Announcements – Week of January 19-25

2nd Sunday After Epiphany 01-19-2025

All Christians, St. Paul says in today’s Second Reading, receive gifts of the Spirit, not just an elite few. The gifts vary, and the specific nature of any gift is no grounds for a claim to superiority. Each Christian is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. So all gifts are rooted in the Spirit and all gifts serve a common purpose. Every Christian matters, every Christian belongs, every Christian has a role.
In the end the gifts, the ministry, and the empowering of the community for service all belong to God. We will accomplish a lot more of Christ’s mission working and giving together than any of us can do alone. Dear God, thank you for the gift of a new year to serve you. Amen.

TODAY

9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + EPIPHANY SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:30AM RAFFLE FOR 4 BOX SEATS Sixers/Lakers game, 01/28/2025 (Tuesday), at 7:30PM.

ST. PETER’S CHURCH COUNCIL (01/13): (1) approved 2025 Proposed Budget of $183,876.82 – with
a deficit of $8,600 – for presentation to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting on February 23; (2) discussed possible activities to help celebrate this year’s 95th Anniversary of St. Peter’s and formed a Council Committee of Stephanie, Carol C., Trudi, Janice, and Pastor Gwen; (3) celebrated that our proposal to the Synod for an “Urban Ministry Grant” ($5,000) for some property improvements in the first floor, Educational Building, was approved; (4) received Pastors’ report; (5) discussed Annual Meeting preparation. Pray for your elected servant leaders, pray for your church, and pray for the faith, the love, and the work we all share.
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”.

Faith in action through grateful giving! Here are some (unofficial) early 2025 giving statistics after 2 Sundays: ELCA World Hunger Appeal: $120 received to date; $3,093 in calendar year 2024.
Lutheran Charities Appeal: $5 received to date; $1,238.50 in calendar year 2024.
The three Lutheran-related local social ministry organizations that we support serve over 30,000 of our
neighbors in need: KenCrest Services; Lutheran Settlement House; and Gemma Services.
Mission Offering: $5.00 received to date; $1,955 in calendar year 2024.
Last year we supported Loaves and Fishes, South Africa and Sisters of Saint Joseph Refugee
Housing Project.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do  that.” – The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This week at St. Peter’s
Monday… The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tuesday, 11AM – 3PM ELCA “National Day of Racial Healing”, free online event:
Worship, workshops, music, guided reflections.
Learn more and register at ELCA.org/NDORH.

Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops.
Saturday… WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY (January 18 – 25)
Saturday, 2-5PM. Rental event in Rhoda Hall.

What’s Happening…

January 26… 3rd SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM.
February 1… Area Girl Scouts training program in Rhoda Hall, 8AM – 3PM.
February 2… 4th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. Hybrid worship at 10AM.
Annual reports of activities and financial records are due in preparation for our Annual Meeting.
February 7… Senior Food Box distribution ministry, 8:30AM.
February 8… Women’s Ministry “Gathering”, 11:00AM. Another year of shared stepping and serving!
FEBRUARY 9… St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is 95 years old.
February 23…7th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. Annual Congregational Meeting after
worship. (alternate date March 2). Adopt our 2025 Budget. Elect Church Council. Receive reports.

March 5… ASH WEDNESDAY, FIRST DAY OF LENT.
March 29… “Jazz Luncheon” presented by our Mark S. Livermore Scholarship Committee, 11AM – 2PM, $30 donation. Please see any member of the Committee for tickets.