Weekly Church Newsletter | April 2, 2026

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

Worship This Sunday

Easter Sunday

April 5, 2026 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Low in the Grave He Lay

Christus Victor (Amen) [Sanctuary Choir]

All Things Together

I Will Rise

Sermon

Raised With Christ

Colossians 3:1-4

Ben Winder

Big Idea: Easter is a celebration of Jesus being raised from the dead and a call for us to live into our new life since we have been raised with Christ.

Elementary Kids in Sanctuary Worship This Week

We are excited that our elementary-aged kids will be in worship with their families in the Sanctuary for the whole service this Sunday. They have a special role to play with our Easter "Hallelujah Bells", and be sure to visit the table at the rear of the Sanctuary for other activities you can utilize during worship.

Preschool Kids BEGIN in Sanctuary Worship This Week

We are excited that our preschool-aged kids will begin worship with their families in the Sanctuary this Sunday so they will get to be part of our Easter "Hallelujah Bells", too. Following the Children's Sermon, our preschoolers are invited to check in to Preschool Worship where this Sunday they will learn Jesus is Risen from John 20:1-18. Thanks to this week's Preschool Worship adult leaders Amber Ruiz & Laura Beth Winder.

Nursery

We offer a volunteer-staffed nursery for children 2 and under for any families who would like to utilize it during worship. Thanks to our Nursery volunteers this week, Candy Scherer & Joye Quire.

Opportunities Sundays at 9 a.m.

Adult Sunday Morning Bible Studies

We offer several options for Adults to engage in Bible Study and community Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. We invite you to try one this Sunday!

Digging Deeper | Heritage Hall

A group of adults of all ages. They are currently studying of the Gospel of John.

Masters Class | Conference Room

A group of adults of all ages, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion. Their current study is called Celebrate Jesus.

Sonshine Class | Room 10

A group composed primarily of retired adults, this class utilizes the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion. Their current study is called Celebrate Jesus.

Special Needs Class | Room 2

This group of adults with intellectual disabilities is part of our Special Needs Ministry. Their current study is Stories About Jesus' Ministry.

FirstYOUTH Sunday Morning Bible Study

Our Middle & High School students are invited to the Multipurpose Room each Sunday at 9 a.m. for a fun time of community and discipleship with your peers and caring adult leaders. Their current study is Your Kingdom Come. This week's lesson is Jesus Appears to Mary from John 20:1-18 learning Jesus is Alive!

FirstKIDS Choirs

We offer choirs for both Preschool & Elementary-aged kids each Sunday at 9 a.m. Here kids learn music and worship leadership in a fun, age-appropriate environment, and prepare for opportunities to share and lead in Sanctuary worship. We would love for your kids to join us!



Elementary Kids Choir (K-5th) meets in Room 206 (Library).

Preschool Kids Choir (Age 2-Pre-K) meets in Room 109.

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

We invite you to join us in the Narthex this Sunday for coffee, juice, and other goodies along with fellowship with your church family. We'll see you Sunday!

Maundy Thursday Dinner & Communion

TONIGHT, Thursday, April 2 | 6 p.m.

Tonight, on Maundy Thursday, 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 at the link below so we can be properly prepared to accommodate everyone for this special service.

Good Friday Stations of the Cross

TOMORROW, Friday, April 3 | 6 p.m.

We invite you to join us for this experiential worship event appropriate for all ages. We will begin in the Prayer Garden and travel about the church campus visiting stations along the way which walk us through the events of Good Friday. Wear comfortable shoes and join us for this meaningful collective experience. Stroller, wheelchairs, and walkers are welcome!

Nehemiah Action

Thursday, April 16 | 7 p.m.

We again have the honor of hosting this largest gathering of the year for FAST, the interfaith group working for justice in Pinellas County TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY!

At this event we will gather our people power to ask public officials for concrete commitments to solutions to serious issues in our community, including preserving and promoting Care About Me, so this vital, lifesaving resource can continue to meet the needs of children, youth, and adults facing mental health challenges in our community!

There's three primary ways you can help this event be a success:

1. Make a plan to attend yourself ... 
Mark you calendar to join us in the Sanctuary on Thursday, April 16 to add your presence and voice to the call for action!


2. Invite others to join you ...

We ask each justice ministry network member to show up and bring 3 people with you - you can do that whether you're a network member or not! The more folks we have in the room, the more likely we are to get commitments from our public officials. [By the way, to get 3 people to show up, you'll probably need 6 people to commit to coming (things happen!), which means you'll probably need to invite 9 people to get those 6 commitments to get 3 people actually with you in the room.] Keep inviting folks!

3. Sign up to serve ...

To be good hosts for the BIG crowd we're expecting we need "all hands on deck". If you're available, we could use your assistance helping with registration, greeting, ushering, or assisting with parking so our guests have a smooth and positive experience on our campus. Please sign up at the link below to join our serving team!

Monday Fun Day - Picnic in the Park

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

Join us on the third Monday of the month, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Sawgrass Lake Park for a potluck picnic. Fried chicken will be provided. We ask you to please bring a dessert or side dish.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 15.

Serve St Pete Day

Saturday, April 25 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Join us for a church-wide Day of Service as we SERVE our St. Pete community! This is a wonderful opportunity for the whole church family to serve together. We will spend the morning serving our neighbors through various projects around the city, then share lunch together to wrap up the day. When you register at the link below, you may select to be assigned by our Mission Committee to whichever project needs you the most, or select a particular project to join. Let's serve our city in Jesus' name!

Discover First Baptist Lunch
Sunday, April 26 | Following Worship

If you are a new church member or curious about church membership, we invite you to join us for this free lunch at which you'll learn more about First Baptist and be able to ask any questions you might have about our church. We would love for you to RSVP at the link below ...

Group Trip to "The Thorn" at the Straz Center
Sunday, April 26 | 2 p.m.

Our Senior Adult Ministry is sponsoring a group trip to the Straz Center in Tampa to see "The Thorn", which tells the epic story of God's love for the world and the spiritual battle for all humanity. Often described as cirque meets the Passion, The Thorn is an immersive theatrical experience seen by over 2 million featuring music, drama, aerial acts, movement arts, modern dance, and big visual effects. you can view a trailer here.

We will depart from the church at 2 p.m. The cost is $60 per person.

Please reserve your spot at the link below by April 7.

LIFE Groups Sign Ups Open

We would love to see each member of our church family plugged in and connected to a LIFE Group, which are small groups who meet together for community and discipleship = doing life together. In a LIFE Group you can find support, encouragement, growth, and fellowship. These groups are formed by connecting people by interests, geography, or stage of life. We hope you will set aside time in the coming season to join others in a LIFE group. You can read more and sign up to be a part at the link below.

The Week Ahead

Thursday

12-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

6 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Dinner & Worship

Friday

6 p.m. - Good Friday Stations of the Cross

7 p.m. - Alcoholics Anonymous

Sunday

9 a.m. - Adult Bible Studies | FirstYOUTH Bible Study | FirstKIDS Choirs

10 a.m. - Coffee & Pastries Fellowship

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

Monday

Church Campus Closed - Church Staff Easter Holiday

Tuesday

12-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Wednesday

6:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

12-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Upcoming Events

April

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

3 - Good Friday Stations of the Cross (6 p.m.)

5 - Easter Sunday

6 - Church Campus Closed (Easter Holiday)

16 - FAST Nehemiah Action

20 - Monday Fun Day - Picnic in the Park

25 - Serve St Pete Day

26 - Discover First Baptist | "The Thorn" Trip

May

3 - Communion | Fellowship Lunch

18 - FAST Joshua Assembly

22 - Promiseland VPK Graduation

24 - Pentecost | FirstYOUTH Graduate Recognition

25 - Church Campus Closed (Memorial Day Holiday)

June

13 - Church Work Day

17-19 - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly (Jacksonville, Florida)

20 - Next STEPP Gather for Life

Contact Us

First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg

1900 Gandy Blvd N

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

727.576.5508

fbc@fbcstpete.org