This Week At St. Peter’s | 11-6-22

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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All Saints Sunday                                                          11-06-2022

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. Paul Francis Vitruk (1-30-2022) and James Edward Bunch (3-23-2022) 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 the hustle of others and sneak about, these two made it their business to love. They reached out to others through their faith, through their personalities, through their words and actions, through 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                   Choir rehearsal.

10:00AM                  + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + 

ThiS week At st. peTer’s

Tuesday…            Election Day. Pray. Vote. Pray.

Tuesday, 7:00PM        Area Girl Scout leaders meeting.

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

Wednesday, 10:00AM    Senior Ministry “Bible Study”. Please note the time change.

Wednesday, 10:30AM          Whole Foods distribution.

Thursday7:00PM                   ALL SAINTS CHOIR rehearsal.

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

Friday, 6:30PM        Girl Scouts.

Saturday, 10:00AM        Eastern Star training event.

Saturday, 11: 00AM             Women’s Ministry “Gathering”

 

We welcome all who have come to worship!

Speak to our Pastors about Holy Baptism, membership in this congregation, and faithful discipleship. A heart that is open to God is a heart that is open to change and a new life!

Our Scholarship Committee is doing some fundraising through African American Expressions 2022 Christmas

Catalog orders. A first order will be submitted soon. Contact a member of the committee to get calendars, Christmas cards, stationery, pot holders, aprons, umbrellas, tote bags, shower curtains, puzzles, floor mats, ornaments, mugs, wall hangings, etc. Contact the Scholarship Committee.

Another fundraiser, Thanksgiving pies, will benefit our Building Fund. Pies and breads in various flavors are $25 each, must be ordered by November 12. Contact Sheila Vitruk ort Trudi Wright.

 

 What’s Happening…                   .

November 13…   PENTECOST 23. Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM

November 14…   Church Council meeting in Rhoda Hall, 7:00PM.

November 19…   Eastern Star group packing Thanksgiving baskets, 12:00 noon.    

November 20…   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!

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

November 27…   FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.  A new Church Year begins!

December 3…   Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 6:00PM.

December 10…   Eastern Star training event, 10:00AM.

December 10…   Women’s Ministry “Gathering”, 11:00AM.

December 10…   “Pop-Up Shop” and “Flea Market”, fundraising events, 1:00PM.

December 17…   Girl Scouts “Investiture Service” in Rhoda Hall, 9:00AM.

December 17…   Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 2:00PM.

 

                                                       Giving.

Beyond regular and responsible support of Christ’s work that happens at and through St. Peter’s, there are additional ways to give gratefully and to share generously: (1) World Hunger offerings that go to our national E.L.C.A. denomination World Hunger Appeal and help relieve local, national, and international suffering through direct aid, development, and advocacy; (2) Lutheran Charities Appeal offerings that support three Philadelphia metro area social ministry organizations: KenCrest Services, Lutheran Settlement House, and Gemma Services, together serving over 30,000 of our neighbors with varied needs each year; (3) Mission offerings that, in 2022, will be split between two causes: No More Secrets which addresses inadequate access to menstrual sanitary products and hygiene education in Philadelphia… and Covenant House in the Germantown neighborhood which helps get homeless young adults off the streets, into a job, and transitioned into independent living. Please designate the purpose of your giving. Someone once complained that all he ever heard around church was giving, giving, always giving. That’s an accurate description of Christianity. It all begins with what God has given us, especially in the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we, in turn, are called to be givers, offering our lives and our gifts.