Weekly Church Newsletter | April 10, 2025

The First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg exists to help people experience God's gift of life in Jesus.

A Note From the Pastor ...

First Baptist Family,

As I am reflecting on the week we've had together, I am, as ever, so incredibly grateful and proud to be your pastor.

This past Saturday more than 50 of you joined us for Serve St Pete Day, as we served at Parc Center for Disabilities, Positive Impact, Sacred Lands, and the Ronald McDonald House. Thank you to our Missions Committee for planning this good day of service; and thanks to all who served for your efforts, and loving our city in Jesus' name!

Then on Monday night we hosted FAST Nehemiah Action, where more than 1,400 folks from our community gathered in our sanctuary to ask public officials to take action on matters of injustice in our community. More than 40 of you served in various capacities helping us be gracious hosts (thank you Joye Quire for leading and organizing those efforts!). Around 80 of you were present to be part of our gathered people power. Thank you!

I am grateful to report we got commitments from officials from Dunedin on Green Stormwater Infrastructure and St Petersburg on Affordable Housing. Even more important, we are demonstrating to our neighbors in need, and our public officials, our deep concern as people of faith about matters of justice in our community. Thank you for being there to serve and showing up to advocate!

Well done First Baptist family!

Now, let us turn our attention to the week ahead of us. It is Holy Week!

We'll begin this Sunday, April 13, with Palm Sunday Worship. Our children & families will lead our Palm Processional and our Preschool & Elementary Kids Choirs will be singing in worship. Following worship we'll join together in the Multipurpose Room for fun-filled intergenerational fellowship and good food at our Fellowship Picnic and Egg Hunt!

We'll continue our Holy Week with Maundy Thursday Dinner & Communion on April 17 at 6 p.m. in the Narthex. We'll share a meal and communion as we remember Jesus' last supper with his disciples. To help us be prepared we request you please RSVP for Maundy Thursday here.

On Good Friday, April 18, we'll have our Stations of the Cross, in which we'll symbolically retrace the steps of Jesus through experiential stations.

And then, on Easter Sunday, April 20, we'll gather to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ!

I am confident it will be another good and meaningful week together, and I look forward to experiencing it together with you!

Blessings,

Ben

Worship This Sunday

Palm Sunday - April 13, 2025 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

Hosanna

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

All Glory Laud and Honor

I Will Rise

Revelation Song

Take My Life and Let It Be

Kids Choirs

Our Preschool & Elementary Kids Choirs will be singing in worship this Sunday!

Wave Palm Branches, Sing Hosanna

All Creation Is Singing His Praise

All Creatures of Our God and King

A Festive Hosanna

Sermon

"Keep Silent The Stones"

Luke 19:28-40

Big Idea: We should remember it is a privilege to join the work God is doing in redeeming the world.

Kids Worship

Our Elementary-Aged Kids will join their families in the Sanctuary for our Palm Processional. After the Kids Choirs sing they'll head out to Kids Worship where this Sunday they'll dig into the story of Palm Sunday in John 12:12-16, learning whatever happens, remember God is still working.

Preschool Worship

Our Preschooler will join their families in the Sanctuary for our Palm Processional. After the Kids Choirs sing they'll head out to Preschool Worship where this Sunday they'll dig into the story of Palm Sunday in Matthew 21:1-11 & John 12:12-15 learning we can celebrate Jesus.

Nursery

We offer a volunteer-staffed nursery for children 2 and under for any families who would like to utilize it during worship.

Before Worship This Sunday

9 a.m. Opportunities for All Ages

Preschool Kids Choir | Room 109

A fun, music-filled time for 2 year olds through Pre-K friends learning to love music and worship Jesus. They're singing this Sunday in worship!

Elementary Kids Choir | Room 206

For kindergarteners through sixth graders, a fun environment to learn music with friends and prepare for leading in worship. They're singing this Sunday in worship!

FirstYOUTH | Multipurpose Room

A gathering of Middle & High School Students, for community and Bible study. This month's study is an Easter series called The Comeback Kid.

Digging Deeper Class | Room 204

A co-ed group of adults of all ages. They're currently studying Nehemiah.

Masters Class | Conference Room

A co-ed group of adults of all ages, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion. Their April study is "Proclaim Easter".

Sonshine Class | Heritage Hall

A co-ed group composed primarily of retired adults, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion. Their April study is "Proclaim Easter".

Special Needs Class | Heritage Hall Room 2

This co-ed group for adults with intellectual disabilities is part of our Special Needs Ministry. They're currently studying "Luke's Stories of Jesus' Ministry".

10 a.m. Coffee & Pastries Fellowship in the Narthex

Between our 9 a.m. offerings and the beginning of worship each Sunday we offer coffee, juice, and other goodies for you to enjoy in the Narthex. We encourage you to come a few minutes early or stop by after your 9 a.m. activity to spend some time getting to know other members of your church family of all ages. We'll see you Sunday!

Palm Sunday Fellowship Picnic & EGG HUNT

Sunday, April 13 | Following Worship

Following worship this Sunday we invite the whole church family to gather in the Multipurpose Room for a Fellowship Picnic!

We'll have a wonderful fellowship lunch and fun activities for all ages.

Following lunch will be our annual FirstKIDS EGG HUNT with over 1,000 eggs to find!

Kids, remember to bring your baskets!

Maundy Thursday Dinner & Communion

Thursday, April 17 | 6 p.m.

We will gather around tables in the Narthex to share dinner and communion as we remember the events in the upper room on the night before Christ was crucified.

Please RSVP so we can be prepared with enough food for everyone!

Good Friday Stations of the Cross

Friday, April 18 | 6 p.m.

On Good Friday we will gather at 6 p.m. in the Prayer Garden and engage in an communal walk to experiential stations around the church campus which will help us remember and commemorate the events of Good Friday as we prepare for Easter.

This is an event for all ages - wheelchairs and strollers are welcome!

Easter Worship

Sunday, April 20 | 10:30 a.m.

On Sunday, April 20 we will celebrate the Resurrection of Christ during our Easter Sunday worship. We hope you will join us, and consider who you might invite to join you!

Opportunities to Serve at Lynch Elementary

Our partner school, Lynch Elementary has several opportunities to serve, and we welcome you to explore which one(s) are right for you!

Ongoing Opportunities

Passing Out Treats - Each Thursday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Lunch Pal - One Time per week; flexible

Mentor - One or More Times per week; flexible

Room (Grand)Parent - Daily/Weekly; flexible

One-Time Opportunities

May 5–9 - Staff Appreciation Week

To learn more or sign up for any of these opportunities contact the church office or Lynch Elementary Family & Community Liaison Michele Killam (Killamm@pscb.org | 727.570.3170).

Please sign up here to complete the necessary forms to be ready to volunteer throughout the year when opportunities arise.

Next Week's Schedule

Sunday

9 a.m. - Adult & Youth Bible Studies | Preschool & Elementary Kids Choirs

10 a.m. - Coffee & Pastries Fellowship

10:30 a.m. - Sanctuary Worship | Kids Worship | Preschool Worship | Nursery

11:45 a.m. - Fellowship Picnic & Egg Hunt



Monday

9 a.m. - Weekly Prayer Meeting

1 p.m. - Quilting & Ceramics Ministries | Monday Fun Day Planning Meeting



Tuesday

1-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Wednesday

6:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

1-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

6 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Dinner & Communion (RSVP)

Friday

6 p.m. - Stations of the Cross

Upcoming Events

April

13 - Palm Sunday | Church-wide Fellowship Picnic & Egg Hunt

17 - Maundy Thursday Dinner & Communion (6 p.m.)

18 - Stations of the Cross (6 p.m.)

20 - Easter Sunday

21 - Church Campus Closed - Easter Holiday

23 - Time of Praise

27 - Deacon Ordination

May

3 - CBF of Florida & the Caribbean Islands Spring Gathering (Jacksonville)

4 - Fellowship Lunch | Communion | Blood Pressure Clinic

16 - Promiseland Preschool Graduation

18 - Graduate Recognition | Discover First Baptist

Contact Us

First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg

1900 Gandy Blvd N

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

727.576.5508

fbc@fbcstpete.org