8/9/26 Bulletin & Order of Service
- St Pete First
- Aug 8
- 7 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 pastors.
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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Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BOB
One of the things I really value is our focus on Loving St. Pete. From working to reduce hunger to increasing literacy amongst the children and youth in our community, our church is meeting the unmet needs. When God inspired our mission and vision, it truly was a way to make a difference and to be part of life-changing opportunities in our homes, neighborhoods and businesses. I am deeply grateful to every one of you who calls St. Pete First UMC your church home and for the many people who continue to enter our doors each week and learn about the love of Jesus. Let us continue to be amazed in the seasons ahead!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Bob
8 & 11 am Order of Service
11th Sunday after Pentecost
Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM
August 9, 2026
Prelude
“We Walk by Faith” by Bertha R. Frick
Rick Nay, organ
“Prayer of St. Gregory” by Alan Hovhaness
Matt Blaine, trumpet; Rick Nay, organ
(11:00) Choral Introit Chancel Choir
“Bless the Lord, My Soul and Spirit” by Tom Fettke
Welcome Rev. Elyse Nielsen
* Call to Worship
Pastor: Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
People: Worship the Lord with gladness.
Pastor: Come before Him, singing with joy.
People: Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
Pastor: He made us, and we are His.
People: We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Pastor: Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise.
People: Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
* Hymn of Praise
“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” Hymn #66
* Passing the Peace of Christ
“Blest Be the Tie that Binds” Hymn #557
* Affirmation of Faith Rev. Carey Taylor
“Apostles’ Creed” #881
Back to School Blessing / Lord’s Prayer
(11:00) Anthem Chancel Choir
“Holy, Holy, Holy, We Worship You” by Benjamin Harlan
Worship with Tithes and Offerings
“Meditation on Bach’s First Prelude” by Johann Sebastian Bach and Charles Gounod
Gwen Weston, piano; Rick Nay, organ
* Doxology Hymn #95
* Hymn of Preparation
“My Tribute” Hymn #99
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“Abundant Life: A Life of Greatness”
Text: Genesis 39:1-12 NLT
* Hymn of Dedication
“Have Thine Own Way, Lord” Hymn #382
* Benediction
Postlude Rick Nay, organ
“Trinity Blessed” by Benton Price
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving honor of Jake and Sherry Smith in celebration of their 55th wedding anniversary on August 2, from their children.
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Gordon G. Warner, son of Pat Warner, on the occasion of his birthday, from all of his family.
Our acolytes this week are Audrey Cheeseman & Marley Robinson.
What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today!
Can’t be here in person? Join us for livestream worship.
9:30 am Order of Service
Modern Worship—9:30 AM
August 9, 2026
Welcome
Passing the Peace of Christ
Praise & Worship
“This Is Amazing Grace”
“No Longer Slaves”
“Promises”
Back to School Blessing / Lord’s Prayer
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
Sermon Rev. Bob Martin
“Abundant Life: A Life of Greatness”
Text: Genesis 39:1-12 NLT
Praise & Worship
“Build My Life”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving honor of Jake and Sherry Smith in celebration of their 55th wedding anniversary on August 2, from their children.
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Gordon G. Warner, son of Pat Warner, on the occasion of his birthday, from all of his family.
What a blessing to worship together—thank you for joining us today!
Can’t be here in person? Join us for livestream worship.
Bulletin/Announcements
*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***
Centennial Luncheon: Discover St. Petersburg's History (Sunday Aug 23; 12:30 PM; Fellowship Hall) Join us for a free lunch and a special presentation on St. Petersburg's history by Rui Farias of the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Please register here by August 19.
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (Wednesday, Aug 26; 6 pm; Fellowship Hall)
Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who serve at St. Pete First! Join us for a special Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m. Family and friends are welcome. Please RSVP online by Monday, August 24 or call the church office at 727-894-4661.
New or Want to Get Connected? Discover First! (Sunday, Aug 30; 10:45 am–12:15 pm)
Join us for a relaxed gathering to meet our pastors, learn about our church, and explore how you can get connected—including membership. Snacks & childcare provided. 👉 Register by the Tuesday prior: Click here to sign up & for more info
Upcoming Events (At a Glance)
👉 Click here to subscribe to the Prayer of the Week email
AUGUST
Through Aug 11—Women’s Jonah Study (Tuesdays 9-11 am)
Through Aug 29—Saturday Morning Market (Saturdays 9 am–1 pm; parking lot)
Aug 9—Blood Pressure Clinic (9-11:30 am; 1st Floor Nurse's Area)
Aug 16—Confirmation Meeting (Noon; 3rd floor) for parents & students
————Children & Student Ministry Survey (deadline)
————Centennial Art Installation (photos due)
Aug 23—Centennial Luncheon: Discover St. Petersburg's History (12:30 pm; Fellowship Hall) → Register here by 8/19
Aug 26—Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (6 pm; Fellowship Hall) → Sign up by 8/24
Aug 30—Discover First 10:45 am → More info & sign up
SEPTEMBER
Sept 1-20—Personal Care Products Collection
Sept 1, 15 & 29—Sleeping Mat Making Workshops (6-7 pm; Chapel)
Sept 8—LOL (Ladies of Light) Bible Study restarts (Tuesdays 9-10:30 am; Room 208)
Sept 9—Wednesday Night Live & Dinner returns
Sept 13—Confirmation Class Begins (11 am; 3rd floor)
JANUARY 2027
Jan 29-31—Women's Retreat (registration begins in September)
Serve & Get Involved
School Food Pantry Volunteers Needed Our partner schools' food pantries are gearing up for fall! We need Prep & Organization (at church), delivery drivers with large vehicles (delivering to schools), Stockers (at schools), and Hospitality volunteers (at schools). Contact the church office at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661 to help.
Meals on Wheels Delivery Volunteers Needed Join St. Pete First in delivering meals and encouragement to homebound seniors. Volunteers serve about 1½ hours one weekday each month (10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.). Regular and substitute volunteers are needed. Contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org to learn more.
Level 2 Background Checks for School Partnership Volunteers
(Sunday, August 16, 12:15 pm — Fellowship Hall)
Volunteering in a school this year? A Level 2 Background Check is required for all School Partnership/School Pantry volunteers. Join us right after church on August 16 in the Fellowship Hall to get yours done — free of charge. Don't miss this chance to knock it out at no cost.
👉 Explore more opportunities → Volunteer Page
Wednesday Night Live
Wednesday Night Live and Dinner will return on September 9.
Youth will continue to meet on Wednesday nights - keep an eye on the youth emails & texts for schedule.
Last Week's Attendance Numbers
Thank you for joining us for worship. We hope to see you again next week!
August 2 In Person 378 Online 521
Groups 143
Job Openings
Job Opportunity: Childcare — Our Children's Ministry Parent's Morning Out program is looking for a caring, dependable team member to provide childcare for newborns through age 3. → More info
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 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 Sept 9
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 - Please let Lora know ahead of time if you need nursery care
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
WEDNESDAYS
5:30 pm DINNER Fellowship Hall - returns Sept 9
6-7:30 pm Youth Group -continuing in the summer! Check your email.
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
11:00 am BECOMERS -Zoom & Room 206
11:00 am THE GAP - meeting off-campus during the summer
11:00 am PROMISED LAND -Zoom & Room 212 (Library) -on summer break
11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208
TUESDAYS
9:00 am Ladies of Light Bible Study -Room 208 -returning in Sept
WEDNESDAYS -Returning on Sept 9
5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Bible Studies & Classes
6:30 pm Band of Brothers: Men’s Group & Bible Study -Room 214 (Parlor)
THURSDAYS
7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom -on summer break
MUSIC
SUNDAYS
8:30 am IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Room 214-Parlor & Sanctuary
10:25 am CHANCEL CHOIR -Room 312
12:10 pm HANDBELLS -Room 310 -returning in Sept
TUESDAYS
6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary
WEDNESDAYS
5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel -returning Sept 9
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 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
9:30 am NURTURE PILLAR
THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH
4:00 pm SERVE PILLAR
