Weekly Announcements for the week of 3/01/2026
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT 03-01-2026
+ The invitation of Lent +
Abraham and Sarah (today’s First Reading) were so thrilled with God’s promises that they left home and kindred not knowing where following God would take them. It was a risk of faith that took them through many years and many miles and many questions. They trusted enough to follow in the midst of their uncertainty.
Lent is a season of being asked to let God work in our life – and not just in a small way. God, who has given us our breath and time on this earth, lays a mighty claim upon our whole life… God seeks to give us new birth and new life by water and the Spirit. In John’s Gospel, believing and doing are inseparable. So being born from above and believing in Jesus is not so much what one does with one’s mind as about what one does with one’s heart and one’s life. Make a journey of growing in your faith and your faithfulness.
The traditional disciplines of the season of Lent were the act of giving alms (offering money and resources to extend God’s goodness to others), the act of prayer (devoting more time to listen and to share with God) and the act of fasting (abstaining from eating for a set period of time, skipping a meal, not eating a food we like, etc.). During the 40 days of Lent, GIVE to realign yourself with others, PRAY to realign yourself with God, and FAST to realign yourself with self. Sundays are not included in the 40-day Lenten period. Each Sunday is a re-enactment of the resurrection!
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + LENTEN SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:30AM 95th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S (in person + online).
Adopt our 2026 Budget. Elect 4 Church Council members.
Receive reports. Give thanks for God’s grace. Go forth to serve.
[Alternate date is March 8.]
Month of March… Women’s History Month. Celebration, empowerment, and change!
In light of the sin and horror of all those Epstein buddies at high levels of government, business, and society “frolicking” around at the expense of little girls and young women… and similar sin and horror in our own lives, families, and communities… we ought to commit to teach and protect, support and encourage, minister and pray for, and demand justice on behalf of the innocent, the used, the abused.
God’s great grace attitude of gratitude generosity!
Beyond support of our 2026 Budget (which we approve today) are special opportunities for giving on behalf of others. They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs).
We have received $710 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).
We have received $225 to date.
Mission Offering (For January 1 – June 30 it is Sisters of St. Joseph Refugee Housing Project. We sent them $579.65 in 2024.) We have received $188 to date.
“God’s Global Barnyard” is an ELCA development project to fight poverty. We have received $20 to date.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!
Wednesday, 6:30 – 7PM Online international Prayers related to Women’s History.
Wednesday, 7:00 – 8PM Online Lenten Study with Pastor Clesha Staten.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence!
Friday, 8:30AM Senior Food Box distribution.
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scout troops.
EASTER PLANTS. The prices for a 6 inch plant with foil wrap, delivered to the church and sponsored in memory or in honor of somebody or something on Easter Sunday, are the same as 2025: $15 lily; $12 hyacinth; $12 tulip.
Please complete one of the Easter plant forms and give form and payment to either Pastor. Deadline is March 15.
What’s Happening…
March 8… THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
March 9… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting, 7:00PM, in Rhoda Hall.
March 11, 18, 25… Online international Prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30PM.
March 11, 18, 25… Online Lenten Study with Pastor Clesha Staten, 7 – 8PM.
March 13-18… Annual United Lutheran Seminary “Preaching with Power” event. On March 17 our ELCA
Bishop Yeheil Curry will preach at our neighbor Lutheran congregation, Reformation.
March 14… Women’s Ministry “Gathering” in person and online, 11:00AM.
April 2… MAUNDY THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK.
April 3… GOOD FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK. Seven Last Words of Jesus.
April 5… RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD / EASTER DAY.
Please speak to our Pastors about Holy Baptism, affirming your Baptism vows, or
joining our St. Peter’s congregation. Get life. Love Christ. Serve Christ. Live, love,
and serve others like Christ did.
June 4… Scholarship Committee bus trip to Sight and Sound Theatres in Lancaster, PA to see “JOSHUA”. Lunch at Shady Maples. Our Scholarship Committee is asking for $175 per person. Contact Carol
Chatman or Jerona Rice to submit your name and a deposit.