South Tampa Fellowship Guest Page
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What To Expect When Visiting STFWe understand that coming onto the campus of South Tampa Fellowship for the first time may be a bit intimidating, and, without some guidance, even a bit confusing. So we've developed this section of our website to answer some questions you may have and to help you feel more comfortable as you visit our campus, get your children settled in Pier 3:16, and experience a dynamic time of worship in one of our two worship venues.
What Are the Two Worship Venues?Our East and West Worship Centers feature two distinct styles of worship: The West Worship Center features a live band leading worship with a contemporary music style, and the sermon is simulcast in high definition on a bigger-than-life-size screen. In the East Worship Center a live orchestra, choir, and worship team lead the congregation in a blended musical style that includes contemporary music as well as hymn arrangements, and the sermon is presented live.
What Should I Wear?Casual dress is fine. We’re more concerned about meeting your needs than what you wear. At South Tampa Fellowship you will see blue jeans, khakis, dresses and skirts. Dress however you feel comfortable.
What Are the Services Like?We strive to create a worship environment in which people can experience the presence of God. Our messages are Bible-based, presented in a creative way, and offer practical insights into relevant issues that concern everyone. We want your worship experience at South Tampa Fellowship to be one of the best hours of your week!
What About My Children?Babies, preschoolers, and children through fifth grade may be checked in for the first time at our Pier 3:16 children’s welcome desk. Greeters at the Connection Center can direct you to the children’s area. There will be an attendant at the desk to help register your child and point you to the appropriate classroom. A two-part security sticker is issued to each child. One part, which shows your child’s name, is affixed to your child’s back. You retain the second half as your “claim check” for when your child is retrieved at the end of the worship hour. Babies through 2-year-olds are accommodated in the nursery building, and older children’s rooms are in the first floor of our education building -- both areas accessible from Pier 3:16. A nursing mother’s room is also available. Parents who wish to be contacted in case of an emergency during the worship hour may pick up a pager at our welcome desk. On Sunday mornings, infants and toddlers are introduced to the Bible and begin learning how to praise God through our “Baby Church” curriculum. Preschoolers walk through God’s Word with “HeartShapers” materials. Kindergarteners and first-graders are introduced to the character and nature of God, while second- and third-graders learn about the patriarchs, and the inspiration and infallibility of Scripture. Fourth- and fifth-graders learn to apply Scripture to everyday life and live out their faith in practical ways. Whatever the age, we’ve got some great materials and some amazing teachers who are ready to help children discover how to have a relationship with God and how He can make a difference in their lives!
Where Does My Teenager Fit In?If you have high school or middle school students (6th - 12th grade), they will take part in one of our student Bible-study classes at 10:30 a.m. One of the goals of our Student Ministry is to consistently get students plugged in to a Sunday-morning Bible study. That way we know that they are continually being challenged to journey deep into God’s Word! Each Sunday morning, before it’s time for classes to begin, you’ll find our students hanging out on the second floor in the student wing, just at the top of the main stairwell and down the hall. At 10:30 all middle school students go to room B203 and all high school students go to room B200 for large-group assemblies – that’s where announcements are made and a short preview of their lesson is given. From there they split up into grade- and gender-specific Bible-study classes, which run until 11:30. We encourage you to worship together as a family at our 9 a.m. service, then participate in one of our adult Bible-study classes at 10:30 while your teenager is in a student Bible-study class.
What Kind of Sunday-Morning Adult Bible-Study Classes Do You Offer?We have a wide variety of adult Bible-study classes, serving every demographic. In our adult classes, we use the “Big Idea” concept. What is the Big Idea? The Big Idea uses creative repetition to develop experiences that convey and challenge individuals in the classes with one big idea at a time. We take the members of all our adult Bible-study classes deeper into the concepts and ideas that are being talked about in the sermon series on Sunday mornings. Please click the link for a list of all our adult Bible-study classes.
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