8/19/23 Order of Service - Remembering the Life of Joe Gonzalez

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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Remembering the Life of Joe Gonzalez

11:00 am

August 19, 2023

Obituary

Born August 17, 1930

Entered into Rest August 9, 2023

PRELUDE

Robert Todd, Organ

ENTRANCE OF FAMILY

GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE

Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restored our life. Christ will come again in glory. As in baptism, Joe put on Christ, so in Christ may she be clothed with glory. Here and now, dear friends, we are God's children. What we shall be has not yet been reveled; but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Those who have this hope purify themselves as Christ is pure.

THE WORD OF GRACE AND GREETING

Rev. Margaret Rountree, Associate Pastor

HYMN OF CELEBRATION

“Here I Am, Lord” Number 593

GOD'S WORD OF HOPE Carol Cameron, Niece

Philippians 4:19-20 (NIV)

Romans 8:28; Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

HYMN OF PREPARATION

“I Surrender All” Number 354

PASTORAL REMARKS

Rev. Margaret Rountree, Associate Pastor

ANTHEM

"The Lord Is My Shepherd" by Allen Pote

Chancel Choir

WORDS OF CELEBRATION AND LIFE

Paul Cooper

FAMILY AND FRIEND REMEMBRANCES

PRAYER OF COMMENDATION

HYMN OF REFLECTION

"Amazing Grace" Number 378

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

Robert Todd, Organ

Thank you for joining us today. The Gonzalez Family invites you to a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following today's service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to

The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay or St. Pete First United Methodist Church

in Joe V. Gonzalez’s honor.

Thank You...

Words cannot express how deeply we appreciate all the love and support shown to our family during this difficult time. We are incredibly grateful and will always remember your kindness. —Joe Gonzalez's Family

Tell me what you think.

These words drop down like an anvil, when spoken with intent.

They pound the ocean floor like an anchor plummeting down to pierce the earth.

Their meaning dances across the water like a melodic harmony, gifting the songbirds with a brief respite.

Buried thoughts are like loose shells.

Weightless and carelessly discarded by the thrust of impending waves.

But I collect shells, don't you see?

Oh my sweet, you don't know the power you hold.

Tell me what I am left to do as I relentlessly race to scramble for what will ultimately leave my grasp.

To you they are just shells, but to me they're a rare currency there is no exchange for.

I wonder what beacons the ships in the darkest hour when the lighthouse has crumbled.

All I know is that the jagged cliff and rugged shore are starved and seeking their next meal.

The foghorn desperately cries out in the middle of the night, just to be fallen upon deaf ears.

You must've known there is no substitute for what I seek, all I ask is that you tell me what you think.

— Rebecca Hamburg

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