Weekly Announcements for August 10-17, 2025
PENTECOST 9 08-10-2025
Once we have personally answered, “Who is Jesus?”, then we must ask, “And what does it mean to follow Jesus?” The recent Gospel readings continue to answer that second question. The last few weeks we have been taught about such things as the high cost of discipleship, traveling light and single-minded in mission, widening the “neighbor” circle of our love to include even unlikely others, not being too busy and distracted to listen to the Word that gives life, the importance of prayer, and the seductive power of wealth and possessions. This Sunday Jesus speaks of an expectant trust in God so rooted that: (1) we are not fearfully anxious about the immediate future; (2) we divest ourselves of things and invest ourselves in serving God by serving others; (3) we are awake and prepared for the unknown second coming of Christ (or, for that matter, the hour of our physical death). Today Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” O LORD, GUIDE ME TO INVEST MY LIFE IN YOUR KINGDOM… TO SPEND MYSELF ON LIVING THAT REFLECTS THE LOVE AND THE VALUES THAT CHRIST TAUGHT!
TODAY
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
1:00PM Memorial Gathering in Rhoda Hall (rental event).
Our giving shows where our heart is located, how we treasure God!
Beyond support of our 2025 Budget (we anticipate spending $186,576.82) are special opportunities:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs).
We have received $1,110.00 to date.
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).
$25.00 last week. We have received $774.50 to date.
Mission Offering (July 1 – December 31 it is Lutheran Settlement House, in the Northern Liberties / Fishtown section of Philadelphia. Our Church Council elected to give them additional support; they are also one of our 3 Lutheran Charity Appeal organizations. Founded in 1902, they originally offered assistance to Southern and Eastern European immigrants. Today they continue to offer dignity and justice to all. They provide domestic violence services, homeless services, food access, senior services, and education for various ages. $5.00 last week. We have received $15.00 to date. [For January 1 – June 30 our Mission Offering was Steven’s Wings Global Youth Adventures a nonprofit organization. We received $840.]
Lutheran World Relief (responding to various disasters and tragedies all over the face of this earth).
We have received $50 to date. [A recent disaster you might respond to is the devastating loss of life
and property due to recent flash floods in South Central Texas and elsewhere. You can give through
St. Peter’s, or online, by mail, or by phone.
Wear your church around town. We are still receiving orders and deposits for the “95th Anniversary” t-shirts, $20 total. Thank you, Carol Chatman (coordination) and Janice Henderson (shirt maker).
2025 DEFICIT REDUCTION. We need 50 St. Peter’s members or friends who will each give $160 in addition to their regular offering support this year. We have received $1,860 to date. Our goal is $8000. The contribution does not need to be given in one payment. Please mark your gift as “Deficit”.
The religious denomination that our St. Peter’s congregation belongs to, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), recently met for its Churchwide Assembly. The Rev. Yehiel Curry of Chicago became the first Black leader to be elected to serve a six-year term as the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA. About 96% of our 2.7 million members across the United States identify as “white”, so this is something brand new that the Holy Spirit is working. Like other church bodies in our nation and world, our denomination also named and condemned the genocide in Gaza and called for an end to the US military aid that enables Israel’s continued violence. Pray for our church body… pray for our world… pray for St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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 in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 7:00PM 95TH ANNIVERSARY planning team online meeting.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence!
Saturday at ? Wedding rental of the Sanctuary.
What’s Happening…
Saturday, August 16… Tabernacle Lutheran Church, 59th & Spruce Streets in West Philadelphia, is hosting an
“Evening of Jazz” featuring The Remedy Band and Special Guests, 4:00 – 7:00PM, $20 per person.
Support Tabernacle, support the wonderful gift of jazz, and get your groove on after a long week!
August 17… PENTECOST 10. Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
Pastor Clesha Staten preaching, Pastor Bob Holum presiding at Holy Communion.
August 24… PENTECOST 11. Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
Pastor Gwen King preaching and presiding at Holy Communion.
August 27… Whole Foods fresh produce distributions, 10:30AM.
August 31… PENTECOST 12. Labor Day Sunday. Worship in person and online, 10:00AM.
September 1… Labor Day. God wants each of us, not just to have a job, but to have a vocation, a calling, through which we can serve the world and help create the community of faith and
love that Jesus showed, taught, and died on behalf of. Speak love, show love, be love
September 28… 95th Anniversary Worship + Meal, 10:00AM.
BISHOP BRYAN PENMAN, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of ELCA, will be our guest preacher.
We welcome all who have come to worship! Join our family, share God’s love.
Students, Teachers, School Staff, and Parents: We love you! This school year is just around the corner. Start preparing to begin the academic year with the right attitude, the right discipline, the right behavior, and the right understanding of what you are doing when you are in school. Whether you are studying or teaching, staff or a parent, may each of you be grateful for the opportunity God has given you. Be inspired, grow in God’s grace and in God’s word of life. Never forget that your learning, teaching, or parenting are all vital to the future… and go beyond just your individual life.