5/17/26 Bulletin & Order of Service
- St Pete First
- May 15
- 6 min read
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 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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Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB
Compound interest is a powerful concept. With it, small commitments made regularly multiply into something significant over time. Faithful investment can result in exponential growth. This is a mighty money principle, but also can be applied to our faith.
Small investments in our relationship with God, made consistently over time, can result in a faith that is greater than we ever imagined it could be!
The beauty of compound interest is in it’s simplicity. It isn’t about the big push, or the splashy production, it’s all about the smallest steps made faithfully.
What small, consistent steps can you make to invest in your faith?
See you Sunday!
— Pastor Bob
8 & 11 am Order of Service
Ascension Sunday
Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM
May 17, 2026
*Congregational responses are in bold.
PRELUDE Rick Nay, organ
“This is my Father’s World” arr. Brent Olstad
Kelly Bonyata, flute & piccolo
(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT Chancel Choir
“We Have Come to Worship the Lord” by Charles Yannerella
*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Elyse Nielsen
Leader: God of new life, the whole world is Your garden!
People: You plant seeds of hope and pluck out weeds of hatred,
Leader: creating room for love and kindness to grow.
People: Teach us to garden like You, working together, even when it’s hard.
All: Thanks be to You, the One who grows us up, wild and free. Amen.
*HYMN OF PRAISE
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Hymn # 384
*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
“Come Thou Fount” arr. Bob Krogstad
WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Rick Nay, organ
“Meditation” by George Blake
*DOXOLOGY Hymn # 95
*HYMN OF PREPARATION
“Dear Jesus, in Whose Life I See” Hymn # 468
SERMON Rev. Bob Martin
“It’s Not Where You are Going… It’s Where You’ve Been”
Text: 1 Peter 5:9b-11 NLT
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
“My Faith Looks Up To Thee” Hymn # 452
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Rick Nay, organ
“Christ is the Cornerstone” by Edward Broughton
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving honor of
Patti Martin on our 41st wedding anniversary, from the luckiest man alive!
Our acolyte this week is Emory Wood.
What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today!
Can’t be here in person? Join us for livestream worship.
9:30 am Order of Service
Modern Worship—9:30 AM
May 17, 2026
Welcome
Passing the Peace of Christ
Club 56 Move-Up Sunday
Praise & Worship
“Your Love Never Fails”
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”
“How He Loves”
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“It’s Not Where You are Going… It’s Where You’ve Been”
Text: 1 Peter 5:9b-11 NLT
Praise & Worship
“Great Are You Lord”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving honor of
Patti Martin on our 41st wedding anniversary, from the luckiest man alive!
What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today!
Can’t be here in person? Join us for livestream worship.
Bulletin/Announcements
*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***
VBS Setup Week (June 8-12; 9am-3pm)
Did you know that VBS is one of biggest outreach events of the year? Help up set up! Meet in the Fellowship Hall anytime between the hours of 9am and 3pm.
Our Latest Prayer Initiative
We invite you to gather for a brief time of prayer each Sunday between services (10:30–11:00 am) in the Library (Room 212). Come for a few minutes or stay the whole time as we lift up our church and community together. All are welcome.
Club 56 Roller Skating Celebration with Youth
Sunday, May 17 • 5:45-7:30 pm • Astro Skate
Free roller skating party for 5th -12th grades.
The Centennial Committee Needs Your Photos.
Share your favorite church memories—past and present—to help tell our story. Bring photos to the church office or email Ginny.
Bible Art Journaling: FREE Summer Workshop
Tuesdays June 2 - Aug 4 • 6-8 pm • 3rd Floor
For 4th grade through adult (parents, come with your kids!). Deepen your faith through scripture, reflection, and creative journaling—no experience needed.
The WhereHouse Student Ministry is moving to the 3rd floor! Help furnish the space—Click Here to visit their Amazon registry.
Upcoming Events (At a Glance)
MAY
May 17——Club 56 Move-Up Sunday
————Discover First 10:45 am → Details
————Club 56/Youth Roller Skating 5:45-7:30 pm → Sign up here
May 25—Church office closed - Memorial Day
May 30-June 6—Youth Mission Trip (Full/Waitlist) → More info
JUNE
June 2-Aug 4—Art Journaling Workshop (Tuesdays 6-8 pm) → Sign up here
June 4-6—Annual Conference → Details
June 8-12—VBS Setup Week → Volunteer
June 15-19—VBS (Full/Waitlist)
June 21—Father’s Day
————Children & Youth Sunday
JULY
June 2-Aug 4—Art Journaling Workshop (Tuesdays 6-8 pm) → Sign up here
July 13-17—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1 → Camp Signup
——————Elementary Camp: Creator’s Workshop (Music/Theatre/Dance)
July 20-24—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2
——————Elementary Art Camp (Full/Waitlist)
AUGUST
Aug 1—Faith Day at the Rays (game starts 4:10 pm) → Sign up here
Serve & Get Involved
Common Grounds
Help one Sunday a month → Learn more
Summer Office Volunteers Needed
Help with phones, doors, and light admin → Call 727-894-4661 or email us
👉 Explore more opportunities → Volunteer Page
Wednesday Night Dinner Menu
Wednesday Night Live and Dinner will return on September 9.
Youth will continue to meet on Wednesday nights - keep an eye on the youth emails & texts for schedule.
Last Week's Attendance Numbers
Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!
May 10 In Person 469 Online 424
Groups 181
Job Openings
Join Our Team: Facility Maintenance (Part-Time). Help support our church by assisting with repairs and facility upkeep. → Details
To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.
Kids & Youth
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 return Sept 9
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 - returns Sept 9
6-7:30 pm Youth Group -continuing in the summer! Check your email.
Weekly & Monthly Events
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 206
11:00 am THE GAP -Room 101
11:00 am PROMISED LAND -Zoom & Room 212 (Library)
11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208
TUESDAYS
9:00 am Ladies of Light Bible Study -Room 208 (returning in Sept)
WEDNESDAYS -Returning on Sept 9
5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Bible Studies & Classes
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 -returning Sept 9
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
