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

St. Pete First UMC

Hi Kelly—

The title of Pastor Bob's sermon this week is Who Am I? Sometimes it takes a special encounter with God to really understand what we are to do. When this happens, the odds are we are asked to do something out of our comfort zone. How will we respond? Moses started off by giving God a bunch of excuses. God, however, had a different plan.

The text for this week is Exodus 3:1-6 NLT.

We are starting a new sermon series this week called "Moses." Moses wasn’t always the leader we learn him to be in the Exodus story. Once a prince of Egypt holding the power and might of a nation, he becomes aware of his roots and that he is not the one others thought him to be. How does he negotiate life while living in a lesser status? God had a plan! We can learn from Moses’ experience and see what God will do in and through us.

Don't miss the excerpts from last week's message from Pastor Bob: "Faith Makes Dreams Come Alive" —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 traveling, 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. 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

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 (Next Sat. 9/7):

This educational event for senior adults and those who care for them 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 [formerly Young(ish) Adults] 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! Deadline 9/1.

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 on 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 meet on Sundays at 9:30 am 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).

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.