Beach Drive Forums are monthly conversations for the community with intriguing speakers on thought-provoking topics. Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 PM in Fellowship Hall (doors open at 5:30, presentation at 6:00). Refreshments and Q&A included. Open to the public; Everyone is welcome! The best parking is the church lot off N. Shore Drive. 

FEBRUARY 19

Ray Arsenault PhD, John Hope Franklin Professor of Southern History Emeritus at USF, shares his thoughts on his newest book John Lewis: In Search of the Beloved Community, a biography of Hon. John Lewis, Civil Rights legend and lifelong public servant. Dr. Arsenault is noted for his numerous award-winning books on southern history.

Share the love with Your church family

AT OUR NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER

February 12, 5:30 PM, Fellowship Hall

This will be a great chance to get to know your new Pastor! There will be crafts and fun activities for the kids!! For dinner, we'll be serving ham, scalloped potatoes, and all the fixin’s!

Please CLICK HERE to let us know you'll be there (remember to make your RSVP "Yes") or call the Church Office (727-822-2031)!

The Deacons are giving our annual Seniors Luncheon on Tuesday, February 11 11:30 AM in Fellowship Hall. Great food and fellowship for seniors and friends! Please call the Church Office to RSVP.

Let’s Rise by Lifting Others: Hands and Hearts 

Mission Sunday: Feb. 9, 10-11 AM, Fellowship Hall

Your Mission Committee is asking for First Presbyterian members and friends to bring the following items to benefit CASA and the Free Clinic:  

• Bath towels 

• Shampoo and combs/brushes 

• Ladies’ and kids’ underwear and socks 

• Snacks for kids 

NOTE: Boxes for donation collection will be located by the giving trees in both worship spaces annotated “MISSION SUNDAY.” 

We will need many hands to help sort and pack from 10:00 to 11:00 AM between our two services. Calling kids of all ages! We especially need YOUR help decorating burlap bags and filling them with snacks! We will supply the markers and stickers. 

Please help us make this a wonderful mission event. THANK YOU! 

“Nature The Beautiful” In Alcohol Ink

...a fresh look at images from Patricia Chase

Opening Friday, Feb. 7 

Explore the spontaneous energy of color explosion in images of curious turtles, majestic whales, and various fauna at the February 7, 5:30-7:30 PM, opening of local artist Patricia Chase’s exhibit in the new Chapel Gallery of First Presbyterian Church.  The art show will be open through March 2.

Workshops will be offered by Chase on February 18 and 22 to allow participants to experience the pleasure of creating art using alcohol ink.

For eight years, Patricia Chase was director of Suntan Art Center on St. Pete Beach.  She has degrees in art and art history and has owned art businesses in Vermont and Connecticut.  In addition to loving to explore the surprises of painting with alcohol ink, she works in warm glass, kiln-fired glass, glass mosaic and acrylics. 

“Nature the Beautiful In Alcohol Ink”, offered by the Arts Connection at First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Drive NE, St. Pete, is a free show, everyone is welcome.  For more information about this show or other Arts Connection activities, please call the Church Office.

Afro Opera LLC

Featuring Maiya Stevenson, Soprano

Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 4:00 PM

Soprano singer and music teacher Maiya Stevenson is a St. Pete native and local treasure. Maiya and the musicians at Afro Opera LLC unite to perform a recital of classical works by African-American composers. CLICK HERE to see a Bay News 9 news clip highlighting Miaya and her incredible talent. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit First Presbyterian Church Concert Series.

Join us for a kid-friendly re-telling of the nativity story!

Our 4:00 PM Christmas Eve service will feature the Christmas story and Christmas carols!

All kids are welcome in the service; there will not be childcare.

Celebratory Luncheon for Rev. Ginny

Please join us in celebrating Rev. Ginny’s last day with us on Sunday, December 22nd, following the 11 AM service. Ginny has served as our interim pastor for over three years. Under her leadership, Ginny has guided our church through the healing process and strengthened our commitment to being disciples of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for her hard work and dedication to our church, and she will be deeply missed!

The Men’s Meal Ministry has graciously agreed to prepare and serve their famous meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans for lunch (there will also be a vegetarian/gluten free option for those who request it; please call the Church Office). We are asking anyone who might be interested to bring a pie for dessert.

Please sign up by clicking HERE or by calling the Church Office to let us know you are planning to attend.

The Session has approved a love offering for Rev. Ginny Ellis as she leaves her interim work here. If you are interested in contributing to a Love Offering for Ginny, please make a check payable to the church and note “Love Offering” in the memo line. You can place the check in the offering plate, mail it to the church, or contribute online by clicking here. Contributions will be accepted until December 22, 2024.

Wednesday Night Dinner

December 11 at 5:30 PM

Fellowship Hall

Join us for food and fellowship at the last Wednesday Night Dinner of 2024! We’ll have a delicious lasagna dinner and Christmas crafts and games for the whole family!

Please CLICK HERE to let us know you'll be there (remember to make your RSVP "Yes") or call the Church Office (727-822-2031)!

FREE (no ticket required!) Benefit Concert, Featuring: Pinellas County Center for the Arts Choirs, First Presbyterian Church Chancel and Handbell Choirs, and Guest Singers from the Tampa Bay Area

Join us as we celebrate the miracle of Christmas through this beloved annual concert bathed in candlelight. 

Student musicians and dancers from the Pinellas County Center for the Arts join with the First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir and community singers to continue this holiday tradition and support St. Pete Free Clinic. If you would like to donate online, you can click HERE.

Beach Drive Forums are monthly conversations for the community with intriguing speakers on thought-provoking topics. Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 PM in Fellowship Hall (doors open at 5:30, presentation at 6:00). Refreshments and Q&A included. Open to the public; Everyone is welcome! The best parking is the church lot off N. Shore Drive. 

November 20

"Remembering My Friend, Elie Wiesel"

Carolyn Johnston PhD will share with us treasured remembrances of her remarkable longtime colleague, Elie Wiesel, a writer, professor, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Holocaust survivor. Dr. Johnston is the Elie Wiesel Professor of Humane Letters at Eckerd College, author of five books, and teacher of History and American Studies; she taught alongside Dr. Elie Wiesel the 24 years he spent on faculty at Eckerd.

Bethune Cookman Concert Chorale

under the direction of Karl Richards

Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 PM

Known for performing a variety of music in the classical, jazz, and gospel styles, the 60 members of the Bethune Cookman Concert Chorale will lift our spirits in song. This concert features the music of African-American composers paired with the robust sounds of the Chorale and their featured soloists. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit First Presbyterian Church Concert Series.

Wednesday Night Dinner

November 13 at 5:30 PM

Fellowship Hall

Join us for food and fellowship at our next Wednesday Night Dinner! On the menu this month will be a delicious Chicken Casserole!

We are also planning on a fun night for families, as there will be Advent-related games, crafts, and activities they can participate in!

To reserve your place at the table, please CLICK HERE or call the Church Office (727-822-2031)!

Gather all your little ghosts and goblins and head over to First Pres for our annual Trunk or Treat and Great Chili Cook-Off Saturday, Oct. 26 from 4-6 p.m.

We’ll have Candy! Face Painting! Games! Fun Inflatables! Costumes! A photo booth! Hot dogs! Amazing chilis to sample!

Family-friendly! Fun for all ages! All are welcome! Don’t forget to wear your costumes!

For more information, CLICK HERE!

This month's adventure is Friday, October 18, 7:30 PM: Spitfire Comedy House, Whose Line St. Pete? Their improv show (family friendly = rated E for EVERYONE). Cost is $25/person. Contact Dave Hunt (dhunt@fpc-stpete.org) ASAP (we need advance notice to purchase tickets!).

“FPC Gets Artsy” Art Exhibit

Members and friends of FPC have enthusiastically placed pieces of art they created or art from their collection in the “FPC Gets Artsy” art show. Displayed are watercolors, oils, acrylics, pottery, bronze sculpture, decorator pieces, fabric art, and much more.

Opening night - Friday, October 4 - will provide the first opportunity for the entire congregation and friends to experience this variety of art and to talk with the artists and owners about why these pieces are special to them. Additionally, that evening a children’s Treasure Hunt will allow young art enthusiasts to closely explore the works of art, finding answers to clues on their hunt list.

Art will be on display Sundays 11 AM – 12:30 PM and before and after special events in the Chapel Gallery.

Family Movie Night

Friday, September 27

6-8 PM in the Youth Center

We'll be watching the 2023 animated movie Migration starting at 6 PM in the Youth Center. Pizza, hot dogs, and snacks will be served! Feel free to bring blanket and/or pillows to get nice and comfortable! Everyone is welcome!

Join us on Sunday, September 22, at 1:30 PM at the Morean Arts Center for their Chihuly Collection (glass artworks). The cost is $20/person (or $18 for anyone 65+). A group discount is available IF we get 10 or more people going. Contact Dave Hunt (dhunt@fpc-stpete.org) if you would like more information, if you would like to be involved, and/or if you would like a docent-led tour!

Beach Drive Forums are monthly conversations for the community with intriguing speakers on thought-provoking topics. Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 PM in Fellowship Hall (doors open at 5:30, presentation at 6:00). Refreshments and Q&A included. Open to the public; Everyone is welcome! The best parking is the church lot off N. Shore Drive. 

SEPTEMBER 18

Saturday Night Lights: Florida and Football

Gary Mormino PhD, Professor Emeritus of Florida History and co-founder of the Florida Studies program at USF St Petersburg, will regale us with stories of Floridians and their die-hard passion for football. A past recipient of the Florida Humanities Lifetime Achievement Award for Writing as well as named a Florida Icon by Florida Trend, Dr. Mormino has authored numerous books on Florida history

Italian Night!

Wednesday September 11, at 5:30 PM

BUON APPETITO! Our first Fall 2024 Wednesday Night Supper will be September 11, starting at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Dinner will start with our spectacular homemade marinara sauce with your choice of turkey or beef meatballs, a great big salad and, of course, warm garlic bread! To reserve your place at the table, please CLICK HERE or call the Church Office (727-822-2031)!

If you are interested in learning more about our church and how you become a member, you are invited to join us for a New Member Inquirer’s class led by Pastor Ginny Ellis in the Conference Room at about 10:00, between our two worship services. 

The class is tailored to the interests of participants but generally includes a look at our beliefs and mission as well as our connection to the wider church. Whether new to the denomination or a member since childhood, everyone will find out something about what it means to be a Presbyterian.

Any questions are welcome and often spark enlightening discussions. There is no obligation, but Elders will be present so that you can make that deeper commitment of membership at the end of the class if you choose.

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, August 18

As hard as it is to believe, the end of summer is right around the corner! As kids get ready to return to school, we would like to send them off to the new school year with a blessing! On Sunday, August 18, Pastor Ginny will be blessing backpacks as a part of the Moment for All Ages during both services. So be sure to encourage the school-age kids in your life to join us that weekend!

FAITH DAY AT THE RAYS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2024

$40/PERSON

Tickets price includes a seat in Section 131 with the St Pete First group, a free Rays hat, and wristband for entry to the postgame Faith Night event featuring Team Chaplain & player testimonies.

DEADLINE to buy tickets: Sunday, August 4.

To Purchase Tickets: Visit David Aumack at the Rays Day Table on Sunday, Aug 11th before or after Worship — or — CLICK HERE to fill out the form below and Dave will contact you!

FPC Friends and Family: you are invited to our Fourth of July Ice Cream Social!

Join us in the Fellowship Hall for ice cream, sundaes, and shakes! We’ll also have water activities outside for the children (please wear your swimsuits!) and inside games for kids and adults alike! Not to mention our FREE DOWNTOWN PARKING and great location to see the St. Pete fireworks (scheduled for 9 p.m.)!

Questions? Please call the Church Office!

Don’t miss our next Wednesday Night supper!

Join us Wednesday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for a create-your-own loaded baked potato. We’ll have all the fixin’ plus some great desserts! Come enjoy the fun and fellowship as we welcome family, friends and neighbors to join us. All ages are warmly invited!

If you plan to attend, please RSVP by clicking HERE or call the Church Office - thanks!

This month's adventure is an "IMMERSIVE" experience into the arts at the Fairgrounds of St. Pete! Everywhere our group has been so far, it's been: "No touching the artwork!" Well, HA HA! This trip is all about being "IN" the art! Plus, right next door are the art studios (the Factory) of many of the artists! We'll be carpooling from FPC at 1 PM or you can meet us at the Fairgrounds at 1:30 on Sunday afternoon, June 9th. Cost is $25/person at the door. Questions? Want to participate? Call the Church Office!