Thank you for letting us be a part of your family, thank you for helping us more fully understand the importance of being a part of a body of believers, thank you for your prayers and encouragement, and thank you for having the courage to follow Jesus Christ. I cannot wait to see how the Lord is going to move and work through each one of you in the coming years as you all continue to “LOVE. ST. PETE.” as Christ has loved you. This is the mission of this great church.

The best piece of advice I can leave you all is the advice that Jesus’ mother, Mary, gave to some servants at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. The wine had run out at the wedding and the servants did not know what to do. When Mary informed Jesus about the situation, He responded to her, “Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). Immediately after this hesitant response from Jesus, Mary turned to the servants and said these words: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Do you know what happened next? Jesus turned water into water, His first recorded miracle in the Scriptures. This is the best piece of advice I can leave you all with: do whatever Jesus tells you. Do whatever He tells you to do, and you will watch mountains move. Always remember that Christ is the foundation of the church, and He will never leave you nor forsake you. He loves you like crazy, church. Through Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors through Him who first loved us. “For we are convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Lastly, church, I am one hundred percent convinced, and I hope and pray that you are too, that if the tomb is empty, then anything is possible.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Marge

The title of Pastor Margaret's sermon this week is To the Church in St. Petersburg.

The text for this week is 1 Corinthians 2:1-9 ESV.

Don't forget that we are having ONE SERVICE ONLY this Sunday - at 10 am!

This is Pastor Margaret's last Sunday with us. We are deeply grateful for the time Pastor Margaret has shared with us, and while we will miss her greatly, we celebrate her calling to serve as Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Plant City. Our prayers and blessings go with her as she begins this exciting new chapter in her ministry. Please join us for a reception in the Fellowship Hall after the service tomorrow as we celebrate Pastor Marge and let her know how much she will be missed!

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 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:

• THIS SUNDAY! Sun Dec 29—10 am Unity Service, followed by a Reception for Pastor Margaret
• Wed Jan 1—Church offices closed - Happy New Year!
• Sun Jan 5—UN-decorating the Sanctuary 12-3 pm
• 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



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.



UN-decorating the Sanctuary (Sunday Jan 5 @ noon)

Come help us take down the Sanctuary decorations! This will take 2 - 3 hours, and a light lunch will be provided for workers. Questions? Contact Sherry Smith: jsmit107@tampabay.rr.com

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.

Job Openings at St. Pete First