8/24/25 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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Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give

A NOTE FROM PASTOR CAREY    

Hi Church!

This week in all 3 services we will be celebrating Stephen Ministry Sunday. Stephen Ministry is an incredible ministry in our church that is all about supporting one another throughout all seasons of life. As an extension of our Pastoral Care ministries, Stephen Ministers support our congregation through compassion and companionships in difficult seasons. Conversations with Stephen Ministers are always confidential and free, and they provide space for the Holy Spirit.

To learn more about this incredible ministry, and to celebrate the love of God being spread throughout our congregation and beyond, join us on Sunday at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00— online or in-person! After the 9:30 service there will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall (yes, with cake!) and some opportunities to get some more information about Stephen Ministry. We can't wait to see you this Sunday!

With peace,

— Pastor Carey 

11th Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

August 24, 2025

*Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

Prelude

“Faith of our Fathers” arr. Glen Poehlmann

Steve Butler, trombone

Rick Nay, organ

*Call to Worship Rev. Bob Martin

Leader: Christ calls us to love one another, to bear each other’s burdens,

and to walk alongside those who are struggling. 

People: May we offer a listening ear and a caring presence to those who are hurting. 

Leader: Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

People: Let us be open to receiving God’s love and support

through the Stephen Ministry.   

*Hymn of Praise

“How Firm a Foundation”     Hymn # 529

*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 Rev. Elyse Nielsen

“A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada”     # 883

We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Stephen Ministry Introduction

Ginny Cannon, Stephen Ministry Coordinator

Pastoral Prayer / Lord's Prayer Gwyn Rake, Stephen Minister

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

“Come Thou Fount” arr. Bob Krogstad

Chancel Choir

Worship with our Tithes and Offerings  (Click here to GIVE)

Aria on “Amazing Grace” by Phil Lehenbauer

Steve Butler, trombone

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

“He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought”     Hymn # 128

Caregiver Testimony

Inda Stagg, Stephen Minister

Sermon

“Multiplying Ministry"     Rev. Carey Taylor

Text: Acts 6:2-7; 1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV

Care Receiver Testimony

Chriselle Hamilton

Prayer of Dedication for Stephen Ministers

*Hymn of Dedication

“It Is Well With My Soul”     Hymn # 377     (vs. 1 & 2)

*Benediction

Postlude  

“Paean” by Roy E. Nolte 

Rick Nay, organ

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

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of  William and Evelyn Gregory’s 75th wedding anniversary on August 26, from Derek & Gwenn Weston.

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 24, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Band

“Anything Is Possible “

“This is Amazing Grace”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Stephen Ministry Introduction

Ginny Cannon, Stephen Ministry Coordinator

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“When You Walk into the Room”  

Caregiver Testimony

Inda Stagg, Stephen Minister

Sermon

“Multiplying Ministry"     Rev. Carey Taylor

Text: Acts 6:2-7; 1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV

Care Receiver Testimony

Chriselle Hamilton

Prayer of Dedication for Stephen Ministers

Worship Song

“Jesus Paid it All”

Benediction

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

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of  William and Evelyn Gregory’s 75th wedding anniversary on August 26, from Derek & Gwenn Weston.

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 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 17 Worship 486  In Person 350  Online

Church Finances

July 2025 Year to Date

Income $250,464 $1,889,721

Expense $273,676 $1,875,339

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

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

• Aug 31—Blood Drive 8am-1pm (Pick a time to donate)

• Sept 1—Church office closed - Labor Day

• Sept 3—Wednesday Night Live returns -dinner & activities for all!

• Sept 7—1st Grade Bible Presentation

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

• ————Parent-Youth Night 6-7:30 pm

• Sept 14—Blood Pressure Clinic 9-11:30 am; 1st Floor Nurse's Area

• Oct 2—Night of Worship w/Jeremy Hearn 7 pm; Sanctuary

• Oct 5—World Communion Sunday

• Oct 18—St. Pete First at Tampa Bay Rowdies 7:30 pm; Al Lang Stadium

• Oct 19—Blood Drive 8am-1pm (Pick a time to donate)

• Oct 24—Trunk or Treat 6-8 pm (Sign up here)

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