7/12/26 Bulletin & Order of Service
- St Pete First
- 2 days ago
- 8 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 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!
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Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB
Hey Friends,
I wanted to take a moment and have you join with me in welcoming some new team members on our staff. From the very beginning, I have made the commitment to ensure we have the best people leading God's vision as staff. Each one of these persons brings unique gifts and a heart for the work of the church. I am so excited these fine servants have joined our efforts to Love.St.Pete.
Laurel Fortuna - Director of Worship Technology
Sheri Longshore - Assistant to the Pastors
Kristin Cahill - Senior Director of Finance and Administration
Jessica Andringa - Director of Servant Ministries
Amanda Higgins - Interim Worship Leader
I am more excited than ever about our future and with the addition of these fine staff, we will all do amazing things for the Kingdom's work!
See you Sunday,
–Pastor Bob
8 am Order of Service
7th Sunday after Pentecost
Traditional Worship—8 AM
July 12, 2026
Prelude Rick Nay, organ
“In His Loving Care” by Donald Lee Moore
Welcome Rev. Elyse Nielsen
* Call to Worship
Leader: Jealousy grows when we compare our lives to others.
People: We forget the blessings God has already given us.
Leader: Jealousy is fueled on the idea that we get what we deserve.
People: Thank the Lord that we do not get what we deserve, rather, God’s grace is a gift; never earned.
Leader: God calls us away from comparison and into gratitude.
People: Teach us to trust Your goodness, O Lord.
Leader: Come, let us confront jealousy and worship with thankful hearts.
People: Lord, free us to rejoice in Your blessings and love.
* Hymn of Praise
“O Worship The King” Hymn #73
* Passing the Peace of Christ
“Blest Be the Tie that Binds” Hymn #557
* Affirmation of Faith
“Apostles’ Creed” #881
Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer
Worship with Tithes and Offerings Rick Nay, organ
“Prayer” by Ellen Jane Lorenz
* Doxology Hymn # 95
* Hymn of Preparation
“He Is Lord” Hymn #177
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“The Confronting Zone: Jealousy”
Text: James 4:1–2 (NLT)
* Hymn of Dedication
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” Hymn #133
* Benediction
Postlude Rick Nay, organ
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” by Tom Birchwood
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving honor of the Becomers Sunday School Class, faithfully serving and growing together since the early 1980s.
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
July 12, 2026
Welcome
Passing the Peace of Christ
Praise and Worship South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra
“That Home Far Away”
“Hallelujah I’m Ready to Go”
“Shouting on the Hills of Glory”
Prayer / Lord’s Prayer
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
“Down to the River to Pray”
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“The Confronting Zone: Jealousy”
Text: James 4:1-2 (NLT)
Praise & Worship
“Shouting on the Hills of Glory” (reprise)
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving honor of the Becomers Sunday School Class, faithfully serving and growing together since the early 1980s.
What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today!
Can’t be here in person? Join us for livestream worship.
11 am Order of Service
7th Sunday after Pentecost
Traditional Worship—11 AM
July 12, 2026
Prelude Rick Nay, organ
“In His Loving Care” by Donald Lee Moore
Welcome Rev. Elyse Nielsen
* Call to Worship
Leader: Jealousy grows when we compare our lives to others.
People: We forget the blessings God has already given us.
Leader: Jealousy is fueled on the idea that we get what we deserve.
People: Thank the Lord that we do not get what we deserve, rather,
God’s grace is a gift; never earned.
Leader: God calls us away from comparison and into gratitude.
People: Teach us to trust Your goodness, O Lord.
Leader: Come, let us confront jealousy and worship with thankful hearts.
People: Lord, free us to rejoice in Your blessings and love.
* Songs of Praise South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra
“That Home Far Away”
“Hallelujah I’m Ready to Go”
* Passing the Peace of Christ
“Blest Be the Tie that Binds” Hymn #557
* Affirmation of Faith
“Apostles’ Creed” # 881
Sacrament of Baptism
Lee Bansil
Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer
Worship with Tithes and Offerings
“Down to the River to Pray”
* Doxology Hymn #95
* Song of Preparation
“Shouting on the Hills of Glory”
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“The Confronting Zone: Jealousy”
Text: James 4:1-2 (NLT)
* Hymn of Dedication
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” Hymn #133
* Benediction
Postlude Rick Nay, organ
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” by Tom Birchwood
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving honor of the Becomers Sunday School Class, faithfully serving and growing together since the early 1980s.
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.
Bulletin/Announcements
*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***
Thank You, South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra!
A special thank you to our South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra for sharing your music with us today. If you’re worshiping with us at 8 am, you’re invited to stay for the bluegrass music at the 9:30 or 11 am services.
Please Pray for Our Summer Camps
Our preschool and elementary camps begin this Monday! As children explore God’s love through play, music, dance, and drama, please pray for each camper, volunteer, and leader—that they will experience God’s presence, grow in faith, and enjoy a safe and joy-filled week.
Faith Day at the Rays (Saturday, August 1; 4:10 pm)
Join your church family as the Rays take on the Chicago White Sox! Cost is $40 and includes group seating, a Christian Faith snapback cap, and access to a special post-game event featuring testimonies from Rays players and the team chaplain. Get your tickets online or in the Fellowship Hall on July 12 or 19.
School Partnership Essentials Drive (July 5-August 2)
Help us bless local students and families by donating everyday essentials for our school partners, including shampoo, soap, toothpaste, paper products, laundry detergent, and household cleaners. Collection bins are located outside the Fellowship Hall. Donations will be blessed during worship on August 9 before being shared with families in need. 👉 Click here for the complete list of needed items & more information
Prayer of the Week
Keep an eye out for our Prayer of the Week! Print copies will be available to pick up on Sunday morning at church, plus you can subscribe to our Prayer of the Week email list to receive the prayer in your inbox on Monday morning.
👉 Click here to subscribe to the Prayer of the Week
Upcoming Events (At a Glance)
Through Aug 11—Women’s Jonah Study (Tuesdays 9-11 am)→ Sign up here
Through Aug 4—Art Journaling Workshop (Tuesdays 6-8 pm) (Full)
Through Aug 26—Foodie Group (Wednesdays 5–6:30 pm) → Sign up here
Through Aug 29—Saturday Morning Market (Saturdays 9 am–1 pm; parking lot)
JULY
July 12—Bluegrass Sunday (9:30/11 Worship) (8 am service will meet as usual.)
-------------Blood Pressure Clinic 9-11:30 am; 1st Floor Nurse's Area
July 13-17—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1
----------------Elementary Camp: Creator’s Workshop (Music/Theatre/Dance)
July 20-24—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2 → Camp Signup
-------------------Elementary Art Camp (Full/Waitlist)
AUGUST
Aug 1—Faith Day at the Rays (game starts 4:10 pm) → Sign up here
Aug 16—Confirmation Meeting (Noon; 3rd floor)
Aug 26—Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (6 pm; Fellowship Hall) → Sign up here
Aug 30—Discover First 10:45 am → More info & sign up
Serve & Get Involved
Volunteer with the Monday Bag Lunch Street Ministry
Every Monday, become part of a small team that assembles bag lunches 10:30 am–noon and distributes them to guests at Christ UMC (467 1st Ave N). → Call 727-894-4661 or email us
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 Live
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!
July 5 In Person 351 Online 757
Groups 94
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 - 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 - meeting off-campus during the summer
11:00 am PROMISED LAND -Zoom & Room 212 (Library) -on summer break
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 -on summer break
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 -returning in Sept
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
