First Baptist Newsletter

First Baptist Newsletter | May 23, 2024

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

A Note From the Pastor: Looking Back with Gratitude & Forward with Expectation!

First Baptist Family,

I want to start by expressing my deep gratitude for your generosity.

A few weeks ago I let you know that we'd incurred an unexpected expense of $41,500 to repair an underground leak of a chilled water loop related to our air conditioning system. At that time I invited you to contribute to this repair above and beyond your ordinary giving. You responded faithfully. As of my writing, we have received enough designated contributions to pay this bill in full. THANK YOU FOR GIVING!

I also want to express my deep gratitude for the 50 folks who came out Saturday for Serve St Pete Day. THANK YOU FOR SERVING! I know it meant so much to the folks we served, and it is always so fun to serve our city together in Jesus' name. I'm already looking forward to our next Serve St Pete Day! Here are just a few photos from the day (if you haven't yet, be sure to check out the full gallery on our church facebook page).

Another thing for which I'm grateful is our wonderful music ministry here at First Baptist. It has especially been great to have both our Preschool & Kids Choirs sing in worship over the last few weeks. Thank you to the families who entrust their kids to us and the adult leaders who serve in these ministries. It was a great choir year!

As this weekend is Memorial Day and schools begin summer breaks next week, I know there will be lots of folks traveling throughout the summer. Which makes summer a good time to rest from some of our regular patterns and mix things up a bit.

Our Preschool & Kids Choirs have started their summer breaks, and our Adult choir will begin their summer sabbatical after this Sunday, too. Likewise our First Youth and Raising Adults Sunday Morning Bible Studies will be taking the summer off.

These breaks from the ordinary will give us room to have special events and activities sprinkled throughout the summer. One I am really excited about is Summer Suppers. One Sunday evening in June and one Sunday evening in July, we will invite you to gather in each others' homes to eat and fellowship - I hope you will join us! You can sign up to host or attend here.

This Sunday also begins the beginning of our new summer sermon series:

Throughout the summer we will be considering together the fruit of the Spirit which should be the external evidence of the Holy Spirit of God working in our lives. I hope you will be with us in worship anytime you're in town. Remember that if you cannot be here in person you can always catch the worship services online - live or replay.

This week marks two years since I began my ministry at First Baptist. As I look back at this journey so far, I am beyond grateful for your faithfulness as we seek together to be the people and church God is calling us to become; and how you have boldly accepted the invitation to grow, connect, give, serve, and advocate. I was so encouraged this past Sunday as eight folks committed themselves to church membership during our Discover First Baptist lunch, but even more to hear their testimonies of how you have warmly welcomed them into our fellowship and spurred their faith. THANK YOU!

As we were reminded on Pentecost, God is at work in us, through us, and for us as we help people experience God's gift of LIFE in Jesus! For this reason, even as I look back with gratitude, I look forward with expectation. There is yet more work to be done. God has called us to do it. Let us do it - together!

Blessings,

Ben

Sunday Worship

May 26, 2024 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name

Come, Thou Almighty King

Let Us Sing

Holy Spirit Come

Be Thou My Vision

Sermon

"The Fruit of the Spirit"

Galatians 5:22-25

Ben Winder

For those of us who belong to Christ, we should live lives guided by the Spirit, which bear a particular breed of fruit.

Kids Worship

To wrap up this month's Kids Worship series - Training Camp: Plan. Practice Grow. - they'll be looking at The Widow's Offering in Mark 12:41-44 learning they need to practice living for God.

Preschool Worship

Our Preschoolers finish their series - Little Red Wagon - in which they're being introduced to God - the one who loves them with a love that lasts forever! This week's lesson is about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:10-28 and they'll be learning the idea that I can live for God.

WATCH WORSHIP ON YOUTUBE

WATCH WORSHIP ON FACEBOOK

Sunday Morning Before Worship

9 a.m. Bible Studies & Choirs

Digging Deeper Class | Room 204

A co-ed group of adults of all ages currently studying the Book of Romans.

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.

Remember the Preschool & Kids Choirs and First Youth & Raising Adults SMBS are taking a summer sabbatical.

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!

Serve Through the Food Pantry

On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons we distribute food to hundreds of our neighbors in need of food. It is a wonderful way to share the love of the Christ with our community, and a labor of love. We need additional shoulders to carry the load, especially on Thursday afternoon distributions where we have several faithful, long-term volunteers who need to step back. There are lots of other ways to get involved, too: unloading, driving, stocking, or serving our guests. You can check your interest in the Food Pantry on the online "Sign Up to Serve" form and we'll be in touch, or you can c ontact Food Pantry Coordinator Belinda Cotter with questions or to step up to serve.

Monday Fun Day | June 3 - 10:30 a.m.

Come. Celebrate the Red, White & Blue!

Hot Dogs. Apple Pie & Ice Cream.

It’s that time of year when we have many national holidays that inspire military appreciation and national pride. Hear some patriotic experiences. Share about your or your family military service.

Think you can Name That Tune? Recognize a few notes of songs? Let’s find out!

Please register by Friday, May 31. It helps us plan and we will know to pull up a chair at the table for you.

Summer Suppers | June 23 & July 21

This summer we want to give you the opportunity to connect with other folks in the First Baptist family around the supper table in one another’s homes.

You can sign up to be host, or sign up to attend dinner at someone else’s home.

The host will coordinate food (host provided or potluck style).

It will be informal time of food and fellowship.