5/3/26 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

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

This week, I encourage you to be intentional about loving your neighbor. Sometimes it’s found in the simplest acts: a kind word, a listening ear, a helping hand, or a moment of patience when it’s hardest to give. These small expressions of love reflect the heart of Christ more than we often realize.

Let us be people who carry His light into our homes, workplaces, and communities. You never know how God might use your compassion to bring hope to someone else.

See you Sunday!

— Pastor Bob      

5th Sunday of Easter

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

May 3, 2026

*Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

(Click here to GIVE) 

PRELUDE       Donna Guillaume, guest organist 

“Processional” by George Frederick Handel 

*CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Carey Taylor

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to encounter, understand,       

and be moved by the Living Christ.

People: With bright eyes, let us search. With engaged minds, let us ponder.

With compassionate hearts, let us feel.

Leader: This new day is fresh with possibility to respond, to serve,

and to praise the Living Christ.

People: With solid devotion, let us follow. With humble intention, let us act. 

With strong voices, let us sing!

All: Let us worship God!  

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”     Hymn # 139

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

*CONGREGATIONAL SONG

“Blest Be the Tie that Binds”     Hymn # 557

Celebration of Graduates 

Catie Cooper - Center Academy

Jackie Epstein - Calvary Christian High

Allston Greene - St. Petersburg High

Xanger Mongue - St. Petersburg High

Noah Schauer - Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School 

Remy Shramo - Tarpon Springs High

Courteney Stanton - Canterbury School of Florida

Becca O’Reilly - New York University

Mallory Ulrich - Florida State University

David Wilber - University of West Florida

(11:00) ANTHEM Chancel Choir

“At the Table of the Lord” by Jay Althouse

WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Rev. Elyse Nielsen

“Larghetto” by Johann Franck

Donna Guillaume, guest organist 

*DOXOLOGY     Hymn # 95

SERMON  Rev. Bob Martin

“Life Can Seem Unfair, But it Really Isn’t​​”     

  Text: Matthew 20:1-16 NLT

Sacrament of Holy Communion

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”     Hymn # 430

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  Donna Guillaume, guest organist

“Land of Hope and Glory”

From Pomp and Circumstance, March No.1 by Sir Edward Elgar 

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of my brother, Bruce Eliot Wilkinson, on his birthday, May 6, from Chriselle Hamilton.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of our 2026 high school and college graduates, from their church family.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Holly Kickliter on our 23rd wedding anniversary, from Tom Greene.

Our acolytes this week are Marley Robinson & Audrey Cheeseman.

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

May 3, 2026

(Click here to check-in)

(Click here to GIVE)

Welcome

Passing the Peace of Christ

Celebration of Graduates 

Catie Cooper - Center Academy

Jackie Epstein - Calvary Christian High

Allston Greene - St. Petersburg High

Xanger Mongue - St. Petersburg High

Noah Schauer - Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School 

Remy Shramo - Tarpon Springs High

Courteney Stanton - Canterbury School of Florida

Becca O’Reilly - New York University

Mallory Ulrich - Florida State University

David Wilber - University of West Florida

Praise & Worship

“Lion and the Lamb” 

“This I Believe” 

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

Sermon Rev. Bob Martin

“Life Can Seem Unfair, But it Really Isn’t​​”     

 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 NLT

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Worship Song

“You are my King (Amazing Love)” 

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of my brother, Bruce Eliot Wilkinson, on his birthday, May 6, from Chriselle Hamilton.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of our 2026 high school and college graduates, from their church family.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Holly Kickliter on our 23rd wedding anniversary, from Tom Greene.

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 ***

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.

New or Want to Get Connected? Discover First! (Sunday, May 17; 10:45am-12:15pm)

Join us for a relaxed gathering to meet our pastors, learn about our church, and explore how you can get connected—including membership. Snacks & childcare provided.

→ Details and Sign Up

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.

👉 Sign up here

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.

👉 Sign up here

Permanent Fund Requests (Due May 11)

Applications for charitable funding from the church’s Permanent Fund are now being accepted. Find the “Permanent Fund Request” form at www.stpetefirst.org/forms or contact the church office. Questions? Email mark.mckeage@gmail.com

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 3— Graduation Sunday

May 10—Mother’s Day

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

May 11—Allocations/Permanent Fund Requests due 5/11 → Details

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)

👉 View full calendar →

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!

Weekly Groups        204

April 26 In Person    534 Online 426  

Groups      221

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

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