your fiery presence!

People: Let your flame burn within us, stirring us to action.

Leader: Come, Holy Spirit. Energize our lives to work for God.

People: Let your wind of hope swirl around us, lifting and moving us from complacency.

Leader: Come, Holy Spirit. Pour your blessing on us.

People: Let your presence challenge us to proclaim God’s presence and love in everything we say and do.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" Hymn # 103

*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

“Apostles’ Creed” Number 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) CHORAL ANTHEM

"We Worship as One" by Jay Althouse

Chancel Choir

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

"Come Holy Spirit" by Chester Nordman

Kendra Aumack & Karen Shramo, 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

"Spirit of the Living God" Hymn # 393

SERMON

"Come, Holy Spirit, Come" Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Acts 2:1-4;14-41 ESV (selectively)

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Sweet, Sweet Spirit" Hymn # 334

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

"Praise And Exultation" by Lani Smith

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Patti Martin on our 39th wedding anniversary, from your loving husband.

Thank you for joining us today!

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

Day of Pentecost

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

May 19, 2024

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Praise & Worship Praise Team

"This is Amazing Grace"

"Yes and Amen"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

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"Tremble"

Sermon

"Come, Holy Spirit, Come" Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Acts 2:1-4;14-41 ESV (selectively)

Worship Song

“Graves Into Gardens”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Patti Martin on our 39th wedding anniversary, from your loving husband.

Thank you for joining us today!

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

Volunteer Help Needed

We need volunteers for several ministries this week. 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. We need VBS Volunteers - click here to find out more. Our Street Ministry is seeking 6 volunteers to serve meals to the homeless population in St. Petersburg on the 1st Monday, 1st Tuesday or 2nd Wednesday of every month. Meals on Wheels needs people to deliver meals to homebound seniors from 10:30am-12noon one weekday per month. We also need Office Volunteers in our administration office who can answer phones and do light office work for a half-day once a week. Click here to go to our Serve form, then select the ministries you are interested in.

Wednesday Night Live Dinner & Activities will return on September 4th. Mark your calendars!

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

May 12: In Person 470 Online 241

Church Finances

March 2024 Year to Date

Income $238,189 $803,825

Expense $372,753 $888,580

Club 56 Roller Skating Celebration with Youth (TODAY 5/19):

Our 5th graders are moving up to 6th grade and our 6th graders are joining YOUTH! We want to CELEBRATE! We will be having a combined YOUTH/CLUB 56 party at Astro Skate at 5:30. Pizza and drinks are included. Everything is FREE but you need to register - click here to join the fun

Pastor Margaret's Ordination (6/8):

We are taking a bus to Lakeland on Saturday, June 8 to support Pastor Margaret as she is ordained at the service of licensing and ordination of the Annual Conference. The service will be at Florida Southern College in Lakeland at 10:30AM.  The bus will pick folks up at St. Pete First and provide round-trip transportation. Cost is $20 per person. Seats are limited!  CLICK HERE TO GET A SEAT ON THE BUS.  

Also, on Sunday, June 9, we will celebrate with Pastor Margaret and our church family with a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall after the 11am service.

Youth Summer Sports (June-August):

Our WhereHouse Youth Ministry is sponsoring weekly sports opportunities this summer for 6th-12th grade beginning in June! Running with Chad ($20 for the summer) will be every Monday & Wednesday, and Karate ($200 for the summer; uniform included) will be every Tuesday & Thursday. Sign up now! Click here to register and pay or find out more at StPeteFirst.org/youth

VBS Volunteers Needed:

It's May and that means VBS is getting close!! We will have a full house, with 120 children during the week! Phew, that’s a lot of kids… Did you know that more than half of those children are from the community and NOT members of St. Pete First? This is one of our largest outreach events of the year and we need your help.

We have many areas to choose from; you can help by setting up ahead of time, helping lead a preschool or elementary group, helping lead music during our opening and closing each day, preparing snacks or crafts – there’s SO many things to do. If you can help, CLICK HERE to volunteer or email Lora Ulrich and she will find a spot for you!! We are also asking for donations to purchase snacks and donate to our service project (backpacks for St. Pete High’s Green Devil’s Pantry)— you can click here to donate to VBS or write a check and designate VBS.

VBS & Summer Camp registration is OPEN:

VBS - June 17-21 (FULL, but you can join the wait list)

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.

Save the Date: St Pete First Day at the Rays (8/17):

We are pleased to announce that the 6th Annual St. Pete First United Methodist Church Group Rays game is scheduled with the Arizona Diamondbacks @ Tropicana Field. It will be Saturday, August, 17, 2024; 4:10 p.m. This game is again selected to be the annual Faith Day event whereby Rays players and chaplains are featured in a postgame event giving their testimonies. Lower level tickets are only $40.00 each which includes a special faith-based FREE baseball cap. For more information contact Shirley Bassett, Group Leader, @ 727.310.7044 or sbassettUNI@gmail.com. GO RAYS!

2024 Women's Retreat (10/11-13):

Join us for St. Pete First's bedazzling 2024 Women’s Retreat the weekend of October 11th-13th at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp & Conference Center in Fruitland Park, Florida. Click here for more information or to register online, or come talk to us in the Fellowship Hall between services.

Street Ministry Volunteer Opportunities:

Street Ministry is seeking 6 volunteers to serve meals to the homeless population in St. Petersburg on the 1st Monday, 1st Tuesday or 2nd Wednesday of every month. Volunteers serve food at the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. once per month. No prior experience in serving food is needed—only a smile is required! To learn more about volunteering with Street Ministry, contact Hal Heitler at 727-448-6291 or at heitlerh@tampabay.rr.com.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed:

St. Pete First members and friends have staffed a Meals on Wheels delivery route for many years. This is an impactful local mission, bringing a meal and a friendly greeting to homebound seniors in St Petersburg. Time commitment is about 1½ hours (10:30am-12noon), one weekday per month. We currently need volunteers who can help on a regular basis or as a substitute. Registration and training are required and will be provided. If you can help or want to know more, please contact Sue Allen (sallen0903@gmail.com or 727-418-8155). 

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

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 -RETURNING on Sept 4th

5:00 pm KIDS PRAISE TEAM (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 -RETURNING on Sept 4th

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 -RETURNING on Sept 4th

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS -Parlor-Rm 214 

6:30 pm Adult BIBLE STUDIES - TBA

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

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 -RETURNING on Sept 4th

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