9/1/24 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    

September has arrived with a flurry! For many, this is the time of year we begin thinking two things: “Will we see any more hurricanes this season?” And second, “The year is 2/3 complete and what have I accomplished?” Both of these are legit questions. My trusty 8-ball isn’t consistent on the answer to question 1. In fact, it keeps saying, “Unsure. Ask again later!”  Based on that, I’m not going to further comment. When it comes to question #2, I have a lot to say. We just finished our Faith series and the focus was knowing God has a dream for each one of us. The question that needed to be answered in this series was, “Will you act on it?”  We are in the final quarter of 2024 and the church has launched a great vision for our future. I’m really stoked about it but I am also concerned. In order for us to live into what God is calling us to do through Loving St. Pete, it’s going to take action. Jesus saw this in His day. He laid out a kingdom vision and the quick summation before him was, “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.”  Matthew 9:37.  Friends. You can rest when you die. Until then, we have a vision and mission to make real for the Kingdom. Don’t let another day go by without coming out of the stands and onto the field. It’s time!

— Pastor Bob    

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM

September 1, 2024

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

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" by Lani Smith

Rick Nay, Hammond Organ

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Every generous act of giving is a tribute to God’s love for us.

People: Lord, let us be people of generous and abundant gifts for others.

Leader: Be ready to listen and slow to react in anger.

People: Lord, prepare us to be peaceful people.

Leader: Keep your hearts and spirits ready to serve the Lord.

People: Lord, open our hearts to hear and respond to Your words of life in ministries of hope and peace.

*HYMN OF PRAISE

"Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed” Hymn # 294

*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) ANTHEM

"Just As I Am" by Don Besig

Chancel Choir

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

"I Need Thee Every Hour" by Robert J. Hughes

Rick Nay, Hammond 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.

SERMON

"Who Am I?" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Exodus 3:1-6 NLT

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Here I Am, Lord” Hymn # 593

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

"Ye Servants of God" by Roger C. Wilson

Rick Nay, Hammond Organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of our son and brother, Tony, from the Succow family.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Rick & Ginny Cannon’s 40th wedding anniversary on September 2, from their St. Pete First 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

September 1, 2024

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Team

“Blessed Be Your Name” 

“Firm Foundation (He Won't)"

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

Sermon

"Who Am I?" Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Exodus 3:1-6 NLT

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Worship Song

“Send Me”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of our son and brother, Tony, from the Succow family.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Rick & Ginny Cannon’s 40th wedding anniversary on September 2, from their St. Pete First 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 this Wednesday (9/4), 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 Dinner Menu (Click here to see classes & activities)

$5 kids, $8 adults, $30 family meal

Adults: Tarragon Chicken Salad, Pita Pocket, Spinach Mandarin Salad, Orzo Pasta Salad, Kool-Aid Pie

Kids: Mac n’ Cheese, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Ice Cream Sandwich

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

August 25 In Person 553 Online 298

Church Finances

July 2024 Year to Date

Income $211,267 $1,676,617

Expense $245,608 $1,837,080

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• 9/2—Labor Day: Church office closed

• 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.

• 9/22—Discover First meeting (10:45am-1pm): Talk with our pastors and learn about our church & how to become a member! Click here to register & for more info

• 9/27—Kids Night Out (6-10pm)

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

• 10/18—Trunk or Treat (6-8 pm)

• 11/1—Organ Premier Concert (7 pm)

  
  

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.

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.

Discover First Meeting (Sunday, Sept. 22; 10:45am-1pm): 

Learn about our church and its mission, vision, and ministries, talk with our pastors, and find out how to become a member! Lunch & childcare will be provided. So that we can order food, please register by the Tuesday prior to the class. Click here to register & for more info

2024 Women's Retreat (10/11-13): < Last Chance!

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 THIS WEDNESDAY, 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.

Devoga (begins 9/4):

Devoga is an active scripture meditation and strength building class that will meet each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Narthex. The aim of the class will be to commit 50 minutes to Christian spiritual practices like prayer, gratitude and scripture meditation while also practicing stretching, strength building and stillness. Each week we will have a theme -- like Trusting God -- and every week participants will leave with a new meditation and scripture passage. Click for more info.

Kids Music:

Christmas Musical rehearsals are meeting at 9:30 am Sundays 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.

Social Media Assistant Job Opening:

5-10 hrs per week. The person in this position will work at the church on Sundays plus 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

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

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                        

WEDNESDAYS   

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

6:30 pm DEVOGA (Emily Strong) -Narthex/back of Sanctuary

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Deborah Circle (4th Thursdays) -Rm 101                            

 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

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

9:00 am NURTURE PILLAR