Pentecost 16/ 95th Anniversary Worship!!!
PENTECOST 16
95TH ANNIVERSARY
09-28-2025 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ We Rejoice in God’s Spirit +
THE OPENING RITE:
L In the glory of the God who has gifted us with life,
In the grace of Jesus (+) who has saved our lives,
In the glow of the Holy Spirit who lives within us and among us,
C Amen! We gather to worship with humble hearts, ready minds, and willing hands.
L God has brought you here either to confront you or to comfort you. Today you will hear that God, who sits high but looks
low, has a heart for the poor, and that God expects the Church to put these four-letter words to use –
C LOVE. CARE. GIVE.
L In a community, nation, and world of haves and have-nots, of “us” and “them”, of the satisfied and the suffering –
C LOVE. CARE. GIVE.
L In a culture that pimps “the good life” as chasing after life’s fading treasures and fleeting pleasures for one’s own self –
C LOVE. CARE. GIVE.
L Agreeing with St. Paul’s truth that we brought nothing into the world and can take nothing from it, therefore –
C LOVE. CARE. GIVE.
L Not just with teary eyes, kindly words, and cozy wishes, but with genuine concern and real action –
C LOVE. CARE. GIVE.
L So that the gap of a gate here on earth doesn’t become the great chasm between hell and heaven in eternity –
C LOVE. CARE. GIVE.
L Delivered by the death and resurrection of Christ from our sinful selves into new lives of sacrificial sharing –
C LOVE. CARE. GIVE.
L Whatever our economic status, the poor are at our gate. There is always someone in need of help, in need of hope.
The call and the challenge of the Gospel is to pay attention, to have compassion, and to serve. As St. Paul instructs us, instead of wealth…
C “May you pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you are called.”
OPENING SONG: “JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE” Green #551
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together) :
Dear God, sometimes we look for an easier gospel, a lighter cross, a less demanding Savior, and a cheaper ticket to heaven. While there is still time in our life, grant us wisdom and courage to be and become the Church, the Body of Christ, in this broken and suffering world. Lead us and guide us to live faithfully and to love fervently. AMEN.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: AMOS 6:1a, 4-7
[Woe to the complacent and comfortable, who will someday drown in personal pleasure!]
SONG SELECTION: “This Little Light of Mine” St. Peter’s Children
SECOND LESSON: 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-19
[Hearses don’t pull U-Haul trailers, and some die rich in things and poor in soul.]
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SONG, DRUMMING, DANCE SELECTION: “WE WALK HIS WAY” (“EWE THINA”, traditional South African song)
We walk His way… We walk His way.
We walk His way… We walk His way. [repeat the chorus]
(1) Unarmed He faces forces of demons and death. We walk His way. [repeat entire verse]
(2) He breaks the bonds of hell dying on the cross. We walk His way. [repeat entire verse]
(3) The tree of freedom blooms by His empty grave. We walk His way. [repeat entire verse]\
INTRODUCTION OF OUR GUEST PREACHER
GOSPEL VERSE: “I really love the Lord… I really love the Lord!
You don’t know what He’s done for me, gave me the victory.
I love Him, I love Him… I really love the Lord!” (repeat)
THE HOLY GOSPEL: LUKE 16:19-31
[When it’s too late to say, “Oops!” Make the right decisions today about loving, caring, and giving! ]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: BISHOP BRYAN PENMAN, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA
SONG RESPONSE: “LORD, WHOSE LOVE IN HUMBLE SERVICE” Green #423
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
OFFERING OF OUR TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… What is wealth to God? Hearts and hands that are humble, grateful, and generous in sharing God’s love with others.
Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and
their generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those farther away might: mail a check or money
order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138… contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a
recurring weekly gift to selected categories… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions to register and record your contribution. Give gratefully. Give generously.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “More about Jesus would I know, more of his grace to others show, (Tan #565)
More of his saving fullness see, more of his love who died for me.
MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS… MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS…
MORE OF HIS SAVING FULLNESS SEE, MORE OF HIS LOVE WHO DIED FOR ME.
More about Jesus let me learn, more of his holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my Teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.”
OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant: [see PHILIPPIANS 3:10-11]
Dear God, I want to know Christ inside and out. I want to experience the power of his resurrection and join him
in his suffering. I want to be like him in his death and be raised like him from death. As I grow in the grace of
Christ, make me strong in my faith, bold in my witness, and fervent in my servant-love. There is no better life
than life in Christ! Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L We are the Body of Christ! C His Spirit is in us! Alleluia
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L [continues the Preface]… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C [singing…] “Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
holy, holy, holy, holy.
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus,
We’re so glad that you redeemed us, precious Jesus…
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
come and fill our hearts anew, O Holy Spirit…”
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Jesus Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! The wine may be received from the pouring chalice; we also have grape juice on the tray. Praise the Lord for this community meal that unites us together, renews our spirits, powers our faith, and reminds us of the future heavenly banquet that awaits us!
COMMUNION SONGS: “COME, LET US EAT” Green #214
“MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS” Green #293
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Mission +
A CLOSING CHARGE AND BENEDICTION by our Bishop:
L Sisters and brothers of Saint Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, in February of 1930 this congregation was gathered
together and called to be and become the Body of Christ – joining together with all other Christians. For 95 years members
and friends of this congregation have shared the name, the spirit, and the mission of Jesus Christ – here and there and all
over the face of this earth. So much has changed over those 95 years, but our Lord and Savior continues to send you forth
to make a difference with your love. May you continue to live faithfully and love fervently!
May the Lord bless you and keep you…
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you…
the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C (singing) “A-MEN! A-MEN! A—MEN!”
CLOSING SONG: “GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY” Green #415
We welcome all who have come to worship in person or online!
So many thanks for being part of our 95th Anniversary celebration!
We invite you who are here to join us for a meal and fellowship.
MAKE AMERICA (and the world) HUMAN AGAIN.
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”.