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

St. Pete First UMC

Greetings!

In the latest sermon series, Let's Talk, we have been discussing best practices of communication from a Christian perspective. This week, I will expand the discussion on issues of polarization and some of the cultural reasons for the deep divide particularly when it comes to parenting. For example, younger children and teens want smart phones. It seems like all their friends have them. Parents want to foster trust and independence with their kids. What's the right thing, the prudent thing, the safe thing to do?

There is a balancing act and sometimes it requires others joining with you around a shared cause or value to change the culture. Hear more about it and other ways to "Get out of your bubble" this week in service!

In Christ,

Pastor Elyse

This week is the last week of our sermon series "Let's Talk." Why does it feel like we're always fighting? It’s time to have the hard conversations. Listen well... Ask anything... Freely disagree... Love regardless. How do we do that? Let's talk.

Pastor Elyse's sermon title this week is "Beyond My Bubble." Given the choice, most of us crave the stability and comfort of the familiar –with folks who are just like us. Yet Jesus models going beyond, engaging with those who may look, think and act differently.

The text for this week is Matthew 15:21-28 [The Voice].

Reminder: We are closing the double-door entrance to the sanctuary on 2^nd Ave N. Please use the church entrance near the playground. (The elevator entrance on 2^nd Ave N will remain open.)

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

Thursday Lunch Ministry Volunteers Needed

This ministry, in partnership with Christ UMC & Metropolitan Ministries, serves a hot meal on Thursdays at Christ UMC (467 1st Avenue N) for those in need. We need volunteers from 11 am - 1 pm to help set up for food service and serve a meal to the unhoused. To get more information or to volunteer, contact Kendra 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 5—World Communion Sunday
Oct 8—New Pastors’ Book Study Begins: What's Your Story? 6:30 pm; Rm 208
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

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.

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.

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!

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

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