First Baptist Newsletter | January 9, 2025

The First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg exists to help people experience God's gift of life in Jesus.

A Word from the Pastor ...

Church Family,

I pray your first full week of 2025 is going well. I just wanted to tell you how excited I am for this coming weekend together!

First, on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., we're calling on everyone who is available to come to the church as we'll be working on taking down and putting away our Advent/Christmas decorations, and as time and workforce allows maybe a few other small projects as well. I hope you'll be here - I'm sure it will be both fun and meaningful time together.

I also hope you're able to be with us on Sunday morning, too!

At 9 a.m. we're back to our full schedule - Kids Choirs for our Preschool & Elementary age kids, FirstYOUTH for our Middle & High School students, Bible studies for adults.

Then during worship we begin a new sermon series - FORWARD: Letting Go of Our Past. Grabbing Hold of Our Future. During this series, we'll be highlighting God's call for us individually and corporately to move forward; and honestly considering those things which hold us back and keep us stuck. I trust it will be a series in which all of us are both challenged and encouraged by scripture.

One last thing: last Sunday we had our Annual Church Leadership meeting, at which all the folks you've selected from among yourselves to serve as deacons, executive leadership team and committee members have their first meeting of the year and set the course for their work in the year ahead. Let me tell you: it is an impressive group of people invested in doing the work God has called First Baptist to do! I am profoundly grateful for these servant leaders, and excited to see what God has in store for our church family in the year ahead. Can I ask you a favor? Please remember to be praying for our church family and these servant leaders as together we move FORWARD into God's good and beautiful future for us!

Blessings,

Ben

Worship This Sunday

January 12, 2024 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Doxology

Breathe on Me Breath of God w/ Breathe

The Jesus Way

Be Thou My Vision

Sermon

"Forward"

Philippians 3:10-16

Big Idea: Our call to follow Christ is a call to move forward.

Kids Worship

Our elementary-aged kids are jumping into their theme Rain or Shine: Trusting God in Every Season. This Sunday their lesson is Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, in which they'll be checking out Matthew 6:25-34 learning when you're worried, trust God.

Preschool Worship

Our Preschoolers theme is also Rain or Shine, in which they're learning Jesus is always a good friend. They'll by exploring the story of when Jesus Heals Ten Men in Luke 17:11-16 learning Jesus is a good friend when I am excited.

Believer's Baptism

In worship this Sunday we will celebrate the believer's baptism of Garrett Seth Weathers.

WATCH WORSHIP ON YOUTUBE

WATCH WORSHIP ON FACEBOOK

Before Worship This Sunday

9 a.m. Opportunities for All Ages

Preschool Kids Choir | Room 109

A fun, music-filled time for 2 year olds through Pre-K friends learning to love music and worship Jesus.

Elementary Kids Choir | Room 206

For kindergarteners through sixth graders, a fun environment to learn music with friends and prepare for leading in worship.

FirstYOUTH | Multipurpose Room

A gathering of Middle & High School Students, for community and Bible study. Their current series is "Happily Ever After: And Everything Before".

Raising Adults | Room 205

A co-ed group of adults, mostly in the stage of life with kids in their home, utilizing the Connections curriculum to facilitate class discussion. They're currently studying "One Church Under God".

Digging Deeper Class | Room 204

A co-ed group of adults of all ages. They're currently in a series on Ezra & Nehemiah.

Masters Class | Conference Room

A co-ed group of adults of all ages, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion. They're currently studying "Creator of Heaven and Earth".

Sonshine Class | Heritage Hall

A co-ed group composed primarily of retired adults, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion. They're currently studying "Creator of Heaven and Earth".

Special Needs Class | Heritage Hall Room 2

This co-ed group for adults with intellectual disabilities is part of our Special Needs Ministry. They're currently studying "Luke's Stories of Jesus' Ministry".

10 a.m. Coffee & Pastries Fellowship in the Narthex

Between our 9 a.m. offerings and the beginning of worship each Sunday we offer coffee, juice, and other goodies for you to enjoy in the Narthex. We encourage you to come a few minutes early or stop by after your 9 a.m. activity to spend some time getting to know other members of your church family of all ages. We'll see you Sunday!

Advent Un-Decorating Work Party

Saturday, January 11 | 9 a.m.

Join us as we work together to put away all our Christmas decorations at the end of Christmastide and complete a few other small projects around our church campus. It will be a few hours of meaningful work & fun together with your church family!

Church Family Game Night

Sunday, January 19 | 5 p.m.

Those of all ages are invited to join us in Heritage Hall for a fun time of playing board & card games together. We invite you to bring a favorite snack to share and favorite game to play!

Opportunities to Serve at Lynch Elementary

Our partner school, Lynch Elementary has several opportunities to serve, and we welcome you to explore which one(s) are right for you!

Ongoing Opportunities

Passing Out Treats - Each Thursday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Lunch Pal - One Time per week; flexible

Mentor - One or More Times per week; flexible

Room (Grand)Parent - Daily/Weekly; flexible

One-Time Opportunities

Jan. 15 - Class Group Photos

Feb. 28 - Black American Speak-in

Mar. 7 - Field Day

Apr. 3 - Lion’s Pride Celebration

May 5–9 - Staff Appreciation Week

To learn more or sign up for any of these opportunities contact the church office or Lynch Elementary Family & Community Liaison Michele Killam (Killamm@pscb.org | 727.570.3170).

Please sign up here to complete the necessary forms to be ready to volunteer throughout the year when opportunities arise.