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

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Second Sunday of Advent                                                    12-08-2024

Peace. 

TODAY

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

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

2:00 – 5:00PM        Eastern Star rental event (Rhoda Hall).  

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PLANTS. Tomorrow is the deadline to sponsor a plant ($10.00) in memory or in honor of someone or something. Please submit an order form and payment to Pastor Neil or Gwen.

Faith in action through grateful giving!

 

Beyond support of our 2024 Budget ($179,787 is what we envisioned 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)

$25 last week $2,668 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.) $5 last week, $500 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.

    A “Sunday School” Christmas project supports the ELCA Good Gifts “God’s Global Barnyard”. Diana and Timyk Hillsman have collected $45, which is almost one goat ($50) to be delivered in 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 as “Good Gifts”.)

 

                   ThiS week At st. peTer’s

Monday, 7:00PM       CHURCH COUNCIL meeting (on Zoom),

Wednesday, 10:30AM         Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!

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

Friday, 6:30PM                     Girl Scout troops.

Saturday… Sanctuary and Rhoda Hall rental for memorial service.

Saturday, 11:00AM Women’s Ministry “Christmas Party”.

What’s Happening…

December 15…  Third Sunday of Advent. 10:00AM Hybrid Worship (in person and online). 

December 18…  Whole Foods fresh produce distribution, 10:30AM

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 on January 19 after church service! Supports Building Fund of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of the West Oak Lane neighborhood in Philadelphia.  Contact Diane Hughes, our Church Secretary, for a raffle ticket.

Can you think of a “John the Baptist” person in your life who helped confront you and “turn you around” sometime along your life’s journey? How are you right now preparing the way of the Lord, making it more straight and level?  Who might you reach out to in invitation and encouragement?