7/27/25 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

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A NOTE FROM PASTOR CAREY    

Hi Church!

I hope you are enjoying the summer months, and beating the heat! Back-to-school season is rapidly approaching, bringing with it many opportunities for us to meet the needs of students and teachers in our community. As back-to-school season ramps up, I encourage you to take some time to pray for all the students, teachers, administrators, school staff, and parents in Pinellas County who will be starting the new school year soon!

One of the pieces of our church Vision is a goal to improve literacy in our city. We have an opportunity, through our school partnerships, to do just that. This year, we are giving every student at Fairmount Park Elementary School a backpack, along with five grade-level books each for them to enjoy throughout the school year and beyond. This is a great opportunity for us to ensure a whole school of children has no shortage of books to enjoy! 

The first step will be to distribute backpacks to all Fairmount Park students during student drop-off on the first day of school, August 11. A team of St. Pete First Staff and volunteers will be there to welcome everyone to the new school year, and make sure every student has a backpack! If you would like to be a part of the team to distribute backpacks on the morning of August 11, contact Kendra at kaumack@stpetefirst.org for more information about how to get involved.

See you Sunday,

— Pastor Carey 

7th Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

July 27, 2025

*Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

“Ivory Palaces” by Lucy Ann Warriner

Rick Nay, organ

(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT

“We Have Come to Worship the Lord” by Charles Yanerella

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Blessed are you, O God, Creator of all that is.

People: Blessed are you, O God, Creator of all that will be.

Leader: Blessed are you, O God, Who made us in Your image.

People: Let us remember what our God has done! Praise be to God! 

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”     Hymn # 66

*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.

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.

(11:00) ANTHEM

“Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah” arr. Mack Wilberg

Chancel Choir

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

“Be Still My Soul” by Jean Sibelius

Ginny Cannon, soloist

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

“Precious Name”     Hymn # 536

SERMON

“Guardrails: Don’t Play Favorites"     Rev. Carey Taylor

Text: James 2:1-9 NIV

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“Forward Through the Ages”     Hymn # 555

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“Ye Servants of God” by Roger C. Wilson

Rick Nay, organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Mary Jane Dameron’s 95th birthday on July 30th, from her church 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.

Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM

July 27, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Band

“One Thing Remains” 

“Joy of the Lord” 

“Heart Won’t Stop”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)”  

Sermon

“Guardrails: Don’t Play Favorites"     Rev. Carey Taylor

Text: James 2:1-9 NIV

Worship Song

“Tremble”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Mary Jane Dameron’s 95th birthday on July 30th, from her church 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 ***

Wednesday Afternoon Office Volunteer Needed

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 Kendra: kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661

Common Grounds needs you!

Good news! Common Grounds is now an outreach ministry! The expanded vision requires your help. Go to our Common Grounds page [www.stpetefirst.org/commongrounds] for details. Find out more ways you can serve, and contact Chad Simonds at csimonds@stpetefirst.org or 727-667-7169 (or flag him down on Sunday!) when you're ready to volunteer! Let's do this!

Parents’ Morning Out - Job Opening

We have a part-time opening in our Parents’ Morning Out Program: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8:45am-12:15pm. Work on a team of four; general childcare for newborn-3 year olds. Must have childcare experience. Contact Lora Ulrich for more details, lulrich@stpetefirst.org or 894-4661.

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.

Backpack Distribution at Fairmount Park Elementary (Monday, Aug 11)

We will be to distributing backpacks to all Fairmount Park students during student drop-off on the first day of school, August 11. A team of St. Pete First Staff and volunteers will be there to welcome everyone to the new school year, and make sure every student has a backpack! If you would like to be a part of the team to distribute backpacks on the morning of August 11, contact Kendra at kaumack@stpetefirst.org for more information about how to get involved.

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 20 Worship 437  In Person 310  Online

Church Finances

June 2025 Year to Date

Income $239,367 $1,639,257

Expense $220,951 $1,601,664

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

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

• Aug 17—Move Up Sunday for kids

  ————--Parent-Youth Confirmation Meeting 12:00 pm; WhereHouse

• Aug 27—Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 6 pm (RSVP here)

• Sept 1—Church office closed - Labor Day

• Sept 3—Wednesday Night Live returns 

• Sept 7—1st Grade Bible Presentation

  —————Discover First (www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst)

  —————Parent-Youth Night 6-7:30 pm

• Sept 14—Confirmation Bible Presentation / Confirmation Begins

• Oct 24—Trunk or Treat 6-8 pm

Parents' Morning Out - Job Opening

Children's Ministry has a part-time opening in our Parents' Morning Out Program. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:45am-12:15pm. Work on a team of four; general childcare for newborn-3 year olds. Must have childcare experience. Contact Lora Ulrich for more details, lulrich@stpetefirst.org or 894-4661, ext. 2125

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

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

      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