Weekly Announcements for the week of July 19, 2026

8TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 07-19-2026

Welcome to worship. It is an age-old question: Why is there evil in the world? Even more personal: Why do I have both wheat and weeds in me? In a world where evil coexists with good, what shall we do? Is it foolish of God – or a real blessing – that God waits, that God is patient and slow to anger… and that God gives everyone, including me, enough time? In the days of Matthew and in our own time, let us Christians beware the “weeding” frenzy which makes us so certain that we know the difference between “good” and “bad” people and know exactly what to do about it. God, in God’s way and God’s time, will do the judging of us all. And thank God that Jesus is God’s #1 Judge… and also God’s #1 Savior. Member or visitor, baptized or not, may you be the seeds and become the fruit of God’s truth and God’s love.

TODAY

9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up.

10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)

 

When heartstrings are touched, then 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 $110 last Sunday and $1,986 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 received $15 last Sunday and $521 to date. Lives are truly being changed! You are offering health and help to others!

St. Peter’s Church Mission Offering (For July 1 – December 31 this offering will go to Pure Heart Mission, a grassroots neighborhood charitable organization begun by local resident Lamar Glover that has already worked with us through regular food donations, several clothing giveaways, and Christmas toys.) We received $15 last Sunday and $25 to date. (And in January 1 – June 30 we received $512 total to share with the Sisters of St. Joseph Refugee Housing Project here in metropolitan Philadelphia.) Thanks so much for reaching out!

“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.

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”.

 

Help support our Scholarship Committee “Bake Sale” this morning.

(If you aren’t supposed to eat it, share it with somebody else.)

 

ST. PETER’S CHURCH COUNCIL (07/13): (1) approved minutes of 06/08 Council meeting; (2) learned of the oft-repeated “summer drought” in offerings. Our January – June Budget Income of $94,297.76 falls below our actual Budget Expenses of $96,784.15; (3) voted to participate in 2-year “Love Revolution” program of the Synod, intended to spark vitality at St. Peter’s; (4) heard reports from Pastors, Women’s Ministry, Community Day on August 1, Scholarship; (5) had discussion about a rental inquiry (small church group), lawn care, Briar Road A.A. Step Group return to our location, need for a Property Committee, ELCA Youth Gathering next year, Sunday School this autumn, Senior Food Box volunteers, and Church Council “team building” exercise. All of our 10 elected Church Council members (we are two below the normal number) were present and full participants in our meeting. We are grateful for the Council members who lead and serve our St. Peter’s Church!

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.

 

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. Session 5 begins this afternoon.

What’s Happening…

July 26… PENTECOST 9. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.

August 1… “Community Day” at St. Peter’s, planned by Stephanie Fluellen, Carol Chatman, Alma Hampton. Back to School supplies giveaway, live music and games, arts and crafts, snacks

and refreshments, flea market table rentals, door prizes. 10:00AM – 3:00PM.

Help publicize and support!

August 2… PENTECOST 9. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.

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.

August 22… Synod “Love Revolution” program begins for St. Peter’s and other participating congregations.

This is a “next step” after the vitality survey we took with Pastor Linda Manson. We have four volunteers!

 

Join our family, share God’s love.

Share in our new life together, which is being shaped by the good news of

Jesus Christ

crucified and now risen among us.