1/25/26 Bulletin & Order of Service

Welcome to St Pete First United Methodist Church, the Heart of the City! All are welcome. All belong. Whether a first-time guest or a lifelong member, you are a part of our family. God has called you to worship here, and for that we are glad.

Click here to view a welcome message from our senior pastor.

Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor

Rev. Elyse Nielsen, Associate Pastor

Rev. Carey Taylor, Pastor of Community Life

Check-In: Please let us know you're worshipping with us!

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

One of my best life experiences has been being involved in a small group. Patti and I hold dear the relationships we have with those who we do life with. I truly believe small groups are the anchor that helps navigate life in spiritual development as well as surrounding you with a net of care. If I asked you, "If you needed someone in an emergency at 230AM, who would you call?" Many of us might draw a blank on that. I can tell you firsthand I have 11 close friends who know me intimately, my celebrations along with my struggles that would drop everything to come to me if I needed them. That right there is a gamechanger. I want that for you too. 

See you Sunday,

— Pastor Bob   

3rd Sunday after the Epiphany

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

January 25, 2026

*Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE     

“My Tribute” by Andraé Crouch

Rick Nay, organ

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Elyse Nielsen

Leader: Let us worship the One who taught us that life is always better together. 

People: We may try to go it alone, but two people are better off than one, 

for they can help each other succeed. 

Leader: When the attacker comes, someone alone can be defeated, 

but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. 

People: Three are even better, for there is strength in numbers. 

Leader: God made us for community and gives us community, 

for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

All: Let us worship our God who is three-in-one;

Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. 

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing”     Hymn # 57     (vs. 1-5, 7)

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

*CONGREGATIONAL SONG

“Blest Be the Tie that Binds”     Hymn # 557

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Rev. Carey Taylor

“Apostles’ Creed”     # 881

PASTORAL PRAYER

ANTHEM 

“The Lord’s Prayer” by Albert Malotte

Maiya Stevenson, soloist

Wesley Ducote, piano

WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS 

(Click here to GIVE)

“Walk Together Children” by Moses Hogan

Maiya Stevenson, soloist

Wesley Ducote, piano

*DOXOLOGY     Hymn # 95

*HYMN OF PREPARATION

“Blessed Assurance”     Hymn # 369

SERMON Rev. Bob Martin

“Never Alone”     

Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Be Thou My Vision”     Hymn # 451

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE 

Postlude on “Hanover” by Tom Birchwood

Rick Nay, organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of 

Joey & Ellen Foust from their daughter Julie Volpe.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of 

Dr. Ronald Moyer from Bruce & Leanne Haselden.

Our acolytes this week are Robbie Sherer & Willa Schaefer.

What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today! 

Can’t be here in person? Join us for livestream worship.

Modern Worship—9:30 AM

January 25, 2026

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship

“You Keep on Getting Better” 

“King of my Heart” 

“When You Walk into the Room”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“Walk Together Children” by Moses Hogan

Maiya Stevenson, soloist

Wesley Ducote, piano

Sermon Rev. Bob Martin

“Never Alone”     

Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT

Worship Song

“O Come to the Altar” 

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of 

Joey & Ellen Foust from their daughter Julie Volpe.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of 

Dr. Ronald Moyer from Bruce & Leanne Haselden.

What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today! 

Can’t be here in person? Join us for livestream worship.

*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***

Spark Session: Sample Small Group Experience

(Sunday, February 1; 9:30am or 11:00am; Fellowship Hall)

Curious about small groups but not ready to commit? Join us for a Spark Session and experience a small group before you ever join one. Enjoy a free small-bite brunch, participate in a sample lesson, and share your input by completing a brief survey about what you want out of a small group. This experiential session is designed to help you discover what small groups are all about in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Register here or call the church office at 727-894-4661.

Black History Month Concert -Afro Opera (Sunday, Feb 1; 4 pm; Sanctuary)

St. Pete First and Afro Opera invite you to experience A Message from the Roots, a Black History Month celebration, featuring Afro Opera founder and soprano Maiya Stevenson and tenor Kevin Mitchell. This deeply moving concert will include soul-stirring spirituals, operatic arias, beautiful art songs, and more! This is a free concert, so come feel the music, experience the soul, and be inspired by the beauty of these voices.

Soup-er Bowl of Caring (through February 25)

Celebrate our Centennial by honoring the spirit of the 1930s and 1940s! Canned and dried goods sustained families through the Great Depression and World War II, representing perseverance and community care. Join us as we empower our youth to make a lasting impact by collecting 3 tons of canned and dried goods for the St. Pete Free Clinic this year. Blue collection bins are in the Fellowship Hall & WhereHouse. Together, we can turn compassion into action and serve our community in a meaningful way.

Calling All Students! Scholarships (apply Feb 1-Mar 31):   Are you a church member who is currently attending or bound for college or vocational school? Applications for St. Pete First Scholarships will be accepted beginning February 1st. Completed applications, along with supporting documents, must be delivered to the church office no later than the close of business on Tuesday, March 31. All continuing students must re-apply. Click here for more info & application form.

Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, Feb 18) Ash Wednesday is on Wednesday February 18. We will offer drive-through Ashes-to-Go in our parking lot at lunchtime on Ash Wednesday from 11:45 am-1:15 pm. In addition, don't miss our Ash Wednesday Worship service that evening at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. If you can, please join us before the service at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall for our regular Wednesday Night Dinner.

Discover First (Sunday, Feb 22; 10:45am-1pm; www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst) 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 sign up & for more info

Offering envelopes for 2026 (for those who requested them) are on the table behind the sanctuary (2nd floor hallway), in alphabetical order by last name.

We’re Hiring! 

Maintenance Specialist, Director of Worship Technology;

Visit www.stpetefirst.org/job-center for more information

Upcoming Events 

FEBRUARY 2026

Through February 25—Soup-er Bowl of Caring (collecting canned & dried food)

Feb 1—Spark Session: Sample Small Group Experience 9:30/11 am (Register here)

————Black History Month Concert -Afro Opera 4 pm

Feb 8—Blood Pressure Clinic 9-11:30 am**;** 1st Floor Nurse's Area

Feb 14—Localtopia 10am - 5 pm (Volunteer here)

Feb 18—Ash Wednesday

————Drive-By Ashes 11:45am – 1:15pm

————Ash Wednesday Worship 6:30 pm

Feb 22—Discover First (www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst)

————Chili Cook-Off 6 pm

SUMMER (registration begins in March)

June 15-19—VBS

July 13-17—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1

——————Elementary Camp Week 1

July 20-24—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2

——————Elementary Camp Week 2

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

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.

Localtopia (Saturday, Feb 14; 10 am-5 pm) Join us from 10am-5pm at Williams Park and surrounding streets as we join with the community to celebrate all things local! We will have a booth near the front steps of the church so we can spread our message to LOVE.ST.PETE.  CLICK HERE to volunteer for an hour.

Click here to visit our Volunteer Bank & connect with opportunities that interest you

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu ($5 kids, $8 adults, $30 family meal)

Adults: Breakfast Casserole, Bacon, Fruit Salad, Gouda Grits, Lemon Bundt Cake

Kids: Cheese Quesadillas, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Cookie 

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!

Weekly Groups 361

January 18 In Person    495 Online 434  

Groups      213

Church Finances

December 2025 Year to Date

Income $388,718 $3,397,638

Expense $238,659 $3,175,794

JOIN OUR TEAM: Director of Worship Technology (Full-Time) St. Pete First is seeking a creative, collaborative, and mission-driven individual to serve as Director of Worship Technology. This person will lead all aspects of worship production, from audio, video, and lighting to live-streaming and digital worship media. For more information, visit www.stpetefirst.org/job-center

JOIN OUR TEAM: Facility Maintenance Specialist (Part-Time) St. Pete First is seeking a dependable, motivated individual to serve as a part-time Facility Maintenance Specialist. In this essential role, you’ll tackle a wide range of tasks—from general building repairs to troubleshooting electrical and mechanical systems—helping support the vibrant ministries and daily life of our church campus. For more information, visit www.stpetefirst.org/job-center

To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.

KIDS

SUNDAYS

8:00 am

Infant Lounge/Cry Room Room 204 (Livestreaming available during all services)

9:30 am

Infant Lounge/Cry Room Room 204 (Livestreaming available during all services)

Nursery/Toddlers (Birth - 3 years) Preschool Hall

PRESCHOOL (Age 3 - K) Sunday School - Preschool Hall

ELEMENTARY (1st - 5th Gr) Kids Church - 4th Floor

11:00 am

Infant Lounge/Cry Room Room 204 (Livestreaming available during all services)

Nursery/Toddlers (Birth - 3 years) Preschool Hall

PRESCHOOL (Age 3 - K) Kids Church - Preschool Hall

ELEMENTARY (1st - 5th Gr) Sunday School - 4th Floor

CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) Room 404

WEDNESDAYS      

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6-7 pm WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE (Preschool & Elementary) Preschool/4th Floor

6:30-7:30 pm NURSERY (Birth - 3 years) Preschool Hall

YOUTH

SUNDAYS

9:30 am WORSHIP (Look for the youth up front) Sanctuary

10:45 am YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse

11:00 am CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) 4th Floor, Room 404

6:00 pm YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse  

WEDNESDAYS    

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6-7:30 pm Youth Group WhereHouse

 SUNDAY WORSHIP 

8:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary

Common Grounds Worship (Livestream) -Chapel

9:30 am Contemporary Service -Sanctuary

Common Grounds Worship (Livestream) -Chapel

11:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary

Common Grounds Worship (Livestream) -Chapel

FELLOWSHIP TIME (BETWEEN SERVICES) 

9-11:00 am Common Grounds (Coffee, Food & Fellowship) -Fellowship Hall

9-11:00 am (2nd Sundays) Blood Pressure Clinic -1st Floor Nurse's Area

 ADULTS 

SUNDAYS 

9:30 am QUEST -Zoom & Room 208

      11:00 am BECOMERS -Zoom & Room 103

11:00 am THE GAP -Room 101  

11:00 am PROMISED LAND -Zoom & Room 206

11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208  

TUESDAYS 

9:00 am Ladies of Light Bible Study -Room 208                          

WEDNESDAYS   

9:30 am WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY—Parables -Room 208

5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm Pastor Bob’s Revelation Bible Study -Chapel

6:30 pm Pastor Elyse’s Discover Faith Study -Room 101

6:30 pm Pastor Carey’s Prayer Study -Room 208

6:30 pm Band of Brothers: Men’s Group & Bible Study -Room 214 (Parlor)

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom                            

 MUSIC

SUNDAYS 

8:30 am IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary

10:25 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312 

12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310

TUESDAYS 

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel

7:30 pm CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312  

 CARE & SUPPORT

WEDNESDAYS 

12:00 Noon CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP -Zoom

THURSDAYS 

6:30 pm WOMEN'S JOURNEY -Chapel

7:30 pm AL-ANON Parlor -Room 214

 LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETINGS

FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

5:30 pm BOARD OF TRUSTEES -Admin Conference Room

SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 pm STAFF PARISH -Closed Meeting

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 pm FINANCE TEAM -Admin Conference Room

FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

6:00 pm CHURCH COUNCIL -Room 208 & Zoom

SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm LEARN PILLAR

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

12:00 pm INVITE PILLAR  

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

9:00 am NURTURE PILLAR 

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

5:00 pm SERVE PILLAR