7th Sunday after Epiphany – 2/23/2025 Worship and Announcements
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
7 th Sunday after Epiphany
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
94th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S (postponed until 3/02/25)
02-23-2025 10:00AM Hybrid Worship
+ GATHERING +
THE OPENING RITE:
L The WORD became flesh and, full of grace and truth, lived among us.
C We have seen his glory, the glory which he received as the SON OF GOD!
L The world tells us this, the world tells us that, about “the way things are”…
C but today we are silent, today we are still, today we want to let God speak to our hearts.
L We want to be right, to do right, to go beyond religious regulations and get deeper than just our actions…
C by reaching all the way down into our personal thoughts and motives.
L We want to fully embody the kingdom of God beyond our hearts…
C by reaching all the way out with respect, honor, and care in our homes, communities, and world.
L If this is honestly true of us, then let us carefully listen and courageously live as Christ commands –
C To be merciful, as God is merciful,
to meet hatred with kindness,
to answer curses with blessing,
to forgive as God has forgiven us,
to love without holding back,
to give without thought of return,
to move from any hurt and hate we might treasure to grace-filled living and loving…
all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
OPENING SONG: “AT CALVARY” Tan #246
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
O Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace, that where there is hatred we, we may sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; and where there is despair, hope.
Grant, O Divine Master, that we may seek to console, to understand, and to love in your name.
Lord, keep us thirsty in our hearts and busy in our witness. So be it, Amen.
+ THE HOLY WORD +
FIRST READING: Genesis 45:3-11, 15
[Joseph shows mercy to brothers who had sold him into slavery. God calls and empowers us to be just as
merciful!]
PSALM: Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 (responsive reading)
[Move from hurt and hate in response to what others have done. Think right, say right, do right, and be right, in
the Lord!]
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
[Christ’s resurrection victory is our power and our promise. It does matter that we try to live faithfully and love
fervently!]
SONG BY THE CHILDREN
GOSPEL VERSE: “Always remember Jesus, Jesus.
Always remember Jesus, Jesus.
Always keep Him on your mind.”
THE GOSPEL: Luke 6:27-38
[Jesus’ words turn the world around… and they can turn us around too. Practice love… then practice some
more.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “LOVE ROUND”
(1) Love… love… love… love. (2) Joy… joy… joy… joy
The gospel in one word is love. The gospel in one word is joy.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Joy that fills to overflowing.
Love… love… love. Joy… joy… joy.
(3) Peace… peace… peace… peace. (4) Jesus… Jesus… Jesus… Jesus,
The gospel in one word is peace. Can I tell you how I feel?
Peace that passes understanding. You have given me your Spirit.
Peace… peace… peace. I love you so.
THE PRAYERS… We pray that we may see, accept, and bear THE LIGHT OF CHRIST in our lives!
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM [Jonathan, previously baptized into the ONE Church of Jesus Christ on this earth, now
officially joins our St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church family through public affirmation of his baptism.]
L Let us pray. Merciful God, we thank you for our brother in Christ, whom you have made your own by water
and the Word in baptism. You have called him to yourself, enlightened him with the gifts of your Spirit,
and nourished him in the community of faith. Uphold your servant in the gifts and promises of baptism,
and unite the hearts of all that you have brought to new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ.
C Amen.
L I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces of evil that defy God?
I renounce them.
L Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
I renounce them.
L Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
I renounce them.
L Do you believe in God the Father?
(and ALL) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
L Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
(and ALL) I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of
the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died,
and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into
heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come to judge the living and the
dead.
L Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
(and ALL) I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
L You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with
you in holy Baptism: to live among God’s faithful people; to hear the Word of God and share in the Lord’s
supper; to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; to serve all people, following
the example of Jesus; and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.
L People of God, do you promise to support our brother and pray for him in his life in Christ?
C We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
L (laying hands on and praying) O God, stir up in Jonathan the gift of your Holy Spirit:
the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the
fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.
+ THE HOLY MEAL +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
Jesus is telling us to love ALL others – including enemies – as we love ourselves. Will we try this
as we offer our tithes and gifts? Will we remember that we have sisters and brothers in our world
suffering and in need? Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share
their gratitude and their generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those farther away can: mail a
check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19138… or contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-
time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select… or text Give+ at 833-914-
0896 and follow the instructions to register and record your contribution.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE”
(1) This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
(2) Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
(3) Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
OFFERING PRAYER by the Communion Assistant:
O Lord our God, You have anointed us to bring good news and to proclaim liberty, to bind up the
brokenhearted and to liberate the oppressed. Help us to shine forth always and in all ways with the
bright glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE PREFACE:
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 THANKS AND PRAISE!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous
distribution” with wafers and either wine or grape juice. CHRIST COMES TO US IN BREAD AND WINE AND BLESSING,
BRINGING US PEACE, UNITY, STRENGTH, AND HOPE!
COMMUNION SONGS: “HE HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR ME” Tan #507
“THE GIFT OF LOVE” Tan #522
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ SENDING +
BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God sends us TO SHINE with the Light of Jesus Christ in a shadowy world!
CLOSING SONG: “LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS” Tan #371
94th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S… if we have a quorum.
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Revs. Gwendolyn Johnson-Bond & Neil A. Bond, Co-Pastors
7th Sunday After Epiphany
02-23-2025
In Genesis, a story. In Luke, a sermon. Both say the same thing. The story of Joseph
mirrors the challenging words of Jesus. “Love your enemies,” Jesus said. Miraculously,
Joseph loves the jealous brothers whose hatred deprived him of parents and home and
changed his life forever. “Do good to those who hate you,” Jesus commanded.
Unbelievably, Joseph meets his frightened brothers, not with swift justice or sweet retaliation,
the fruits of simmering hurt and anger, but with joyful reconciliation and careful plans for their
welfare.
A story like this and a sermon like that perhaps cut through your own stuff and remind
you how far you and I still need to travel in the footsteps of Jesus. We are sometimes so busy
avoiding and judging others, condemning, hating, and striking back that we do not engage in
forgiveness, sharing, and showing mercy. Jesus continues to walk on, with or without us.
Month of February… BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Discover. Celebrate. Commit to the
future.
You are invited to wear Afrocentric clothing or appropriately messaged shirts this month.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 9:30AM Senior Ministry “Sister Talk” Study and Discussion. Men are also invited.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Whole Foods fresh produce distribution.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops.
Saturday, 11:00AM Funeral meal rental in Rhoda Hall.
What’s Happening…
Month of March… Women’s History Month. Don’t allow regression and repression to
destroy progress into the future!
March 2… TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD. Hybrid Worship at 10AM.
Alternate date for Annual Congregational Meeting.
March 5… Online prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30 – 7:00PM.
March 5… ASH WEDNESDAY, FIRST DAY OF LENT. Repent and Renew!
12:00 noon Worship “in person” in the Sanctuary.
7:00PM Worship “in person” in the Sanctuary and “online”.
March 8… Women’s Ministry “Gathering” in person and on Zoom, 11:00AM.
March 12, 19, 26… Online prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30 – 7:00PM.
March 29… “Jazz Luncheon” presented by our Scholarship Committee, 11AM – 2PM, $30 donation. Please
contact Jerona Jackson Rice, Veronica Britto, or any Scholarship Committee member.
November 7, 2028… U.S. Presidential Election. Stay resilient and loving in the midst of all the
trauma and drama and negative chatter.