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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First Sunday of Advent                                                                                                                                                                                                                  12-01-2024

(First Sunday of the Church Year)

Hope. 

TODAY

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

10:00AM                 + Advent Worship +  (in person and online)

11:30AM                      All Saints Choir rehearsal.

 

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PLANTS. To sponsor a plant in memory or in honor of someone or something, please submit an order form and payment –  $10.00 per plant – by December 9 to Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen.

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)

$10 last week $2,643 received to date in 2024. Your spirit of love is on the shine!

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)

$0 last week, $1,213.50 received to date in 2024. We also provided two “Thanksgiving baskets” to

    Gemma Services through our children, youth, and a few volunteers! 

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.) $80 last week, $495 received to date. Your love is on the shine! And our January – June Mission Offering provided about $1,400 for Loaves and Fishes, Capetown, South Africa.

    And a “Sunday School” Christmas project supports the ELCA Good Gifts “God’s Global Barnyard”. Last Sunday Diana and Timyk Hillsman collected $45, which is almost one goat ($50) to a place in the world where people are trying to get out of hunger and poverty. We can buy several goats or even a herd ($300)… or add other creatures (chicks $10, rooster $15, piglet $30, cow $500, fish farm $250, honeybees $20). You can offer your contribution to Diana and Timyk or in the offering plate (Please designate that it is for this cause).

Give thanks, live thanks, share love.

                   ThiS week At st. peTer’s

Wednesday, 9:30AM         Senior Ministry “Study and Discussion” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!

Wednesday, 10:30AM         Whole Foods fresh produce distribution.

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

Friday, 8:30AM                    Senior Food Box distribution ministry.

Saturday, 8AM – 6PM Area Girl Scouts training program in Rhoda Hall.

IT’S NEVER TOO SOON TO BE FAITHFUL.

BUT, ONE DAY, IT WILL BE TOO LATE… 

 

What’s Happening…

December 8…  Second Sunday of Advent.  Deadline for Christmas poinsettia plant orders ($10 is December 9. Give forms and payment to Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen.

Eastern Star rental event, 2 – 5PM.

December 9…  CHURCH COUNCIL meeting (on Zoom), 7:00PM.

December 14… Women’s Ministry “Christmas Gathering”, 11:00AMl

December 14…  Sanctuary and Rhoda Hall rental for memorial service.

December 15…  Third Sunday of Advent. 10:00AM Hybrid Worship (in person and online).  December 21…  Decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. 9:00AM.

December 22…  Fourth Sunday of Advent.

December 24…  CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP. Candles, carols, communion, and Christ!  

Hybrid Worship at 7:00PM.

December 29…   FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. College and Career Student Sunday.

***  RAFFLE FOR 4 BOX SEATS, NEW DATE!  *** Sixers/Lakers game, 01/28/2025 (Tuesday), at 7:30PM.                       Four seats, food, drink ($2,000 total value)       $20/raffle ticket  Drawing in January after church service! Supports St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of the West Oak Lane neighborhood in Philadelphia.  Contact Diane Hughes, our Church Secretary, for a ticket.

 

Even in the midst of trouble and turmoil, God allows us glimpses of the kingdom to come. 

What signs of promise do you see that bolster your hope in a new heaven and a new earth? 

What would need to be done in your own life to get ready for the advent of Jesus?