Dear Friend,

Have you ever felt like life is just a list of rules?

“Take out the garbage.” “Clean your room.” “Don’t speed while driving…”

But maybe that’s not the best way to see it.

Perhaps life isn’t about keeping rules as much as it is about learning lessons.

I can think of several lessons that have shaped my life over the years. One that stands out happened when I was being rude to someone—and before long, it felt like no one wanted to be kind to me. It didn’t take long to realize the lesson: how you treat others often shapes how they treat you. That simple truth has stayed with me ever since.

This Sunday, we begin a new series on life and the lessons we learn along the way. Each of us has a limited amount of time here on earth, and the question is: What will we learn while we’re here?

See you Sunday,

Pastor Bob

This Sunday at St. Pete First

• Sermon: Life Can Seem Unfair, But it Really Isn’t
• Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16 NLT

It’s easy to give your all and then watch someone else receive the same reward without the same effort. How can that be? Life can seem unfair. But maybe there’s more than we can see. Perhaps fairness is exactly what you want.

• New Series: The Most Important Lessons of Life 

I’m often asked, “What would you preach if you only had a few messages to share?” It’s a powerful question. For me, the answer comes down to four simple statements. Are they profound? I’ll let you decide.

• Also This Sunday: Blood Drive (8:00–11:30 am)
  The Big Red Bus will be in the parking lot. Donate in minutes—help save a life.

👉 Schedule your donation or drop in

Help Us Reflect on Our Neighboring Initiative

As our Neighboring Initiative comes to a close, we would love to hear from you.

Over the past weeks, we have explored what it means to know, love, and care for the people right around us. Through sermons, weekly workshops, and shared stories, we’ve been encouraged to take simple, meaningful steps toward deeper connection with our neighbors and our city.

Now we’d love to learn from your experience—whether you took one small step or many. Have you tried anything new? Met someone nearby? Faced challenges? Been surprised by what happened?

👉 Take a few minutes to complete our short survey

Your responses will help us celebrate what God is doing, learn how to better support one another, and discern how we can continue living into our mission to Love St. Pete.

— Rev. Carey Taylor, Pastor of Community Life

Quick Updates

• ❤️ Need care or prayer? Call 727-894-4661 or email us
• ▶️ Watch past messages → Click here
• ▶️ Watch sermon recaps → Click here
• 📺 Join livestream worship → Watch here

Serve & Get Involved

Common Grounds

Help one Sunday a month → Learn more

Summer Office Volunteers Needed

Help with phones, doors, and light admin → Call 727-894-4661 or email us

👉 Explore more opportunities → Volunteer Page

Featured Events

New or Want to Get Connected? Discover First! 
(Sunday, May 17; 10:45am-12:15pm)

Join us for a relaxed gathering to meet our pastors, learn about our church, and explore how you can get connected—including membership. 
Snacks & childcare provided.

→ Details and Sign Up

Also Coming Up

Our Latest Prayer Initiative

We invite you to gather for a brief time of prayer each Sunday between services (10:30–11:00 am) in the Library (Room 212). Come for a few minutes or stay the whole time as we lift up our church and community together. All are welcome.

Club 56 Roller Skating Celebration with Youth

Sunday, May 17 • 5:45-7:30 pm • Astro Skate

Free roller skating party for 5th -12th grades.

👉 Sign up here

Bible Art Journaling: FREE Summer Workshop 

Tuesdays June 2 - Aug 4 • 6-8 pm • 3rd Floor

For 4th grade through adult (parents, come with your kids!). Deepen your faith through scripture, reflection, and creative journaling—no experience needed.

👉 Sign up here

Upcoming Events (At a Glance)

MAY

May 3— Graduation Sunday

May 10—Mother’s Day

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

May 11—Allocations/Permanent Fund Requests due 5/11 → Details

May 17——Club 56 Move-Up Sunday

————Discover First 10:45 am → Details

————Club 56/Youth Roller Skating 5:45-7:30 pm → Sign up here

May 25—Church office closed - Memorial Day

May 30-June 6—Youth Mission Trip (Full/Waitlist) → More info

JUNE

June 2-Aug 4—Art Journaling Workshop (Tuesdays 6-8 pm) → Sign up here

June 4-6—Annual Conference → Details

June 8-12—VBS Setup Week → Volunteer

June 15-19—VBS (Full/Waitlist)

June 21—Father’s Day

————Children & Youth Sunday

JULY

June 2-Aug 4—Art Journaling Workshop (Tuesdays 6-8 pm) → Sign up here

July 13-17—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1 → Camp Signup

——————Elementary Camp: Creator’s Workshop (Music/Theatre/Dance)

July 20-24—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2

——————Elementary Art Camp (Full/Waitlist)

👉 View full calendar →

Other Announcements

• Wednesday Night Live and Dinner will return on September 9.
• Youth will continue to meet on Wednesday nights - keep an eye on the youth emails & texts for schedule.
• The WhereHouse Student Ministry is moving to the 3rd floor! Help furnish the space—Click Here to visit their Amazon registry.
• The Centennial Committee Needs Your Photos. Share your favorite church memories—past and present—to help tell our story. Bring photos to the church office or email Ginny.
• Join Our Team: Facility Maintenance (Part-Time). Help support our church by assisting with repairs and facility upkeep. → Details
• Permanent Fund Requests (Deadline: May 11) Applications for charitable funding are now open. Click for details or email Mark.