6/21/2026 – 4th Sunday After Pentecost – Worship + Weekly Announcements
4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
06-21-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ We Rejoice in God’s Presence +
THE OPENING RITE:
L Loving God, You see me and You know me.
You know my failures and my foolishness,
my sins and my selfishness,
my detours and my despair,
the times I have chosen to do wrong,
the times I have neglected to do right,
the times I have given up on You and given up on myself.
C Sometimes I find myself up against the wall,
at the bottom of the barrel,
at the end of my rope,
with no place to go but up,
and wondering if it is too late in my life.
L Loving God, You reach out to change each of us through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Saint Paul writes that the “old me” has died and been buried with Christ by his crucifixion,
and the “new me” is raised up through Christ, by his Easter victory.
C Lord, make us, then, NEW people,
focused upon NEW goals,
moved by NEW ambitions,
committed to NEW objectives,
reborn and willing,
unafraid and trusting Jesus with our life. Amen.
OPENING SONG: “LEAD ME, GUIDE ME” Brown #70
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together) :
Teach us, good Lord God, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to
heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that
we do your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
(Ignatius of Loyola, 16th Century founder of the Jesuits)
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 20:7-13
[Jeremiah is weary of being God’s prophet and wants to stop. He even feels deceived by God. He even regrets being born. But
he discovers that the message God has given him is burning inside him like a fire and cannot be ignored. And he also looks to
God for the solution to his struggle.]
SECOND READING: ROMANS 6:1b-11
[Paul believes that baptism is a journey or a process that occurs over an entire life. The movement is from the “old life” of sin
to a “new life” in Christ. In baptism we are buried with Christ, and raised with Christ. No longer does and should sin have
power over us… our ways, our values, and our objectives are all changed for something much better.]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”
HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 10:24-39
[Jesus warns his disciples, then and now, that their ministry in his name will surely meet with opposition and threats.
The cost of discipleship looks like a splintery cross. They and we are not to let fear bring despair and failure. Trust in
God through it all. Stay committed and on course as his disciples. “Keep on keepin’ on!”]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “THIS IS THE DAY” Brown #262
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
THE PEACE GREETING… We offer words and signs of GOD’S LOVE alive and real among us!
OFFERING… Let us offer our gifts and our lives, spreading God’s love as workers in the harvest!
In the Sanctuary put your offering in the offering plate. Or you can mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138. Or you can contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select. Or you can text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the
instructions for your contribution. Do not be too afraid to risk, to give, and to act.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
OFFERING SONG: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY SONG,
PRAISING MY SAVIOR ALL THE DAY LONG! [sing the chorus 2 times]
We are God’s people, we are Christ’s Church, called by God’s Spirit into the world.
We have God’s power from heaven above, we’ll share God’s justice, mercy and love!”
OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant:
Lord God, thank you for making a way out of no way in my life! During this summer may I dedicate
my leisure and my work, my rest and my travel, my service and my spending, my health and my
wealth, my worship and my witness to glorify You and to extend your Kingdom to others.
Someone somewhere is in need of your Good News. Amen.
THE PREFACE AND THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful… C … and set us on fire with your love! Alleluia!
L We give you thanks, O God, for giving life to all of creation, for the blessing of our own lives,
and for your grace and mercy.
We give you thanks, O God, for the gift of Jesus Christ, for the servant-love he showed us while living,
and for the salvation he gave us by dying.
We give you thanks, O God, for your Holy Spirit, for the community of faith you have built,
and for the witness of love you have empowered.
We join with all the saints on earth and all the angels in heaven
to praise your holy name and to sing with joy…
C [singing…] “Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
holy, holy, holy, holy.
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus,
We’re so glad that you redeemed us, precious Jesus…
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
come and fill our hearts anew, O Holy Spirit…”
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! You may come up by the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice; we will also have a tray of pre-poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles. PRAISE THE LORD FOR THIS COMMUNITY MEAL THAT RENEWS OUR SPIRITS, POWERS OUR FAITH, AND REMINDS US OF THE HEAVENLY BANQUET!
COMMUNION SONG: “LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER” Brown #123
COMMUNION SONG: “WHEN PEACE, LIKE A RIVER” Brown #194
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ We Rejoice in Our Mission +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor…We are sent forth to be and become the BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “WE SHALL OVERCOME” Brown #213
4TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 06-21-2026
Jeremiah has a vocational crisis at the mid-point of his ministry as a prophet. He feels caught in the middle, squeezed between a God who has insisted that he preach difficult words of warning and a people who refuse to receive the words he obediently and passionately shares. He blames God for this mess. He regrets the suffering and danger he has faced. He complains that God has deceived him, even overpowered him. And, at his lowest point, he wishes that he had never been born. But though Jeremiah had decided to keep still, he cannot, because the truth of God’s Word on the inside is like a burning fire shut up in his bones. He can’t keep still and he can’t stay silent. And Jeremiah somehow believes that God will be a strong protector against his enemies. Friends, walking with God, following Jesus, is not necessarily a pleasant journey. But Jesus has assured us, others have told us, and we have perhaps already experienced this – it is worth the risk. Do not fear. Trust the Lord with your life. Keep following. Become a better disciple.
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online).
JUNETEENTH. Our (Lutheran) Central Philadelphia Conference will have a table (with free info and giveaway tokens) at today’s tenth annual celebration at Malcolm X Park, 51st & Pine, West Philadelphia. The total time frame is noon to 7PM. The festival includes a parade (12:30PM), vendor marketplace, food and drink, youth pavilion, music and performances, and community resources.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Fathers and father figures, the best legacy any of us can pass on to the children we are in relationship with is the experience of our affirming love and the example of our everyday values. We need men and fathers tender enough to give love and strong enough to give leadership. Men, stay on course with your faith and your faithfulness! Thanks for being there and here! We love you and value you and pray for you.
BEAR CREEK CAMP! Some children will leave this afternoon for a week of spiritual growth, outdoor exploration (3,000 acres of forests, streams, and fields… 30 miles of trails), small group development, and adventure and fun at our Lutheran camp in the Pocono Mountains. The “Philly Connect” base fee will again be $75; additional items (Camp Store, photo or video) will cost extra. You can register online or on paper. See the Pastors if you have any questions. There are 8 sessions.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence!
Grateful and generous in our giving.
Beyond support of our 2026 Budget ($187,927 is what we envision spending this year) are those opportunities for special giving on behalf of others. They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (responding to international, national, and local hunger and poverty).
We received $100 last Sunday and $1,667 to date. Thank you for caring that shares! Your love is showing!
Lutheran Charities Appeal (assisting three local social ministry organizations – KenCrest Services, Lutheran
Settlement House, and Gemma Services – that serve thousands of neighbors with various needs).
We have received $496 to date. Lives are being changed! You are supporting health and help to others!
Mission Offering (For January 1 – June 30 it is Sisters of St. Joseph Refugee Housing Project. We sent them $579.65 in 2024.) We received $5 last Sunday and $512 to date. This offering ends very soon!
“God’s Global Barnyard” is an ELCA development project to fight poverty. We have received $20 to date.
What’s Happening…
June 28… PENTECOST 5. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
LOVE, NOT HATE. PEACE, NOT VIOLENCE.
MERCY, NOT GREED. JUSTICE, NOT ABUSE.
HUMILITY, NOT ARROGANCE. GOD’S TRUTH, NOT LIES. THE WAY OF JESUS, NOT JUST “MY WAY”.