8/10/25 Bulletin & Order of Service
- St Pete First
- Aug 9, 2025
- 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 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!
Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message
Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give
Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR ELYSE
Building the Body of Christ
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
—1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
I am so proud and priveleged to be part a church that has kingdom goals and lives out the love that Christ calls us to. When I consider the vision and mission of this church paired with seeing church folks interacting with each other, all I think is that this church "gets" the charge to encourage and build each other up. Joy and positivity aligned with purpose is something to get excited about --and I am! I am thrilled to be here and to join in what God and you are already doing. Who you are and what you do matters to God and to people in the heart of the city. The impact you are making through Christ is improving people's lives. It is worth the work, time, effort, and resources. Celebrate with each other. You never know who may need to hear an encouraging word from you so they can be built up. Keep it up, church!
In Christ,
— Pastor Elyse
8 & 11 am Order of Service
9th Sunday after Pentecost
Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM
August 10, 2025
*Congregational responses are in bold.
PRELUDE
“Fairest Lord Jesus” arr. Diane Bish
Rick Nay, organ
(11:00) CHORAL INTROIT
“Thy Word is a Lamp” by Lloyd Larson
Chancel Choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God gives grace to the humble.
People: We gather to worship, surrendering our pride.
Leader: Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
People: We seek His mercy and long to walk in His ways.
*HYMN OF PRAISE
“All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine” Hymn # 166
*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
“Just As I Am” by Don Besig
Chancel Choir
WORSHIP WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS (Click here to GIVE)
“Abide With Me” arr. Sally DeFord
Sara Smith, Sally Hughes, & Rebecca Smith-Tseng, trio
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
“And Are We Yet Alive” Hymn # 553
SERMON
“Guardrails: Fights Come and Go" Rev. Elyse Nielsen
Text: James 4:1-12 NLT
*HYMN OF DEDICATION
“Let There Be Peace On Earth” Hymn # 431
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Praise and Exultation” by Lani Smith
Rick Nay, organ
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of the birthday of
Gordon G. Warner, Jr., son of Pat Warner, from all of the family.
Our acolytes this week are Trent & Blake Cole.
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.
9:30 am Order of Service
Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM
August 10, 2025
Praise & Worship Praise Band
“At Your Name”
“O Praise Him”
“God With Us”
Passing the Peace of Christ
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
“Here I Am to Worship”
Sermon
“Guardrails: Fights Come and Go" Rev. Elyse Nielsen
Text: James 4:1-12 NLT
Worship Song
“Goodness of God”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of the birthday of
Gordon G. Warner, Jr., son of Pat Warner, from all of the 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.
Bulletin/Announcements
*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***
New Fall Classes for Adults begin September 3
Tuesdays & Wednesdays beginning in September! Find out more here: www.stpetefirst.org/small-groups
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (Wednesday Aug 27; 6 pm)
Our wonderful volunteers at St Pete First are invited to a special dinner on August 27th at 6 pm! Bring the family! Or invite a friend! RSVP here or call the church office (727-894-4661) no later than Monday, August 25th.
Discover First (Sunday, Sept 7; 10:45am-1pm; www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst)
Learn about our church and its mission, vision, and ministries, talk with our pastor, and find out how to become a member! Lunch & childcare will be provided. So that we can order food, please register by the Tuesday prior to the class. Click here to sign up & for more info
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)
Reminder to those who are distributing backpacks to 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! We will meet at the church between 7 & 7:10 am and carpool to the school.
Common Grounds:
Clothing Donations needed!
Go to our website www.stpetefirst.org/commongrounds for an updated list of specific items.
Volunteers needed!
One Sunday a month for one hour! Contact Chad Simonds, Call, text, email, flag him down, or trip him in the hallway, whatever it takes. 727-667-7169 / csimonds@stpetefirst.org
Click here to go to our Serve form, then select the ministries you are interested in.
Wednesday Night Live
Wednesday Night Live & dinner returns September 3rd!
Last Week's Attendance Numbers
Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!
August 3 Worship 407 In Person 324 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
Job Openings
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 & Youth
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
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
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
