ThiS week At st. peTer’s | 12-10-23
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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Second Sunday of Advent 12-10-2023
PREPARE!
We welcome all who have come to worship God this Advent Season. Speak to our Pastors about Holy Baptism, membership in this congregation, and the call to live faithfully and love fervently. If you are humble and willing, God can use your discipleship as part of the NEW THING God is doing in our world today. Discover the meaning and joy of LIFE IN CHRIST!
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + ADVENT WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:20AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PLANTS. Today is the deadline to sponsor a plant in memory or in honor of someone or something. Please submit an order form and $10.00 per plant to Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen.
Giving in 2023 (four Sundays to go!)
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:
$ 25 – ELCA World Hunger Appeal, $2,276 received to date in 2023.
$ 10 – Lutheran Charities Appeal, $1,173 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).
$ 30 – Mission Offering
We have selected Mothers in Charge, Inc. a Philadelphia anti-violence organization), for our July – December giving. We have received $698.00 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 – Lutheran Disaster Response (Maui Wildfires, Palestine etc.), $575 received to date.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Monday, 7:00PM CHURCH COUNCIL meeting (on Zoom).
Tuesday, 6:00PM Oak Lane Wildcats young cheerleaders in Rhoda Hall.
Tuesday, 7:00PM Area Girl Scout leaders meeting in classroom.
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, 6:30PM Girl Scouts.
Saturday, 12:00 noon Memorial Service (also on Zoom) and Meal in celebration of the life and faith of
Donna Jones. Donna officially joined St. Peter’s on February 18, 2007.
NO GOD, NO PEACE. KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE.
CHRISTMAS EVE DRAMA. We are seeking to prepare a “play” (entitled “Living Word”, written by Joe Davis) as part of our celebration at the 7:00PM Candlelight Service on Sunday, December 24. We envision having children, youth, and adults as the participants. Do you have interest in helping us prepare? Speak to Pastor Gwen or Juanita Williams.
Preparing a Pathway for God’s Kingdom.
At our 92nd ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S (February 26), Trudi Wright was inspired to suggest what Pastor Neil has called “Trudi’s Challenge”, a goal of 70 persons committed to extra giving in the amount of $143 per person. Then this autumn she was sparked to sponsor “Trudi’s Raffle”, a $147 package of beef products available this past Sunday through $20 tickets. The “Challenge” total is now $2,407; the “Raffle” total is at $1,631.
Traveling to New Orleans.
Our YOUTH continue to raise funds for the ELCA Youth Gathering 2024. Order a freshly-baked cheesecake (three flavors) for $20 each or frozen cookie dough (two flavors) for $12 each dozen. Deadline is December 17 and pick up is here at St. Peter’s is December 24. Online is https://bit.ly/stpetersyouth. Or call Chef Katrina at 267-577-2288.
What’s Happening…
December 17… THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM.
Pastor Bob Holum will be our preacher this Sunday.
December 23… Decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. 9:00AM.
December 24… FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT. Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM.
Pastor Clesha Staten will be our preacher this Sunday.
December 24… CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP. Candles, carols, communion, and Christ!
Hybrid Worship at 7:00PM. A CHRISTMAS EVE DRAMA will be the message.
December 31… FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS. College and Career Student Sunday.
Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM. Our preacher will be Minister Tiese Giles of St. Mark’s Lutheran.
January 1… NEW YEAR’S DAY. A new time to live into fresh opportunities for faith!