Just as Jesus took time to come away with God in the garden to pray, we are invited to do the same. We've got an opportunity in this season of Lent to join others in doing just that! Join us for our weekly Lenten Prayer Gathering in the Parlor every Thursday from 12:00-12:45 PM. So far this has been a fruitful time to join together in prayer for our church, our community, and the world. 

See you Sunday!

Pastor Carey

Pastor Carey's sermon title this week is "The Prayer." Time is important; especially when you know you only have a few more moments before the unthinkable happens. Why were the disciples so unaware of Jesus’ coming arrest? Even in his darkest hour, Jesus spends sacred moments in prayer. The words spoken were life changing.

The text for this week is Matthew 26:36-46 NIV.



This is the second week of our Lent sermon series, Seven Events That Changed the World. The steps to the cross are significant, especially for the followers of Jesus. Along the way arose seven events that would change the world. In order for the prophecy of resurrection to come true, each event would need to take place. The question becomes, why are these events so important today?

We’ll have a photographer on site this Sunday taking photos for our new website — smile and say "hello" if you see them!

If you or someone close to you has surgery coming up... is sick or recovering... is in the hospital... ❤️ Please let us know. We care. Call the church office (727-894-4661) or email church@stpetefirst.org. You don’t have to go through it alone...

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.

Be Part of Something Meaningful

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.

School Food Pantry Team! Help support local students and families through our School Food Pantry ministry. We’re seeking volunteers to assist with Pantry Prep on Thursdays (1–2 hours stocking canned goods and packing produce — no heavy lifting required) and with Family Distribution (1–2 hours weekly or biweekly, depending on school). Training is provided. If you’re interested in serving in this meaningful ministry, we’d love to hear from you! Click here to visit our Volunteer Page or email church@stpetefirst.org to volunteer.

Cook or Serve with the Street Ministry. Caring for the poor and helping those in need supports our church mission to “Love St. Pete.” The Street Ministry program partners with St. Vincent de Paul, the largest provider of homeless outreach activities in the state of Florida, to cook and serve meals to our neighbors in St. Petersburg. The Street Ministry provides meals five nights per month, but most volunteers participate in only one night of service each month. The time commitment is approximately one hour whether you volunteer to join a cook team or a serve team. Click here to visit our Volunteer Page or email church@stpetefirst.org to volunteer.

Church Office Helper Needed (Wednesday afternoons 1-5 pm)

We’re looking for a friendly face to serve as our Office Volunteer on Wednesdays from 1-5 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: church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661. 

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



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

MARCH 2026

Mar 1-22—Diaper & Book Drive (collecting diapers, wipes, childrens books)

Mar 1—Blood Drive (Big Red Bus in parking lot) 8-11:30 am (More here)

Mar 8—Spring Forward! Daylight Savings Time begins.

————Blood Pressure Clinic 9-11:30 am; 1st Floor Nurse's Area

Mar 15—104th Birthday Celebration-Cheerful Thornhill- 12 noon; Fellowship Hall

Mar 18—No Wednesday Night Live/Dinner - Spring Break

Mar 28—Spring Picnic 4-6 pm

Mar 29—Palm Sunday

Mar 31—Scholarship Deadline

APRIL 2026

Apr 2—Maundy Thursday Worship 7 pm

Apr 3—Good Friday Worship 7 pm

Apr 5—Easter Sunday

Apr 6—Church office closed - Easter Monday

MAY 2026

May 2—Building Hope on Purpose - Free Event; 10 am - 1 pm

SUMMER (registration begins March 8)

June 15-19—VBS

July 13-17—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1

——————Elementary Creator’s Workshop: Experiences in Music, Theatre & Dance

July 20-24—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2

——————Elementary Art Camp

Diaper & Book Drive (through Mar 22)

Help the United Women in Faith & Youth collect baby diapers (all sizes) , wipes, and children’s books (new or gently used) for Cornerstone Family Ministries. Drop off donations in the collection bins outside the Fellowship Hall or in the WhereHouse.



Blood Drive (Sunday, March 1; 8-11:30 am; Big Red Bus in parking lot)

Every person has the power to save a life. Donating blood only takes a little of your time, and it can mean a lifetime for patients in need. You can drop in to donate or click here to schedule your donation. All donors will receive a St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt and a $20 eGift Card. See www.oneblood.org for more info on blood donation.



Cheerful’s 104th BD Celebration (Sunday, March 15; 12 pm; Fellowship Hall)

Cheerful Thornhill will celebrate her 104th birthday on March 15! Please join her family and friends in the Fellowship Hall following the 11:00 am service as we celebrate this wonderful milestone together.

Spring Picnic & Community Gathering (Sat March 28; 4-6 pm)

Our 2026 community gathering & picnic is coming up on March 28 in the church parking lot. Activities, food, and fun for all ages—everyone is welcome! Click here for more details. We need volunteers to help with the picnic - click here to volunteer!



Building Hope on Purpose - Free Event! (May 2; 10 am-1 pm)

Free speakers, workshops, and community resources. Hope is often treated like a feeling we either have or don’t—but real hope is something we do. At this event, we will explore practical ways to change how we speak to ourselves, how to travel through a season of grief and move forward with intention, how to be at peace when others judge, reject or criticize us, and how to master our thoughts and emotions and create for ourselves the stories that will move us forward.

New Member Mentoring Program

Being new to a large church—and new social settings—can feel daunting. Doing it with a friend makes all the difference. Through our New Member Mentoring Program, you can become more meaningfully connected through service, learning, and fellowship. Each new member is paired with a mentor who meets with them three times during their first month of membership:

Meet & Greet – An informal first meeting focused on building connection and relationship.

Spiritual Gifts Conversation – A follow-up meeting to discuss the spiritual gifts inventory the new member completes independently.

Shared Experience – The mentor accompanies the new member to a church class, service opportunity, or social event (outside of Sunday morning worship).

Maybe you know the church well, and God is calling you to be a mentor—a friend—to someone new. If that’s you, sign up today to walk alongside a new member and help them connect with one of our ministries.

Are you a recent member who would like to be paired with a mentor? Click here.

Calling All Students! Scholarships (apply Feb 1-Mar 31)

Are you a church member who is currently attending or bound for college or vocational school? Applications for St. Pete First Scholarships will be accepted beginning February 1st. Completed applications, along with supporting documents, must be delivered to the church office no later than the close of business on Tuesday, March 31. All continuing students must re-apply. Click here for more info & application form.



Prayer Initiative

Do you have a prayer request? Let us pray for you & your loved ones!

On Sunday morning you can leave written requests at the table under the big heart (organ side). Complete an online prayer request anytime: click here to send a prayer request.

Lenten Prayer Gathering (Thursdays umtil Easter; 12-1 pm; Parlor-Room 214)

Join us for a Lenten Prayer Gathering every Thursday in Lent. We will meet Thursdays in the Parlor from 12:00-1:00 pm to pray, reflect, and connect during the Lenten season. There will be time for guided prayer, small group prayer, and quiet reflection. We will pray for our congregation, our church, and our world.

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu

(Click here to see classes & activities)

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

Adults: Fried/Baked Chicken, Mac n' Cheese, Collard Greens, Cornbread, Lemon Meringue Pie

Kids: Mac n’ Cheese, Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Ice Cream Sandwich

Job Openings at St. Pete First

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