THIS WEEK AT ..................

St. Pete First UMC

Hi Kelly—

We wrap up our series Myth Busters by asking, "Is Heaven a Real Place?" A lot of books have been written on this where persons have claimed to have been transported to heaven only to be revived and returned to earth. What do we make of this? Most of us have had a family member or loved one who upon their death made some profound discoveries and conveyed to us what they were seeing before they died. I don't think there is a scientific means to prove there is a heaven, but as Christians we lean into the One who is Truth to give us the answer. Come, join us this week as we bust the myth, "Heaven isn't a real place!"

Pastor Bob

This week is the last week of our sermon series Myth Busters. There are many beliefs about religion and various aspects of faith. Not everything you hear about the Christian faith is correct, but it is also noted that everything that you hear cannot be wrong. So how do you know what is true or what is false? It’s time to bust a few myths!

The text for this week is 2 Corinthians 5:1-9; John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:1-5; 2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT.

We have 3 events coming up early this week - look below for more info on these events. Join us on Sunday evening at 6 for a symbolic Seder Meal - don't forget to RSVP. We also need more people to join us on the shuffleboard courts on Tuesday evening for the Crosstown Shuffle - sign up below. This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday - join us for dinner at 5:30 if you can, then we'll meet together in the Sanctuary for our Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:30 pm. If you'd like to get ashes earlier in the day, we have drive-thru ashes in the parking lot from 11:45 am - 1:15 pm.

Don't miss the recap and excerpts from previous messages —click here to watch.

Did you miss last Sunday's sermon? Click here to watch or listen to previous sermons.

Reminder: If you are not feeling well or if you are otherwise unable to be with us in person, please take advantage of our livestream worship.

Click for Livestream Worship

Volunteer Help Needed

A little time out of your week can make such a difference! Join us as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we serve and Love. St. Pete.

We need a Grant Writer ASAP. Please contact Kendra Aumack if you can help out.

Ushers & Greeters needed! If you’d like to help out and welcome others at one of our worship services, contact Kendra Aumack: kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661

Vacation Bible School is one of our largest outreach events of the year and we need lots of volunteers! Get ahead of the game and sign up now to help. VBS Setup Week is June 9-13 (drop in to help anytime between 9 am & 3 pm); VBS Week is June 16-20 (9 am - noon).

Common Grounds needs volunteers to take a one-hour once-a-month shift on Sunday mornings (8-9 am, 9-10 am, 10-11 am) to serve pastries, make coffee, and assist with clothing distribution to those in need. Contact Hal Heitler (halheitler@gmail.com) or Chad Simonds (csimonds@stpetefirst.org) to sign up.

Click here to go to our Serve form, then select the ministries you are interested in.

Wednesday Night Dinner Menu (Click here to see classes & activities)

$5 kids, $8 adults, $30 family meal

Adults: Fried/Baked Chicken, Mac n’ Cheese, Collard Greens, Cornbread, Lemon Meringue Pie

Kids: Mac n’ Cheese, Tater Tots, Celery & Carrots, Apple Sauce, Ice Cream Sandwich

Upcoming Events—Mark your calendar! (more: www.stpetefirst.org/spring)

Through April 6—Diaper & Children's Book Collection
Feb 1-March 31—St Pete First Scholarship Applications: www.stpetefirst.org/scholarship
THIS Sunday Mar 2—Seder Meal experience 6-8pm (sign up here)
THIS WEEK: Tues Mar 4—Crosstown Shuffle 6:00-8:00 pm (www.stpetefirst.org/shuffle)
THIS WEEK: Wed Mar 5—Ashes-to-Go 11:45 am-1:15 pm; Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 pm
Sun Mar 9—Confirmation Sunday 9:30 am
Tues Mar 11—UWF Speaker 11 am
Fri Mar 14—Organ Concert with Samuel Metzger at 7 pm. More information.
Mar 17-21—Spring Break Week: No church activities this week.
Sun Mar 23—Discover First 10:45 am-1 pm (sign up here)
Wed Mar 26—Stress Busters class begins, with Dr. Jim Meyer at 6:30 pm
Sat April 12—Spring Picnic 4-6pm
Sun April 13—Palm Sunday
Wed Apr 16—No Wednesday Night Live
Thurs April 17—Maundy Thursday service 7 pm
Fri April 18— Church office closed; Good Friday service 7 pm
Sun April 20—Easter Sunday services 7:30 (Sunrise)-9:30-11 am
Mon Apr 21—Church office closed for Easter Monday
Sat April 26—Free Mental Health Event: Hope 10 am-1 pm
Wed April 30—Last week for Wed Night activities before Fall
Sun May 4—Graduation Sunday 9:30 am
Sun May 4—Danny & the Shacks -Kids Musical- at 6 pm
Mon May 26—Church office closed for Memorial Day
June 9-13—VBS Setup (volunteer)
June 16-20—Vacation Bible School
July 7-11—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 1; Elementary Slime Camp
July 14-18—Preschool Camp Friendship Week 2; Elementary Art/Adventure Camp; Elementary Amusement Park STEM Camp

We need your help to build a Disaster Recovery Team!

St. Pete First is building a team of dedicated individuals to assist with present and future disasters. We are first on the ground and perform duties like mud clearing, removing sheet rock, bedding and other home items to prevent the situation from becoming worse. Even if you are able to work part-time, your participation is needed and appreciated. Training in disaster procedures is available and participation is encouraged. To learn more, contact Doug Porter at 518-669-3433 or dporter1950@aol.com

Diaper & Book Drive (March 2 - April 6)

Help the United Women in Faith & Youth collect baby diapers (all sizes) and children’s books (new or gently used) for Cornerstone Family Ministries. Drop off donations in the blue collection bins outside the Fellowship Hall or in the WhereHouse.

Seder Meal Experience (Sunday, March 2; 6-8 pm; Fellowship Hall)

The WhereHouse Youth Ministry invites you participate in a traditional Seder meal on Sunday, March 2 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall, presented by Jews for Jesus. Cost is $5, and a love offering for Jews for Jesus will be taken. EVERYONE is invited to participate (not just youth). Join us as we sit down to experience a symbolic traditional Seder meal. Explore the meaning of the meal as we become closer with Christ in the Passover. This is an experience, not a full meal; please plan to eat dinner before or after. Click here to RSVP.

Crosstown Shuffle (Tuesday, March 4; 6:00-8:00 pm):

Join us for a night of fellowship and fun with our Christian brothers and sisters from neighboring churches in St. Pete for a friendly game of shuffleboard. Let's get to know each other so we can shine a brighter light in St. Pete for Jesus! St Pete Shuffleboard Club: 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N. St. Pete. $5 for adults; free for youth 18 & under. Guests and families welcome! Previous shuffleboard experience not required. Experienced players will be available to provide guidance. A food truck will also be on site. Click here for more information.

United Women in Faith Speaker (Tuesday, March 11; 11am; Room 208)

All women are invited to our United Women in Faith meeting on Tuesday, March 11th at 11:00 am in Room 208. Our guest speaker will be Cathy Stone from Cornerstone Family Ministries. Cathy will be telling us about Cornerstone and the upcoming Wonder Walk on Saturday, April 5th. A light lunch will be provided after the meeting. Please RSVP to Cindy Ripley at redreavis@aol.com

Organ Concert featuring Samuel Metzger (Friday, March 14; 7 pm)

Join us for our inaugural organ concert with world-renowned organist Samuel Metzger playing the church's new pipe organ. The performance is free, and a free-will offering will be collected to support the purchase of a much-needed portable shower trailer to enhance our Street Ministry. Click here for more information

Spring Break (March 17-21)

All activities in the church building are canceled during Spring Break week. Admin building/church office will be open as usual.

Discover First Meeting (Sunday, Mar 23; 10:45am-1pm; Chapel):

Learn about our church and its mission, vision, and ministries, talk with our pastor, and find out how to become a member! Lunch & childcare will be provided. So that we can order food, please register by the Tuesday prior to the class. Click here to sign up & for more info

Stress Busters Class (begins Wednesday, Mar 26; 6:30 pm; Chapel)

with Dr. Jim Meyer (a nationally-recognized expert in relationships and stress management). Every single one of us experiences stress! And we all know too much stress – or managing it in less than healthy ways – can impact our lives. So, let’s explore together some strategies for how to manage the negative effects of stress, gain some ideas on how to actually reduce our stress levels, and consider how to get the most benefits from the gift of time.

Save the Date—Holy Week Events:

Church Picnic (at the church) - Sat April 12 (4-6 pm)

Palm Sunday - Sun Apr 13 (8/9:30/11 am)

Maundy Thursday Communion Service - Thurs April 17 (7 pm)

Good Friday Service - Fri April 18 (7 pm)

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service - Williams Park - Sun Apr 20 (7:30 am)

Easter Sunday Worship - Sun Apr 20 (9:30/11 am)

Save the Date—VBS & Summer Camps:

VBS - June 16-20

Preschool Camp Friendship WK1 - July 7-11

Preschool Camp Friendship WK2 - July 14-18

Elementary Slime Camp - July 7-11

Elementary Art/Adventure Camp - July 14-18

Elementary Amusement Park STEM Camp - July 14-18

Registrations open on website in March.

Our Visitation Ministry Needs Your Help!

The Visitation Team ministry connects our homebound members with their church family. Monthly visits, with an offer for communion, give our homebound members the opportunity to stay current with the life of the church. Please contact Kendra at church@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661 if you know of anyone in our church family who would enjoy a monthly visit.

TAKE ACTION! Help us meet unmet needs and serve others.

Common Grounds SERVE

Give God an extra hour on Sunday: one hour in worship, one hour showing God’s love to our guests in the Fellowship Hall. This is our call to be the hands and feet of Jesus! Serve pastries, make coffee, and assist with clothing distribution to those in need. Your shift can be one Sunday a month from 8-9 am, 9-10 am, or 10-11 am. Join this new ministry by contacting either Hal Heitler at 727-448-6291 (halheitler@gmail.com) or Chad Simonds at 727-667-7169 (csimonds@stpetefirst.org). Clothing donations also needed (but only specific items)! Contact Linda Delaney at 610-515-5201 (rocklin@ptd.net) for details.

Ushers & Greeters needed! If you’d like to help out and welcome others at one of our worship services, contact Kendra Aumack: kaumack@stpetefirst.org or 727-894-4661

Calling All Students! Scholarships (apply Feb 1-Mar 31):

Are you a church member who is currently attending or bound for college or vocational school? Applications for St. Pete First Scholarships will be accepted beginning February 1st. Completed applications, along with supporting documents, must be delivered to the church office no later than the close of business on Monday, March 31. All continuing students must re-apply. Click here for more info & application form.