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

St. Pete First UMC

Greetings!

I love football. My guess is most others do too. One of the things that really gets me jazzed during a football game is when the offense is driving the ball down the field. It takes great teamwork to maneuver through the defense whose job is to stall your progress and prevent you from scoring. The best offenses recognize they cannot lean solely on one teammate, but it requires all hands on the field, per se.

The redzone is especially exciting because the offense is within a few yards of scoring. Their ability to score is the difference between hanging a big ole "W" in their corner versus a loss. Each play called by the coach is done so with precision with the goal of helping the team execute their plan so that the team doesn't merely sit within the red zone, but actually punches the ball into the endzone for the score. Friends, we are on the goal line ready to punch the ball into the endzone to score. It takes an entire team to do this. The good news is, I know you well enough to understand you are ready to accomplish the goal. The greater good is, it isn't that you are doing it for me, but WE are doing this for the Lord Jesus who coaches us into the gameplan to Love.St.Pete.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Bob

Pastor Bob's sermon title this week is "Making a Lasting Impact." One of the truths we can claim is God’s blessings upon us aren’t solely for our use only; God wants us to translate that into purpose and mission through the Church. Generosity is a lion’s share of that gift and through all of us, God’s love, service and grace translates to our community. This means we can make a lasting impact for the greater good in St. Petersburg.

The text for this week is John 15:1-4 NLT.

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.

Click for 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.

Help us Love St. Pete at Trunk or Treat

—Bring your decorated car to be a part of Trunk or Treat - setup 5:15-5:45 pm on 10/24 and pass out candy from 6-7:30 pm.

—We also need some volunteers to work half-hour shifts to help with setup/teardown & preparing/serving food,

—Last but not least, we need candy donations: drop them off in the collection bin at the welcome desk as you enter the building.

Click here to volunteer your car and/or your time

School Volunteer Help Needed

Our School Partnership with Campbell Park and Fairmount Park Elementary schools have a number of volunteer opportunities. One of the most impactful ways to make a difference in a child’s life is the “Lunch Pal” program. This is a 30-minute per week face-to-face or virtual meet with the student over lunch. This investment of time with a child, who may be facing social, economic, family and/or academic challenges in their life will have a great impact. Other “ad hoc” type activities (serving food at teacher appreciation events, tutoring) are also available. If you'd like to support this impactful ministry, contact Kendra Aumack at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661.

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 Kendra: kaumack@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)

Oct 1-31—Beans & Jeans Collection for Farmworkers Self-Help
Oct 12—Blood Pressure Clinic 9-11:30 am; 1st Floor Nurse's Area
Oct 18—St. Pete First @Tampa Bay Rowdies 7:30 pm; Al Lang Stadium (buy tickets)
Oct 19—Blood Drive 8am-1pm (Drop in or click here to schedule your donation)
Oct 24—Trunk or Treat 6-8 pm (volunteer your car and/or your time)
Oct 26—Church Conference 2 pm
Oct 27—Pipe Screams Organ Concert 7 pm; Sanctuary
Nov 2—All Saints Sunday
Nov 9—Discover First (www.stpetefirst.org/discoverfirst)
Nov 11—Church office closed - Veteran’s Day
Nov 16—Night of Worship w/Jeremy Hearn 6 pm; Sanctuary

Come to the Rowdies Game! (Saturday, Oct 18; 7:30 pm)

Join us on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 pm at Al Lang Stadium as the Rowdies play the Hartford Athletic. We have seats reserved in section 300—get your tickets in the Fellowship Hall on 10/5 or 10/12 or click here to buy your tickets online. $25.00 per person (lap children 2 or under are free). For more information contact Shirley Bassett @ 727-310-7044 or sbassettUNI@gmail.com GO ROWDIES!

Beans & Jeans Collection (month of October)

During the month of October we will be collecting jeans of all sizes and 1-lb bags of rice & beans for Farmworkers Self-Help in Dade City. Drop off donations in the Fellowship Hall or the WhereHouse.

Blood Drive (Sunday, October 19; 8 am-1 pm; 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 Halloween t-shirt and a $20 eGift Card. See www.oneblood.org for more info on blood donation.

New Becomers Class Study (Sundays 11 am; Room 103)

The Becomers class invites you to join us as we study “The Absolute Basics of the Christian Faith” by Phil Tallon. This 16-week study is “an introduction to the core beliefs of the Christian faith.” Question topics include “Who is God?” “What is salvation?” and “What is the church?” St. Pete First’s Confirmation class has been using this book and related videos for the past few years to explore the fundamental truths of our faith. This class is designed for both new believers and those who want to rediscover the beauty of Christianity. Begins Oct 19.

Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival (Friday, October 24; 6-8 pm)

The St. Pete First Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival is a fun and family-friendly event open to the community. Children can go from trunk to trunk to collect candy and treats from decorated vehicles. There will also be live music from the South Porch Bluegrass Orchestra, free food (food truck, hot dogs plus vegetarian options, snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn) bounce houses (including separate bounce houses for the little ones on the playground), face painting, a balloon artist, a petting zoo, pony rides, an outdoor movie, and preschool-age activities inside the preschool. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged! This event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome! We hope to see you there.

Help us Love. St. Pete. at Trunk or Treat: Bring your decorated car to be a part of Trunk or Treat - setup 5:15-5:45 pm on 10/24 and pass out candy from 6-7:30 pm. We also need some volunteers for a half hour or more to help with setup/teardown and the food stations, and we need candy donations (drop them off in the collection bin at the welcome desk as you enter the building). Click here to volunteer your car and/or your time

Pipe Screams Organ Concert (Monday, Oct 27; 7 pm)

Come enjoy both spooky and uplifting music (and sing some pumpkin carols!) as the American Guild of Organists St. Pete Chapter presents Pipe Screams, featuring organist Rick Nay along with organists and directors from other area churches. Costumes are encouraged, with a costume parade for those in costume. Join us for refreshments after the concert.

Discover First (Sunday, Nov 9; 10:45am-1pm)

Learn about our church and its mission, vision, and ministries, talk with our pastors, and find out how to become a member! Lunch & childcare will be provided. So that we can order food, please register by the Tuesday prior to the class. Click here to sign up & for more info

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 now open at www.stpetefirst.org/womensretreat

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu

(Click here to see classes & activities)

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

Adults: Turkey Tetrazzini, Pumpkin Apple Soup, Spinach Cranberry Salad, Breadstick, Pumpkin Cranberry Cobble

Kids: Pizza, Carrots & Celery, Apple Sauce, Cookie

Wednesday Night Adult Classes (6:30-7:30 pm)

—Barb Willey: Doing Life with your Adult Children - Room 101 - Sign Up Here

—Pastor’s Study - Room 208 - Sign Up Here

—Patti Martin: Bad Girls of the Bible - Chapel - Sign Up Here

—Barry Willey: Band of Brothers - Room 214 (Parlor) - Sign Up Here

Pastors' Book Study (Begins Oct 8; 6:30 pm; Room 208) We will be studying the book, What's Your Story? Seeing Your Life Through God's Eyes, by Sarah Heath. You can envision your life as an adventure you are cowriting with God. By exploring Joseph's life and key parts of every epic tale you will discover God's presence in your own story—ups, downs, and all! In this short study, there will be opportunities for creative journaling and deep discussion. Led by Rev. Bob Martin and Rev. Elyse Nielsen.