3/29/26 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!

Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message

Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give

A NOTE FROM PASTOR ELYSE    

When humanity’s brokenness met divine love, the cross changed everything. In the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, suffering is no longer meaningless—it becomes the place where grace, forgiveness, and redemption are revealed.

Why is it so hard to comprehend? Because it turns our understanding of power upside down. And yet, it invites us to live differently—with humility, courage, and self-giving love.

This Sunday, let's reflect together on how the cross reshapes not just history, but your life today.

In Christ,

— Pastor Elyse    

Palm Sunday

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

March 29, 2026

*Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

(Click here to GIVE) 

PRELUDE Rick Nay, organ

“Palm Sunday Procession” by Roger C. Wilson 

“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” by Edward Broughton

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Bob Martin

Leader: Lenten travelers, let’s journey to the cross.

People: We come to praise Jesus, the Messiah, the One who saves!

Leader: The crowds line the path and shout “Hosanna! Save us!” as Jesus rides in, 

not on a mighty war horse, but on the backs of a donkey and a colt.

People: We come to call on Jesus, the Messiah, the One who saves!

Leader: Lenten travelers, follow a Messiah who saves us to life 

after the pattern of the kingdom of God, not the kingdoms of this world.

People: We come to follow Jesus, the Messiah, the One who saves! 

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”     Hymn # 278

(11:00) Kids Praise Team

“Shout Hosanna” by Vicki Hancock Wright

*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/LORD’S PRAYER

(11:00) ANTHEM Chancel Choir

“Hosanna to the Living Lord” by Howard Helvey

WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

“The Palms” by Jean-Baptiste Faure

Steve Butler, soloist; Rick Nay, organ

*DOXOLOGY     Hymn # 95

*HYMN OF PREPARATION

“Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”     Hymn # 277

SERMON Rev. Elyse Nielsen

“The Crucifixion”     

Text: Matthew 27:32-44 NIV

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”     Hymn # 286

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  Rick Nay, organ

“Day Of Triumph” by Vladimir Rebikoff

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.

Palm Sunday

Modern Worship—9:30 AM

March 29, 2026

(Click here to check-in)

(Click here to GIVE)

Welcome

Passing the Peace of Christ

Praise & Worship

“This is Amazing Grace” 

“Death in His Grave” 

“Hosanna”

Kids Praise Team

“Shout Hosanna” by Vicki Hancock Wright 

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

Sermon Rev. Elyse Nielsen

“The Crucifixion”     

Text: Matthew 27:32-44 NIV

Praise & Worship

“Power in the Blood / Nothing but the Blood Medley” 

Benediction

“Do It Again”

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 ***

Holy Week at St. Pete First

Palm Sunday (Sun March 29; 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am)

Maundy Thursday Communion Service: Love to the End (Thurs April 2; 7 pm) Childcare available.

Good Friday: The Seven Last Words of Christ (Fri April 3; 7 pm) Childcare available.

Easter Worship (Sun April 5; 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am)

As we enter this sacred and meaningful time of year, we invite you to journey with us through Holy Week—a week filled with reflection, worship, and hope.

We begin on Sunday with Palm Sunday, beginning with a joyful celebration as our children lead us into worship, processing with palm branches and singing “Hosanna.” (Kids, meet in the Fellowship Hall by 9:15 am to get ready, and plan to stay through the opening of the 11:00 am service.)

On Thursday at 7:00 pm, join us for our Maundy Thursday communion service, Love to the End, as we remember Christ’s final evening with His disciples in a service centered on love, humility, and grace.

Then on Good Friday at 7:00 pm, we gather for a moving and reflective worship experience focused on the Seven Last Words of Christ—a powerful time to pause, remember, and prepare our hearts.



We hope you’ll come and be part of this special week with us.

Easter Flowers (orders & payments due Palm Sunday 3/29 at midnight)

Help decorate the Sanctuary for Easter by purchasing a flower in honor or memory of a loved one. $14 each (cash, check, or card). Hydrangeas and Easter lilies will decorate the Sanctuary on Easter, and flowers may be picked up after the 11 am Easter service. Click here to order a flower in honor or memory of a loved one. 

Calling All Students! Scholarships (deadline: Mar 31) 

Are you a church member who is currently attending or bound for college or vocational school? Applications for St. Pete First Scholarships are due soon! 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.

Building Hope on Purpose - Free Event! (May 2; 10 am-1 pm)

Free speakers, workshops, and community resources. Hope is often treated like a feeling we either have or don’t—but real hope is something we do. At this event, we will explore practical ways to change how we speak to ourselves, how to travel through a season of grief and move forward with intention, how to be at peace when others judge, reject or criticize us, and how to master our thoughts and emotions and create for ourselves the stories that will move us forward.

Lenten Prayer Gathering (Thursdays until Easter; 12 pm; Parlor-Room 214)

We meet Thursdays in the Parlor at 12:00 noon to pray, reflect, and connect during the Lenten season. There is time for guided prayer, small group prayer, and quiet reflection. We pray for our congregation, our church, and our world.

Upcoming Events 

MARCH 2026

Mar 29—Palm Sunday

Mar 31—Scholarship Deadline Click here for more info & application form

APRIL 2026

Apr 2—Maundy Thursday Worship 7 pm

Apr 3—Good Friday Worship 7 pm

Apr 5—Easter Sunday

Apr 6—Church office closed - Easter Monday

MAY 2026

May 2—Building Hope on Purpose -Free Speakers & Workshops; 10 am-1 pm

SUMMER (Registration is open!)

June 15-19—VBS

July 13-17—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1

——————Elementary Camp: Creator’s Workshop (Music/Theatre/Dance)

July 20-24—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2

——————Elementary Art Camp (Full/Waitlist)

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.

Disaster Response Team

When disaster strikes, our church shows up. Our Disaster Response Team helps bring hope and practical help to people affected by storms and other natural disasters in our community and beyond. Whether it’s clearing debris, organizing supplies, or supporting recovery efforts, your gifts can make a real difference. If you feel called to serve when people need it most, we invite you to join us. Early Response Team (ERT) training is available and encouraged to prepare for safe and effective service.  Call the church office, email church@stpetefirst.org or visit www.stpetefirst.org/volunteer for more info.

Office Volunteer Needed (Wednesday afternoons 1-5 pm) We’re looking for a friendly face to serve as our Office Volunteer on Wednesdays from 1-5 pm. Duties include answering door and phones, light filing, and assisting staff with simple tasks. If you’re available and willing to help, please contact the church: church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661. 

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

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

No Wednesday Night dinner or programming this week. Please join us for our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services (both at 7 pm).  

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

March 22 In Person    552 Online 452  

Groups      200

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 - Please let Lora know ahead of time if you need nursery care

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 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

9:30 am NURTURE PILLAR 

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

4:00 pm SERVE PILLAR