Weekly Announcements for the week of 14th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 08-30-2026
14TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 08-30-2026
Welcome to worship. In last week’s Gospel reading, Peter seemed to be walking on water once more when he offered his great confession, but this week he is falling through thin ice. Last week he was commended by Jesus, but this week he is blasted. Last week Peter was a “rock of faith”, but this week he is a “stumbling block”. And last week we might have willingly picked up and courageously carried our cross, but this week we could just as well lay it aside. There is a Satan in each of us, as we too set our mind on human things rather than divine things. As you check out what’s on your mind and in your heart, remember this: What this world has to offer is really 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. “God forbid it, Lord!” that we would decide not to risk our lives following Jesus in the path of self-giving service… thereby losing our lives to this world’s fading treasures and fleeting pleasures. Your best opportunity to truly live won’t come through self-centeredness and self-promotion (Sorry, it’s the truth, King Trump!) but through Christly self-denial and courageous cross-bearing. May you and I never be a stumbling block to God’s mission of love extended to all.
TODAY
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
Pastors Gwen and Neil are on vacation from their vocation this morning. We are grateful to God for the presence, the faith, and the servant leadership of the Rev. Dr. Harold Evans, preaching God’s Word and presiding at Holy Communion today.
Those who “lose their life for Christ” will find it. Giving is faith at work.
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 $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 received $5.00 last Sunday and $811 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 $10 last Sunday and $225 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.
Join our family, share God’s love, and grow in discipleship.
There is no better life than LIFE IN CHRIST.
Back to School.
It’s school time again. First days and weeks can produce both anxiety and excitement 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. And let’s also pray for recent high school, college, and vocational school graduates who are trying to perhaps pay for steps already taken or who are facing the next part of their journey.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity”. Join the fellowship!
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence.
Friday, 8:30AM Senior Food Box distribution ministry.
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scout troops return. Welcome back!
What’s Happening…
September 6… PENTCOST 15. Labor Day Sunday. Worship at 10:00AM.
September 6… Target date for first worship in Knapp Chapel at 12:30PM by From the Throne Ministries Worship Center, whose servant leader is Pastor Chantell Poole.
September 6… “Youth Revival” at St. Mark’s Lutheran, 3:00PM. “Formed, Consecrated, Appointed!”
September 9… “Living Waters and Re-imagining Black Lutheran Futures”, Celebrating 40 Years of
the Conference of International Black Lutherans, United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, 9AM (in person and virtual) – includes lecture, chapel, panel discussion, reception.
September 9… Senior Ministry “Sister Talk” Discussion and Study. Men are also invited. 9:30AM.
September 9… Whole Foods fresh produce distribution in Rhoda Hall to the community, 10:30AM.
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. Hybrid Worship in person / online at 10AM. (Ryan Mathis, young adult member, a son and a grandson, will preach.) 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. (Saturday + Sunday)
“Clothed in the Word – Know Your Worth” Proverbs 31:5
Suggested colors: purple and gold. More information to come later.