THIS WEEK AT ..................

St. Pete First UMC

Hi Kelly—


Attitude sets the pace for life. How we approach life and actually negotiate life falls into the hands of the attitude we keep. I recall the story of sportscaster Howard Cosell who travelled with boxing heavyweight champion Mohammed Ali. During his fighting career Ali only lost two fights before he retired from the ring. Cosell said both of those fights had one thing in common: Before the fight, Ali gave a press conference and made a statement, “If I should lose this fight…” 

“If” is the word of doubt. He set himself up and those were the only two fights he lost prior to retirement. 


Friends, 2025 is before you and each day you have a choice. You can begin all decisions with "if" (and hope it happens) or you can say with boldness, "When" and see it through.


See you Sunday,

Pastor Bob


This week is the second week of our sermon series "How to Thrive in ’25!" 2024 couldn’t end fast enough. Storms, elections, things topsy-turvy. Some said 2024 wasn’t for the faint of heart. Christians are people who always know there is something better to come. 2024 is behind us and 2025 has come. It’s time to Thrive!


The title of Pastor Bob's sermon this week is Get an Attitude. An attitude can make you or break you. So often we find ourselves walking around like Chicken Little, ready for the sky to fall. Not only does the sunrise bring us a new day, it also says something about what God is doing in our life. God did not create you to be a failure. He created you to be something special, and your attitude will dictate what that is.


The texts for this week are Romans 12:2, Joshua 7 (Selectively); and 1 Kings 19 (selectively) NLT.


Don't miss the recap and excerpts from previous messages —click here to watch.


Did you miss last Sunday's sermon? Click here to watch or listen to previous sermons.


Reminder: If you are not feeling well or if you are otherwise unable to be with us in person, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

Click for Livestream Worship

Volunteer Help Needed

A little time out of your week can make such a difference! Join us as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we serve and Love. St. Pete. We need a Grant Writer ASAP. Please contact Kendra Aumack if you can help out.


We also need volunteers to help out at our Localtopia booth on Saturday, Feb 22. Sign up for a one-hour shift between 10 am & 5 pm, or we also need help setting up and breaking down. Help us spread our message to LOVE.ST.PETE!  CLICK HERE to volunteer.


Click here to go to our Serve form, then select the ministries you are interested in.



Wednesday Night Dinner Menu (Click here to see classes & activities)

$5 kids, $8 adults, $30 family meal



Adults: Tuscan Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Italian Green Beans, Dinner Roll, Pie

Kids: Wing Dings & Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Ice Cream Sandwich

“Thank You” St. Pete First!


To our church family in St. Petersburg, FL:


Chris and I wanted to take a moment and say “thank you” for all the ways you lavished your love upon us on our last Sunday with you. Words cannot express how grateful we are for the beautiful reception, cards, flowers, words of affirmation and encouragement, and gifts that you gave to us. We will always have a special place in our hearts for you and we know that God has amazing plans in store for St. Pete First UMC. We are praying for you all and from the bottom of our hearts, again we say, “thank you.”


Yours In Christ,

Pastor Margaret & Chris Rountree


Upcoming Events—Mark your calendar!

  • Through Feb 23—Soup-er Bowl Collection (canned & dried food)
  • Mon Jan 20—Church office closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Sun Feb 9—New Member Sunday (sign up here)
  • Sat Feb 22—Localtopia 10 am-5 pm. Volunteers needed: sign up here.
  • Sun Feb 23—Chili Cook-Off at 6 pm (enter your chili or other dish here)
  • Sun Mar 2—Interactive Seder Meal 6-8pm (sign up here)
  • Tues Mar 4—Crosstown Shuffle 6:30-8:30 pm
  • Wed Mar 5—Ashes-to-Go 11:45 am-1:15 pm; Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 pm
  • Sun Mar 9—Confirmation Sunday 9:30 am
  • Fri Mar 14—Organ Concert with Samuel Metzger at 7 pm
  • Mar 17-21—Spring Break Week: No church activities
  • Sun Mar 30—Discover First 10:45 am-1 pm
  • Sat April 12—Spring Picnic 4-6pm
  • Sun April 13—Palm Sunday
  • Wed Apr 16—No Wednesday Night Live
  • Thurs April 17—Maundy Thursday service 7 pm
  • Fri April 18— Church office closed; Good Friday service 7 pm
  • Sun April 20—Easter Sunday services 7:30 (Sunrise)-9:30-11 am
  • Mon Apr 21—Church office closed for Easter Monday
  • Sat April 26—Free Mental Health Event: Hope 10 am-1 pm
  • Wed April 30—Last week for Wed Night activities before Fall
  • Sun May 4—Graduation Sunday 9:30 am
  • Sun May 4—Danny & the Shacks -Kids Musical- at 6 pm
  • Mon May 26—Church office closed for Memorial Day




Soup-er Bowl of Caring (through Sunday, Feb 23)

Tackle hunger in St. Pete! Help the Youth collect 1000 2000 pounds of canned and dried food for the St. Pete Free Clinic. Drop off canned and dried food in the blue collection bins in the Fellowship Hall, Sanctuary & WhereHouse.



Church Office Closed on Monday (Jan 20)

The church office will be closed on Monday, January 20 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will be open regular hours the rest of the week.



New Member Sunday (Sunday, Feb 9)

Are you interested in becoming a member here at St Pete First? Sign up here, or contact Kendra Aumack for more information: kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661 



Localtopia (Saturday, Feb 22; 10 am-5 pm)

Join us from 10am-5pm at Williams Park and surrounding streets as we join with the community to celebrate all things local! We will have a booth near the front steps of the church so we can spread our message to LOVE.ST.PETE.  CLICK HERE to volunteer.



Chili Cook-Off (Sunday, Feb 23; 6 pm; Fellowship Hall)

It's that time again! Start practicing your best recipes and get ready to cook on Sunday Feb. 23. Click here for more info (and to sign your entries up).



Seder Meal (Sunday, March 2; 6-8 pm; Fellowship Hall) 

The WhereHouse Youth Ministry invites you participate in a traditional Seder meal on Sunday, March 2 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall, presented by Jews for Jesus. Cost is $5, and a love offering for Jews for Jesus will be taken. EVERYONE is invited to participate (not just youth). Join us as we sit down to experience a symbolic traditional Seder meal. Explore the meaning of the meal as we become closer with Christ in the Passover. This is an experience, not a full meal; please plan to eat dinner before or after. Click here to RSVP.



Save the Date—VBS & Summer Camps:


VBS - June 16-20


Preschool Camp Friendship WK1 - July 7-11

Preschool Camp Friendship WK2 - July 14-18


Elementary Slime Camp - July 7-11

Elementary Art/Adventure Camp - July 14-18


Registrations open on website in March.



Calling all Kids! We're planning a Spring Musical

Does your child (age 4-6th grade) have an interest in music, acting, or just plain fun? Join us THIS SUNDAY at 9:30 on the 4th floor as we begin rehearsals for our Spring Musical. We will be having our main rehearsals on Sunday mornings during the 9:30-10:30 am hour, with optional rehearsals during Kids Praise Team rehearsals on Wednesdays at 5 pm in the Chapel. Dress rehearsals are on Sunday, April 27 & May 4 at 9:30 am, and the performance is Sunday evening, May 4 at 6 pm. Come have fun with us! For more information, contact Kelly Bonyata.




TAKE ACTION! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.


Job Openings at St. Pete First

Join Us for Sunday Worship!


TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

ARISE

8:00 AM Sunday

Sanctuary


CLASSIC

11:00 AM Sunday

Sanctuary

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP​

IGNITE

9:30 AM Sunday

Sanctuary

Livestream Worship

Recorded Worship

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212 3rd Street North

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

727.894.4661

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