8/30/26 Bulletin & Order of Service
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 pastors.
Rev. Bob Martin, Senior Pastor
Rev. Elyse Nielsen, Associate Pastor
Rev. Carey Taylor, Pastor of Community Life
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Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB
I am so excited about the energy happening in our weekly worship! Our choir has returned from their summer sabbath and has been hitting it out of the park with their anthems and hymn leading. I commend Derek Weston and his leadership for this outstanding group.
Let me also give a shout out to Amanda Higgins, who has been named our new Director of Modern Worship for our 9:30 AM service. Each time she steps forward, you can't help but feel the presence of the Spirit as she leads our songs, along with our talented band and praise singers. What an amazing group of people God has placed here at our church to bring our music each week!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Bob
8 & 11 am Order of Service
14th Sunday after Pentecost
Classic Worship—8 & 11 AM
August 30, 2026
Prelude
Meditation on “Rescue the Perishing” by John M. Rasley
Rick Nay, organ
“O Worship the King” by Gary Lanier
Steve Butler, trombone; Rick Nay, organ
(11:00) Choral Introit Chancel Choir
“In the Name of the Lord” by Sandi Helvering
Welcome Rev. Elyse Nielsen
* Call to Worship
Pastor: Lover of my soul, we are called to love.
People: We are called to love through our thoughts and actions. It’s about belief, being, and behavior.
Pastor: We are called to love those we agree with; and those we don’t. We are called to love those who are like us; and those who are not.
People: We are charged to love the way that You love through the example and witness of Christ. We are called to love ourselves; and to love others.
Pastor: Let us worship God who is Love.
* Hymn of Praise
“Morning Has Broken” Hymn #145
* Passing the Peace of Christ
“Blest Be the Tie that Binds” Hymn #557
* Affirmation of Faith Rev. Carey Taylor
“Apostles’ Creed” #881
Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer
(11:00) Anthem Chancel Choir
“Most Blessed, Most Glorious!” by Jay Rouse
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
Aria on “Amazing Grace”
from 2020 Suite for Trombone and Organ by Phil Lehenbauer
Steve Butler, trombone; Rick Nay, organ
* Doxology Hymn #95
* Hymn of Preparation
“I Stand Amazed in the Presence” Hymn #371
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“Love Completely”
Text: Matthew 5:43-44 NLT
* Hymn of Dedication
“It Is Well with my Soul” Hymn #377
* Benediction
Postlude Rick Nay, organ
“Trumpet of Faith” by James Southbridge
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of our son, brother, and father, Tony, from the Succow family.
Our acolytes this week are Josephine Clements & Sailor Essman.
What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today!
Closed Captions: captionkit.com/c/st-pete-first-umc
Worship online: www.stpetefirst.org/live
9:30 am Order of Service
Modern Worship—9:30 AM
August 30, 2026
Welcome
Passing the Peace of Christ
Praise & Worship
“God So Loved”
“The King Is Among Us”
“Jesus Paid it All”
Prayer / Lord’s Prayer
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“Love Completely”
Text: Matthew 5:43-44 NLT
Praise & Worship
“Here as in Heaven”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of our son, brother, and father, Tony, from the Succow family.
What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today!
Closed Captions: captionkit.com/c/st-pete-first-umc
Worship online: www.stpetefirst.org/live
Bulletin/Announcements
*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***
This Sunday:
Discover First (10:45 am–12:15 pm; Room 101)
5th Sunday Offering: Residing Hope — On 5th Sundays we take a special designated offering for Residing Hope (formerly the Florida United Methodist Children's Home), which has served abused, abandoned, and neglected children and youth across Florida since 1908. Look for the special envelopes as you enter or leave the sanctuary or donate online here.
Blood Drive (8 am–1 pm; Big Red Bus in parking lot)
3rd Floor Open House (10:30 am–1 pm) — Our Student Ministry has completed the move from the WhereHouse to the 3rd floor! Come take a look at the remodel — everyone's welcome. Many of you helped make this space possible, and we'd love for you to see it.
Personal Care Product Collection + Plastic Bags (outside Fellowship Hall)
We’re collecting personal care products (Sept 1–20) for our Shower Ministry and the St. Pete Free Clinic — small sizes please; a list of requested items is posted at the bins. And keep those Plastic Grocery Bags coming through Sept 29 — each sleeping mat for our unhoused neighbors takes several hundred.
Calling all Kids—We're planning a Christmas Musical! Does your child (1st-8th grade) have an interest in music, acting, or just plain fun? Join us on Sundays beginning Sept 13 at 9:30 on the 4th floor as we start work on our Christmas Musical. We will be rehearsing every Sunday, with dress rehearsals on Sunday, Dec 6 & 13 at 9:30 am, and the performance on Sunday evening, Dec 13 at 6 pm. Come have fun with us! For more information, contact Kelly Bonyata (kbonyata@stpetefirst.org). Sign your child up here.
Upcoming Events (At a Glance)
👉 Click here to subscribe to the Prayer of the Week email
SEPTEMBER
Through Sept 29—Plastic Grocery Bag Collection (bins outside Fellowship Hall)
Sept 1—Tuesday Shower Ministry begins
Sept 1, 15 & 29—Sleeping Mat Making Workshops (6-7 pm; Chapel)
Sept 1 —Bible Art Journaling (6-8 pm; 3rd Floor)→ RSVP
Sept 8—Ladies of Light Bible Study returns (Tuesdays 9 am; Room 208) → RSVP
Sept 9—Wednesday Night Live & Dinner returns→ More
Sept 13—Christmas Musical Rehearsals begin (9:30 am; 4th floor) → Sign up
Sept 13—Confirmation Class Begins (11 am; 3rd floor)
Sept 13—Football Fellowship season kickoff (12:30 pm; Voodoo Brewing)→ RSVP
Sept 14—Fall Organ Concert (2 pm)
Sept 18-20—WhereHouse "More than a Garage Sale" (Fri-Sat 9 am-3 pm; Sun 11 am-1 pm)
Sept 27—Retirement Reception for Dr. Peggy Reynolds (12 pm; Fellowship Hall)
JANUARY 2027
Jan 29-31—Women's Retreat (registration begins in September)
Serve & Get Involved
Tuesday Shower Ministry Volunteers Needed (Tuesdays starting 9/1; volunteer hours 7:00–11:30 am or whatever time you have available)
We're excited to announce a new day for our Street Shower Ministry! Beginning September 1, we'll offer showers on both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 7:30–10:30 am, and we need volunteers to help make Tuesdays a success. Contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org to sign up or learn more.
Office Volunteer Needed (Wednesday mornings, 9 am–1 pm) We're looking for a friendly face to serve as our Office Volunteer on Wednesdays. Duties include answering the door and phones, light filing, and assisting staff with simple tasks. Contact the church office at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661.
Sleeping Mat Making Workshops (Tuesdays, Sept 1, 15 & 29; 6–7 pm; Chapel) Help make sleeping mats from recycled plastic bags for our unhoused neighbors — everyone's welcome! Contact the church office at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661.
👉 Explore more opportunities → Volunteer Page
Wednesday Night Live returns on September 9
Wednesday Night Live — Fall 2026
Wednesday Nights | Sept 9-Dec 9, Classes run through Nov 4
No WNL Nov 11 (Veteran's Day) or Nov 25 (Thanksgiving week)
Join us after dinner November 18 for churchwide Turkey Bowling
Join us after dinner December 2 & 9 for churchwide Christmas events
Wednesday Night Dinner for all (5:30-6:30pm; Fellowship Hall)
–Kids & Youth
Kids Praise Team (5-5:30 pm; Chapel)
WNL Preschool (6-7pm; 1st floor Preschool Hall)
WNL Elementary (6-7pm; 4th floor)
WNL Students - 6th-12th grades (6-7:30pm; 3rd floor)
–Adult Classes (6:30-7:30pm):
7 Major World Religions — Dr. Charmaine Smith-Campbell — Room 208
Band of Brothers Men's Bible Study — Barry Willey — Room 214/Parlor
Compelling Couples of the Bible — Pastor Bob & Patti Martin — Chapel
The Gift of Empathy — St. Pete First Stephen Ministry Team — Room 206
The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully — Barb Willey — Room 101
–Music
Kids Praise Team (5-5:30 pm; Chapel)
Chancel Choir rehearsal (7:30-9 pm; Room 312)
Last Week's Attendance Numbers
Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!
August 23 In Person 558 Online 480
Groups 238
Job Openings
To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.
Kids & Students
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 Grade) Kids Church - 4th Floor
CHRISTMAS MUSICAL Rehearsal (1st-8th Grade) - 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 Grade) Sunday School - 4th Floor
CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) Room 404
WEDNESDAYS return Sept 9
5:00 pm KIDS PRAISE TEAM 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 - Please let Lora know ahead of time if you need nursery care
STUDENTS
SUNDAYS
9:30 am WORSHIP (Look for the youth up front) Sanctuary
10:45 am STUDENTS (7th – 12th GRADES) 3rd Floor
11:00 am CLUB 56 (5th & 6th Grades) 4th Floor, Room 404
6:00 pm STUDENTS PM (6th – 12th GRADES) 3rd Floor, 4th Sundays
WEDNESDAYS
5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall - return Sept 9
6-7:30 pm WNL Student Group - 3rd Floor
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 -Online & Room 208
11:00 am BECOMERS -Online & Room 206
11:00 am THE GAP - Room 101
11:00 am PROMISED LAND -Online & Room 212 (Library) -on summer break
11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208
TUESDAYS
9:00 am Ladies of Light Bible Study -Room 208 -returning Sept 8
WEDNESDAYS -Returning on Sept 9
5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm 7 Major World Religions -Room 208
6:30 pm Band of Brothers: Men’s Group & Bible Study -Room 214 (Parlor) 6:30 pm 6:30 pm Compelling Couples of the Bible -Chapel
6:30 pm The Gift of Empathy -Room 206
6:30 pm The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully -Room 101
7:30 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal -Room 312
THURSDAYS
7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom -on summer break
MUSIC
SUNDAYS
8:45 am PRAISE TEAM -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary
10:15 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312
12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310 -returning Sept 13
TUESDAYS
6:30 pm PRAISE TEAM -Sanctuary
WEDNESDAYS
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 & Online
THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
11:00 am NURTURE PILLAR
12:00 pm INVITE PILLAR
THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
10:30 am LEARN PILLAR
THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH
4:00 pm SERVE PILLAR
