8/25/24 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.

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!

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Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

I’ve been in conversation lately with several folks who are wondering what comes next in life. One is dealing with a pretty serious health situation, another just recently lost their job. Others are struggling with relationships (whether it be with family or friends). Let me just say there can come a time when you might feel as though your future is so uncertain you just aren’t sure what to do. Faith is something that sees us through our challenging times (as well as the things we celebrate). Faith isn’t a feeling or an emotion or a wish. Faith gets its basis from the One whose very identity reminds us we are never alone, always claimed and showered with grace.  It seems the line that comes to mind in many of the situations I have been listening to folks address is, “The last thing is never the worst thing.” That’s what faith teaches us. No matter how troubling things might seem, it won’t last. Faith reminds us that with God all things are possible.  Remember that. It doesn’t take a lot of faith to make that true.

— Pastor Bob    

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

August 25, 2024

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"I Will Lift Up My Eyes" by Gary Davidson

"Priere A Notre-Dame" (from Suite Gothique) by Leon Boellmann

Rick Nay, Organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

"Let Our Song Go Forth" by Fred Bock

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: How wonderful it is to be in a dwelling place for God!

People: The refreshing springs of God’s love clean and restore us.

Leader: There is a place here for everyone. No one is turned away.

People: The least and the lost are always welcome in God’s house.

Leader: Praise to God who invites and shelters us all.

People: Praise to God who heals and sends us forth to serve.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"I Stand Amazed at the Presence” Hymn # 371

*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.

(11:00) SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Brock Daniel Stanton

Parents: Daniel & Natalie Stanton

Grandparents: Neil & Janet Shoaf; John & Susanne Stanton

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

"Make Us Holy, Make Us Whole" by Mark Friedman

Chancel Choir

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

"Medley: I. Jesus Paid It All

II. Whiter Than Snow" arr. Winnie Swaim

Sara Smith, 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

"Surely the Presence” Hymn # 328

SERMON

"Faith Makes Dreams Come Alive" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Hebrews 11:1-3 NLT

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Take Time to Be Holy” Hymn # 395

(8:00) *BENEDICTION

(11:00) ORGAN DECOMMISSIONING

POSTLUDE  

"March in D" by Johann Sebastian Bach

Rick Nay, Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Ellen J. Foust, Julie Volpe’s mother, from the Volpe family.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Brock Daniel Stanton’s baptism today, from his family.

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.

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

August 25, 2024

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

“At Your Name” 

“Reckless Love”  

"O Come to the Altar"

Passing the Peace of Christ

First Grade Bible Presentation

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

"The Jesus Way"

Sermon

"Faith Makes Dreams Come Alive" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Hebrews 11:1-3 NLT

Worship Song

“Holy Spirit”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Ellen J. Foust, Julie Volpe’s mother, from the Volpe family.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Brock Daniel Stanton’s baptism today, from his family.

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.

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. Wednesday Night Live will be returning on September 4, and we need volunteers to help with dinner on Wednesday nights! To join a team, contact Chad Simonds. We also 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! Click here to see classes & activities.

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

August 18 In Person 497 Online 300

Church Finances

July 2024 Year to Date

Income $211,267 $1,676,617

Expense $245,608 $1,837,080

Upcoming Events:

• 8/25—Kids Christmas Musical practice begins. 9:30am Sundays - 4th floor.

• 8/28—St. Pete First Volunteer Appreciation Dinner @6 pm. RSVP Here.

• 9/4—Wednesday Night Live returns.

• 9/7—Navigating the Senior Years: Caring for the Elderly: 9am-1pm. More here.

• 9/8—Confirmation classes begin. 10:45am Sundays in the WhereHouse.

• 10/11-13—2024 Women's Retreat. More information/register online.

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (8/28):

Our wonderful volunteers at St Pete First are invited to a special dinner on August 28th at 6 pm! Bring the family! Or invite a friend! Click here to RSVP or call the church office (727-894-4661) no later than Monday, August 26th.

The Gap study of The Book of Jonah (begins 8/25):

When God’s Purpose Isn’t in Your Plans … The book of Jonah is best known for Jonah’s run-in with a giant fish. But there’s more to the story. It’s about God’s grace, compassion, and love toward his wayward people. In this six-week study, we will learn that God is determined to spread His word to all the nations and use His people to do it. God desires to transform our hearts as we carry out His purpose in the world. Join us as we renew our sense of what it means to orient our lives around God’s mission.

The Gap is a Sunday School class for adults who are in the busiest, most intense stage of life, juggling the demands of their careers, their relationships, and parenting—both up and down. This is the gap where the chaos of life seems to happen. If you are in that gap, trying to figure out how to live for Jesus while juggling day-to-day demands, then this class is for you. Together, we discover and discuss how to create space for God by turning what we do every day into living life for Christ, serving Jesus through our daily relationships and responsibilities. Join us in The Gap! We meet Sundays at 10:45 in Room 101.

Navigating the Senior Years: Caring for the Elderly (9/7):

This educational event for senior adults and their families will feature 2 Q&A Panels and vendor tables discussing elder law, rehab, assisted living facilities & memory care, veterans services/benefits, in-home fitness, counseling, funeral care, insurance, & more. Click here for more information & to RSVP.

2024 Women's Retreat (10/11-13): < Sign Up NOW! Deadline is 8/31.

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 & to register online.

Wednesday Night Live returns on September 4!

Courageous Leadership Class (begins 9/4):

Who comes to mind when you think of an effective leader? What qualities do they have? What is the difference between a worldly leader and a spiritual leader? We learn from the Apostle Paul, “To aspire to leadership is an honorable ambition” (1 Timothy 3:1).  Pastor Bob’s class, called “Courageous Leadership,” is designed to walk through the lives of some of the great spiritual leaders and learn about leadership from them. Discoveries will be made during this 9 week seminar that will inspire and encourage you to develop the heart of a spiritual leader while discovering your path in life. Click here to sign up.

The Bible Jesus Read (begins 9/4):

This Fall's study led by Pat Mason is "The Bible Jesus Read.” Jesus’s only scriptures were the Old Testament—we will survey what these 39 books say about God, Jesus, ourselves, and the New Testament. Click here to sign up.

Band of Brothers (returns 9/4):

Our focus — get to know Jesus better and grow closer to each other as we grow close to Christ. We are currently journeying through the Gospels. We finished the study of John in May and will begin Luke when we restart on September 4. Click here for more info.

Paul Bible Study (begins 9/11):

You are invited to join Pastor Margaret as she leads a six-week Bible study on the journeys of the apostle Paul. We will begin with Paul's dramatic conversion and then we will travel to the early church sites and explore Paul's conversations with the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. You are invited to experience faith through Christ's greatest teacher and missionary, none other than the apostle Paul. Click here to sign up.

Kids Music (starting this week!):

Christmas Musical rehearsals begin this Sunday (8/25) at 9:30 on the 4th floor! Come join us! The kids also sing in church throughout the school year - join us for a short rehearsal at 10:20 on Sundays (begins 9/8) and our regular rehearsal at 5 pm on Wednesdays (begins 9/4). For more information, contact Kelly Bonyata.

Music for Adults (& Youth!):

Like to sing? Play an instrument? Get involved! We are always looking for volunteers who have a heart for worship and aren't afraid to get up and show it! Feeling inspired? Have a song on your heart? Contact Derek Weston (Chancel Choir/Handbells) or Loren Russell (Contemporary Music).

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.

GET INVOLVED! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.

Parents' Morning Out Staff Position Opening

Our Parent's Morning Out Program has an open part-time staff position for three days per week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:45 am - 12:15 pm. The person in this position works on a team of three, providing general childcare for infants through 2 years. Contact Lora Ulrich at lulrich@stpetefirst.org for more details

Social Media Assistant Job Opening:

5-10 hrs per week. The person in this position will work Sundays and remotely, capturing photo/video content and using editing software & social media platforms/analytics to help implement the church’s digital communication strategy. For more information, contact Kelly Bonyata.

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

KIDS MUSICAL PRACTICE Room 402

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 -RETURNING on Sept 4th

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 (begins 9/8)

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

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 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 (Returns Sept 8)

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-Room 214 

6:30 pm PAUL BIBLE STUDY (Pastor Margaret) -Room 208 (Begins 9/11)

6:30 pm LEADERSHIP STUDY (Pastor Bob) -Chapel

6:30 pm THE BIBLE JESUS READ (Pat Mason) -Room 103

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Deborah Circle (4th Thursdays) -Rm 101               (On Summer Break June-August)               

 MUSIC

SUNDAYS 

8:30 am IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary

9:30 am KIDS MUSICAL PRACTICE -Room 402

10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312 

12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310 (Returns 9/8)

TUESDAYS 

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel -RETURNING on Sept 4th

7:30 pm CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312   -RETURNING on Sept 4th

 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

9:00 am NURTURE PILLAR