Weekly Announcements for the week of 8-16-2026

12TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 08-16-2026
Welcome to worship. As we apply today’s Gospel to ourselves, which does God prefer – carefully
washed hands or a clean heart? As we apply today’s Gospel to others, who is to be included and who
is to be excluded from the Kingdom of God? IN A WORLD WHERE SOME PEOPLE COUNT AND
SOME PEOPLE COUNT FOR NOTHING, JESUS OFFERS A NEW CALCULATION – ONE THAT
FINDS FULFILLMENT IN AN INCREASINGLY INCLUSIVE CIRCLE OF ACCEPTANCE AND
LOVE. A “clean heart” will always dissolve distinctions, erase old barriers, and reach out with open
hands to embrace and welcome others. And a real church will always be more than a fortress to
protect those “inside” from those “outside”… it will be a gathering place, a place for sinners, a place of
acceptance and welcome, an inclusive place for all to come and meet God, to share justice and
mercy.

TODAY

10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in
person and online)
11:30AM We hope to have an Altar Guild training session after worship.

Christians seek to love those that society seeks to forget.

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).
This year we have received $1,991 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 $5 last Sunday and $806 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 have
received $25 to date. (And in January 1 – June 30 we received $527 total to share with the Sisters of St.
Joseph Refugee Housing Project here in metropolitan Philadelphia.) Thanks so much for reaching out to
neighbors!
“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. $0 to date.
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”.

BEAR CREEK CAMP thanks St. Peter’s for our support and our kids during the 8
sessions of summer camp. Their next big event is “Labor Day Family Camp”, from 9/4 to
9/7: three nights, eight meals, and programs for $180 per person in Retreat Center
cabins, $170 per person in Program Site cabins, register online.
Apologies for two Sundays of audio visual issues that interrupted our transmission and your full participation
in worship. Who would guess that replacing a hot water heater would cause a change of our IP address on the
computer?
Welcome! We are preparing Knapp Chapel (Thank you, Women’s Ministry!) for rental, beginning in
September, by From the Throne Ministries Worship Center, whose servant leader is Pastor Chantell Poole.
They will worship each Sunday in the early afternoon and one Friday evening per month.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity”. Join the fellowship!
Wednesday, 1 – 3PM “I Remember It Well, South Philly!” an event of reflection, sharing, celebration
in Rhoda Hall organized by Elaine Jones. Bring your memories! Bring your
family! No cost. And you don’t have to be from South Philly to attend.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence.
Saturday, 8:45AM – 3:45PM “LOVE Revolution” at Grace Lutheran Church, Broomall. Veronica Britto,
Carol Chatman, Stephanie Fluellen, Tanya Morris, + Pastor Gwen will attend
this first meeting of our 2-year participation in a program sponsored by the
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA. Start and keep praying.

What’s Happening…
August 23… PENTECOST 13. Hybrid Worship in person / online at 10:00AM. (Pastor
Bob Holum)
August 24… Philadelphia public schools begin for students in grades 1 through 12.
August 26… Whole Foods fresh produce distribution in Rhoda Hall, 10:30AM.
August 30… PENTECOST 14. Hybrid Worship in person / online at 10AM. (Rev. Dr.
Harold Evans)
September 6… PENTCOST 15. Labor Day Sunday. Worship at 10:00AM.

“Youth Revival” at St. Mark’s Lutheran, 3:00PM.
September 12… Women’s Ministry “GATHERING” at 11:00AM.

September 13… PENTECOST 16. Grandparents Day. (Ryan Mathis, young
adult)

“Mediator Lutheran 120 + 1 Anniversary”, there at 3:00PM.

September 14… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting, 7:00PM.

PEACE  REST  ETERNAL LIFE

Yesterday we celebrated the life and faith and resurrection victory of our former Bishop, the Rev. Dr.
Patricia A. Davenport, a servant-leader of the Church and friend to many of us over many years.