Weekly Announcements for the week of March 8-13, 2026
+ The thirst of Lent +
In today’s Gospel reading the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers her living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. Life on earth as we know it requires water. How is Jesus like water? What are the things that are necessary in your life? During Lent, remember your baptism and – if you haven’t been baptized – consider Christ’s offer to you of new life. Make a journey of growing in your faith and faithfulness.
The traditional disciplines of Lent down through the ages were the act of giving alms (making an offering to help those in need), the act of prayer (devoting more time to listen to 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 self, 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)
Month of March… Women’s History Month. Celebration, empowerment, and change!
Let’s affirm and protect, guide and encourage, support and thank, minister to and pray for, and advocate for and demand justice on behalf of the innocent, the used, and the abused. Don’t allow regression and repression to destroy progress into the future! Go, sisters of every age, go!
95th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S
We are grateful for those members of the Congregation who were in the sanctuary and online for our Annual Meeting! Last Sunday we: (1) approved Minutes from our 94th Annual Meeting; (2) elected Tanya Morris and re-elected Carol Chatman and Stephanie Fluellen to lead and serve on our Church Council (leaving us one short of the traditional 12-member Council); (3) approved a 2026 Budget of $187,926.62. May God continue to bless us with grace and mercy and lead us on that journey of loving others!
God’s great grace attitude of gratitude generosity!
Beyond support of our 2026 Budget are opportunities for giving on behalf of others. They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs).
We received $200 last Sunday and $910 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 received $5 last Sunday and $193 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
Monday, 7:00PM CHURCH COUNCIL meeting in Rhoda Hall.
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 to the community.
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, 6:30PM Girl Scout troops.
Saturday, 11:00AM Women’s Ministry “Gathering” in person and online,
Saturday, 1:00PM Altar Guild training and meeting: “How to set up for Holy Communion”.
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 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.
Saturday, March 14… Anthony Phillips (City Council) “Town Hall” at Grace United Methodist, 10 – 11:30AM.
March 15… FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
March 18, 25… Online international Prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30PM.
March 18, 25… Online Lenten Study with Pastor Clesha Staten, 7 – 8PM.
April 2… MAUNDY THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK. Washed feet and broken bread!
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.