7/14/24 Bulletin & Order of Service
- St Pete First

- Jul 12, 2024
- 0 min read

Welcome & Church Information
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!
Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message
Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give
Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR MARGE
Everybody loves a great underdog story. Before J.K. Rowling became the first author to earn a net worth of $1 billion, her Harry Potter pitch was rejected twelve times. We are all familiar with the film Rocky, in which Rocky Balboa is a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia and gets the opportunity of a lifetime when heavyweight boxing world champion, Apollo Creed, selects Rocky to fight him. Underdog boxer Rocky goes the whole fifteen rounds and knocks down Apollo for the first time in his professional career. Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in their September 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match in three straight sets.
It turns out that God loves a great underdog story too. In the book of Judges, God uses this unlikely underdog and hero named Deborah to help defeat the evil Canaanites, who were a morally corrupt people who worshipped false gods through child sacrifice. Living in a patriarchal society, Deborah is appointed by God as the only female judge over Israel and she uses her position of authority for the benefit of others. The Israelites had been under the control of the Canaanite king, Jabin, and the commander of Jabin’s army, Sisera. The Canaanites had 900 chariots of iron, which would be the equivalent of military tanks today, and they ruled over Israel for twenty years. The long story made short is that Deborah and Barak, the military commander of Israel, along with ten thousand troops attack Sisera and his army and they win. One of the major lessons we learn from the judge Deborah is that God brings deliverance from unexpected sources and in unexpected manners. We see this all throughout the Bible. The best example would be Jesus Christ Himself. When the whole world expected the Messiah to be this great military leader who would conquer the world by His sword and might, what did the world get instead? A baby lying in a manger, born into the messiness of this world.
You see, God uses ordinary underdogs, like you and me, to do extraordinary things. The question you must answer for yourself is this: are you willing to let God use you to do far beyond what you could ever dream of or imagine or are you just going to sit on the sidelines and watch Him use somebody else? This world needs men and women who are fueled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to step up and act on God’s greater purpose in this world. My prayer today is that you would get off the sidelines and get into the messiness on the field. After all, it is exactly what Jesus did for you and for me.
— Pastor Marge
8 & 11 am Order of Service
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM
July 14, 2024
*Please stand as you are able. Congregational responses are in bold.
PRELUDE
"Hymnus" by Alexander Von Fielitz
Rick Nay, Organ
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: All the earth belongs to the Lord, the Creator!
People: Let us rejoice in the wonder of creation!
Leader: Gather your hearts together to praise God’s wondrous love!
People: To God be the glory, now and forever!
*HYMN OF PRAISE
"To God Be the Glory" Hymn # 98
*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.
WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS (Click here to GIVE)
"As the Father" by Richard Rossi
Weston-Copp Quartet
Kelly Bonyata, flute; 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
"Something Beautiful" Hymn # 394
SERMON
“Deborah” Rev. Margaret Rountree
Text: Judges 4 - Judges 5 (selectively) ESV
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
"Lead On, O King Eternal" Hymn # 580
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
"Postlude Pomposo" by George Blake
Rick Nay, Organ
The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of David & Linda Cole, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on July 19, from their children & grandchildren.
Thank you for joining us today!
Reminder: If you are not feeling well or if you are traveling, please take advantage of our livestream worship.
9:30 am Order of Service
Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM
July 14, 2024
Praise & Worship Praise Team
“Lion and the Lamb”
“Build my Life”
Passing the Peace of Christ
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
“Jesus Paid it All”
Sermon
“Deborah” Rev. Margaret Rountree
Text: Judges 4 - Judges 5 (selectively) ESV
Worship Song
“God I Look to You”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of David & Linda Cole, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on July 19, from their children & grandchildren.
Thank you for joining us today!
Reminder: If you are not feeling well or if you are traveling, please take advantage of our livestream worship.
Bulletin/Announcements
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. We need volunteers for our First Impressions team - these team members volunteer during one or more Sunday services per month and act as ambassadors of our church to help folks feel welcome and safe in our building. Training is provided so volunteers can assist the church during emergencies or other situations that might occur on Sunday mornings. Contact Kendra Aumack for more information or 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!
July 7: In Person 375 Online 269
Church Finances
May 2024 Year to Date
Income $200,014 $1,289,291
Expense $229,191 $1,359,081


Street Ministry Collection
The Becomers Class and the Youth WhereHouse Ministry are collecting toiletries and other items for those in need, to be handed out at the weekly Street Ministry Lunch on Thursdays at Christ UMC. A donation bin is located in the Fellowship Hall. Items needed: travel sizes of toothpaste, hand soap, hand sanitizer, hand wipes, pocket Kleenex, & feminine products, plus combs & brushes, socks, wash cloths, Depends, new underwear, bottled water, and granola bars. Dollar General is a good source for travel sized items. More info: Judy Ryan ja14ryan@yahoo.com

Thank You from Pastor Margaret!
I would like to say a huge “thank you” to my church family for all the support and love you demonstrated towards me during my ordination, a very special milestone on my ministry journey. Thank you to everyone who took the bus or drove in their own cars to watch me get ordained on Saturday, June 8th at Florida Southern College. I would also like to thank everyone who helped to plan and host the luncheon for me in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 9th. Thank you for the countless gifts and cards that I have received and many thanks to Staff Parish for the beautiful stole that I will indeed wear often. I am certainly beyond blessed to be a part of this amazing church family! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Summer Camp:
Camp Friendship Week 2- July 15-19
Elementary Slimetopia Camp - July 15-19

Get your St. Pete First Travel Mug!
Click here to order a travel mug ($20) and show your support of St. Pete First and our mission to Love St. Pete.
Save the Date:
Blood Pressure & Health Information Clinic (2nd Sundays): Our Faith Community Nursing ministry hosts a blood pressure & health information clinic every 2nd Sunday from 9 am until 11:30 am. Find them in the 1st floor Nurse’s Area right past the Fellowship Hall.
St Pete First Day at the Rays (8/17): Click here for more information or to buy tickets.
2024 Women's Retreat (10/11-13): Click here for more information or to register online.
Job Openings

Job Opening—Part-Time Custodian:
Put the word out! Part-time custodian needed! Duties include routine cleaning and event setup. Flexible hours, 2-3 days per week. Contact Chad Simonds for more information.
To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.
Kids & Youth
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
Weekly & Monthly Events
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 (Join us at Common Grounds this summer at 10:45! Sunday School returns on August 11.)
11:00 am BECOMERS -Zoom & Room 103
11:00 am DISCIPLE MAKERS -Library-Room 212
11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208 (On Summer Break June 2-Sept 1)
MONDAYS
11:30 am United Women in Faith FAST Crowd (3rd Mondays) -Location varies (On Summer Break June-August)
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 (On Summer Break June-August)
MUSIC
SUNDAYS
8:30 am IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary
10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312 (Does not sing June 16-July 14)
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 No Wednesday rehearsal June-August
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



