Weekly Church Newsletter | March 5, 2026

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

Worship This Sunday

Third Sunday of Lent

March 8, 2026 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

Open Up The Heavens

Goodness of God

He Will Hold Me Fast

Lead Me To The Cross

The Solid Rock

Sermon

Reconciliation Received & Given

Romans 5:1-11

Ben Winder

Big Idea: Reconciliation is a spiritual gift God gives us, and it is a spiritual discipline we should put into practice in our relationships.

Preschool & Kids Worship

Our preschool-aged kids are invited to Preschool Worship and our elementary-aged kids are invited to Kids Worship where this Sunday they will learn about The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. Thanks to our adult leaders this week: Bill & Sofie Hillen in Preschool Worship and Greg & Danielle Bourne in Kids Worship.

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, Lynn Wiles & Candy Scherer.

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 A Call to Endurance.

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 A Call to Endurance.

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 and the Samaritan Woman from John 4:4-42 learning Jesus offers living water.

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! They will next be leading in worship on Palm Sunday, March 29.



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!

Church Workday

THIS Saturday, March 7 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

There's still time to join us this Saturday as we work on a collection of various projects on the interior and exterior of our facility, sprucing up our campus in preparation for the Holy Week & Easter Services. There are jobs for all skill levels and abilities. We'll end our morning of work with lunch together.

Lunch & Learn: Stroke Prevention

Sunday, March 8 | Following Worship

Our Health Ministry, part of the Baycare Faith Community Nursing Program, is offering a lunch & learn about stroke prevention following worship this Sunday, March 8.

The lunch & learn event is free of charge, but a reservation is required.

Please RSVP at the link below by TOMORROW, March 6.

FAST Justice Ministry Rally

Monday, March 9 | 7 p.m.

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

This Monday, March 9 beginning at 7 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (2281 State Road 580, Clearwater, FL 33763) is the FAST Rally, one of the four justice ministry gatherings we ask all Justice Ministry Network Members to attend each year.

At this gathering we will be checking in with all those united with us in this vital work across Pinellas County as we make preparations for our Nehemiah Action on April 16 at First Baptist.

We will hear updates from our research committees, especially our new committee working on Children & Youth Concerns, and their recommendations regarding meeting a mental health crisis among the young people in Pinellas County.

We will also check in on how our invites to Nehemiah Action are coming along.

Justice Ministry Network Members, please make every effort to be there Monday - and all others are welcome to join us as well!

Monday Fun Day - Irish Blessings Bingo

Monday, March 16 | 10:30 a.m.

Monday Fun Day is moving to the 3rd Monday of the month. Join us March 16 at 10:30 a.m. in Heritage Hall for some Irish Blessings Bingo. Then stay for lunch of corned beef and cabbage. Should be a true pot of fun!

Please make your reservation at the link below by March 11.

Palm Sunday Fellowship Lunch & Egg Hunt

Sunday, March 29 | Following Worship

Following worship on Palm Sunday we will be hosting a fellowship for the whole church family, including lunch and and Easter Egg Hunt for kids! We hope you will join us in the Multipurpose Room for this fun event.

We are accepting donations of individually wrapped candy to fill the eggs. You can drop off your contributions in the baskets at the church.

Maundy Thursday Dinner & Communion

Thursday, April 2 | 6 p.m.

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

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!

LIFE Groups Sign Ups Open

As we move through the season of Lent, we are re-launching (and renewing) LIFE Groups! 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

Friday

7 p.m. - Alcoholics Anonymous

Saturday

9 a.m. - Church Workday

Sunday

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

9:50 a.m. - Blood Pressure Clinic

10 a.m. - Coffee & Pastries Fellowship

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

11:45 a.m. - Health Ministry Lunch & Learn

Monday

9 a.m. - Prayer Meeting

1 p.m. - Quilting Ministry

7 p.m. - FAST Justice Ministry Rally - St Michael the Archangel (2281 State Road 580)

Tuesday

12-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Wednesday

4 p.m. - Marge Baulig Visitation (Brett Funeral Home)

5 p.m. - Marge Baulig Memorial Service (Brett Funeral Home)

6 p.m. - Time of Praise

6:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

12-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Upcoming Events

March

7 - Church Workday

8 - Blood Pressure Clinic | Health Ministry Lunch & Learn - Stroke Prevention

9 - FAST Rally

16 - Monday Fun Day

29 - Palm Sunday | Egg Hunt & Fellowship Lunch

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

25 - Serve St Pete Day

26 - Discover First Baptist

May

3 - Communion | Fellowship Lunch

18 - FAST Joshua Assembly

22 - Promiseland VPK Graduation

25 - Church Campus Closed (Memorial Day Holiday)

June

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

Contact Us

First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg

1900 Gandy Blvd N

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

727.576.5508

fbc@fbcstpete.org