Newsletter for

March 23, 2023

March 26, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Never Once

When God Draws Near

At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Sermon

"Encounters: Lazarus"

John 11:1-45

Ben Winder

Holy Week Schedule

We hope you will make plans to join us for the special events and services we have planned during Holy Week to help the week be as meaningful as possible for you.

Palm Sunday Picnic & Egg Hunt - April 2 | 11:30 a.m.

Make plans to stay after worship as the whole church family enjoys a Fellowship Lunch picnic and our kids hunt eggs on the back lawn.

Maundy Thursday Service - April 6 | 6 p.m.

We will join around tables for a time of worship, a shared meal, and communion as we remember the events of the upper room on the night that Jesus was betrayed.

Good Friday Stations of the Cross - April 7 | 5:30 p.m.

During this experiential worship event, we will walk around the church campus to participate in tangible activities and prayers that help us symbolically follow in Jesus' footsteps on his way to the cross. This is an event for the whole church family - strollers and wheelchairs are welcome!

Short-term Adult Classes | Sundays - 9 a.m.

Spring Session 2: March 5 - April 9

Dan Edwards & Roger Henricksen | Room 203

Faith and Finance is a unique combination of the biblical principles of money management, the practical lessons of life, and proven academic information on this topic. This class is a great fit for anyone wanting practical, biblical information about managing their finances. Last week we discussed dealing with major purchases: housing & automobiles. Here's what's coming up:

Sunday, March 26

"Saving and Investing"

Dan's decades of experience in Financial Management as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and NAPA Certified Plan Fiduciary Adviser (CPFA™) will help guide this important topic.

Sunday, April 2

"Estate Planning Mistakes and Solutions"

Special guest, Laurie Valentine, will utilize her years of experience in Estate and Philanthropic Law to offer a presentation which covers estate planning and incapacity planning basics, as well as information about trusts, estate taxes, and legacy planning. For those who already have their plans in place, attending offers the opportunity to give your plan a “checkup” to determine if you have made any of the “mistakes” we will explore and, if so, learn about the ways to fix those mistakes.

Aimee Hobbs | Room 204

Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is a truly epic story. Whether you’ve tackled the 1,400-page 19th century novel, witnessed the Broadway musical (and memorized its soundtrack), or seen the several screen adaptations of it, you already know the power of its story.

This week, we'll explore the gift of love through the story of Marius and Cosette. While the surrounding events in Les Misérables are dark, the love that grows between them brings light, hope, and motivation to the story. As Christians, our motivation is love. Love of God brings love of neighbor, and that love of neighbor deepens our love of God. Marius and Cosette share one of the few happy endings this story has to offer. Is their marriage Victor Hugo's way of saying that goodness wins out in the end?

Join us for this intersection of Church and Pop Culture drawing parallels between the iconic story and musical and our Christian calling, inspiring us to both understand our faith and live it out in the world.

Children's Choirs | Sundays - 9 a.m.

While adults are in Bible studies we have children's choirs for both preschool and elementary age which meet each Sunday. The Kids Choir is currently preparing to sing in worship on Palm Sunday - there's still time to join us!

Preschool Choir - Room 109

Kids Choir - Library (Room 206)

Church Workday

THIS SATURDAY March 25 | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

This Saturday, March 25 we will join forces to do some Spring cleaning and sprucing up of our church campus. There will be jobs for every age and ability! You can stay all day or come for a bit, and lunch will be available for those who want it.



Please sign up so we can be prepared for your help!

Egg & Candy Donations for Easter Egg Hunt

We're hosting an Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic after worship on Palm Sunday, April 2.

You are invited to donate plastic Easter eggs and/or candy to go inside them!

There are drop off locations around the church.

FAST Nehemiah Action

Monday, March 27, 7 p.m. | Indian Rocks Baptist

Our mission partner, Faith and Action for Strength Together (FAST), is a partnership of 50+ congregations across Pinellas County working for justice in our community.

Following listening sessions at house meetings to identify issues and research to identify concrete solutions to those issues, Nehemiah Action is our largest gathering of the year, where we ask public officials to make a commitment to implement these solutions!

At this year's action we'll be celebrating the coming launch of the new Pinellas County mental health and addiction services central pathway, and asking for commitments from leaders on affordable housing for those who need it most, arrest diversion for non-dangerous traffic violations, and implementing rain garden policies to improve water quality to reduce flooding and red tide.

People power matters, and your presence at Nehemiah Action makes a difference in making justice happen in our community! Please make plans to join us Monday night.

Family Promise 5K

Our mission partner Family Promise of Pinellas County has a benefit run in April.

You can sign up online to run, donate, or volunteer!

We're Hiring!

Church Business Administrator

The Personnel Committee and Executive Leadership team has approved the creation of a full-time Church Business Administrator position, and we're looking for the right individual to join our church staff in this role.

This role will serve as the primary advisor of financial and human resources operations for the church, while also assisting the Pastoral Staff in required tasks and managing the church office. Please be praying for the right person for this important position, and encourage folks you know who might be a good fit to submit their resume and/or any questions to: fbc@fbcstpete.org.

PromiseLand Assistant Director

This role will make a difference in the lives of young children and their families by supporting the Director in effectively and efficiently running all school operations. The Assistant Director promotes the social, physical, and intellectual growth of the children under his/her care and works with the school’s staff to create an environment of learning while keeping parents informed of the progress of their child.

It is a Salaried Full-time position. Benefits are available.

Submit a resume and/or questions to: fbc@fbcstpete.org.

Tim Hawkins Concert

Rescheduled for Friday, June 2!

If you purchased tickets through the church, and can not attend the new date, please reach out to Aimee Hobbs for information on receiving a refund. Refunds must be requested by April 5th and the original tickets must be returned to the church.

If you purchased tickets through the church and can attend the new date, hold onto your tickets - they will still be valid. You do not need to exchange them.

St. Pete Arts Academy Presents

Summer Arts Camp 2023

We are hosting this two week summer day camp with activities including Pop and Musical Theater, Hip Hop Dancing, Drama, and most importantly, having FUN, FUN, FUN!

Make new friends, cultivate an interest in Theater Arts, build your skills, confidence, and self-esteem, all under the direction and care of a fabulous faculty, including our own Director of Church Music Michael McCarthy.

Who: Completed Kindergarten-8th Grade

Dates: Monday-Friday, June 5-June 9 & June 12-June 16

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day (campers bring a sack lunch)

Location: First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg (1900 Gandy Blvd)

Cost: $395*

Family & Friends Showcase: Friday, June 16, 6:30 p.m.

*Sponsorships and discounts available upon request.

First Baptist Happenings

• Porsche Pantry - April 1, 2-4 p.m. | The Suncoast Porsche Club will be hosting a food drive benefiting our food pantry & displaying their cars in our West Parking Lot. All are invited!

• Senior Adult Monday Fun Day - April 3, 10:30 a.m. | Join us at Sawgrass Lake Park for fellowship and a picnic. The church will provide chicken & drinks, and you're invited to bring salads, sides, or desserts. RSVP online or by calling the church office.

• Senior Adult Retreat - May 7-9 | Join us for a retreat in beautiful St. Simons Island! Hosted by CBF Georgia, we'll spend time in worship and Bible study, fellowship, workshops, and fun! For more information, or to sign-up, contact Aimee or click here.

• Monday Morning Prayer | All are invited to a time of prayer and praise led by our deacons each Monday morning at 9 a.m. in the Narthex. You may submit prayer requests online.

• Church History Team | Are you interested in history? Would you like to help dive into the church archives to tell the First Baptist story? We would love to have you on our Church History Team! Contact Paula James for more information.

• Coffee & Pastries | All are invited to a time of fellowship in the Narthex each Sunday before worship. February's refreshments are sponsored by John Gaydos & A Movie Ministry (amovieministry.com). Interested in sponsoring a month of coffee & pastries this year? Contact Aimee or Ben for more details.

March

25 - Church Workday

27 - FAST Nehemiah Action - Indian Rocks Baptist Church | 7 p.m.

April

2 - Palm Sunday

2 - Picnic & Egg Hunt | 11:30 a.m.

3 - Monday Fun Day

6 - Maundy Thursday Dinner and Communion | 6 p.m.

7 - Good Friday Stations of the Cross | 5:30 p.m.

9 - Easter Sunday

23-30 - Family Promise Hosting Week

29 - Serve St Pete Day

May

1 - Monday Fun Day

6 - CBF Florida & Caribbean Islands Spring Celebration - Bayshore Baptist Church

7 - Fellowship Lunch

7-9 - Senior Adult Retreat - St. Simons Island

19 - Promiseland VPK Graduation

21 - Discover First Baptist Lunch