10/25/26 Bulletin & Order of Service
Welcome & Church Information
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
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Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB
This weekend’s community event was filled with energy and excitement as we welcomed families in our local community. It was a reminder to me of how important our work in St. Petersburg is. Whether it was making new friends, sharing the story of faith, or basking in the smiles of so many people having a good time, my heart was warmed by the event. This is why we do what we do. Sharing the love of Jesus with others and helping them become connected with a greater purpose for life is a game changer. Let’s keep up the good work!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Bob
8 & 11 am Order of Service
Reformation Sunday
Classic Worship—8 & 11 AM
October 25, 2026
Prelude Rick Nay, organ
“Contemplation” by Donald Lee Moore
(11:00) “Fount of Every Blessing” arr. Jason Krug Fellowship Ringers
Welcome Rev. Elyse Nielsen
Call to Worship
Pastor: Come, let us worship our Lord who finds us faithful in the work He has called us to do.
People: May we be a people who seek God’s face, engage the Scriptures, and joyfully answer His call to action.
Pastor: Bless the work of our hands, grant success to our labors, and encourage us along the way.
People: When the work is hard, keep us from growing weary. When we are tempted to go it alone, remind us that we need one another.
Pastor: When the work prospers, guard our hearts against claiming the glory that belongs to You alone.
People: Lord, expand our service and increase our impact, not for our own glory, but for Your purposes and the building of Your Kingdom.
Pastor: Come, let us worship the God who strengthens us for joyful service, sustains us through the struggle, and remains forever faithful to us!
Hymn of Praise
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” Hymn #139
Passing the Peace of Christ
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” Hymn #557
Affirmation of Faith Rev. Carey Taylor
“Apostles’ Creed” #881
Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer
(11:00) Anthem Chancel Choir
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Anna Laura Page
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
“Blessed Assurance” arr. William Cutter Amanda Higgins, soloist; Rick Nay, organ
Doxology Hymn #95
Hymn of Preparation
“He Is Lord” Hymn #177
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“Faithful to the End”
Text: Nehemiah 8 (selectively) NLT
Hymn of Dedication
“Seek Ye First” Hymn #405
Benediction
Postlude Rick Nay, organ
“Marche Jubilant” by Robert W. Thygerson
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Margaret Pruitt on the occasion of her birthday, from Beverly and Ray English.
The flowers are given in celebration of Pastor Bob, Pastor Elyse, and Pastor Carey, from the church family. Thank you for all you do!
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Jean Gainor, from John and Nancy Gainor.
Our acolyte this week is Christopher Dean.
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
9:30 am Order of Service
Modern Worship—9:30 AM
October 25, 2026
Praise & Worship
“Grateful”
Welcome
Passing the Peace of Christ
Praise & Worship
“Champion”
“King of Kings”
Prayer / Lord’s Prayer
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“Faithful to the End”
Text: Nehemiah 8 (selectively) NLT
Praise & Worship
“Holy Forever”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Margaret Pruitt on the occasion of her birthday, from Beverly and Ray English.
The flowers are given in celebration of Pastor Bob, Pastor Elyse, and Pastor Carey, from the church family. Thank you for all you do!
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Jean Gainor, from John and Nancy Gainor.
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
Announcements
*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***
Also this Sunday:
Blood Drive (Sunday, Oct 25; 8 am–1:30 pm; Big Red Bus in parking lot) Drop in to donate or 👉 click here to schedule your donation. All donors will receive a Halloween t-shirt and a $20 eGift Card. See www.oneblood.org for more info on donation.
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.
Angel Tree begins today! Get your Angel in the Fellowship Hall, 9–11 am — see below.
New or Want to Get Connected? Discover First! (Sunday, Nov 1; 10:45 am–12:30 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
Centennial Car Show (Saturday, November 7; 10 am–2 pm; parking lot) Join us for a day of family fun in the heart of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg as we celebrate our Centennial — 100 Years of Service & Community! Classic • Custom • Modern Vehicles — All Makes & Models Welcome. Enjoy amazing cars, food, music from a DJ, and a fire truck for the kids! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite! Bring your family, invite your friends — see you there! Free to enter your car — Free to attend. Pre-registration appreciated: enter your car in the show here
Centennial Celebration Sunday (Sunday, November 8; worship at 9:30 & 11 am; no 8 am service) Join us as we celebrate 100 years in our historic sanctuary! Bishop Tom Berlin will be our guest preacher, and worship will feature special music for this once-in-a-century occasion. Please note there will be no 8 am service that day, so plan to join us at 9:30 or 11 am. Invite your family and friends to be part of this milestone Sunday! Questions? Contact the church office at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661.
Angel Tree (Sundays, Oct 25 – Nov 8; 9–11 am — Return gifts by Nov 22) St. Pete First, in partnership with the Salvation Army, is sponsoring a Christmas Angel Tree to provide clothing & toys to local families in need. Get your Angel in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays 9-11 am, on Oct 25, Nov 1, & Nov 8. Most people spend about $100 per angel, and all gifts should be new, unwrapped, and securely tagged with your angel number. Please return your gifts ASAP. Angel gifts should be returned to a St. Pete First representative in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays, Nov 1-22. Please prayerfully consider participating in this heartwarming ministry.
Pipe Screams Organ Concert (Monday, Oct 26; 7 pm; Sanctuary) Come enjoy both spooky and uplifting music (and sing some pumpkin carols!) as the American Guild of Organists St. Pete Chapter presents Pipe Screams, featuring organist Rick Nay along with organists and directors from other area churches. Costumes are encouraged, with a costume parade for those in costume.
Sleeping Mat Making Workshops (every other Tuesday, Oct 27–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 18 In Person 503 Online 472
Groups 164
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)
OCTOBER
Sundays—Christmas Kids Musical Rehearsals (9:30 am; 4th floor) → Sign up
Oct 27–Jan 19—Sleeping Mat Making Workshops (every other Tuesday; 6-7 pm; Chapel)
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)
NOVEMBER
Nov 1-15—Beans & Jeans Collection (for Farmworkers Self-Help)
Nov 1—Discover First 10:45 am → More info & sign up
————Daylight Saving Time ends
Nov 3—Bible Art Journaling (6-8 pm; 3rd Floor)
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 11—Veterans Day (office closed all day; no Wednesday night activities/classes)
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
Serve & Get Involved
Help Us Love St. Pete at Our Centennial Car Show (Saturday, Nov 7) We need volunteers to help make this free, family-friendly event happen — sign up for a 1-hour shift helping with spectator parking, welcoming guests, grilling hot dogs and hamburgers or serving food. We also need a crew for cleanup from 2–2:30 pm. 👉 Click here to volunteer or contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org.
Tuesday Bag Lunch Ministry Every Tuesday, become part of a small team that assembles various items into paper bags and distributes these to patrons at Christ United Methodist Church, 467 1st Avenue North, St. Pete. Most of our guests are the unhoused. To help, 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: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Bread Pudding
Kids: Chicken Tenders, Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Cookie
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
Job Openings
To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.
Kids & Students
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
Weekly & Monthly Events
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 27–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
