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

St. Pete First UMC

Hi Kelly—


2024 couldn't end fast enough for many and some still ponder what is still to come. The Scriptures reveal to us that no matter what life throws our way there is always a path that leads to the goodness of God. Thriving, rather than surviving, is the key focus for the year. My hope and prayer for you is over the next three weeks you will connect with a positive message on the plans God has for you in 2025.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Bob


This week is the first week of our sermon series "How to Thrive in ’25!" The title of Pastor Bob's sermon this week is Remember Your Roots. The potter takes great pride in molding the clay when he begins to create. Many of us are like clay pots. Through the years we begin to crack and crumble, and what we were created to be can no longer be seen. What does a clay pot have to do with how we begin the year? Let's find out the truth.


The texts for this week are Jeremiah 18:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT.


A note on road closures this Sunday: There’s a 5K race from the Trop to Al Lang on Sunday beginning at 7:30 am. First Ave S will be closed.


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.


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: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Bread Pudding

Kids: Hotdogs & Chips, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Cookie

Upcoming Events—Mark your calendar!

  • Wednesday Classes & Groups are back! < Click here for more info.
  • Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study with Sue Allen: Psalms: An Ancient Challenge to Get Serious About Your Prayer and Worship (9:30-11 am)
  • Kids Music (preK-6th grade; 5 pm)
  • Wednesday Night Dinner (all ages; 5:30 pm)
  • Wednesday Night Kids (Preschool/Elementary; 6 pm)
  • Wednesday Night Youth (Middle/High School; 6 pm)
  • Pastor Bob’s Bible Study: Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets (6:30 pm)
  • Women’s Bible Study with Patti Martin: Finding Peace in the Midst of Daily Life (6:30 pm)
  • Band of Brothers: Men’s Group & Bible Study (6:30 pm)



  • Jan 12-Feb 23—Soup-er Bowl Collection (canned & dried food)
  • Jan 17-19—Women’s Retreat www.stpetefirst.org/womensretreat
  • Mon Jan 20—Church office closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Sun Feb 9—New Member Sunday
  • Sat Feb 22—Localtopia 10 am-5 pm. Volunteers needed.
  • Sun Feb 23—Chili Cook-Off at 6 pm
  • Sun Mar 2—Interactive Seder Meal 6-8pm
  • 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 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.



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 start planning 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. Rehearsals begin this Sunday, Jan 12, with dress rehearsals on Sunday, April 27 & May 4 at 9:30 am, and the performance on Sunday evening, May 4 at 6 pm. Come have fun with us! For more information, contact Kelly Bonyata.



Wednesday classes & groups are back! We'd love to have you join us! Click here for more information.



Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study with Sue Allen (9:30-11 am; Room 208)

Psalms: An Ancient Challenge to Get Serious About Your Prayer and Worship, an 8-session study with video authored by Sandra Richter, addresses the questions ‘What makes the Psalms so special?’ and ‘What do the Psalms have to do with me today?’ She discusses the role of Psalms in the culture and worship practices of ancient Israel. As we connect with our ancestors in faith, we’ll discover how the Psalms can empower our prayer and worship. The required study guide includes lessons to be completed independently at home. On Wednesdays, we’ll gather for the video presentation and discussion. To reserve a study guide or for more information, contact Sue Allen (sallen0903@gmail.com or 727-418-8155). Click here to sign up.

Pastor Bob’s Bible Study: Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets (6:30 pm; Chapel)

Our decisions don't just affect our present circumstances; they radiate into our future. Most of the time, it's impossible to know what will come of the decisions we make. But this doesn't have to paralyze you. You can train yourself to ask well-placed, appropriately timed, thought-provoking questions that will result in stronger decisions and fewer disappointments down the road.

In this six-week Bible study, author and pastor Andy Stanley gives you five key questions to ask when you have a decision to make and you're not sure what to do (or even if you think you do know what to do!). These five simple questions will empower you to:

  • Pause when feeling tension over a decision
  • Take the long view
  • Look for the wise option
  • Focus on the relational impact of decisions


Every decision we make impacts our stories and the stories of those closest to us. It's time to start deciding with our heads instead of with our guts. Click here to sign up.

Patti Martin’s Women’s Bible Study (6:30 pm; Room 208)

The Bible study The Frazzled Female: Finding Peace in the Midst of Daily Life by Cindi Wood is based on Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God”. This thought-provoking, yet lighthearted, study helps women discover practical, biblical help to confront issues that otherwise leave them discouraged. It helps participants develop Biblical skills to handle stressful situations, grow in their relationship with Jesus, and ultimately experience peace, joy, and a saner lifestyle. Click here to sign up


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


Communion Stewards Needed

We need more Communion Stewards to help prepare and clean up after communion once a month. Contact Kendra Aumack for more information or to volunteer.

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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