WELCOME
Many of us have experienced the uncertainty of visiting a church for the first time. We’ve created this page to give you an idea of what to expect when you walk through our doors.
Where is the church?
Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church, UCC, is located on Pass-A-Grille Way between 17th and 16th Avenues. Our address is 107 16th Ave., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706. We are the only church on Pass-A-Grille.
To get here, drive down Gulf Blvd., pass the Don CeSar Hotel, or if you’re coming over the Bayway, turn left in front of the Don. Go straight until you see our campus on your right.
Where should I park?
We have two parking lots, a paved lot, and a shell lot.
The paved lot is off 17th Avenue. To get there, turn right onto 17th Avenue before you see the church sign. The entrance is down the street, on your left. Once you park, walk through the glass door under the covered awning. If you’re attending our 8:30 am service, go straight to get to the pavilion. If you’re attending our 10 am service, turn right and go down the hall to the Sanctuary. There will be ushers to greet you.
The shell lot is off 16th Avenue. To get there, turn right onto 16th Avenue after the church sign, the parking lot entrance is immediately on your right. Once you park, walk down 16th Avenue, and you’ll see our covered pavilion which is where we have our 8:30 am service. If attending our 10 am service, walk up a few steps or take the ramp, and go in the door marked Sanctuary.
Is the building accessible?
Yes, ramps lead to the building from both parking lots. The ramp from the paved lot is in front of the handicap parking spaces. The ramps from the shell lot are off 16th Avenue.
When is worship?
September through June:
8:30 am • Pavilion
Outside on our covered pavilion, weather permitting. In the case of inclement weather, we move inside to the Fellowship Hall. Music is provided by Winston Culler on piano. Service is relaxed and informal. Communion is served weekly. No children’s programming is offered.
10 am • Sanctuary
Inside our church’s Sanctuary. Music is provided by Dale Williams on piano and organ, along with our church choir. We occasionally have guest musicians. Service is a traditional Protestant liturgy. Communion is served on the first Sunday of the month. Children’s Time, followed by Faith Formation, is offered.
July through August:
We have one service (a blend of our two services) at 10 am in our Sanctuary. Dale and Winston take turns leading the music from week to week. Communion is offered weekly. Children’s Time and Faith Formation are offered.
What should I wear?
Wear whatever you find comfortable. You’ll see people dress in a variety of ways from casual to more formal and everything in between.
How long does worship last?
Approximately one hour, followed by fellowship time with coffee and pastries. Everyone is welcome!
Where should I sit?
We have open seating at both services, so please sit wherever you’re comfortable.
What should I expect?
Our 8:30 am service is a relaxed mixture of scripture, preaching, music, prayer and weekly Communion. The pastor and a lay leader lead worship. Ushers will give you a bulletin, including a calendar and announcements, and pre-packaged Communion to be taken together toward the end of service. On the first Sunday of the month, we receive Communion by intinction.
Our 10 am service is a more traditional liturgy with scripture, preaching, hymns, choir anthems, prayer, Children’s Time, and Communion on the first Sunday of the month. Ushers will give you a bulletin, including a calendar and announcements. We also display the order of service on two large TV screens. We stand for various parts of the service, but if you don’t want to or are mobility impaired, you are welcome to stay seated. Singing is optional as well, but no need to feel shy, we encourage everyone to sing the hymns!
Who can receive Communion?
Everyone! The Communion table is open to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ’s love, adults and children are welcome.
What if I bring children?
We do not have programming for children during our 8:30 am service. Children are welcome to sit with you throughout the service.
At our 10 am service, we have Faith Formation (Sunday School) for children ages 4 and up, and we offer nursery care for children under 4 years old. Signe Webb, our Associate for Children and Youth will greet you and direct you to the Nursery. Older children stay with their parents in the Sanctuary until Children’s Time, then come forward to sit with Ms. Signe. Afterwards, children leave to do a Faith Formation lesson and are picked up by their parents after the service is over.
We have a Safe Church Policy, which ensures that children are always in the care of at least two unrelated adults who have had background checks.
All participation is optional. If you and your children are more comfortable staying together in the Sanctuary, that is completely fine. We welcome all generations in our worship service!
Still have questions?
We're here to help make your first visit easy and welcoming.
Pastor Angela is available after both services, so feel free to introduce yourself! We look forward to meeting you.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU