10/18/26 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 pastors.

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!

Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message

Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give 

A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

One of the many things I really love about our church is the way people show up to make a difference. Kids are getting one-on-one attention from mentors and tutors, neighbors in need are receiving showers, and many who are unhoused find hope on Sundays worshiping with us in Common Grounds. I could go on and on.

It also warms my heart knowing that every day we meet people whose hearts have been touched by God through another’s smile, a kind word shared, or a hug when desperately needed.

The point I’m making is this: none of this can be done unless we do it together. It takes a team to win a game, a crew to sail a ship, and most of all, with God’s help, it takes all of us to be the Church!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Bob

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Classic Worship—8 & 11 AM

October 18, 2026

(Click here to check-in)

(Click here to GIVE)

Prelude Rick Nay, organ

“Méditation Sérieuse,” Op. 243 by Homer Newton Bartlett

(11:00) Choral Introit Chancel Choir

“Where the Spirit of the Lord Is” by Stephen Adams

Welcome Rev. Carey Taylor

Call to Worship

Pastor: Come, people of God! Let us turn our hearts toward the Lord, who calls us to faithful work.

People: We will remember our calling to keep building: building faith, building community, building hope, and building the Kingdom of God.

Pastor: When fear, discouragement, and opposition try to weaken our resolve—

People: We will trust the Lord, who strengthens us for the work before us.

Pastor: Let us lay aside every distraction and worship the God who is faithful to us. Fix our eyes upon Christ and let us worship the Lord our God!

Hymn of Praise

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” Hymn #127

Passing the Peace of Christ

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” Hymn #557

Affirmation of Faith Rev. Elyse Nielsen

“Apostles’ Creed” #881

Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer

(11:00) Anthem Chancel Choir

“The God of All People” by Eugene Butler

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

“Shenandoah” arr. Todd Marchand Kelly Bonyata, flute; Steve Butler, trombone; Rick Nay, organ

Doxology Hymn #95

Hymn of Preparation

“Through It All” Hymn #507

Sermon Rev. Bob Martin

“Overcoming Obstacles”

Text: Nehemiah 4 (selectively) NLT

Hymn of Dedication

“Wonderful Words of Life” Hymn #600

Benediction

Postlude Rick Nay, organ

“One Fellowship of Love” by John Johnson

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of William H. Wittstruck, who recently passed on to life eternal, from his brother and sisters.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Evelyn Collins, from her three sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Our acolytes this week are Jo Clements & Sailor Essman.

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

Closed Captions: captionkit.com/c/st-pete-first-umc

Worship online: www.stpetefirst.org/live

Modern Worship—9:30 AM

October 18, 2026

(Click here to check-in)

(Click here to GIVE)

Praise & Worship

“Battle Belongs”

Welcome

Passing the Peace of Christ

Praise & Worship

“Fighting for Us / All Hail King Jesus”

“Never Lost”

Prayer / Lord’s Prayer

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

Sermon Rev. Bob Martin

“Overcoming Obstacles”

Text: Nehemiah 4 (selectively) NLT

Praise & Worship

“Same God”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of William H. Wittstruck, who recently passed on to life eternal, from his brother and sisters.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Evelyn Collins, from her three sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

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

Closed Captions: captionkit.com/c/st-pete-first-umc

Worship online: www.stpetefirst.org/live

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

Also this Sunday:

• Centennial Time Capsule — Last Day! (Library, Room 212) Today is the deadline to bring photos, artwork, letters to the future, and other meaningful items to help us preserve a glimpse of who we are in 2026 for generations to come. → More info

• Pastor Appreciation Month (Oct 4–23; First-Floor Hallway) — Show our pastors some love! Grab a card (or bring your own) and drop it in the mailboxes for Pastor Bob, Pastor Elyse & Pastor Carey at the end of the first-floor hallway.

Trunk or Treat (Friday, Oct 23; 6–8 pm) Our family-friendly Trunk or Treat is free and open to the community! Trunk-to-trunk candy, music, bounce houses, free popcorn & cotton candy, face painting, a balloon artist, a petting zoo, an outdoor movie, and preschool-age activities. Food trucks and Kona Ice available for purchase. Family-friendly costumes encouraged — all ages welcome! 👉 More info or volunteer

Annual Church Conference (Sunday, Oct 25; 12:30 pm; Fellowship Hall) The only items on the Church Conference agenda to be voted on are recommendation of 2027 clergy compensation, approval of leaders as recommended by the Lay Leadership Team (Nominations Team), and review of the membership audit. No other items will be discussed at the Church Conference.

New or Want to Get Connected? Discover First! (Sunday, Nov 1; 10:45 am–12:15 pm) Join us for a relaxed gathering to meet our pastors, learn about our church and what it means to be a Methodist, learn about our mission and vision as a church, and explore how you can get connected—including membership. Snacks & childcare provided. 📝 Register by Tuesday, Oct 27: www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst

Sleeping Mat Making Workshops (every other Tuesday, Oct 13–Jan 19; 6–7 pm; Chapel) Join us to help prepare materials and make sleeping mats out of recycled plastic bags for our unhoused neighbors! These workshops are in preparation for the Service Project at the 2027 Women's Retreat, but everyone is welcome to come learn and help — you don't need to be attending the retreat to join in. Contact the church office at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661 with questions.

Blanket & Sleeping Bag Drive (Oct 1–31) Donate new or gently used blankets, sleeping bags, and hoodies to help our unhoused neighbors stay warm this winter through Common Grounds. Drop off outside the Fellowship Hall.

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

October 11 In Person    465 Online 212  

Groups      201

Upcoming Events (At a Glance)

👉 Click here to subscribe to the Prayer of the Week email

Until Oct 31—Blanket, Sleeping Bag, & Hoodie Drive (bins outside Fellowship Hall)

Until Oct 18—Fill the Centennial Time Capsule (Library, Room 212) → More info

Until Oct 23—Trunk or Treat Candy Collection (outside 1st Floor elevator)

Until Oct 23—Bring your Pastor Appreciation cards/letters (Mailboxes-1st Floor)

OCTOBER

Sundays—Christmas Kids Musical Rehearsals (9:30 am; 4th floor) → Sign up

Oct 13–Jan 19—Sleeping Mat Making Workshops (every other Tuesday; 6-7 pm; Chapel)

Oct 18—Centennial Time Capsule submission deadline (Library, Room 212)

Oct 23—Trunk or Treat (6-8 pm) → More info or Volunteer

Oct 25—Bloodmobile (8 am-1:30 pm; parking lot)

————Annual Church Conference (12:30 pm; Fellowship Hall)

Oct 25-Nov 8—Angel Tree (Sundays 9-11 am; return gifts by 11/22; Fellowship Hall)

Oct 26—Pipe Screams Organ Concert (7 pm; Sanctuary)

Oct 28, Nov 1 & 8—Sun Catchers on sale ($20; Fellowship Hall)

NOVEMBER

Nov 1—Discover First 10:45 am → More info & sign up

Nov 7—Centennial Car Show (10 am-2 pm; parking lot) → Register your car

Nov 8—Centennial Sunday Worship (9:30 & 11 am; no 8 am service)

Nov 22—Christmas Decorating (12 pm; Sanctuary)

Nov 26—Thanksgiving Dinner (1 pm; Fellowship Hall) → RSVP

JANUARY 2027

Jan 29-31—Women's Retreat—registration now open! → Register

👉 View full calendar →

Serve & Get Involved

Trunk or Treat Volunteers & Trunk Hosts (Friday, Oct 23; 6–8 pm) Help us Love St. Pete at Trunk or Treat! Decorate your car and pass out candy as a trunk host, or sign up for a 30-minute shift helping with popcorn, cotton candy, parking, or welcoming guests. We also need a big crew for cleanup from 8–8:30 pm. Candy donations are welcome too — collection bin outside the 1st floor elevator through Oct 23. 👉 Click here to volunteer your car and/or your time or contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org.

Angel Tree Volunteers Needed (Sundays, Oct 25 – Nov 8; return gifts by Nov 22) We're once again partnering with the Salvation Army to provide gifts for local families in need. Angels will be available for "adoption" in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays, Oct 25 – Nov 8, 9–11 am, and we need volunteers to help make this happen! We need Angel Tree workers for 1-hour shifts between 9 and 11 am on Sundays, Oct 25, Nov 1, 8, 15 & 22. To volunteer, contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org.

Office Volunteers Needed (Wednesday mornings, 9 am–1 pm; morning or afternoon substitutes) Duties include answering the door and phones, light filing, and helping staff with simple tasks. Contact the church office at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661.

👉 Explore more opportunities → Volunteer Page

Wednesday Night Live

— Dinner ($6 kids, $10 adults, $35 family meal)

Adults: Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, Tater Tots, Broccoli Kale Slaw, Pie

Kids: Hotdogs & Chips, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Ice Cream Sandwich

→ More info

• Kids Music 5 pm

• Dinner 5:30 pm ($6 kids, $10 adults, $35 family meal)

• Kids/Students 6 pm

• Adults 6:30 pm

• Adult Chancel Choir 7:30 pm

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 - 2 years) Preschool Hall

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

Elementary (1st - 5th Grade) Kids Church - 4th Floor

Christmas Musical Rehearsal (1st-8th Grade) - 4th Floor

11:00 am

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

Nursery/Toddlers (Birth - 2 years) Preschool Hall

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

Elementary (1st - 4th Grade) Sunday School - 4th Floor

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

WEDNESDAYS      

5:00 pm Kids Praise Team 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 - Please let Lora know ahead of time if you need nursery care

STUDENTS

SUNDAYS

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

10:45 am Students (7th – 12th Grades) 3rd Floor

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

6:00 pm Students PM (6th – 12th Grades) 3rd Floor, 4th Sundays  

WEDNESDAYS    

5:30 pm Dinner Fellowship Hall

6-7:30 pm WNL Student Group - 3rd Floor

 SUNDAY WORSHIP 

8:00 am Classic Worship -Sanctuary

Common Grounds Worship (Livestream) -Chapel

9:30 am Modern Worship -Sanctuary

Common Grounds Worship (Livestream) -Chapel

11:00 am Classic Worship -Sanctuary

Common Grounds Worship (Livestream) -Chapel

FELLOWSHIP TIME (BETWEEN SERVICES) 

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

9-11:30 am (2nd Sundays) Blood Pressure Clinic -1st Floor Nurse's Area

 ADULTS 

SUNDAYS 

9:30 am Quest -Online & Room 208

10:30 am Prayer Gathering -Library-Room 212

      11:00 am Becomers -Online & Room 206

11:00 am The Gap - Room 101

11:00 am Promised Land -Online & Room 212 (Library)

11:00 am Sojourners -Room 208  

MONDAY–THURSDAY

Time/Location Varies School Partners & Food Pantry Teams

MONDAYS

9:30-11:30 am Computer Center Ministry -One-Stop

10:30 am Bag Lunch Ministry -Christ UMC

4:00 pm St. Vincent de Paul Dinner: Cooking (1st, 4th & 5th Mondays)

6:30-8 pm St. Vincent de Paul Dinner: Serving (1st, 4th & 5th Mondays)

TUESDAYS 

7:00-11:30 am Shower Ministry -Parking Lot

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

9:30-11:30 am Computer Center Ministry -One-Stop

10:30 am Bag Lunch Ministry -Christ UMC

11:00 am United Women in Faith -Room 101

4:00 pm St. Vincent de Paul Dinner: Cooking (1st & 2nd Tuesdays)

6:00 pm Bible Art Journaling (1st Tuesdays) -3rd Floor

6-7 pm Sleeping Mat Making Workshops -Chapel (every other Tuesday, Oct 13–Jan 19)

6:30-8 pm St. Vincent de Paul Dinner: Serving (1st & 2nd Tuesdays)

WEDNESDAYS   

7:00-11:30 am Shower Ministry -Parking Lot

9:00-11:30 am Unhoused Outreach: Born to Serve (4th Wednesday)

9:30-11:30 am Computer Center Ministry -One-Stop

4:00 pm St. Vincent de Paul Dinner: Cooking (2nd Wednesday)

5:30 pm Dinner -Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm 7 Major World Religions -Chapel

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

6:30 pm Compelling Couples of the Bible -Room 208

6:30 pm The Gift of Empathy -Room 206

6:30 pm The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully -Room 101

6:30-8 pm St. Vincent de Paul Dinner: Serving (2nd Wednesday)

7:30 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal -Room 312

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am Thursday Men’s Study -Online                            

9:30-11:30 am Computer Center Ministry -One-Stop

11:00 am Hot Lunch Ministry -Christ UMC

 MUSIC

SUNDAYS 

8:45 am Praise Team -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary

10:15 am Chancel Choir -Room 312 

12:10 pm Handbells -Room 310    

TUESDAYS 

6:30 pm Praise Team -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

7:30 pm Chancel Choir -Room 312  

 CARE & SUPPORT

WEDNESDAYS 

12:00 Noon Caregiver Support Group -Online

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 & Online

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

11:00 am Nurture Pillar 

12:00 pm Invite Pillar  

THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

10:30 am Learn Pillar

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

4:00 pm Serve Pillar