7/13/25 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!

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB    

Hey Friends!

I want to thank this wonderful church community for the overwhelming love expressed to our two new pastors, the Reverend Elyse Nielsen and the Reverend Carey Taylor, this past Sunday as we welcomed them into our family. It really warmed my heart to see the new relationships beginning as well as the ways we all will be challenged in the season ahead to truly grow in our faith and the ways we will Love. St. Pete. 

As I shared at their reception, the most important thing I can ask of our church family is to love these two wonderful pastors more than you love me and by so doing, they will always know how special they are to us all. Let's continue to pray for our new pastors on staff and give them encouragement and support for the journey ahead!

See you Sunday,

— Pastor Bob 

5th Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

July 13, 2025

*Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

“Summer Breezes” by Walter R. Clarke

Rick Nay, organ

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Beloved people of God, we gather here to worship the King of Kings.

People: We come to worship and to praise our Lord Jesus Christ!

Leader: With love for one another, we gather as neighbors.

People: With love for Christ, we gather as Christ’s community of love. 

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“O How I Love Jesus”     Hymn # 170

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

*CONGREGATIONAL SONG

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” Hymn # 557

Blest be the tie that binds

our hearts in Christian love;

the fellowship of kindred minds

is like to that above.

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

“Apostles’ Creed” # 881

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

(8:00) SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM  

Rhett Jackson Schaeffer

Parents: Samantha Jo Schaeffer & Cole Thomas Schaeffer

Maternal Grandparents: Mark Fredrick Howard & Roxanne Jo Howard

Paternal Grandparents: David Alan Schaeffer & Elizabeth Anne Schaeffer 

PASTORAL PRAYER / LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS  (Click here to GIVE)

“God is Love” by Thomas C. Griggs

Gregory Franklin & Lynette Hernandez, duo

Rick Nay, organ

*DOXOLOGY Hymn # 95

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*HYMN OF PREPARATION

“My Jesus, I Love Thee”     Hymn # 172

SERMON

“3 Simple Rules: Rule #3 – Fall in Love with God Every Day”     Rev. Bob Martin

Text: John 21:15-17,19 NLT

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Fairest Lord Jesus”     Hymn # 189

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“Grand Chouer” by Cesar Franck

Rick Nay, organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of the Caregivers Support Group, from the St. Pete First UMC family.

Our acolyte this week is Emory Wood.

Thank you for joining us today!

Reminder: If you are out of town or if you are not feeling well, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

July 13, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Band

“Lion and the Lamb” 

“Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” 

Passing the Peace of Christ

Sacrament of Baptism

Reagan Jane Helinger 

Sloane Olivia Helinger

Quinn Elise Helinger

     Parents: Rachel Liane Helinger & Joe Ralph Helinger

     Maternal grandparents: Richard Eric Ware & Kelly Janine Ware

     Paternal grandparents: Kerry Stephen Helinger & Diana Hay Helinger  

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“Great Are You Lord”  

Sermon

“3 Simple Rules: Rule #3 – Fall in Love with God Every Day”     Rev. Bob Martin

Text: John 21:15-17,19 NLT

Worship Song

“The Church”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of the Caregivers Support Group, from the St. Pete First UMC family.

Thank you for joining us today!

Reminder: If you are out of town or if you are not feeling well, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***

Summer Organ Concert (Monday, July 21; 2 pm)

Join us Monday, July 21 at 2 pm to listen and sing along to favorite songs as organist Rick Nay (with guests) showcases our magnificent organ amid our beautiful stained glass windows. This is an outreach event for our community. We NEED VOLUNTEERS to come at 1 pm to help welcome and assist our guests from nursing home/assisted living facilities, plus people to bring non-refrigerated desserts. Contact the church office or Rick Nay for more info: richardtnay@yahoo.com

Shower Ministry Volunteers Needed

4th Wednesday Shower Ministry is seeking help serving food and/or assisting with showers for the unhoused on our campus parking lot. If you are able to volunteer on a Wednesday from 10:00 am until about noon, please contact Hal Heitler at heitlerh@tampabay.rr.com or 727-448-6291. Retirees are welcome. All training is provided. 

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.

We need volunteer help before and after the Summer Organ Concert on July 21. Come at 1 pm to help welcome and assist our guests from nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The concert starts at 2, and refreshments will be served after the concert. We also need people to bring a baked (non-refrigerated) treat to share with our guests. Contact Rick Nay for more information.

4th Wednesday Shower Ministry is seeking help serving food and/or assisting with showers for the unhoused on our campus parking lot. If you are able to volunteer on a Wednesday from 10:00 am until about noon, please contact Hal Heitler at heitlerh@tampabay.rr.com or 727-448-6291. Retirees are welcome. All training is provided.

Elementary School Food Pantries feed both kids and their families—you are needed to be part of a rotational team for this ministry. It doesn't require much time at all, but the dividends are life-changing. We currently have a food pantry at Melrose Elementary, and we will be working to add four more schools this coming school year, so don't wait to help. Contact Kendra Aumack at kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661 x2122. Let's meet this unmet need in our community for Jesus!

Click here to go to our Serve form, then select the ministries you are interested in.

Wednesday Night Live

Wednesday Night Live & dinner is on summer break.

See you September 3rd!

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

July 6 Worship 382  In Person 329  Online

Church Finances

May 2025 Year to Date

Income $233,323 $1,399,890

Expense $227,725 $1,380,784

Upcoming Events—Mark your calendar! (check out the full list here)

• July 13—Blood Pressure Clinic 9-11:30 am; 1st Floor Nurse's Area

• July 14-18—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2; 

• ——————Elementary Art/Adventure Camp; 

• July 21—Summer Organ Concert 2 pm

• Aug 10—Blood Pressure Clinic 9-11:30 am; 1st Floor Nurse's Area

• Aug 17—Move Up Sunday for kids

• Aug 27—Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 6 pm

• Sept 1—Church office closed - Labor Day

• Sept 3—Wednesday Night Live returns 

• Sept 7—Discover First (www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst)

• Sept 7—Parent-Youth Night 6-7:30 pm

• Sept 28—Confirmation Bible Presentation / Confirmation Begins

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 return on September 3

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

YOUTH

SUNDAYS

9:30 am WORSHIP (Look for the youth up front) Sanctuary

10:45 am YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse

10:45 am CONFIRMATION WhereHouse returns September 28

11:00 am CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) 4th Floor, Room 404

6:00 pm YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse

WEDNESDAYS return on September 3

5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall

6-7:30 pm Youth Group WhereHouse

 SUNDAY WORSHIP 

8:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary

9:30 am Contemporary Service -Sanctuary

11:00 am Traditional Service -Sanctuary

FELLOWSHIP TIME (BETWEEN SERVICES) 

9-11:30 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 -Zoom & Room 208

      10:45 am PROMISED LAND -Zoom & Room 301 (summer break: returns 9/7)

10:45 am THE GAP -Room 101  (summer break: returns 8/17)

11:00 am BECOMERS -Zoom & Room 103

11:00 am DISCIPLE MAKERS -Library-Room 212

11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208  (summer break: returns 9/7)

MONDAYS 

11:30 am United Women in Faith FAST Crowd (3rd Mondays) -Location Varies                        

WEDNESDAYS    return on September 3

9:30 am WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY (Sue Allen) -Room 208

5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAND OF BROTHERS -Parlor-Room 214 

6:30 pm BIBLE STUDIES 

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom

1:00 pm United Women in Faith Deborah Circle (4th Thursdays) -Rm 101                            

 MUSIC

SUNDAYS 

8:30 am IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary

10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312 

12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310 (on break until Fall)

TUESDAYS 

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel returns on September 3

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 THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

9:00 am NURTURE PILLAR 

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

5:00 pm SERVE PILLAR