First Baptist Newsletter | August 29, 2024

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

A Word From the Pastor:

Finding YOUR Community

First Baptist Family,

For many, Labor Day Weekend signals the unofficial start of Fall. And around First Baptist it is a marker of new opportunities to find connection points with others in our church family.

One of the things we ask each member to do is CONNECT.

A big part of that is finding a group of folks within the church by whom you can be challenged and encouraged in your walk with Christ. I would love for every person in our church family to find such a community!

The good news is that as we mark the unofficial start of Fall, there's some really natural entry points to do just that. I want to highlight some of those opportunities for you:

Sunday Morning Bible Studies

We offer several on-campus options Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.; these groups are a great place to learn & grow in your biblical knowledge and strengthen your faith.

This Sunday, September 1, is a great time to get plugged in because each of these classes begins a new study this week:

Our Special Needs Class begins a study on Kings David & Solomon.

The Masters Class and Sonshine Class both jump into 1 Thessalonians.

The Digging Deeper Class is starting a six-week study on the Book of James.

The Raising Adults Class (which I'm privileged to lead) is kicking off a six-week study on Wisdom Literature.

Any of these classes would welcome you to come be a part - you can learn more here - and don't forget for those with Youth/Kids in your household, Sundays at 9 a.m. is also when FirstYOUTH meets for our Middle & High School students and our Kids Choir & Preschool Choir meet then, too.

LIFE Groups

September also marks the launch of new and returning LIFE Groups.

These groups usually meet off-campus a couple times a month and provide a place for community and discipleship. If you haven't signed up to join one yet, we would LOVE for you to do so soon, so we can get you plugged in from the beginning.

There are, of course, many other places to CONNECT - a lot of which are highlighted in this email - Fellowship Lunches, Senior Adult Monday Fun Days, FAST House Meetings, Coffee & Pastries, Choir, and serving alongside one another on mission trips, at the food pantry, or within an age-graded ministry.

It is vital for each of us to CONNECT, not only for the way it will benefit us individually, but also because in order for us to become the church God is calling us to be, it will take all of us together to accomplish our collective mission.

So, just one question remains: Where are YOU going to CONNECT?

If I can help you find an answer to that question or help you navigate the various connection points, I would be so glad to do so - just give me a call/email/text anytime!

Blessings,

Ben

bwinder@fbcstpete.org | 205.603.6803

Worship This Sunday

September 1, 2024 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

Forever

Come, Thou Almighty King

To Dwell As One

My Jesus, I Love Thee

I Am Thine, O Lord

Sermon

"Knowledge In Action"

James 1:17-27

Ben Winder

The Way of Wisdom recognizes we must not only know what is right, but also must do what is right.

Elementary Kids in Sanctuary

Our Elementary School kids will join their families in the Sanctuary for worship this week. As part of worship in the Kids Sermon, we'll kick off their theme for the month:

LIVE BRIGHT - Shine Jesus' Light

This month they'll be exploring compassion - caring enough to do something about someone else's needs - and how they can shine Jesus' light in the world.

Remember to visit the kids table in the back of the sanctuary for activities to utilize during worship this Sunday!

Preschool Worship

In 1967, a new toy was introduced to the world, and on the box were these words:

Create Beautiful Pictures With . . . Light.

It was the LiteBrite®! The LiteBrite was an instant hit and has remained such a favorite for all these years that families are still having fun making pictures with light.

This month in Preschool Worship, we’re talking about a different kind of bright light. We’re talking about THE light that God sent into the world to shine bright for all the world to see. And THIS light has a name. His name is Jesus! Each time we choose to love like Jesus, we become a bright light. Just like each LiteBrite peg lights up to make a picture, each and every act of love is a bright light that makes a beautiful picture for the world to see Jesus.

This Sunday the preschoolers will be exploring John 1:4-5, 8:12, & 9:5 to see that Jesus is the light of the world.

Communion & Benevolence Offering

We will share the Lord's Supper during worship this week.

As is our practice on weeks share communion we will collect a special offering for our Care Team to utilize in meeting the needs of our members and neighbors. You are invited to give to this offering at the doors as you depart worship.

WATCH WORSHIP ON YOUTUBE

WATCH WORSHIP ON FACEBOOK

Sunday Mornings Before Worship

9 a.m. Opportunities

Preschool Choir (Age 2-Pre-K) | Room 109

A space for preschoolers to learn about God through music and a whole lot of fun!

Kid's Choir (K-5th) | Room 206

A space for elementary-age kids to learn about God through music and a whole lot of fun!

FirstYOUTH | Multipurpose Room

A Bible study for Middle & High School Students

Raising Adults | Room 205

A co-ed group of median adults mostly in the stage of life with kids in their home.

**New 6-week study begins this Sunday: Wisdom Literature - any/all are invited to join!**

Digging Deeper Class | Room 204

A co-ed group of adults of all ages.

**New 6-week study begins this Sunday: Book of James - any/all are invited to join!**

Masters Class | Conference Room

A co-ed group of adults of all ages, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion.

Sonshine Class | Heritage Hall

A co-ed group composed primarily of retired adults, utilizing the Formations curriculum to facilitate class discussion.

Special Needs Class | Heritage Hall Room 2

This co-ed group for adults with intellectual disabilities is part of our Special Needs Ministry.

10 a.m. Intergenerational 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!

Fall LIFE Groups Sign Ups

LIFE Groups are small groups who meet together for community and discipleship – doing life together. These groups are formed by connecting people by interests, geography, or stage of life. Groups gather at various times and places – on our church campus, in homes, or other locations. Typically they meet once every two weeks.

New and returning LIFE Groups launch NEXT WEEK - so if you’re interested in joining a LIFE Group, please sign up now so we can help get you plugged in!

Immokalee One Day Mission Trip | September 6

Next Friday, September 6, we will take a group to serve at Misión Peniel in Immokalee alongside our mission partners Cultivate Abundance.

All 8 years old & older are invited to serve. Spots are limited.

We will be depart from St Petersburg in the early afternoon to arrive in Immokalee to serve from 2-6:30 p.m. The group will help make the bags of bread, bags of produce, and pack the eggs in a dozen or half dozen, then hand out the bags to the people served at the mission. Sometimes extra items are also served (hygiene items, bedding, clothes, shoes or household items), and since it will be the first Friday of the month, it will be diaper distribution day and we expect there will be many children accompanying their parents that day. Sign up at the link below to join us.

IMMOKALEE MISSION TRIP SIGN UP

Monday Fun Day - Brunch with Pastor Ben

Monday, September 9 | 10:30 a.m.

Monday Fun Day is our monthly fellowship event for Senior Adults.

We'll kick off another year sharing food, fellowship, and enjoying time with our pastor.

Please RSVP at the link below by Friday, September 6 so we can be sure to have enough food for everyone.

Attend A House Meeting

As we kick off the new year of our county-wide Justice Ministry, we invite you to attend a "House Meeting" - a one-time guided conversation among a small group of folks from the First Baptist family, wherein we learn from one another what injustices are impacting our lives and our community.

You can sign up at the links below or on the sign up sheets in the Narthex.

If you have questions about House Meetings, FAST, or justice ministry in general, or you'd like to schedule/host a house meeting, contact Ben Winder or Doug Harrell.

Here are the House Meetings we currently have scheduled (click to sign up):

Monday, September 9 - 12 p.m. | First Baptist Church

Sunday, September 15 - 5 p.m. | The Winder's House

Tuesday, September 17 - 10 a.m. | First Baptist Church

Thursday, September 19 - 5:30 p.m. | The Harrell's House

Servants Needed for Preschool Worship!

We have the good challenge of a growing Preschool Ministry, which means we need to launch a second class for Preschool Worship.

Our current limitation on meeting this need is our number of willing volunteers.

Are you wiling to serve occasionally with our Preschoolers during 10:30 a.m. worship?

You can sign up to serve online here.

If you have questions about serving with preschoolers, contact Laura Beth Winder (laurabethwinder@me.com | 423.920.0801).

St Pete Arts Academy

Enroll for Private/Group Lessons

Through the St Pete Arts Academy we are offering the opportunity for private and group lessons in violin, trumpet, piano, flute, drums/percussion with highly qualified instructors and Middle & High School Show Choirs directed by our own Michael McCarthy, hosted on the church campus.

You can see details and sign up now at stpetearts.org.

Please help us spread the word about this opportunity to folks you know!

ST PETE ARTS ACADEMY

Serve at Lynch Elementary

Our partner school, Lynch Elementary welcomes you to sign up here to be ready to volunteer throughout the year when opportunities arise.

There is currently a weekly opportunity, Thursdays, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. to help pass out treats of the week connected to students meeting school expectations, PRIDE (Positive Attitude, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Empathy).

Also, go ahead and check your calendar to see if you're available to assist with some other one-day opportunities to serve:

Oct. 11 - Fall Individual Picture Retakes

Oct. 24 - Lion’s Pride Celebration

Nov. 6 - Family Lunch Day

Nov. 13 - Great American Teach-In

Dec. 13 - Club Photos

Jan. 15 - Class Group Photos

Feb. 28 - Black American Speak-in

Mar. 7 - Field Day

Apr. 3 - Lion’s Pride Celebration

May 5–9 - Staff Appreciation Week

Additionally, there are opportunities for ongoing service as a Room Grandparent, Lunch Pal, Mentor, etc.,

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).