See you Sunday,

Pastor Bob

This is the second 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 Bob's sermon this week is The Gift of Family. Being family means making good out of the bad as well as doing what it takes to support those you care about and are responsible for. Families are a gift, and this Christmas season reminds us of that truth.     

The text for this week is Matthew 1:18-25 NLT.

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.

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 volunteers to assist with our Christmas Organ Concert THIS Monday, December 9. This is an outreach event for our community. We need volunteers to come at 1 pm to help welcome and assist our guests from nursing homes and assisted living facilities before the concert begins at 2 pm. We also need people to bring a baked (non-refrigerated) treat to share for the reception afterward. Contact Rick Nay 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: Roasted Corn & Chicken Chowder, Salad, Cornbread, Peppermint Bark Brownie

Kids: Pizza, Celery & Carrots, Applesauce, Cookie

Upcoming Events:

• THIS SUNDAY: 2nd Sunday Blood Pressure Clinic (1st floor nurses' area)
• THIS WEEK: Mon Dec 9—Christmas Organ Concert in the Sanctuary at 2 pm
• THIS WEEK: Wed Dec 11—Christmas Sing-Along in the Fellowship Hall at 6 pm
• THIS WEEK: Fri Dec 13—Kids Night Out 6-10 pm
• THIS WEEK: Fri Dec 13—Christmas Caroling in Williams Park with other local churches (meet at 6:00 pm in the Chapel)
• Sun Dec 15—The Little Drummer Dude Kids Musical in the Fellowship Hall at 6 pm
• 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
• Sun Dec 29—10 am Unity Service, followed by a Reception for Pastor Margaret
• Classes & Groups beginning Wednesday, January 8:
• 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)
• 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. Deadline 12/31.
• Fri Mar 14-—Organ Concert with Samuel Metzger at 7 pm



Christmas Organ Concert (THIS Monday 12/9; 2 pm)

Bring your family and friends on Monday, December 9 at 2 pm to listen and sing along to Christmas favorites as organist Rick Nay (with guests) beautifully showcases our magnificent new organ amid our beautiful stained glass and Christmas decorations. This is an outreach event for our community. We NEED VOLUNTEERS to come at 1 pm to help welcome and assist our guests from nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Refreshments will be served after the concert. Please bring a baked (non-refrigerated) treat to share. For those unable to attend in-person, the concert will be livestreamed and recorded. Contact Rick Nay for more information.



Christmas Poinsettia orders (Deadline: Tuesday Dec 10)

Reservation forms are in the Info Centers, order online, or call the church office: (727) 894-4661. Your poinsettias will decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas and may be picked up after the 8 pm Christmas Eve service. Due to the hurricanes, our flower costs have increased: poinsettias are $17 per plant. 



Christmas Sing-Along (Wednesday 12/11; 6 pm)

The St Pete First Kids Music Ministry is excited to present our Christmas Sing-Along! Join us in the Fellowship Hall for Wednesday Night Dinner beforehand, then support the children and have some fun as we sing our favorite Christmas songs. Bring your friends and family!



Kids Night Out (Friday 12/13; 6-10 pm):

Our next Kids’ Night Out is Friday, December 13th from 6-10 pm. Reserve your spot here by Wednesday, December 11th. At this SPECIAL KNO, we will go caroling in Williams Park with several community churches. Parents are welcome to stay and carol with the group from 6:30-7pm!! Then we will have pizza and ice cream sundaes, play games, make crafts, have a devotion, and watch a movie while parents finish up that last minute shopping! Open to all children ages nursery - 5th grade. Dinner & snacks are provided. $20 first child, $15 second, $40 for a family of 3 or more. Questions? email Lora at lulrich@stpetefirst.org



Christmas Caroling (Friday 12/13; 6:00 pm) —with other local churches

Meet at 6 pm at St Pete First UMC in the Chapel (facing Williams Park) to get song sheets & warm up. We will walk over to the park for caroling around 6:30, and return to the church around 7 pm. After caroling, everyone is invited to join us for hot chocolate and fellowship. Questions? Contact Derek Weston at dweston@stpetefirst.org

Kid’s Musical: The Little Drummer Dude (Sunday 12/15 @ 6pm):

Come out and support our Children's Music Ministry as the kids present The Little Drummer Dude on Sunday, December 15 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you can, please bring a non-refrigerated dessert to share.

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.



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.

Job Openings at St. Pete First