What To Expect When Visiting STF
We 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 Sunday morning services feature two distinct styles of worship: 9:00 AM features a worship team lead the congregation in a blended musical style that includes contemporary music as well as hymn arrangements. 10:30 AM features a live band with a contemporary music style.
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 suites and ties.... 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?
Our young STF children are full of wonder and excitement about the world around them. That is why we use a web-based curriculum called First Look to help babies to five-year-olds discover who God is. The program teaches three key truths: God made me, God loves me and Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Each month one of these three basic truths is taught through Bible stories, music and engaging activities. To help reinforce what was taught, parents receive a "Parent Cue" sheet when they pick up their children that gives suggested activity ideas to complete at home.
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.
