40th Annual Women’s Day! “Pray Without Ceasing”

40th Annual Women’s Day! “Pray Without Ceasing”
10-12-2025 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

+ We Rejoice in God’s Spirit +

WELCOME
PROCESSIONAL SONG: led by WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR
THE OPENING RITE (based on today’s theme and scriptures):
L We have had the opportunity in our life’s journey to meet some beautiful people.
I’m not talking about their face or their hairstyle,
I’m not talking about their shape or their strut,
And I’m not talking about their fine threads or their sparkling bling.
I’m talking about their attitudes and their actions, their humble and genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
I tell you, every time I think about God’s beautiful servants that I have known, a surge of joy fills my heart.
C I pray and thank God that they walk in faith and serve in joy,

showing me love that has comforted, challenged, or changed me.
I pray and ask God to shape my own attitudes and actions with that same humble grace and tender mercy.
L Maybe today I am wearing the suggested colors of this year’s Women’s Day – green with touches of gold. I look nice.
But I especially want to “clothe” myself, each and every day, with those qualities of Christ-like servant love.
C I pray for you and I pray for me – in a world marked by much hurt and much hate –

to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and a forgiving spirit.
I pray for you and I pray for me – when others are busy at self-seeking and self-serving –
to be faithful in my living and fervent in my loving.

THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Gracious God,
your Son Jesus knows my sin and my weaknesses, yet offers me grace as an unearned gift.
Bring me down from my hill of pride or raise me up from my hole of guilt.
Tear down the facades, strip away the camouflage, break through my pretenses, and purify my heart.
Help me to reorder my priorities and to truly give YOU first place in my life.
Help me to let go of this world’s fading treasures and fleeting pleasures to follow Jesus into loving service.
This is the road of a meaningful life all the way to the crown of everlasting joy. AMEN and AMEN again!

+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +

FIRST READING: PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11
[Introduction: The Christian missionary Paul, held in prison because of his faith, joyfully celebrates the love and support he received
from the Christians in Philippi, and he prays that they will continue to be willing representatives of God’s love through Jesus Christ.
Isn’t it
a true wonder that there could be such joyful prayer in a jail cell by a man whose survival was in jeopardy?]
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my
prayers for you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident
of
this, that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus
Christ.
7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you

share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the
gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And
this
is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help
you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having
produced
the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

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SONG SELECTION OR DANCE SELECTION WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR
SECOND READING: COLOSSIANS 3:12-17
[Introduction: Paul was not present to help start this church, nor did he ever probably visit it. But he wrote to those Christians urging
them to put to death the sinful attitudes and actions that represented the worst of living on earth, and to “clothe” themselves with the
attitudes and actions that represent a new life in Christ. Don’t just look the part… be changed on the inside and let it show on the
outside.]
12 Therefore, as Christ’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever
grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all
these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to
peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom , and as you sing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do,
whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.
SONG SELECTION OR DANCE SELECTION: ST. PETER’S PRAISE DANCERS
GOSPEL VERSE: “I really love the Lord… I really love the Lord!

You don’t know what He’s done for me, gave me the victory.
I love Him, I love Him… I really love the Lord!” (repeat)
THE HOLY GOSPEL: LUKE 18:9-14
[Introduction: When is a prayer not really a prayer? It’s when we are too proud and too self-righteous in how we approach God, what
we say about ourselves, and how we judge and condemn others for their sins. It was a story that Jesus told. But maybe it says a lot
about arrogant pride and humble repentance in our relationship to God and one another. Just a story? One powerful, self-centered man
who was twice elected in our lifetimes to serve as a nation’s leader boasted that he never felt the need to ask God for forgiveness. He’s
that proud. But what if this teachings of Jesus is more than just make-believe? Have you ever been like the Pharisee? The tax
collector?]
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody
else, Jesus told this parable: 10 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the
other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am
not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a
week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his
breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For [those]
who
exalt [themselves] will be humbled, and [those] who humble [themselves] will be exalted.”
INTRODUCTION OF OUR GUEST PREACHER

SONG SELECTION: WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR
TODAY’S SERMON: Minister Diana McGarrah-Johnson
SONG SELECTION: WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!

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+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… Before us is a world that is desperate, destructive, and in
despair. We are a people holding a great treasure – the good news of Jesus Christ Help make real God’s love and mercy!
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 might: mail a check or money
order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
19138… contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a
recurring weekly gift to selected categories… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the
instructions to register and record your contribution. Give gratefully. Give generously.
[Those gathered “in person” in the sanctuary will come forward with their offerings. There will be one basket for regular
support of Christ’s work at and beyond St. Peter’s. There will be another basket for WOMEN’S DAY offering, which is a
special gift that is received each annual Women’s Day. Over the years, $104 per woman – each person setting aside $2
each week — has been the Women’s Day challenge that many have committed to.]
SONG SELECTION: WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “More about Jesus would I know, more of his grace to others show, (Tan #565)

More of his saving fullness see, more of his love who died for me.
MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS… MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS…
MORE OF HIS SAVING FULLNESS SEE, MORE OF HIS LOVE WHO DIED FOR ME.
More about Jesus let me learn, more of his holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my Teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.”

OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant: [see PHILIPPIANS 3:10-11]
Dear God, I want to know Christ inside and out. I want to experience the power of his resurrection and join him
in his suffering. I want to be like him in his death and be raised like him from death. As I grow in the grace of
Christ, make me strong in my faith, bold in my witness, and fervent in my servant-love. There is no better life
than life in 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 our thanks and praise.
L We are the Body of Christ! C His Spirit is in us! Alleluia!
L [continues the Preface]… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

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 (spoken)

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COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Jesus Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! The wine may be received from
the pouring chalice; we also have grape juice on the tray. Praise the Lord for this community meal that unites us together, renews
our spirits, powers our faith, and reminds us of the future heavenly banquet that awaits us!
COMMUNION SONG: “LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER”
(1) Let us break bread together on our knees. Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
(2) Let us drink wine together on our knees…
(3) Let us praise God together on our knees…
COMMUNION SONG: “IN THE NAME OF JESUS”
In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus, we have the victory!
In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus, Satan will have to flee.
Oh-h-h, tell me: who can stand before us when we call on that great name?
JE-SUS! JE-SUS! Precious JE-SUS! We have the victory!

COMMUNION SONG: “THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE”
(1) This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
(2) Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine… (4) In my neighborhood, I’m gonna let it shine…
(3) All through my life, I’m gonna let it shine… (5) Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine…
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.

+ We Rejoice in God’s Mission +

THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… We are sent forth to be and become and BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: led by WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR

+

Please join us downstairs for a luncheon. There is no charge for the meal.
Remember that God’s love for us is so strong that Jesus died for us on the cross
in order to redeem us from our sins (John 3:16-17). The Lord’s love for us has no

boundaries, and there is nothing in this world that God’s love cannot conquer.
May you go forth from this place renewed, refreshed, revived, and responsible.
Live with faith, courage, and trust as bearers of Christ’s name, spirit, and mission.
Don’t love others as others love you, but love others as Jesus Christ loves you. Be
the difference in our world.