Weekly Announcements – September 21-27, 2025

Announcements

A Word from Our Pastors: Accountability. God has called us to manage the gospel of Christ… and our life, our health, our time and abilities and possessions have all been given “on loan” by the Creator/Master to undertake this mission. May we not be judged as having been unfaithful and dishonest when we “give an accounting” for all that has been entrusted to us. But this is the truth: we all fall short. We’re not sinners because we sin; we sin because we’re sinners. Jesus sees right through us, knows us for who we are and who we aren’t, yet loves us dearly anyway and gives us a second chance. Don’t blow that second chance. You cannot serve two masters! Will you give your allegiance to the God who is the Creator and Lord of your life? Or will you eagerly, foolishly chase after this world’s fading treasures and fleeting pleasures?

Today’s Schedule

9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:30AM Anniversary drummers. Volunteer practice with Leon Jordan.

“God knows our gratitude and generosity or our grumbling and greed.”

Update on our Generosity. Beyond support of our 2025 Budget (we anticipate spending $186,576.82) are special opportunities:

  • ELCA World Hunger Appeal – $10.00 received last week and $1,265.00 to date.
  • Lutheran Charities Appeal – $834.50 received to date.
  • Mission Offering – (July 1 – December 31) Lutheran Settlement House, $5.00 received last week and $200.00 received to date. [January 1 – June 30 our Mission Offering was Steven’s Wings
  • Global Youth Adventures. We received $840.]
  • Lutheran World Relief – $50 received to date.

2025 DEFICIT REDUCTION We are seeking 50 St. Peter’s members or friends who will each give $160 in addition to their regular offering support this year. We have received $1,940 to date. Our goal is $8000. We are still seeking. The contribution does not need to be given in one payment. Please mark your gift as “Deficit”. Although we reported that, at the end of August, we had a surplus of $1,550.31 in our Budget Income, the IRS payment to us of about $16,000 for keeping employees hired during COVID was a one-time and unexpected blessing.

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We welcome all who have come to worship! Jesus has a heart for sinners like you and me. He finds us and embraces us. He sends us to help find others.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PETER’S

Monday… AUTUMN begins.
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 task force on Zoom.
Thursday, 7:00PM WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR rehearsal. Get your praise on!
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops.
Saturday, 10AM – 3PM SEPA’s “Building Summit” at the Lutheran Seminary. St. Peter’s has several representatives attending.

Saturday… Preparing for Anniversary worship and meal!

What’s Happening…
September 28… 95th Anniversary Worship + Meal, 10:00AM. BISHOP BRYAN PENMAN, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of ELCA, will be our guest preacher. Wear your church to church. If you bought a “95th Anniversary” t-shirt, wear it today. We do not pay the Bishop to visit and preach, but we will collect donations to the Bishop’s Fund, which is used for emergency and special need situations. (Pastors Gwen and Neil received from this fund at least one occasion back in their poorer West Philly days.) $105 has been received to date. Let’s celebrate this congregation’s legacy… its faith, love, and service over the years… and the present opportunities and possibilities!

October 5… World Communion Sunday. 10:00AM worship in person + online. Some will gather in a grand cathedral. Some will gather in a mud hut or around a campfire or in the street. Maybe in a storefront or at a bedside or inside a prison. Some will gather with thousands or just a few. And some will need to gather in secret. Christians in every culture and varied situations will
break bread and pour the cup – in as many ways as there are gatherings – to proclaim our connection to each other through Christ. Even though our various treasured theologies and our embarrassing divisive attitudes (including racism) might keep us from actually sharing Holy Communion physically together, we draw meaning and power and hope that there is ONE LORD and, therefore, ONE BODY OF CHRIST!

October 11-12… 40th Annual Women’s Day Weekend! “Pray Without Ceasing!” “Matters of the Heart” Prayer Gathering with continental breakfast on Saturday at 10:00AM. Worship Celebration and Meal on Sunday at 10:00AM. Guest Preacher: Minister Diana McGarrah-Johnson. Wear shades of green with touches of gold. Invite family, friends, and strangers!

October 13… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting in Rhoda Hall, 7:00PM.
October 21… PENTECOST 19. Worship in person and online, 10:00AM.

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MAKE AMERICA and the world HUMAN AGAIN.
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”.

(And pray for our U.S. President, as he becomes more unhinged and ill.)