by Rev. Carey Taylor On Maundy Thursday, we remember a moment that must have shocked the disciples. In John 13 , Jesus—their teacher, their Lord—knelt down, took a towel, and began to wash their feet. This was the work of a servant, not a rabbi. Not a leader. Not the Messiah they expected. And yet, this is exactly what Jesus chose to do on the night before the cross. After he finished, Jesus said,  “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  This is where Maundy...

by Rev. Elyse Nielsen As we celebrate our historic sanctuary's 100th year and Easter this week, I am reminded of how God honors faithfulness. I believe God is blessing the ongoing mission here and has been for years because the church has strived to love the community the way Jesus did. The church is seeing growth and deepening discipleship. It is a blessing to me to serve here and to get to know the congregation and community partners. Easter is a great time for us to invite a neighbor,...

by Lora Ulrich, Director of Children's Ministries St. Pete First has a long history of traditions: blessing of the babies, Wednesday night dinners, children’s and adult choirs, a long-running preschool, Boy Scouts and Brownies, Vacation Bible School, summer camps, weekly meals at St. Vincent de Paul, trunk or treat, and the spring picnic—just to name a few. Some are still going strong, while others have changed with the times or faded away. All help to make up what St. Pete First is today....