Announcements for the 6th Sunday After Pentecost 07-05- 2026

6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 07-05-
2026
We know exactly what St. Paul is writing about, this internal struggle and deep frustration when it
comes to living up to the high standards of the Christian faith. Oh, how we have tried and failed
miserably sometimes… how we have disappointed ourselves with our words and actions and,
yes, even our thoughts. We have the desire to do what is right but we do not, in our self, have the
power. Each of us has fallen short… all of us have failed… there are no perfect Christians. Paul
writes about this, and we have learned in our personal faith journey, that when we finally stop
trying to ignore, excuse, or defeat our sin all by ourselves…when we are sick of our sin… then we
can look for some real relief. There is one – the ONLY One – who not only knows what is wrong,
but who can transform our wrong into right. My sister, my brother, Jesus Christ invites you this
morning: “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens.” He knows your
inner conflict. He knows your burdens, addictions, failures, phobias, weaknesses and selfish
desires… your guilt, your agony, your exhaustion, your despair. Do you know the rest he gives,
the mercy, the forgiveness, the healing, the peace? Come to Him! Come to Him! Let Him
make it right!

TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in
person and online)

When heartstrings are touched and love pours out! 

Beyond support of our 2026 Budget ($187,927 is what we envision spending this year) are those
opportunities for special giving on behalf of others. They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (responding to international, national, and local hunger and poverty).
We received $19 last Sunday and $1,856 to date. Thank you for caring that shares survival!
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 $496 to date. Lives are being changed! You are offering health and help to others!
St. Peter’s Church Mission Offering (For January 1 – June 30 we received $512 total to share with the
Sisters of St. Joseph Refugee Housing Project here in metropolitan Philadelphia. We also gave them
$579.65 in 2024. Thanks so much for reaching out to someone searching for a true home!
“God’s Global Barnyard” is an ELCA development project to help families and villages fight poverty. It
involves sending chickens, goats, cows, and other animals and items somewhere in the world Children often
are eager to help with this project. We have received $20 to date.
Lutheran Disaster Response (walking with communities before, during, and after specific tragedies such as
fires, floods, and storms… often staying for years) and Lutheran World Relief (addressing suffering, poverty,
and injustice all over the face of this earth) are both responses of love and compassion in action. Our Lutheran
Disaster Response is already involved in Venezuela (2 earthquakes, 1700 lost lives, families without safety,
shelter, or necessities) giving direct aid, helping to plan for the future.
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”.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s

Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence!
Saturday, 11AM – 2PM Women’s Ministry “Gathering” in person and online.
BEAR CREEK CAMP! Children, get close to God’s created world in the Pocono
Mountains, to new friends and old, and to the experience of sharing Christ’s love with
others. The “Philly Connect” base fee will again be $75; additional items (Camp Store, photo or video) will
cost extra. You can register online or on paper. See the Pastors if you have any questions. There are 8 sessions.
Please note that registrations for a week of camp close about 2 weeks before that actual. Don’t delay! A few
members of St. Peter’s have offered to sponsor a child’s full week of camp.

What’s Happening…

July 12… PENTECOST 7. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
July 13… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting, 7PM, hybrid (in person or online).
July 18… Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 4:00PM.
July 19… PENTECOST 8. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM. Scholarship
Bake Sale.
August 1… “Community Day” at St. Peter’s, planned by Stephanie Fluellen and Carol Chatman…”Back to
School” distribution, “Flea Market” table rentals., more information to come. Help publicize

and support!

August 19… “I Remember It Well, South Philly!” an event of reflection, sharing, and celebration organized by
Elaine Jones, 1-3PM in Rhoda Hall. Bring your memories! Bring your family! No cost.
(Below is an online selection by Knowledgia that helps reflect on America 250.)

America wasn’t built by freedom – it was built by slaves.

European powers brought enslaved Africans to the Americas because plantation economies
demanded massive amounts of labor to produce profitable crops like sugar, tobacco, and cotton.
Indigenous populations had collapsed from disease and exploitation, while European settlers were
too few to meet the growing demand. Over time, slavery became deeply embedded in the economic
system of the Atlantic world, linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas in a brutal trade network. What
emerged was not a temporary labor solution but one of the largest systems of forced migration and
exploitation in human history.

(Below is a prayer for our United States of America.)

O God, you have blessed America in many ways. Today we thank you for this nation… today we ask
you to forgive our nation its past and present sins and its arrogance and its greed and its divisive
politics… today we ask you to strengthen and guide us as a nation of God… today we pray that – just

as God has blessed America – America might bless God with its values, its compassion, its humility, its
servanthood, its justice, its peace. Amen.