First Baptist Newsletter | October 24, 2024

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

A Note From The Pastor: 

First Baptist Family,

Greetings from the Blue Ridge Mountains! I have had an enriching time in the fall-hued mountains. Having hiked many miles my legs are tired, but my soul is refreshed. That said, I honestly miss y'all when I'm away, and I am looking forward to being back with you this weekend!

First, Saturday I plan to spend the morning serving alongside some of you during Serve St Pete Day. Thanks to those who have signed up - be on the lookout for more info coming to your inbox very soon. (By the way, I know a lot of folks still have yard debris to clean up or other help rebounding from the hurricanes. If there is something you could use some help with as you're still recovering from the storms, there is still time to add your project to our efforts Saturday morning or very soon. Please text, email, or call me to let me know how we can serve YOU!)

Then, Sunday morning, I plan to be back with you in worship. You may recall I'd originally shared my planned sermon for Sunday, September 29 was to be entitled "Political Dichotomy" as we considered balancing the scriptural instructions to respect political authority and reject it. Following Hurricane Helene that week, I felt it was appropriate to set that sermon aside for another day. I've decided this Sunday is that day. To be clear, I certainly won't be instructing you how to vote, endorsing a candidate, nor really speaking directly about our current election; rather, I hope to remind all of us of our primary allegiance to Jesus as Lord and our hope of Jesus as Savior, and how that allegiance and hope should shape how we engage in politics. I'm prayerful it will be a challenging and encouraging word for each of us.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,

Ben

Worship This Sunday

October 27, 2024 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

Blessed Be The Name

Cornerstone

God Be The Glory

God Is Here

Be Thou My Vision

Sermon

"Political Dichotomy"

Romans 13:1-7 & Revelation 13:11-18

Ben Winder

Big Idea: As followers of Jesus, we must recognize earthly political power should be both respected and rejected.

Kids Worship

This Sunday our elementary aged kids will explore the idea of Too Much in Proverbs 25:16 learning to know when to stop.

Preschool Worship

This Sunday our preschoolers continue their theme of Let's Fly. They'll be exploring the story of Jonah from Jonah 1:1-3:3 learning God is with me wherever I go.

Sunday Mornings Before Worship

9 a.m. Opportunities

Preschool Choir (Age 2-Pre-K) | Room 109

A space for preschoolers to learn about God through music and a whole lot of fun!

Kid's Choir (K-5th) | Room 206

A space for elementary-age kids to learn about God through music and a whole lot of fun!

FirstYOUTH | Multipurpose Room

A Bible study for Middle & High School Students

Raising Adults | Room 205

A co-ed group of median adults mostly in the stage of life with kids in their home. Currently doing a 6-week study of Wisdom Literature.

Digging Deeper Class | Room 204

A co-ed group of adults of all ages. Currently doing a 6-week study of the Book of James.

Masters Class | Conference Room

A co-ed group of adults of all ages, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion.

Sonshine Class | Heritage Hall

A co-ed group composed primarily of retired adults, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion.

Special Needs Class | Heritage Hall Room 2

This co-ed group for adults with intellectual disabilities is part of our Special Needs 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!

CBF Offering for Global Missions

October is our Offering for Global Missions Emphasis.

Watch this documentary to learn more about the work the offering supports.

Serve St Pete Day - This Saturday, October 26

Thanks to all who have signed up to serve this Saturday at our Serve St Pete Day. Be on the lookout for an email with details about where to be and what to bring for your assigned project Saturday morning!

Porsche Pantry - This Saturday, October 26

The Suncoast Porsche Club of America is coming back to host their Food Drive and Car Show in our West Parking Lot this Saturday, October 26. The cars will be displayed 9-10:30 a.m. You're invited to swing by to view the cars and show your appreciation to the club for their ongoing support of our Food Pantry Ministry.

FAST Annual Assembly

Monday, October 28 - 7 p.m.

Holy Family Catholic Church

Our county-wide justice ministry has the Annual Assembly for FAST Network Members on Monday, October 28, 7 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church.

At the meeting we'll be hearing updates on our ongoing committees' work and officially voting on continuing our work related to Water Quality/Flooding and Affordable Housing.

All are invited and Network Members are strongly encouraged to attend.

Rhonda McVey's Birthday Party

Our Church Business Administrator, Rhonda McVey, is having birthday party and you are invited to come help celebrate her! If you'd like to join the party, contact her husband Gene at 513.316.5002.

Monday Fun Day - Evening Concert

Monday, November 4 - 5 p.m.

It is Fall, y'all! The Boots are back!

Our 55+ Senior Adult Ministry invites you to the Don & Jadene Boot gospel concert on Monday, November 4, at 5 p.m. in the Narthex.

We'll enjoy Sonny's BBQ & Baked Beans and Pumpkin Pie!

Please let us know you are coming to this Fun Day evening event by registering online or calling the church office by Thursday, October 31.

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

Nov. 6 - Family Lunch Day

Nov. 13 - Great American Teach-In

Dec. 13 - Club Photos

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.

The Next Week's Schedule

Saturday

9 a.m.-1 p.m. - Serve St Pete Day

9-10:30 a.m. - Porsche Pantry

Sunday

9 a.m. - Adult & Youth Bible Studies | Kids Choirs

10 a.m. - Coffee & Pastries Fellowship

10:30 a.m. - Worship | Kids Worship | Preschool Worship

Monday

9 a.m. - Prayer Gathering

1 p.m. - Quilting Ministry | Ceramics Ministry

Tuesday

1-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Wednesday

6:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

1-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Upcoming Events

October

26 - Serve St Pete Day | Porsche Pantry

28 - FAST Annual Assembly

November

2 - Rhonda McVey's Birthday Party

3 - All Saints Remembrance | Communion | Fellowship Lunch | Blood Pressure Clinic

4 - Monday Fun Day

24 - Annual Church Meeting | Advent Decorating Begins

28 - Church Campus Closed - Thanksgiving Day

December

1 - Hanging of the Green | Fellowship Lunch | Blood Pressure Clinic

20 - Promiseland Preschool Christmas Program

24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - 6 p.m.

Contact Us

First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg

1900 Gandy Blvd N

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

727.576.5508

fbc@fbcstpete.org