Weekly Announcements for FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 03-15-2026
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 03-15-2026
+ The new sight of Lent +
“Here’s mud in your eye!” Jesus has concern about the health of human bodies and the health of human souls. Thus he will bring sight to a man born blind and also help self-righteous Pharisees sense their inner blindness. “Surely we are not blind, are we?” We all have our blind spots. But Jesus is the Light of the world. Today our Savior spits love into our eyes and our lives to clear the filth out of our minds and hearts. Jesus does not only help us to see our sin-sick nature and to see our blindness caused by trivial pursuits, rigid convictions, and unloving hearts… he also shines forth in the shadows as our path to salvation. Today there is healing and restoration, liberation and new vision. Make a journey this Lent toward the light and life that Christ offers. The traditional disciplines of Lent down through the ages were the act of giving alms (that is, an offering to help those in need), the act of prayer, and the act of fasting (that is, 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)
11:30AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.
EASTER PLANTS order deadline is today. 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.
Month of March… Women’s History Month. Discover. Celebrate. Commit to the future.
According to United Nations Women, women’s rights and girls’ rights are facing recent growing setbacks worldwide, from higher levels of discrimination to weaker legal protections, and less funding for programs and institutions that support and protect women. Despite important progress, only about 30 countries have female leaders as of early 2026. A woman or girl in the world is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or her own family member. Poverty, violence, and full and equal decision-making power are some of the causes UN Women is raising. Here in the United States many people have hopes and prayers for women that go beyond the “Mar-a-Logo face” plastic surgery trend that has become so popular among some aspiring wannabes.
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 have received $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 $20 last Sunday and $213 to date.
“God’s Global Barnyard” is an ELCA development project to fight poverty. We have received $20 to date.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH COUNCIL (03/09): (1) learned that January – February Budget Income was $28,721.62 and Budget Expenses were $30,172.99 (a small deficit after two months); (2) agreed to follow up with Pastor Linda Manson in response to the recent Vitality Survey (and Veronica Britto has offered to lead a task force that is yet to be assembled); (3) voted to have a Pentecost Day Picnic on Sunday, May 24 at Fort Washington State Park (Memorial Day weekend); (4) voted to return to two pre-COVID worship practices: Sharing the Peace, and Holy Communion at the altar; (5) elected Stephanie Fluellen as Council President, Carol Chatman as Council Vice-President, and Janice Sippio Henderson as Council Secretary… re-appointed Ben Shipanga as Treasurer of the Congregation. We would like to add 2 members to our Church Council to reach the constitution (and “biblical”) number of 12. A Church Council member must be an official member of our congregation, and someone who has contributed an offering of record and taken Holy Communion in 2026 or 2025. Who might help lead and serve St. Peter’s?
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Tuesday, 7:00PM ELCA Bishop Yeheil Curry preaching at Reformation Lutheran Church, 1215 Vernon Road.
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 Month.
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, noon – 2PM? “Clothing Giveaway” (including some Easter items) by neighbor Lamar Glover and Mission Pure Heart. This will be the third such distribution.
What’s Happening…
March 13-18… Annual United Lutheran Seminary / Urban Theological Institute “Preaching with Power” event. Check online for the locations, times, and preachers.
March 22… FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
CONFIRMATION CLASS for Christian youth becoming Christian adults. See Pastor Gwen!
March 25… Online international Prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30PM.
March 25… Online Lenten Study with Pastor Clesha Staten, 7 – 8PM.
March 28… Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 1:00PM.
April 2… MAUNDY THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK. Washed feet and broken bread!
Worship in person and online at 7:00PM.
April 3… GOOD FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK. Seven Last Words of Jesus!
Worship in person and online at 7:00PM.
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.
May 25… DAY OF PENTECOST: Worship + Picnic at Fort Washington Park.
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.