Sometimes we need a hope-filled chorus to sing at the top of our lungs, as our hearts ache. Other times, a refrain of peace, put on repeat, as we wait for answers. Advent is a season of waiting and anticipating that acknowledges the longing of every heart. We’ll turn to the songbook of the Bible and explore psalms of hope, peace, joy and love. For generations these songs have brought deep assurance and comfort, and now they’re ours to sing.
Join us this Sunday for Songs of Hope – a new Advent series
Listen to the latest Talk on our podcast HERE.
“This Time Tomorrow” segments are snapshots that highlight the intersection of faith and work in those who are a part of Local Church St. Pete.
We had the joy of hearing Emma Biddle share about her work as an Animal Care Specialist at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. She helps rehabilitate manatees from rescue to release. Day to day she cares for the manatees, educates guests on the importance of protecting them, and works with vets to make sure the manatees are on target to return to the wild. Emma finds joy in caring for creation and stewarding the earth well, protecting what God has created.
It’s our hope that conversations like these would inspire us to live out our faith in Jesus every day of the week, viewing work (our vocation) as an opportunity to reflect His character and give Him honor and praise.
You can visit our Local Church St. Pete podcast to stream This Time Tomorrow, HERE. We pray it is an encouragement to you and where God has you!
Join us this Sunday, October 13th for either of our updated gathering times:
9:30a (Local Kids is able to offer: Nursery 0-23 months BUT feel free to worship alongside your kids in the main gathering)
11a (Local Kids is able to offer: Nursery through 5th grade)
Livestream: no internet at building so we will record 11AM and post Sunday afternoon.
As we look to where our hope is found – we’ll fix our eyes on Jesus through song, prayer and the Word of God. We are praying our gathering will bring great renewal and encouragement.
Though Helene and Milton have passed, let’s remain prayerful and intentional to stand together and love our neighbors. The first thing we can do is pray for those impacted by the storm. Pray for comfort, peace, discernment, restoration, hope and provision.
Many in our community will also need our tangible help in the days and weeks to come. Simply checking on friends and neighbors or making sure those who live alone are cared for is a simple expression of love and a sweet opportunity to bless those around us.
House Groups and Serve Teams – this is a time to communicate what real needs there are within your groups and to serve each other in love. Camaraderie and community are so important as we begin cleanup and restoration. Those who have been impacted by flooding will need a place to stay, those without electricity may need somewhere to charge devices or help with a load of laundry.
Let’s stay connected and serve each other with simple acts of kindness and mercy. We’ve heard many reports of this already happening and are so thankful!
Please click HERE to share prayer requests and needs.
If you have skills that can be used in relief and recovery, please email [email protected].
God is aware of all of this, none of it is catching him by surprise. He’s with us and will see us through it.
Resource List:
Hurricane Relief Resources – St. Petersburg
We had the joy of hearing a Global Mission Update from our very own Liz DiPietro, who serves with the Jesus Film Project. Since 1979, Jesus Film has been sharing the hope of the gospel around the world—now in over 2,000 languages. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure no one has to learn a second language to hear Jesus speak. By creating media in people’s heart languages, they’re helping everyone, everywhere, encounter Christ in a personal way.
The Jesus Film Project is doing life-changing work around the globe and it’s a privilege to partner with them in their mission. We will be holding an interest meeting for individuals seeking to get more involved with The Jesus Film Project on Thursday, October 9th from 7-8:30p at the building.
Listen to the full update on our podcast
HERE.
LOCAL Kids has the privilege of serving over 100 children each Sunday, and we are growing! That’s 100 hearts and minds learning about Jesus and what it means to follow him, and it’s central to our mission to be disciples who make disciples.
In order for us to have a healthy team, we are urgently needing an additional 10 team members to begin serving at our 8 AM gathering. Additional team members will allow us to offer Chapel (1st-5th grade students) at this service so we can accommodate more families across all three of our Sunday gatherings.
Please consider how you can participate in this need as we partner together on mission, making disciples and growing in community. Would you be willing to serve at the 8 AM gathering, one time per month?
Click HERE to get started!
Questions? Email Summer Smalley at [email protected]
On June 8th at 1p, after our Sunday morning gatherings, we’ll meet at North Shore Park to celebrate baptisms!
Baptism is an outward demonstration of a person’s inward confession of faith and acceptance of Jesus as savior. It’s symbolic of Jesus’ death and resurrection, through which we are given new life and our sins are forgiven.
Interested in baptism? Have questions about it? Are you walking alongside someone who desires to be baptized? Let’s begin the conversation!
Get started by reviewing this Baptism Information and filling out a brief form HERE.
Our quarterly Men’s Discipleship Meeting is Saturday, August 15th @ 9AM.
We will gather at the building to share a breakfast together, hear a brief talk from scripture and then split into groups to discuss, pray and connect with other men on a deeper level.
It’s also a great space to find others who are interested in forming an ongoing Discipleship Group (smaller groups of 2-4 that meet throughout the month).
If you plan to attend, please REGISTER HERE so we know how much food is needed.
Where do you find the strength to endure? Where do you look when external pressure or opposition begin to wear you out? When internal fears or cynicism seem to have the loudest voice?
The book of Hebrews, originally written to followers of Jesus tempted to shrink back, invites us to look to the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus once again – or maybe for the first time. With great care and timeless encouragement we’re invited to see Jesus for who he really is and find in him the empowerment we need to endure.
Join us this Sunday as we continue “Looking to Jesus” – a series in the book of Hebrews. Listen to the latest Talk in this series on our podcast HERE.
If you’re engaged or want to explore the possibility of marriage with your partner, make plans to participate in our upcoming Pre-Marriage Class. This will be a series of five sessions designed to help couples learn more about Christ-centered marriage and more about each other in order to build strong foundations for their future together.
Meetings will be held on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm from August 9th through September 13th, and each couple will be paired with a mentor couple for encouragement.
This class is a requirement if you desire to be married by a Local Church St. Pete pastor. Registration closes Sunday, August 2nd. Cost is $30 per person/$60 per couple.
Contact Pastor Ronnie with any questions: [email protected]