Weekly Announcements for 13TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 08-23-2026
13TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 08-
23-2026
Welcome to St. Peter’s. Pastors Gwen and Neil are on vacation from their vocation this morning. We
are grateful to have our St. Peter’s member, the Rev. Robert Holum, preaching God’s Word and
presiding at Holy Communion today.
Friends, what the world has to offer is nothing in comparison to the life that
Christ offers. But the only way to this life is under the burden of a cross
and following behind Jesus. Instead of chasing after the glistening glitter of
fading treasures and the gyrating glamour of fleeting pleasures, may you
seek true life in faithful living and fervent loving as you bear the name, the
spirit, and the mission of Jesus Christ.
TODAY
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in
person and online)
The good gifts God gives us are for our use in reaching out to others.
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. You can give directly online to most of these these
They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (responding to international, national, and local hunger and poverty). We
received
$100 last Sunday and $2,091 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 $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 received
$190 last Sunday and $215 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”.
Thank you. The meal, cake, ice cream, balloons, flowers, cards, and some gifts to
celebrate my 75th birthday was a special surprise last Sunday. But your continued love
and affirmation over so many years has been an ongoing blessing. What a boost to the
first day of my next year! ~ Pastor Gwen
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
Monday… Philadelphia public schools begin for students in grades 1 through 12.
Wednesday, 9:30AM Senior Ministry “Sister Talk” Discussion and Study. Men are also invited.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Whole Foods fresh produce distribution in Rhoda Hall to the community.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence.
Back to School.
It’s school time again. Let’s pray for students, for teachers, for staff, and for families. Let’s pray for
safety traveling to and from school, for safety in the schools, for safety at home. Let’s pray for sincere
efforts to learn and to teach, for knowledge to be shared, for dreams to be stirred. Let’s pray that – in
the midst of a world of many conflicting voices – both student and teacher will especially hear the
Lord’s voice, the one that tells them that they matter… the one that tells them that God loves them…
the one that will forgive, inspire, guide, and assure them through the ups and downs of their life.
What’s Happening…
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.
September 6… “Youth Revival” at St. Mark’s Lutheran, 3:00PM.
September 12… Girl Scouts ceremony in Rhoda Hall, 9:30AM – 2:00PM
September 12… Women’s Ministry “GATHERING” at 11:00AM.
September 13… PENTECOST 16. Grandparents Day. (Ryan Mathis, young
adult)
September 13… “Mediator Lutheran 120 + 1 Anniversary”, there at 3:00PM.
September 14… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting, 7:00PM.
October 10-11… 41st Annual Women’s Day weekend.