9/28/25 Bulletin & Order of Service
- St Pete First
- Sep 28
- 8 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 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!
Watch LIVE // Watch a Recorded Message
Contact Us Request Prayer About Us Click here to Give
Pastor's Note
A NOTE FROM PASTOR ELYSE
People are lonely and isolated despite living in a digital age. We are together but alone. We live and die waiting for the next text bubble, but we often spend time with people who think, act, and look just like us. We were not meant to be alone. We were made for community. Jesus encounters a woman who is as “other” as it gets. He gets his bubble burst and so does she. They are stretched socially and spiritually by the encounter. If you spend most of your time with those who think and act just like you, you miss out. And they miss out on you. We have richer, fuller lives because of each other. Get out of your bubble. Let’s talk...
In Christ,
— Pastor Elyse
8 & 11 am Order of Service
16th Sunday after Pentecost
Traditional Worship—8 & 11 AM
September 28, 2025
*Congregational responses are in bold.
Prelude
“Sacred Memories” by Walter R. Clarke
Rick Nay, organ
(11:00) Choral Introit
“Bless the Lord, My Soul and Spirit” by Tom Fettke
Chancel Choir
*Call to Worship Rev. Elyse Nielsen
Leader: Children of God: Welcome!
People: Welcome to this place of love and grace.
Leader: Welcome to this place of hope and perseverance.
People: God invites all of us to be a part of the beloved community.
Leader: God invites all of us to share in the Good News:
People: We are welcome, just as we are. We are loved, just as we are.
Leader: In gratitude for all of this, let us worship God.
*Hymn of Praise
“O Church of God, United” Hymn # 547
*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.
(11:00) Anthem
“Declare His Glory” by John W. Peterson
Chancel Choir
Worship with our Tithes and Offerings (Click here to GIVE)
“The Prayer” by Carole Bayer Sager
Ginny Cannon, soloist
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
“Nothing Between” Hymn # 373
Sermon
“Let’s Talk: Who Are You?" Rev. Bob Martin
Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 14-17 NLT
*Hymn of Dedication
“Lord, Speak to Me” Hymn # 46
*Benediction
Postlude
“Toccata on Church Bells” by Rosemary Hadler
Rick Nay, organ
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Austin Montecuollo, who passed away April 16, 2025, from the Altar Guild and the St. Pete First UMC family.
The rose is given to the glory of God in love and honor of the birth of Gregory Paul Taylor, born on Sunday, September 21, 2025, first-born child of Rev. Carey & Brendan Taylor.
Our acolytes this week are Marley Robinson & Audrey Cheeseman.
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.
9:30 am Order of Service
Contemporary Worship - 9:30 AM
September 28, 2025
Praise & Worship Praise Band
“Your Love Never Fails”
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”
“Tremble”
Passing the Peace of Christ
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
“Who Else”
Sermon
“Let’s Talk: Who Are You?" Rev. Bob Martin
Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 14-17 NLT
Worship Song
“For The Cross”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Austin Montecuollo, who passed away April 16, 2025, from the Altar Guild and the St. Pete First UMC family.
The rose is given to the glory of God in love and honor of the birth of Gregory Paul Taylor, born on Sunday, September 21, 2025, first-born child of Rev. Carey & Brendan Taylor.
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.
Bulletin/Announcements
*** Click here for this week's newsletter ***
Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival (Friday, October 24; 6-8 pm)
Our family-friendly event is free & open to the community. Live music, bounce houses, pony rides, face painting, an outdoor movie, free food, and more. Family-friendly costumes encouraged! We need decorated cars, volunteers to help out, and candy. More info: www.stpetefirst.org/upcoming-events
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.
Help us Love St. Pete at Trunk or Treat:
Bring your decorated car to be a part of Trunk or Treat - setup 5:15-5:45 pm on 10/24 and pass out candy from 6-7:30 pm.
We also need some volunteers to work half-hour shifts to help with setup/teardown & preparing/serving food,
Last but not least, we need candy donations: drop them off in the collection bin at the welcome desk as you enter the building.
Click here to volunteer your car and/or your time
Thursday Lunch Ministry Volunteers Needed
This ministry, in partnership with Christ UMC & Metropolitan Ministries, serves a hot meal on Thursdays at Christ UMC (467 1st Avenue N) for those in need. We need volunteers from 11 am - 1 pm to help set up for food service and serve a meal to the unhoused. To get more information or to volunteer, contact Kendra at church@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: Lasagna, Roasted Vegetables, Garlic Toast, Chocolate Mousse
Kids: Mac n’ Cheese, Tater Tots, Carrots & Celery, Apple Sauce, 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 261
September 21 Worship 513 In Person; 321 Online
Groups 200
Church Finances
August 2025 Year to Date
Income $252,463 $2,142,184
Expense $345,274 $2,220,614
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)
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)
Oct 27—Pipe Screams Organ Concert 7 pm
Nov 2—All Saints Sunday
Nov 9—Discover First (www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst)
Nov 11—Church office closed - Veteran’s Day
Nov 16—Night of Worship w/Jeremy Hearn 6 pm; Sanctuary
Job Openings
To see our full list of job openings, visit our Job Center: https://www.stpetefirst.org/job-center.
Kids & Youth
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
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
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
