8/13/23 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

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Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

August 13, 2023

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"Celtic Hymn Melody" arr. Heather King & Ricky Valdez

Ross DeBardelaben, Viola

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

"Bless the Lord, My Soul and Spirit" by Tom Fettke

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Margaret Rountree

Pastor: Lord, be with us throughout all our days.

People: Guide us in your paths of service.

Pastor: Dance with us on the days of joy.

People: Reach out to us when we are fearful.

Pastor: Dear friends, Jesus is our guide and our pilot.

People: No matter how rough the seas, Jesus brings us hope and peace.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"O How I Love Jesus" Number 170

*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

"The Lord Is My Shepherd" by Allen Pote

Chancel Choir

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

"Nearer My God To Thee" arr. Daniel Barta

Ross DeBardelaben, Violin

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

“What A Friend We Have in Jesus” Number 526

SERMON

“Don't Lose Your First Love” Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Revelation 2:1-7 (NLT)

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Help Us Accept Each Other" Number 560

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

"Spirit Victorious" by Robert J. Hughes

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Gordon G. Warner’s birthday from his mother, Pat Warner.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please take advantage of our livestream worship. COVID is spiking again in Florida and we want to keep everyone safe!

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

August 13, 2023

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship

"You Keep On Getting Better"

"King of my Heart"

"Here I Am To Worship"

Passing the Peace

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"Cornerstone"

Sermon

“Don't Lose Your First Love” Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Revelation 2:1-7 (NLT)

Worship Song

“How Great Is Our God”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Gordon G. Warner’s birthday from his mother, Pat Warner.

Thank you for joining us this morning!

Reminder: If you are not feeling well, please take advantage of our livestream worship. COVID is spiking again in Florida and we want to keep everyone safe!

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB I can honestly say there aren’t too many things in my adult life I am ashamed of. I mean, I make mistakes, say things at times I would love to take back as if they never came from my mouth… even done some things that I look back on and say to myself, “What were you thinking? Perhaps the greatest thing I regret is when I judged someone. He didn’t dress really well. I could tell he likely hadn’t bathed in a while. I ran into him at a Starbucks one morning. He looked hungry and when our eyes met, I was convicted to do something. Walking back to my car I had in hand the cup of coffee I had been craving all morning. That was for me. I also had in hand a cheese Danish. That was what I was going to give the man out front who looked hungry. As I approached him on the opposite side of the door I handed him the Danish and with a huge smile on my face I said, “I hope you enjoy this!” He grabbed the bag, looked inside, handed it back to me and said, “I don’t eat cheese.” That kind of took me back a notch or two. I did what I thought Jesus would do. Granted it wasn’t five loaves and two fish but I really felt the one cheese Danish was a game changer. I walked away that day with a hardness on my heart. “How could he refuse the food?” was one of many thoughts on my mind. God convicted me that day. I learned how quickly I can judge the motives of another. The sin was not his (refusing my Danish); the sin was mine for being angry at his not taking the Danish I purchased for him and being thankful. Maybe I should have been angry for the reasons why he didn’t have something to eat. — Pastor Bob

Wednesday Night Dinner & Wednesday Night Live

Returns on September 6!

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!

August 6: In Person 392 // Online 316

Children/Youth Open House TODAY (8/13):

Let’s kick off the school year with an Open House for Children and Youth Ministries THIS SUNDAY August 13th! This will be an event not only for our Sunday School children and families but for our community. Join us for refreshments as you meet the teachers and check out where our children learn, grow, and connect with Jesus, our church, & our community!

Preschool Families — 1st floor Preschool Hall — 9 am-12:30 pm

Elementary Families – 4th floor — 9 am-12:30 pm

Youth Families – The Wherehouse — 10:30 am-12:30 pm

Want to find out more about membership at St. Pete First?

Our next New Member Class is on Sunday August 20th, from 10:45 am to 1 pm. Click here to register.

Confirmation Meeting (8/27):

Confirmation is beginning September 10 for youth in 7th & 8th grades. There will be an informational youth and parents meeting on August 27th at 12 noon in the WhereHouse. Contact KayLee Bennett KBennett@fumcsp.org

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (8/30):

Our wonderful volunteers at St Pete First are invited to a special dinner on August 30th! Bring the family! Or invite a friend! Click here to RSVP or call the church office (727-894-4661) no later than Monday, August 28th.

Order your St. Pete First T-Shirts here:

Did you miss our last t-shirt order? Need another color? Ordering is open now and will remain open until Friday, September 8. Get a St. Pete First t-shirt to wear to church events, volunteer work, or around town! Click here for more information and to order online.

Help us SERVE on Wednesday Nights:

Wednesday Night Dinner returns September 6th! As always, it's a team effort. Contact Chad at 727-667-7169 or email csimonds@fumcsp.org to join a service team. We can't do it without you!

Join us in the Chancel Choir or Fellowship Ringers:

The Chancel Choir and Handbell choir are always looking for volunteers who have a heart for worship and aren't afraid to get up and show it! Attend a rehearsal to sign up—all that is required is a heart for music and worship! You don’t need to read music or have a solo voice. We would love to add your voice, heart, and spirit to our groups! Contact Derek Weston DWeston@fumcsp.org

Scam Alert!

Some of you have received texts or emails claiming to be from Pastor Bob. Please do not reply to any message or email requesting assistance. These are NOT legitimate requests. Read more here.

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

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 (Wednesday Night Live/Dinner returns 9/6/23)

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

10:45 AM CONFIRMATION WhereHouse (begins 9/10/23)

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 (returns 9/17/23)

WEDNESDAYS (Wednesday Night Live/Dinner returns 9/6/23)

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 (Returning 9/17/23)

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 (Returning 9/10)

9-11:30 am (2nd Sundays) Blood Pressure Clinic 1st Floor Nurse's Area

MONDAYS

11:30 am United Women in Faith FAST Crowd (3rd Mondays) Location varies (Summer break June-August)

TUESDAYS

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Deborah Circle (2nd Tuesdays) Room 103 (Summer break June-August)

WEDNESDAYS (Wednesday Night Live/Dinner returns 9/6/23)

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS Parlor – Room 214

THURSDAYS

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY Zoom

2:00 pm United Women in Faith Abigails (4th Thursdays) Room 103 (Summer break June-August)

MUSIC

SUNDAYS

10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR Room 312

12:10 pm HANDBELLS Room 310 (Summer break: May-August)

TUESDAYS

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP PRACTICE Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

7:30 pm CHANCEL CHOIR PRACTICE Room 312 (Sundays only 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 Room 101

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

6:00 PM INVITE PILLAR

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

2:00 PM NURTURE PILLAR