ThiS week At st. peTer’s

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138

Church Office: 215-424-5122 Fax: 215-424-7841

e-mail address: stpetersinfo@yahoo.com

Revs. Gwendolyn Johnson-Bond & Neil A. Bond, Co-Pastors

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All Saints Sunday 11-05-2023 This morning we remember with a lighted candle, with a chime of bells, and with our tears and thanksgiving the two members of our St. Peter’s congregation who have completed their life’s journey since last ALL SAINTS SUNDAY. Shelia Marie Bradley-Vitruk (4-17-2023) and Fannie Elizabeth Thompson (5-3-2023) lived the faith here on earth, they trusted and followed and served God. In a world where some people are immobilized by hurt and draw back from others, and some people are infected with hate and strike out at others, and some people are all about self and seek to use and manipulate others, these two made it their business to love. They reached out to others through their faith, their personalities, their words and actions, their financial giving. They bore the name, spirit, and mission of Jesus Christ. These two have completed their life’s journey and died in Christ, and they now rest from their labors – no more hunger and thirst, no more pain and suffering, no more tears. Now everything is at peace. Now all is joy. Now the power of death has given way to everlasting life in Jesus Christ. Let’s remember and celebrate them and all the saints who have gone before us. Let us wipe away our tears and be steadfast in daily journey to join them over there!

Who are the saints of ALL SAINTS SUNDAY? Some have already completed their life’s journey on this earth and rest from their labors, have fought the good fight of faith and received the crown. Some are living near and far around us, still breathing, trying to walk the way of humble faith and obedient servant-love here on earth. And you also are a saint… I am a saint… we are all saints gathered here this Sunday morning in the sanctuary and online. Saints are ordinary, everyday, and not perfect people who go where and do how God’s love leads. Every day is a call to try to walk and talk and think and act holy with a genuine heart and a courageous faith. There are so many ordinary and even some extraordinary ways to offer ourselves as God’s instruments of love. To be a saint then, is not a sign of perfection but a sign of fidelity. Will you try?

TODAY

9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.

10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)

11:20AM All Saints Choir rehearsal. Add your voice to the praise!

Month of November… Give thanks, live thanks, share love.

Tuesday… Election Day. Pray. Vote. Pray. Pray some more.

Tuesday, 6:00PM Oak Lane Wildcats young cheerleaders in Rhoda Hall.

Wednesday, 10:00AM Diane Hughes (volunteer office administration).

Wednesday, 10:00AM Senior Ministry “Study and Discussion” in Rhoda Hall.

Wednesday, 11:00AM Whole Foods fresh produce distribution.

Thursday, 6:00PM Oak Lane Wildcats young cheerleaders in Rhoda Hall.

Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON PROGRAM. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!

Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts.

Saturday, 11:00AM Women’s Ministry “Gathering” (in person and online).

What’s Happening…

November 12… PENTECOST 24. 10:00AM Hybrid Worship (in person and online).

Birthday party event in Rhoda Hall after worship.

November 13… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting in Rhoda Hall, 7:00PM.

November 16… Annual Covenant House of Philadelphia “Sleepout” fundraising event. Consider sleeping out with them. Consider donating money to their work with a sponsorship. Check out Sleepout.org.

November 23… DAY OF THANKSGIVING. Give thanks, live thanks, share love.

November 26… CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY. Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM.

We lift up the ultimate victory of Christ over death, sin, the devil, every evil and injustice!

December 3… FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT. A new Church Year begins! Faith continues!

“Trudi’s Raffle”

She’s eager to spark giving at St. Peter’s! In addition to the “Trudi’s Challenge” campaign (extra $143

in regular giving during calendar year 2023 – $2,372.00 has been received to date), Trudi Wright is sponsoring a raffle of beef strip steaks and other beef cuts (bundle value is $147.00) for a $20 ticket price. December 3 is the scheduled drawing. Support St. Peter’s by contacting her. Here’s the beef!

Giving in 2023.

Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those who are 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 one time donation or recurring weekly gift to selected categories…or text to Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions to register and record your contribution.

Last Sunday’s offering tally (money given in the sanctuary or mailed, but not online giving) also included:

$ 20.00 — ELCA World Hunger Appeal, $2,131 received to date in 2023.

$ 35.00 – Lutheran Charities Appeal, $1,133 received to date in 2023.

The 3 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 (which includes Silver Springs/Martin Luther School).

$ 10.00 – Mission Offering

We have selected Mothers in Charge, Inc. a Philadelphia anti-violence organization), for our July – December giving. We have received $417 to date.

[And our January – June Mission Offering was Covenant House of Philadelphia, servicing

homeless and runaway youth. We received and have sent $647.20.

$ 0.00 – Lutheran Disaster Response (Maui Wildfires, etc.), $575 received to date.

Daylight Savings Time ended last night. Something else to remember and to perhaps disagree about…