9/6/26 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 ELYSE
What would change if you knew you had 30 days to live?
How would we choose to live humbly? What prideful desires would we finally be willing to give up?
As we age, the world tells us to "put up a good fight"—to stay strong, stay successful, stay relevant. Our selfie culture can even make us believe we'll never die. But the truth is, our finitude is what makes life precious.
This one precious life we've been given isn't ultimately about pleasing people or simply pleasing ourselves. It's about pleasing God.
Instead of maintaining a façade where we're always winning, always "up," and always "on," how can we release our pride and learn to walk humbly with our God?
Join us this Sunday for the third message in our 30 Days sermon series as we explore what it means to let go of pride, embrace our limitations, and live humbly before God.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Elyse
8 & 11 am Order of Service
15th Sunday after Pentecost
Classic Worship—8 & 11 AM
September 6, 2026
Prelude
“In the Sanctuary” by Louise E. Stairs
Rick Nay, organ
“Jesus Paid It All” arr. Lura Foster
Kelly Bonyata, flute; Rick Nay, organ
Welcome Rev. Bob Martin
* Call to Worship
Pastor: What does the Lord require of you?
People: To do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.
Pastor: The Spirit convicts us of our own self-centeredness, pride, and haughtiness.
People: We can’t walk this life of faith without You, O God.
Empty us so that we can be filled with You.
Pastor: The Lord requires us to walk humbly with God. With gratitude and humility, let us worship Christ our Lord!
* Hymn of Praise
“Blessed Assurance” Hymn #369
* Passing the Peace of Christ
“Blest Be the Tie that Binds” Hymn #557
(11:00) Anthem Chancel Choir
“Ascribe to the Lord” by Dan Edwards
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings Rev. Carey Taylor
(8:00) “Serenity” by Samuel A. Rousseau
Rick Nay, organ
(11:00) “Hymn Medley”
Alex Bonyata, guitar
* Doxology Hymn #95
* Hymn of Preparation
“Open My Eyes, That I May See” Hymn #454
Sermon Rev. Elyse Nielsen
“Live Humbly”
Text: Micah 6:8 NIV
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Gluten-free bread available at the front upon request.
* Hymn of Dedication
“Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” Hymn #351
* Benediction
Postlude Rick Nay, organ
“To God Be the Glory” arr. By Harold DeCou
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Esther Ulrich, in celebration of her birthday on September 7, from the Ulrich family.
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of George Campbell, from Pam Campbell.
Our acolytes this week are Marley Robinson & Audrey Cheeseman.
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
September 6, 2026
Welcome
Passing the Peace of Christ
Praise & Worship
“Call Upon the Lord”
“Praises (Be Lifted Up)”
Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings
Sermon Rev. Elyse Nielsen
“Live Humbly”
Text: Micah 6:8 NIV
Sacrament of Holy Communion
“When I Say Jesus “
Gluten-free bread available at the front upon request.
Praise & Worship
“Who Else”
Benediction
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Esther Ulrich, in celebration of her birthday on September 7, from the Ulrich family.
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of George Campbell, from Pam Campbell.
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 ***
Football Fellowship (Sundays beginning Sept 13; 1 pm kickoff) Cheer on the Buccaneers over good eats and even better conversation! Meet new friends, build connections, and enjoy the excitement of football together. Locations will vary, so there’s always a new spot to gather. And if you’re a fantasy football fan, keep the good times rolling all season long with friendly competition, conversation, and camaraderie. Season kick-off is at Voodoo Brewing on Sept. 13 at 12:30 for a 1pm coin toss! First round of appetizers is on us! RSVP here by Sept. 10th.
Fall Organ Concert (Monday, Sept 14; 2 pm)
Bring your family and friends to listen and sing along to favorite songs as organist Rick Nay (with guests) showcases our magnificent organ amid our beautiful stained glass windows — audience members will even get the chance to play handbells on some of the songs. Refreshments will be served after the concert, and for those unable to attend in person, the concert will be livestreamed and recorded. We need volunteers to help out — contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org.
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
Through Sept 20—Personal Care Products Collection (bins outside Fellowship Hall)
Through Sept 29—Plastic Grocery Bag Collection (bins outside Fellowship Hall)
SEPTEMBER
Sept 7—Labor Day (office closed all day)
Sept 8—Ladies of Light Bible Study (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 15 & 29—Sleeping Mat Making Workshops (6-7 pm; Chapel)
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)
OCTOBER
Oct 11—Small Group Fall Launch (12-1 pm; Room 101)
Oct 17—Fall Church Work Day (Saturday, Oct 17; 8–11:30 AM)
Oct 23—Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival (6-8 pm)
Oct 26—Pipe Screams Organ Concert (7 pm; Sanctuary)
NOVEMBER
Nov 1—Discover First 10:45 am → More info & sign up
Nov 7—Centennial Car Show (10 am-2 pm; parking lot)
Nov 8—Centennial Celebration Sunday Worship Services
Nov 26—Thanksgiving Dinner (1 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.
Fall Organ Concert -Volunteers & baked treats needed! (Monday, Sept 14; 1 pm)
This is an outreach event for our community, and volunteers are needed at 1 pm and after the concert to help welcome and assist guests from nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We also need baked (non-refrigerated) treats to share for refreshments. Contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org for more information.
Fall Church Work Day (Saturday, Oct 17; 8–11:30 AM) Join us for a morning of fellowship and service sprucing up our campus — breakfast at 8, projects run 8:30–11:30. Bring tools you can share: buckets, cordless drills, work gloves, shovels, loppers, pruning equipment, etc. Contact the church office at 727-894-4661 or church@stpetefirst.org for more information.
👉 Explore more opportunities → Volunteer Page
Wednesday Night Live (It's Back!)
— Dinner ($6 kids, $10 adults, $35 family meal)
Adults: Tarragon Chicken Salad, Pita Pocket, Spinach Mandarin Salad, Orzo Pasta Salad, Jell-O Cake
Kids: Pizza, Celery & Carrots, Fruit Cup, Cookie
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 30 In Person 496 Online 604
Groups 208
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
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
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)
11:00 am SOJOURNERS -Room 208
TUESDAYS
9:00 am Ladies of Light Bible Study -Room 208
WEDNESDAYS
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 -Online
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
