Pastor Bob's sermon title this week is "Now What?" The New Year brings potential for what is to come. The question as we begin is, “will I continue to live in the past? Or, and I ready to experience something great?” As you look back at 2025 and anticipate 2026, it may cause you to stop and ask, “Now what?” How do we know which direction life will lead this New Year?

The text for this week is Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT.

Offering envelopes for 2026 (for those who requested them) are on the table behind the sanctuary (2nd floor hallway). In alpha order by last name.

Want to see recaps 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 traveling, not feeling well, or if you are otherwise unable to be with us in person, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

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

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.

Common Grounds needs you!

Good news! Common Grounds is now an outreach ministry! The expanded vision requires your help. Go to our Common Grounds page [www.stpetefirst.org/commongrounds] for details. Find out more ways you can serve, and contact Chad Simonds at csimonds@stpetefirst.org or 727-667-7169 (or flag him down on Sunday!) when you're ready to volunteer! Let's do this!

Shower Ministry Volunteers

We are in need of additional volunteers for our Street Shower Trailer Ministry. St. Pete First now has our own shower trailer! Beginning Feb. 4, 2026 we will begin offering showers to those in need EVERY WEDNESDAY from 9-11 am. In addition to offering showers every Wednesday, we will continue to offer meals, haircuts, and other services on the 4th Wednesday of each month.Head to our Volunteer page if you feel called to help with this ministry. 

Thursday Morning Office Volunteer Needed

We’re looking for a friendly face to serve as our Office Volunteer on Thursdays from 9 am-1 pm. Duties include answering door and phones, light filing, and assisting staff with simple tasks. If you’re available and willing to help, please contact the church office: church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661

Click here to visit our Volunteer Bank & connect with opportunities that interest you



Upcoming Events—Mark your calendar! (check out the full list here)

Jan 4—Un-Decorating the Sanctuary 12-3 pm

Jan 10—Churchwide Volunteer Work Day 8 am-2 pm; 3rd Floor

Jan 11—Grand Centennial Celebration 6-8 pm (RSVP & pay here)

Jan 14—Wednesday Night Live returns

Jan 19—Church office closed - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Jan 23-25, 2026—Women’s Retreat (www.stpetefirst.org/womensretreat)

FEBRUARY 2026

Feb 1—Black History Month Concert -Afro Opera 4 pm

Feb 14—Localtopia 10am - 5 pm

Feb 18—Ash Wednesday

————Drive-By Ashes 11:45am – 1:15pm

————Ash Wednesday Worship 6:30 pm

Feb 22—Discover First (www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst)

————Chili Cook-Off 6 pm

UN-decorating the Sanctuary (Sunday Jan 4 @ noon)

Come help us take down the Sanctuary decorations! This will take 2 - 3 hours, and a light lunch will be provided for workers.

Churchwide Volunteer Work Day (Saturday, January 10; 8 AM–3 PM; 3rd floor)

The WhereHouse is moving to the 3rd floor — and we need YOU to help make it epic!  We invite our church family to come together in service as we prepare a new space on the 3rd floor for our youth. This is more than a work day—it's an opportunity to serve God, support our students, and invest in the future of our church. We’ll be tearing out walls, pulling carpet, painting, and preparing to transform the 3rd floor into an awesome new youth space. Every task, big or small, is an act of service that helps bring this vision to life. We need Volunteers: Youth 5th grade and up (with parents for 5th–8th) and adults of all ages. The more hands, the better!

👉 Meet on the 3rd floor. Bring water or a snack if needed. If you can, contact KayLee to let us know you're coming (text 727.460.9478 or email KayLee).



Grand Centennial Celebration (Sunday, January 11; 6-8 pm; Fellowship Hall)

Join us for a grand Centennial Celebration of our historic church building. We'll have supper with jazz music, dancing, and more! Cost is $8 per person or $30 for a family. Please RSVP by Thursday Jan 8. Click here to RSVP and pay.



2026 Women's Retreat: Joy in the Journey (January 23-25, 2026)

Join us for St. Pete First's second annual women's retreat January 23-25, 2026 at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp & Conference Center in Fruitland Park, FL. Registration is open at www.stpetefirst.org/womensretreat

Black History Month Concert -Afro Opera (Sunday, Feb 1; 4 pm; Sanctuary)

Join us for A Message from the Roots, a Black History Month celebration presented by Afro Opera, featuring founder and soprano Maiya Stevenson alongside tenor Kevin Mitchell. Founded in St. Petersburg, Afro Opera is dedicated to celebrating diversity in classical music and highlighting the contributions of underrepresented composers and performers. 



JOIN OUR TEAM: Director of Worship Technology (Full-Time)

St. Pete First is seeking a creative, collaborative, and mission-driven individual to serve as Director of Worship Technology. This person will lead all aspects of worship production, from audio, video, and lighting to live-streaming and digital worship media. For more information, visit www.stpetefirst.org/job-center

JOIN OUR TEAM: Facility Maintenance Specialist (Part-Time)

St. Pete First is seeking a dependable, motivated individual to serve as a part-time Facility Maintenance Specialist. In this essential role, you’ll tackle a wide range of tasks—from general building repairs to troubleshooting electrical and mechanical systems—helping support the vibrant ministries and daily life of our church campus. For more information, visit www.stpetefirst.org/job-center



Ladies of Light (LOL) (Tuesdays 9-10:30 am; Room 208)

Christian author Nancy Gainor is leading a women’s Bible study group entitled Ladies of Light (LOL). Women of all ages are encouraged to attend. Whether you are a beginner who has never read scripture or a seasoned believer with a frayed Bible, you are welcome in this class. You do not have to be a member of St. Pete First to attend so feel free to invite friends. Join us when you are able and experience Christian fellowship while immersing yourself in God’s Word.

Echo the Word of God is an eight-week course written by Nancy Gainor. This study reveals insights, messages, circumstances, and characteristics of four women and four men who are major and minor prophets in the Bible. God’s truth echoes through the generations and as we read the Bible, His words leap off the delicate page and into our hearts. These chosen individuals have shaped Biblical history, and their fascinating stories allow us to delve into their lives and understand God’s will as it applies to each one of us. The only material necessary is a Bible and a smile.

Click here to Sign Up. Returns January 6.

Wednesday Morning Women's Bible Study—Parables: The Greatest Stories Ever Told (Wednesdays 9:30-11 am, Room 208)



In this 12-session Bible study, led by Sue Allen, we will explore twelve of the most remarkable stories ever told. We all love a good story. But the parables of Jesus are even better than that. They sneak up on us, catching us off guard and toppling our easy assumptions. When the familiar takes an unexpected twist, we find our secret thoughts exposed to the healing light of Jesus. This twelve-session LifeGuide Bible Study introduces twelve of the greatest stories ever told. How might your life be changed through them? For more information, contact Sue Allen (sallen0903@gmail.com or 727-418-8155).

Sign Up Here or call the church office to sign up and reserve a book. Class will begin January 7.

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu

(Click here to see classes & activities)

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

Wednesday Night Live and dinner are on Christmas break and will be back January 14.  See below for info on the upcoming classes beginning in January.



Cracking the Code-a Study in Revelation with Pastor Bob

(Wednesdays @6:30 pm; Chapel)

Fact or fiction? End times or a letter written to raise hope within the church? Many believe the Book of Revelation is a book of mystery and one whose message is of impending doom upon the world. For centuries, people have tried their best to unlock the code. But what if it’s simpler than we think? Maybe instead of hype and hearsay the Book of Revelation isn’t what you think?

Join Pastor Bob for a historical critical breakdown of Apocalyptic writing and its effect on the church as we understand what is really going on.

Materials needed: Bible, writing pen and an open mind to what this book is all about.

Sign up Here. Class will begin January 14.



Deepen Your Prayer. Strengthen Your Practice. (with Pastor Carey)
(Wednesdays @6:30 pm; Room 208)

Are you longing for a richer, more meaningful connection with God? Join Pastor Carey for a special class designed to help our church community curate a spirit of deepening prayer and practice. Together, we’ll explore fresh ways to encounter God, cultivate stillness, and grow in spiritual depth—both personally and as a congregation.

✨ What to Expect:

• Practical tools for deepening your prayer life

• Guided reflections and shared experiences

• Inspiration for sustaining spiritual rhythms in daily life

👥 Open to everyone—whether you’re new to prayer or seeking to renew your practice. Come ready to listen, learn, and be transformed. Let’s create space for the Spirit to move among us.

Sign Up Here. Class will begin January 14.



Discover Faith. Strengthen Foundations. Begin the Journey.

(with Pastor Elyse) (Wednesdays @6:30 pm; location TBA)

Whether you’re new to Christianity or ready to take a fresh look at what you believe, Beginnings is the perfect place to start. This engaging class helps you explore key scriptures and timeless Christian truths through honest conversations and thought-provoking questions like, “Who is Jesus, and why should I care?” Come ready to grow, ask questions, and build a stronger foundation for your faith. Your journey begins here! 

Sign Up Here. Class will begin January 14.



Band of Brothers Men’s Bible Study

(Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm; Room 214-Parlor)

Our focus — get to know Jesus better and grow closer to each other as we grow close to Christ. We try hard to determine during every session… what does it say…what does it mean…and what does it mean to me (a life application)? We will be studying the Gospel of Mark. All men are welcome!

Sign Up Here. Class will begin January 14.

Job Openings at St. Pete First