ThiS week At st. peTer’s | 10-29-23
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
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Reformation Sunday 10-29-2023
The focus of the readings for this day are echoed throughout Martin Luther’s writings – the relationship of law and gospel. Hearing the words today from the gospel of John, “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed,” we are reminded of the words of another Martin, Martin Luther King Jr., and his inspiring words from his famous speech, “Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, I am free at last!” Both of these Martins, the earlier and the later, understood the radical grace of God in giving his only son to be put to death and raised to new life so that all – from the very least to the presumed greatest – might have eternal life with God in heaven. Both Martins understood this gift of grace so well, in fact, that they continued to preach this word in the face of threats to silence and kill them.
As long as sin remains in this world, we will face challenges to that word of grace and freedom, not only because of those who would keep us enslaved if they could, but also because of our own bondage to various powers, including this “thingdom” of power, prestige, and prosperity that our culture preaches and pimps as the good life. Today we celebrate restoration, renewal, and revival through the gift of God’s grace in Christ Jesus! May each of us rediscover that no other life than LIFE IN CHRIST will save, satisfy, or sustain us. Find your freedom by grabbing on and holding on to Jesus!
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!
Thank you, Pastor David Maddox II, for this morning’s Sermon!
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Tuesday, 6:00PM Oak Lane Wildcats young cheerleaders in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 10:00AM Diane Hughes (volunteer office administration).
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall.
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, 8:00AM Senior Food Boxes.
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts.
Lord, keep us in faith that we may have and offer life.
What’s Happening…
November 5… All Saints Sunday. 10:00AM Hybrid Worship (in person and online).
We remember and thank God for two Christian sisters of this congregation who have completed
their life’s journey since last All Saints: Shelia Vitruk and Fannie Thompson.
November 7… Election Day. Pray. Vote. Pray. Pray some more.
November 11… Women’s Ministry “Gathering” (in person and online) at 11:00AM.
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. 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!
“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 – $2,332.00 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!
“BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN PHILADELPHIA”
Kyra Knox (the granddaughter of church members Rosella McVay, Sarah Caliman, and the late Warren Caliman… someone who grew up among us at St. Peter’s) has directed a new documentary film with the title above that examines the effects of gun violence on young men, women, and mothers living in Philadelphia. Included in her first feature film are Mothers in Charge, Inc., a Philadelphia anti-violence and grief support organization that is our Mission Offering for July – December ($407 received to date) and Shoot Basketballs, NOT People, directed by Garry Mills (another grandchild to the Calimans who grew up among us at St. Peter’s), a nonprofit offering solace and a positive path to young people. The film has won awards and will be accessible through Fox and Amazon Prime sometime in December. In the film and at the 32nd Philadelphia Film Festival showing both Kyra and Garry lifted up the inspiration that “Pop-Pop” Warren Caliman had on each of their lives. The values that you pass on to the next generation are worth so much more than the valuables you leave them. Reinvest your faith in God by sharing it with others. Someone somewhere is in need of the good news of God’s love.
And you might be the best person, perhaps the only person, to help answer that need.