Weekly Church Newsletter | March 6, 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,

I missed being with you in worship last Sunday; my thanks to Doug Harrell for stepping in to preach in my absence, and for the many other folks who stepped up, as always, to ensure everything went smoothly while I was away. Thank you!

Thanks, too, for all those who came to our Ash Wednesday Service last evening. I always find it to be a meaningful way to begin our Lenten journey together, and I'm grateful so many of you do, too.

Speaking of our Lenten journey, this week begins a new sermon series for the season of Lent. I'm calling this series "re·mem·ber", hoping we can spend this season bringing back to the forefront of our minds some fundamental aspects of how our faith should impact how we relate to God and our neighbors, who are created in God's image. And that remembering will also re-member us - bring us back together with one another and with God. I'm hopeful it will prove a meaningful exploration to enrich our journey through Jesus' passion and on to Easter this Lenten season.

I'm looking forward to be back in worship this Sunday. I hope you will be there, too!

Blessings,

Ben

Worship This Sunday

March 9, 2025 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Goodness of God

At The Name of Jesus

By The Savior's Power

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Sermon

"From Whence You Came"

Deuteronomy 26:1-15

Big Idea: Our worship and our care for our neighbors is rooted in our remembering our history and what God has done for us.

Kids Worship

Our Elementary-Aged Kids will be jumping into their theme for March - Cast and Crew: Everyone Has A Part to Play. This week they're exploring Exodus 17:8-13 in which Joshua wins the battle over the Amalekites learning to work together to help someone succeed.

Preschool Worship

Our Preschoolers continue their monthly theme: Watch This!, in which they're learning Jesus can do anything. This week they'll learn Jesus can help people by exploring the story of healing a man born blind in John 9:1-11.

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.

Elementary Kids Choir | Room 206

For kindergarteners through sixth graders, a fun environment to learn music with friends and prepare for leading in worship.

FirstYOUTH | Multipurpose Room

A gathering of Middle & High School Students, for community and Bible study. Their March study is "Remember When I ..." a series on the power of forgiveness.



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 March study is "Questions Jesus Answered".

Sonshine Class | Heritage Hall

A co-ed group composed primarily of retired adults, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion. Their March study is "Questions Jesus Answered".

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!

FAST Rally

Monday, March 10 | 7 p.m.

Everyone is invited, and all Justice Ministry Network members are strongly encouraged to make plans to attend this gathering at St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Clearwater (2281 State Road 580). We will hear updates from our Affordable Housing and Water Quality & Flooding Strategy Committees about the commitments we'll ask from our public officials, and be encouraged as we work to build momentum and people power through our invitations to April's Nehemiah Action.

Senior Day Trip to The Hacienda

Thursday, March 27

Our next Senior Adult Day Trip will be to The Hacienda in New Port Richey, a classic 1927 Florida Hotel, where we will have lunch after a scenic boat tour up the Pithlachascotte River. On the tour we will experience nature, history, and the house of Johnny Cash - all before lunch. We'll meet at the church at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 27. The cost is $40 per person, which includes transportation to New Port Richey, the boat tour, and lunch. Please RSVP by Sunday, March 23 at the link below.

Serve St Pete Day

Saturday, April 5 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Join us for a church-wide Day of Service as we SERVE our St. Pete Community together! The whole church family is invited to spend the morning serving our St Pete neighbors through various projects around the city, then share lunch together to wrap up the day. Please sign up at the link below.

FAST Nehemiah Action

Monday, April 7 | 7 p.m.

We have the privilege again this year to host a gathering of people of faith from across our county as we ask public officials to make concrete commitments to making our community more just by addressing the problems of Affordable Housing and Water Quality & Flooding. We have commitments from public officials to be present, and we need your presence to show them how much these matters of justice mean to us as people of faith. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this year's Nehemiah Action.

We want every person in the First Baptist family to be present!

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

March 7 - Field Day

April 2 - School Photo Day

April 3 - Lion’s Pride Celebration

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.

The 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



Monday

9 a.m. - Weekly Prayer Meeting

1 p.m. - Quilting & Ceramics Ministries

7 p.m. - FAST Rally (St. Michael the Archangel)



Tuesday

1-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Wednesday

6 p.m. - Time of Praise

6:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

1-4 p.m. - Food Pantry

Upcoming Events

March

10 - FAST Rally (7 p.m. - St Michael the Archangel)

12 - Time of Praise

26 - Time of Praise

27 - Senior Adult Trip to The Hacienda

April

5 - Serve St Pete Day

6 - Blood Pressure Clinic

7 - FAST Nehemiah Action (7 p.m.)

9 - Time of Praise

13 - Palm Sunday Fellowship & Egg Hunt

17 - Maundy Thursday Service (6 p.m.)

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

20 - Easter Sunday

21 - Church Campus Closed

23 - Time of Praise

Contact Us

First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg

1900 Gandy Blvd N

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

727.576.5508

fbc@fbcstpete.org