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

St. Pete First UMC

Hi Kelly—

Happy New Year from St. Pete First UMC!

This week we start a new sermon series called "7 Perfect Rules for '23." Most people begin the New Year with a list of resolutions. They might include things like losing weight, establishing more career goals, or even a bit more time committed to family. The truth is, most New Year's resolutions are broken (if not abandoned) before the month of January ends.

What if you start the year with not only some resolutions you might break, but "Rules you will commit to live by?" There are 7 of them and, Biblically speaking, that is the perfect number. This week, Pastor Bob will be talking about Rule #1 — Keep Life Simple. Join us on Sunday to hear more!

Undecorating the Sanctuary: Altar Guild will be taking down the decorations in the Sanctuary THIS Sunday, January 8, after the 11:00 service. We will provide lunch for all helpers, and we are usually done within 2 1/2 hours with enough help. Please contact Sherry Smith at 727-519-4906 if you can volunteer, to make sure we have enough food.

Looking for a VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY in 2023? Family Promise of Pinellas offers Prevention, Emergency Shelter, and Stabilization programming for needy families in OUR County. Learn more about how St. Pete First volunteers can partner with this very successful local and national program. If you volunteered in the past, come learn about how they adapted and changed over the past 2 years. See you Wednesday Jan 11, 2023 at 6:30 in Room 208. Questions? email Denece denece_stratton@hotmail.com or Caroline carolinefeaster@gmail.com

Lawn Equipment Giveaway: Almost a year ago, our board of Trustees decided to hire a lawn care maintenance provider and give the small team of amazing volunteers a break from their every-other Saturday morning commitment. As a result, we are no longer using any of the yard equipment that has been collected over the last 10 years. The decision was made to give this equipment away to good homes. There are a couple of good blowers, working mowers, and a couple of weed whackers, all gas-powered, all as-is. If you or someone you know needs a powered yard tool, please provide your contact information to Craig Wills: cwills@fumcsp.org

2023 Offering Envelopes

If you requested 2023 offering envelopes, they are available for pickup outside the library (2nd floor hallway).

St. Pete First T-Shirts are Here!

If you ordered a church t-shirt and have not yet picked it up, please contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or just come by the church office to pick it up. Cash & check accepted. If you missed ordering a shirt this time, we will be ordering again soon - watch for further announcements in the coming weeks.

Wednesday Night Activities will resume on January 11 (THIS Wednesday). See below for our upcoming new classes!

Interested in Joining St. Pete First? Our next New Member Class is on Sunday February 19th, from 10:45 am to 1 pm. Click here to register.

Upcoming January Classes - Sign up now!

Begins January 18th! ...You pray for your own needs and for the needs of others. You pray in the face of conflict, and you pray for forgiveness. You pray to pour out your heart to God and to gain a glimpse of God's heart for you. Come join Pastor Margaret on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm starting on January 18th as we study for twelve weeks the prayers of men and women in the Bible (Mary, Abraham, Moses, Daniel and more!). We will gain new insights into why, what and how to pray. This study will help you to experience more fully the adventure that prayer can be.

Pastor Margaret will be using the book “Prayer: An Adventure with God” by David Healey, as a resource. Study guides will be available for purchase.

Click here to sign up

Begins January 11th! Pastor Bob will lead this class on an in-depth look into one of Jesus’ best loved parables—the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). In the study we will dive into uncovering some of the least known secrets of the parable’s purpose and expose the depth of God’s love and how His grace extends into some unexpected places. Using the book The Prodigal God (written by best-selling author Timothy Keller) as a resource, Pastor Bob will help illuminate the treasures found in this critical story told by Jesus.

Pastor Bob will be using the book The Prodigal God, by Timothy Keller, as a resource. Study guides will be available for purchase.

Click here to sign up

Beginning January 11, Pat Mason will be leading a 12-week study on Bible prophecy. The subject will be “Are these the end times—is Jesus’ return imminent?"

Starts January 11th! As a woman of today, have you ever thought about what God is calling you to do? Better yet, are you stopping long enough to hear God speak? This study on the story of Ruth is one of calling and yet an uncertain future. It helps take a story of history and bring it to life in today’s context for the busy woman who juggles so many balls each day.

Patti will be using the book The Girl’s Still Got It, by Liz Curtis Higgs, as a resource. Study guides will be available for purchase.

Click here to sign up