THIS WEEK AT ..................

St. Pete First UMC

Hi Kelly—

Regardless of what your worldview is, I think we can all agree on the fact that something has gone horribly wrong with the human experience. Something is wrong. You can call it what you want to but for Christ followers, the term we use to describe this is sin. All throughout human history, every people group has tried to build a bridge back to perfection, back to eternity, back to God. In fact, every major world religion is built on that premise.

But the unique claim of Christianity and the Gospel is that God built the bridge from heaven to earth because the gap between us and God was impassable and impossible to cross on our own. You see, we need someone to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves and this is exactly why we celebrate Christmas every year. We celebrate the fact that out of God’s love for us, God built the bridge from heaven to earth by taking on flesh. God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to this world so that we could be united with God once more. Jesus Christ made it possible to anyone who would believe the gift of eternity. He is the bridge that connects us to God once more.

Friends, I cannot get over the Gospel. I do not have a category in my brain, let alone a language that I can use, to truly convey the overwhelming reality of the incarnation, that God became a man. I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that the same God that created the entire universe, heaven and earth, sky and sea, you and me, is the same God who stepped down off His Royal Throne and was born in a manger, into the messiness of this world. I cannot get over the fact that God would enter into the messiness of my life, die for me, and redeem me so that I could cross the bridge from this temporary dwelling place we call planet earth to my eternal home called heaven. The reality is that none of us are worthy of Jesus Christ; we are worthy of condemnation. But by the grace of God, instead, we get to walk on the bridge that leads us to the rest of our lives, to the gift of eternity.

As we prepare to celebrate the incarnation in just a few days, may the stable still astonish us this Christmas. May we never get over the fact that the God of the universe chose to enter this world as a baby wrapped in rags so that we, you and me, could spend eternity with our Heavenly Father.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Marge

This is the fourth week of our Advent sermon series: The Greatest Gift. When you think of Christmas, what immediately comes to mind? Some might say it's about the gifts. If that is truly the case we miss the meaning of the greatest day ever.

The title of Pastor Margaret's sermon this week is The Gift of Eternity. When John the Baptist arrived, his message was clear: the time had come for Jesus to arrive and people needed to begin thinking about God’s gift of eternity. Jesus’ arrival would change things and John’s message heralded the call to refocus. The Christmas season reminds us of God’s greater plan.

The text for this week is Mark 1:1-8 ESV.

We look forward to seeing you TONIGHT at 7pm in the Sanctuary at The Longest Night. Join us as our choir and orchestra present a service of healing and hope. Christmas brings joy, but for some it reminds us of great grief and longing. This musical service of healing is meant to worship while remembering our pain with honesty, seeking God’s beauty in our brokenness, and reclaiming the light only found in God’s grace.

Join us for Christmas Eve Worship!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services on Tuesday, December 24

4 pm Family — 6 pm Contemporary — 8 pm Traditional

Don't miss the recap and excerpts from previous messages —click here to watch.

Did you miss last Sunday's sermon? Click here to watch or listen to previous sermons.

Reminder: If you are not feeling well or if you are otherwise unable to be with us in person, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

Click for 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. We need more Communion Stewards to help prepare and clean up after communion once a month. Contact Kendra Aumack for more information or to volunteer 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

Wednesday Night Live and dinner are on Christmas break and will be back January 8.

Upcoming Events:

TONIGHT: Sat Dec 21—The Longest Night: A Service of Hope and Healing through Music in the Sanctuary at 7 pm
Tues Dec 24—Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: Family 4 pm - Contemporary 6 pm - Traditional 8 pm
Wed-Thurs Dec 25-26—Church offices closed
Sun Dec 29—10 am Unity Service, followed by a Reception for Pastor Margaret
Wed Jan 1—Church offices closed
Classes & Groups beginning Wednesday, January 8: < Click here to sign up
Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study with Sue Allen: Psalms: An Ancient Challenge to Get Serious About Your Prayer and Worship (9:30-11 am)
Kids Praise Team (preK-6th grade; 5 pm)
Wednesday Night Dinner (all ages; 5:30 pm)
Wednesday Night Kids (Preschool/Elementary; 6 pm)
Wednesday Night Youth (Middle/High School; 6 pm)
Pastor Bob’s Bible Study: Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets (6:30 pm)
Women’s Bible Study with Patti Martin: The Frazzled Female: Finding Peace in the Midst of Daily Life (6:30 pm)
Band of Brothers: Men’s Group & Bible Study (6:30 pm)
Jan 17-19—Women’s Retreat www.stpetefirst.org/womensretreat (12/31 Deadline)
Fri Mar 14-—Organ Concert with Samuel Metzger at 7 pm

The Longest Night: A Service of Hope and Healing (Saturday 12/21 @ 7pm)

Christmas brings joy, but for some it reminds us of great grief and longing. This musical service of healing is meant to worship while remembering our pain with honesty, seeking God’s beauty in our brokenness, and reclaiming the light only found in God’s grace.

Join us for Christmas Eve Worship!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Tuesday, December 24

4 pm Family — 6 pm Contemporary — 8 pm Traditional

Reception for Pastor Margaret (Sunday Dec 29; after 10am Worship Service)

On Sunday, December 29 we will have ONE SERVICE, a Unity Service at 10 am, followed by a reception for Pastor Margaret in the Fellowship Hall.

Women's Retreat (Jan 17-19, 2025) < Sign Up NOW! Deadline is 12/31

Join us for St. Pete First's bedazzling Women’s Retreat the weekend of January 17-19 at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp & Conference Center in Fruitland Park, Florida. Click here for more information & to register online.

Wednesday classes & groups are back on Jan 8, 2025 < Sign Up NOW!

Click here for more information & to sign up online.

Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study with Sue Allen (Begins Wed Jan 8: 9:30-11 am; Room 208)

Psalms: An Ancient Challenge to Get Serious About Your Prayer and Worship, an 8-session study with video authored by Sandra Richter, addresses the questions ‘What makes the Psalms so special?’ and ‘What do the Psalms have to do with me today?’ She discusses the role of Psalms in the culture and worship practices of ancient Israel. As we connect with our ancestors in faith, we’ll discover how the Psalms can empower our prayer and worship. The required study guide includes lessons to be completed independently at home. On Wednesdays, we’ll gather for the video presentation and discussion. To reserve a study guide or for more information, contact Sue Allen (sallen0903@gmail.com or 727-418-8155). Click here to sign up.

Pastor Bob’s Bible Study: Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets (Begins Jan 8: 6:30 pm; Chapel)

Our decisions don't just affect our present circumstances; they radiate into our future. Most of the time, it's impossible to know what will come of the decisions we make. But this doesn't have to paralyze you. You can train yourself to ask well-placed, appropriately timed, thought-provoking questions that will result in stronger decisions and fewer disappointments down the road.

In this six-week Bible study, author and pastor Andy Stanley gives you five key questions to ask when you have a decision to make and you're not sure what to do (or even if you think you do know what to do!). These five simple questions will empower you to:

Pause when feeling tension over a decision
Take the long view
Look for the wise option
Focus on the relational impact of decisions

Every decision we make impacts our stories and the stories of those closest to us. It's time to start deciding with our heads instead of with our guts. Click here to sign up.

Patti Martin’s Women’s Bible Study (Begins Jan 8: 6:30 pm; Room 208)

The Bible study The Frazzled Female: Finding Peace in the Midst of Daily Life by Cindi Wood is based on Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God”. This thought-provoking, yet lighthearted, study helps women discover practical, biblical help to confront issues that otherwise leave them discouraged. It helps participants develop Biblical skills to handle stressful situations, grow in their relationship with Jesus, and ultimately experience peace, joy, and a saner lifestyle. Click here to sign up

TAKE ACTION! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.

Communion Stewards Needed

We need more Communion Stewards to help prepare and clean up after communion once a month. Contact Kendra Aumack for more information or to volunteer.