Praise and Worship

St. Pete First has an array of worship and music offered each week as we seek to glorify God through music, words, and art.

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Throughout the year, we host special events, and have the gift of a world class organ.

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Each week, the church has four distinct services.

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Derek

Weston

Director of Traditional Muis and Worship

My name is Derek Weston, and I am the Director of Traditional Music and Worship at First United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg.  I was also recently appointed as the Assistant Principal and Program Director for the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School, having previously served as the Director of Choral Studies at PCCA for the past thirteen years.  Previously, I have held the positions of Director of Music for St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Visiting Director of Choral Activities for Eckerd College, Artistic Director of Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale, Conductor of the Richey Community Orchestra, and held conducting positions at Eastern Illinois University. 

My Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Master’s Degree in Orchestral and Choral Conducting are from Eastern Illinois University, and my conducting schedule has included performances throughout Florida, Illinois, South Carolina, Colorado, and New York, including serving as Assistant Conductor for a performance in Carnegie Hall.  My wife Gwenn and I just celebrated 18 years of marriage, and live with our two wonderful children, Greg and Grace, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Rick

Nay

Organist