The breakdown happens because we don't live life on the mountaintop. We return to life's valleys. Kids and adults alike need tools like prayer to keep discipleship going—to remain close with God. This Sunday and through the season of Lent and beyond, we will discover God's presence when we pray together. 

See you Sunday!

Pastor Elyse

This is the last week of our sermon series, Ask, Seek, Knock. Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. These words from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:7-8) not only encourage persistent prayer, but they proclaim a faith in a loving God who responds.

Pastor Elyse's sermon title this week is "Together on the Mountain." In this week's scripture we see what happens when we pray together: Jesus leading by example by praying with others present, heaven opening, God speaking, and the community being changed by what they experience together. When we come together in prayer, live changed and Glory is revealed. This passage took place up on the mountain – can Glory still be revealed when we pray together in life’s valleys?

The text for this week is Luke 9:28-36 NLT.

We’ll have a photographer & a videographer on site for the next several Sundays taking photos and video for our new website — smile and say "hello" if you see them!

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.

Volunteers Needed – 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.

Volunteer to 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.

Office Volunteer 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)

FEBRUARY 2026

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 (sign up here)

MARCH 2026

Mar 18—No Wednesday Night Live - 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

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

Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, Feb 18)

Ash Wednesday is on Wednesday February 18. We will offer drive-through Ashes-to-Go in our parking lot at lunchtime on Ash Wednesday from 11:45 am-1:15 pm. In addition, don't miss our Ash Wednesday Worship service that evening at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. If you can, please join us before the service at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall for our regular Wednesday Night Dinner.



Soup-er Bowl of Caring (through March)

Celebrate our Centennial by honoring the spirit of the 1930s and 1940s! Canned and dried goods sustained families through the Great Depression and World War II, representing perseverance and community care. Join us as we empower our youth to make a lasting impact by collecting 3 tons of canned and dried goods for the St. Pete Free Clinic this year. Blue collection bins are in the Fellowship Hall & WhereHouse. Together, we can turn compassion into action and serve our community in a meaningful way. 



Discover First (Sunday, Feb 22; 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



Chili Cook-Off (Sunday, Feb 22; 6 pm; Fellowship Hall)

It's that time again! Start practicing your best recipes and get ready to cook on Sunday Feb. 22. Prizes for chili, corn bread, guacamole, queso, salsa, decor, & costumes. Click here for more info (and to sign your entries up).



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.



Ready to Join a Small Group?

Fill out our brief survey to let us know what you’d like from a small group, and we’ll get you connected.



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 beginning 2/19; 12-1 pm; Parlor-Room 214)

Join us for a Lenten Prayer Gathering every Thursday in Lent, beginning February 19th. 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: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Bread Pudding

Kids: Hotdogs & Chips, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Ice Cream Sandwich

Job Openings at St. Pete First

JOIN OUR TEAM: Preschool Coordinator

We have an opening leading the preschool age children on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Approximately 10 hours per week plus special events. Contact Lora Ulrich at lulrich@stpetefirst.org for more information.

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