8/17/25 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 just wanted you to know how grateful I am for you and all you do for the greater good in God's work here at your church. You are the fuel that drives our ability to make a difference and to truly live into our goal of being "The Heart of the City". Through your hours of serving in ministries, your generosity in giving, the many prayers you make on behalf of those needing something to lift their spirits each week... you make my heart full of so much joy.  We are a better church because you! 

See you Sunday,

— Pastor Bob 

10th Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

August 17, 2025

*Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

PRELUDE

“Longing” by Mark Hayes

Gwenn Weston, piano

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Are any among you suffering?

People: Then let us pray.

Leader: Are any cheerful?

People: Then let us sing songs of praise.

Leader: Are any among you sick?

People: Then let us turn to each other for God’s healing touch.

All: The prayer of faith will save us and God will lift us up. 

*HYMN OF PRAISE

“Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above”     Hymn # 96

*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.

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

(8:00)    “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Jerry Ray

Gwenn Weston, piano

(11:00)  “All to Jesus I Surrender” arr. Mark Hill

Chancel Choir

*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

“Near to the Heart of God”     Hymn # 472

SERMON

“Guardrails: Suffering Prayer"     Rev. Bob Martin

Text: James 5:13-18 NLT

*HYMN OF DEDICATION

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”     Hymn # 526

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  

“Rejoice, the Lord is King” by Mark Hayes 

Gwenn Weston, piano

The flowers are given to the glory of God in memory of the birthday of Joe Gonzalez on August 17, from the Gonzalez 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

August 17, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Band

“Raise a Hallelujah” 

“Graves Into Gardens” 

“Worthy”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“Send Me” 

Sermon

“Guardrails: Suffering Prayer"     Rev. Bob Martin

Text: James 5:13-18 NLT

Worship Song

“O Come to the Altar”

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in memory of the birthday of Joe Gonzalez on August 17, from the Gonzalez 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 ***

New Fall Classes for Adults begin September 3

Sign up at www.stpetefirst.org/small-groups We also have Dinner +  Kids & Youth activities on Wednesdays!

—Ladies of Light (LOL) w/ Nancy Gainer; Tuesdays; 9-10:30 am (begins Sept 9); Rm 208

Wednesday evenings (Sept 3-Nov 19) 6:30-7:30 pm

—Doing Life with your Adult Children w/Barb Willey; Chapel

—Pastors’ Study - Ask the Pastors; Room 208

—Bad Girls of the Bible w/Patti Martin; Room 103

—Band of Brothers w/Barry Willey; Room 214 (Parlor)

—Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:30 pm; Room 312

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

Help Furnish a Teacher's Lounge at Campbell Park Elementary

We're excited to announce that the School Partnership ministry has teamed up with a new school—Campbell Park Elementary! The Principal and Community Outreach Coordinator are thrilled about this new partnership with St Pete First. During our first meeting, they shared plans to transform an empty classroom into a teacher's rest and renewal area. To make this vision a reality, they need comfortable furniture such as couches, chairs and tables. This is a great opportunity for St. Pete First to step in with Love and create a peaceful space for the teachers at Campbell Park with donations of gently used items from our congregation.  If you are able to donate any furniture, please contact Wally Guthrie at 727-542-5769 or aubie2008@hotmail.com. Thank you for helping us support our local educators!

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.

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!

Click here for more info.

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

August 10 Worship 485  In Person 332  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 17—Move Up Sunday for kids

• Aug 27—Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 6 pm

• Aug 31—Blood Drive 8am-1pm

• 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

• 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

MUSICAL REHEARSAL (1st- 8th Gr) -4th Floor (returns 9/7)

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

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

6:00 pm YOUTH (7th – 12th GRADES) WhereHouse  (returns 9/7)

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  

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)

TUESDAYS 

9:00 am Ladies of Light Bible Study -Room 208 (begins 9/9)     

11:30 am United Women in Faith (2nd Tuesdays) -Rm 101 (returns 9/9)                     

WEDNESDAYS    return on September 3

5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall

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

6:30 pm DOING LIFE WITH YOUR ADULT CHILDREN -Chapel 

6:30 pm PASTORS' STUDY: Ask the Pastors -Room 208

6:30 pm BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE - Room 103

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom                            

 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 (returns 9/14)

TUESDAYS 

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel (returns 9/3)

7:30 pm CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312  (returns 9/3)

 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