9/14/25 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 was thinking this week about the importance of being on purpose for your life. Having purpose keeps you on track, and more importantly, being on God's purpose brings fulfillment. I am one who believes God indeed created every single one of us to be a person with purpose. The question is, what do we do with that? When we let our life's purpose evade us we quickly spiral into chaos, but when we know that God created us not only for purpose but for greatness, it's a game changer.

Romans 8:28 reminds us, "God works for the good of those who love God and who are called according to God's purpose."

Let me encourage you this week to be in tune with your life purpose and in so doing, I guarantee, you will discover God's love! 

See you Sunday,

— Pastor Bob    

14th Sunday after Pentecost

Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM 

September 14, 2025

*Congregational responses are in bold.

(Click here to check-in)

Prelude

“Adoration” by Felix Borowski

Kelly Bonyata, flute

Rick Nay, organ

*Call to Worship Rev. Elyse Nielsen

Leader: Lord, You have revealed in the Scriptures whatever is necessary 

for us to believe and practice.

People: How noble and excellent are the precepts, 

How sublime and enlightening the truth,

Leader: How persuasive and strong the motives, 

How powerful the assistance of Your Holy religion. 

People: Our delight shall be in Your statutes.

All: We will not forget Your Word.   

*Hymn of Praise

“Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know”     Hymn # 163

*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.

(11:00) Sacrament of Baptism  

Julian Thomas Jorge (Sexton)

Parents: Kathryn Sexton Cifuentes & José Jorge Cifuentes

Maternal Grandparents: Mike Sexton & Sandy Oravec

Paternal Grandparents: Jose Jorge Gonzales & Maria Isabel Cifuentes

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

“The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” by Tom Fettke

Chancel Choir

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

“Wondrous Love” arr. Douglas Smith

Kelly Bonyata, flute

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

“Through It All”     Hymn # 507

Sermon

“Let’s Talk: Relationship Rules"     Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Matthew 12:1-8 NLT

*Hymn of Dedication

“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”     Hymn # 430

*Benediction

Postlude  

“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” by Franklin Ritter 

Rick Nay, organ

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Scott Andringa, from the Andringa-Popp family.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Rex & Peggy Stuckey’s 62nd wedding anniversary today, from their family.

The flowers are joyfully given to the glory of God in celebration of Julian’s baptism, by Michael, Ginny, and Dennis Sexton.

Our acolytes this week are Robbie Sherer & Willa Schaefer.

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

September 14, 2025

(Click here to check-in)

Praise & Worship Praise Band

“Battle Belongs” 

“One Thing Remains” 

“King of my Heart”

Passing the Peace of Christ

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings

(Click here to GIVE)

“Jesus We Love You ”  

Sermon

“Let’s Talk: Relationship Rules"     Rev. Bob Martin

Text: Matthew 12:1-8 NLT

Worship Song

“Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” 

Benediction

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Scott Andringa, from the Andringa-Popp family.

The flowers are given to the glory of God in love and honor of Rex & Peggy Stuckey’s 62nd wedding anniversary today, from their family.

The flowers are joyfully given to the glory of God in celebration of Julian’s baptism, by Michael, Ginny, and Dennis Sexton.

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 ***

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.

Street Ministry Volunteers Needed

For over 20 years, our Street Ministry has partnered with St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) CARES to serve our homeless neighbors in St. Pete. We serve five nights each month, with separate teams to prepare and serve meals. Most volunteers join a cook team or serve team one night per month. Cooking begins in the St. Pete First Fellowship Hall at 4:00 PM, and meals are served at SVdP starting at 6:30 PM. This ministry reflects our mission to “Love St. Pete.” To support this outreach, contact the church office at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661.

Thursday Morning Office Volunteer Needed

We’re looking for a friendly face to serve as our Office Volunteer on Thursdays from 9 am-1 pm. Duties include answering door and phones, light filing, and assisting staff with simple tasks. If you’re available and willing to help, please contact Kendra: kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661

Click here to visit our Volunteer Bank & connect with opportunities that interest you

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu ($5 kids, $8 adults, $30 family meal)

Adults: French Onion Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Succotash, Dinner Roll, Pie

Kids: Hotdogs & Chips, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Ice Cream Sandwich

Last Week's Attendance Numbers

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

Weekly Groups 258

September 7 Worship 518 In Person; 307 Online

Groups 232

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)

• Sept 1-30—Personal Items Collection for St. Pete Free Clinic (collection bin in Fellowship Hall)

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

• Oct 1-31—Beans & Jeans Collection for Farmworkers Self-Help

• 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

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

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  

WEDNESDAYS

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

10:45 am THE GAP -Room 101  

11:00 am BECOMERS -Zoom & Room 103

11:00 am DISCIPLE MAKERS -Room 206 (on break: hoping to return soon!)

11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208  

TUESDAYS 

9:00 am Ladies of Light Bible Study -Room Admin 105                          

WEDNESDAYS   

5:30 pm DINNER -Fellowship Hall

6:30 pm BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE - Chapel

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

6:30 pm DOING LIFE WITH YOUR ADULT CHILDREN -Room 101 

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

THURSDAYS 

7:30 am THURSDAY MEN’S STUDY -Zoom                            

 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

TUESDAYS 

6:00 pm IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM -Sanctuary

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 pm KIDS MUSIC (Age 4-8th Grade) Chapel

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