Announcements for 9 March 2025

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT 03-09-2025

+ The discipline of Lent +

Christian friends, the Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness as they traveled to the promised
land. Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights struggling with Satan in the wilderness. During Lent we will journey
through our own 40-day wilderness as we face the temptations, troubles, tests, and tragedies of human living.
Jesus knows all about these struggles. He leads us and guides us along the way toward growing trust,
courageous faith, and humble servanthood. Open your mind, your heart, your hopes, your dreams, and your ways
to God’s grace.
The traditional disciplines of the season of Lent down through the ages were the act of giving alms
(offering money and resources to extend God’s glory and goodness to others), the act of prayer (devoting more
time to listen and to share with God) and the act of fasting (abstaining from eating for a set period of time,
skipping a meal, not eating a food we like, etc.). During the 40 days of Lent, GIVE to realign yourself with others,
PRAY to realign yourself with God, and FAST to realign yourself with self. Sundays are not included in the 40-day
Lenten period. Each Sunday is a re-enactment of the resurrection!

TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + LENTEN SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:20AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.

God’s great grace attitude of gratitude generosity!
Beyond support of our 2025 Budget (which we approved last Sunday) are various special
opportunities for giving on behalf of others. They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs).
We have received $275 to date.
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 $290 to date.
Mission Offering (For January 1 – June 30 it is Steven’s Wings Global Youth Adventures, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth to discover the joys and learn the how of travel.
We have received $416 to date.
Lutheran World Relief (responding to various disasters and tragedies all over the face of this earth).
We have received $50 to date.
Hard times for so many struggling and suffering in our world are an opportunity for heart times of compassion,
affirmation, and support from those of us who are willing to care and share.

The 94th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S was last Sunday, following worship. We elected
Ben Shipanga to serve a Church Council term of 3 years. We approved a 2025 operating Budget of
$186,576.82. (which will require a monthly income of about $15,550). As in previous years, we opened with
a song and a prayer; and we adjourned with joined hands and voices, praying the Lord’s Prayer. After 95

years as a community of Christ, we can rejoice over God’s blessings and God’s willing servants past and
present!
Month of March… Women’s History Month. Discover. Celebrate. Commit to the future.
According to United Nations Women, women’s rights and girls’ rights are facing recent growing setbacks
worldwide, from higher levels of discrimination to weaker legal protections, and less funding for programs and
institutions that support and protect women. Despite important progress, only 87 countries have ever been led
by a woman, and a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or member of her own family. Poverty,
violence, and full and equal decision-making power are some of the causes UN Women is raising. In the United
States we have witnessed recent regression and repression… and some voters continued to be reluctant to elect
a female President.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PETER’S

Monday, 7:00PM CHURCH COUNCIL meeting on Zoom.
Tuesday, 7:00PM 95th Anniversary Planning Team (Zoom meeting).
Tuesday, 7:00PM Area Girl Scout leaders in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 9:30AM Senior Ministry “Sister Talk” Study and Discussion. Men are also invited.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Whole Foods fresh produce distribution in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday Deadline for Easter Plant orders ($15 lily; $12 hyacinth; $12 tulip).
Wednesday, 6:30PM Online international prayers related to Women’s History Month.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops.
Saturday, 9AM – 3PM Area Girl Scouts program in Rhoda Hall.

What’s Happening…

March 16… SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
March 17… Online international Prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30 – 7:00PM.
March 23… THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 4-8PM.
March 26… Online international Prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30 – 7:00PM.
March 29… “Jazz Luncheon” presented by our Scholarship Committee, 11AM – 2PM, $30 donation.
Please contact Jerona Jackson Rice, Veronica Britto, or any Scholarship Committee member.
March 30… FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
April 20… RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD / EASTER DAY.
May 31… 95th Birthday Party for Queen Sutton at Marriot Philadelphia West (Conshohocken), 2PM, $50.
Deadline for tickets is May 1.
November 7, 2028… U.S. Presidential Election. Stay resilient and loving in the midst of all the
trauma and drama.

+4 important questions during Lent: 1) Do you believe that God loves you?
2) Do you believe that you are a sinner?
3) Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins?
4) Will you now trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord?

Join in our new life together which is being shaped by the good news of Jesus

Christ crucified and now risen among us! Please speak to our Pastors about Holy
Baptism, affirming your Baptism vows, or joining St. Peter’s.