ThiS week At st. peTer’s |11-10-24
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
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PENTECOST 25 11-10-2024
Opened hands.
Opened hands, holding little of precious earthly significance, stretch out to surrender all in reckless devotion and vulnerable trust. We witness those opened hands on a starving widow in a foreign land in today’s First Reading, holding only the ingredients for a skimpy last supper that will instead be food for a prophet. We witness those opened hands on a widow in the Temple in Jerusalem in today’s Gospel, reaching up from the bottom of her social and economic barrel to release her entire penny’s worth for the work of God in a room full of bigger, more showy, spenders. And we see those opened hands on Jesus in today’s Second Reading, which speaks of a seemingly odd self-sacrifice of his own life on a cross. How did either widow exemplify a giving spirit? How do you – or, perhaps, do you – exemplify a giving spirit? GOD IS NEITHER IMPRESSED NOR PLEASED WHEN WE TRY TO ACT RELIGIOUS WITHOUT BEING FAITHFUL. FIND YOUR BEST SELF BY GIVING YOUR WHOLE SELF TO THE LORD. Holy Spirit, open our hearts, that we might more freely give. Amen.
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:30AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.
RAFFLE FOR 4 BOX SEATS, Sixers/Magic game, 12/6/2024,
7:00PM seats, food, drink ($2,000 total value) $20/raffle ticket
Drawing on November 24 after church service! Supports St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Faith in action through grateful giving!
Beyond support of our 2024 Budget ($179,787 is what we envision spending this year) 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) $5 last week $2,528 received to date in 2024. In celebration of 50 years of this ministry, consider an “anniversary gift” of $50 to help share God’s mercy and love.
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) $60 last week, $1,208.50 received to date in 2024. Your spirit of love is on the shine! Thank you, children and seniors, for two “Everything but the Turkey” Thanksgiving meals given to Gemma Services!
Mission Offering (For July – December we have selected a local ministry, the Sisters of Saint Joseph Refugee Housing Project, introduced to us by our young adult member Andrea Wood. Their work includes transitional housing for refugee resettlement, family support services, and a distribution center with needed household items and furniture. This Mission Offering, other monetary gifts, new and gently used items (they have a “wish list”, see the Pastors) and volunteer opportunities are all ways to respond to refugees in need with genuine love.) $30 last week, $370 received to date. Your spirit of love is on the shine!
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Monday… Veterans Day. Remember and honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Monday, 7:00PM CHURCH COUNCIL meeting in Rhoda Hall.
Tuesday, 7:00PM Area Girl Scouts leaders in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Share the fellowship!
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON PROGRAM. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops meeting.
Saturday, 8AM – 3PM Area Girl Scouts.
What’s Happening…
Month of November… Give thanks, live thanks, share love.
November 17… PENTECOST 26. 10:00AM Hybrid Worship (in person and online).
November 20… Senior Ministry “Study and Discussion” in Rhoda Hall, 9:30AM.
November 20… Whole Foods distribution ministry, 11:00AM
November 22… Wedding rehearsal and decorating, 5:00PM.
November 23… Wedding and reception rental at St. Peter’s, 2:00PM.
November 24… CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY. (Last Sunday of the Church Year)
November 28… DAY OF THANKSGIVING in our nation. But some are struggling and suffering.
November 28… Rhoda Hall Thanksgiving meal rental.
November 28… Al-Anon Step Group meeting, 7:30PM. Holidays can sometimes become challenging!
November 30… Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 1:00PM.
December 1… First Sunday of Advent (First Sunday of the Church Year)
10:00AM Hybrid Worship (in person and online).