7/6/25 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 am honored to be a part of this wonderful church family and to be serving as the Pastor of Community Life. My husband Brendan and I have already received such a warm welcome, and I am excited to continue getting to know all of you! As the Word says in Isaiah 43:19, I believe God is doing a new thing in me, and in the life of this church, and I look forward to the future with hopeful anticipation to see what God will do!

This week I’m looking forward to diving into the second of Wesley’s 3 rules that are a foundation for Christian living – to Do Good. I may be biased, but I think this is my favorite of the three rules. It calls us from a passive faith to one that is ACTIVE, as we seek out ways to show the love of Christ to the world. This is what it means to live in to our shared mission to be the heart St. Pete! We’ll learn from the example of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, as well as the words of Jesus from John 13:34-35.

See you Sunday,

— Pastor Carey 

4th Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

July 6, 2025

*Please stand as you are able. Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

"The Church in the Wildwood" by Dan Miller

Rick Nay, organ

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Creating God, we gather in your name to worship you.

People: We give thanks that there is a small spark of God within us.

Leader: Kindle that small spark into a flame of love and service.

People: Sustaining God, we gather in your name to worship you.

*SONG OF PRAISE

"Shoutin' on the Hills of Glory"

South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra

*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.

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

"Hallelujah, I'm Ready"

South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra

*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.

*SONG OF PRAISE

"Gospel Medley"

South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra

SERMON

“3 Simple Rules: Rule #2 – Do Good”     Rev. Carey Taylor

Text: John 13:34-35; Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

"Because He Lives” Hymn # 364

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

"Wonderful Grace of Jesus" by Haldor Lillenas

Rick Nay, organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of our two new pastors, Rev. Elyse Nielsen and Rev. Carey Taylor, from their new St. Pete First family. Welcome!

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 6, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra

“Shoutin’ on the Hills of Glory” 

“Hallelujah, I’m Ready” 

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“Gospel Medley”  

Sermon

“3 Simple Rules: Rule #2 – Do Good”     Rev. Carey Taylor

Text: John 13:34-35; Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Worship Song

“Shoutin’ on the Hills of Glory”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of our two new pastors, Rev. Elyse Nielsen and Rev. Carey Taylor, from their new St. Pete First family. Welcome!

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 ***

Lunch Reception for our New Pastors: TODAY, July 6 at noon

Meet and welcome our new pastors as they begin their ministries here at St Pete First. Rev. Elyse Nielsen is our new Associate Pastor, and Rev. Carey Taylor is our new Pastor of Community Life. 

Shower Ministry Volunteers Needed

Shower Ministry serves food & assists with showers for the unhoused on our campus parking lot every 4th Wed (10am-noon). 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!

June 29 Worship 393  In Person 303  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 6—Bluegrass Sunday (no 8 am service)

• ————Reception for New Pastors 12 pm

• July 7-11—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1; 

• —————Elementary Slime Camp

• 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

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