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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TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD                                                                                                                               02-04-2024  

Today’s worship is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas–Epiphany cycle and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in a few days with Ash Wednesday. UP ON THE MOUNTAINTOP JESUS IS TRANSFIGURED – dazzling light, glowing face, bright cloud, special guests and private conversation, thundering voice offering divine proclamation, mystery and awe and maybe even a sense of foreboding. DOWN THE MOUNTAINTOP JESUS COMES – perhaps better prepared to go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. The three disciples who were with Jesus – Peter, James, and John – and all the disciples of every time and place – you and I – need that vision of glory, that glow of a promise, and a glimmer of hope in order to follow Jesus on the way to the cross. LISTEN TO JESUS! It is a fearful thing to be with Jesus sometimes. But to those of us who have followed him, it is more fearful to be without him.    

                             TODAY

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

10:00AM       + EPIPHANY WORSHIP + (in person and online)  

11:20AM        93rd ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S (in person + online) 

God’s great grace           >            attitude of gratitude            >           generosity!

If we adopt our proposed Budget for 2024 at our 93rd ANNUAL MEETING without any changes we will need our Budget Income to average $3,457.44 each of the 52 weeks. We can accomplish this! In 2023 we averaged $3,418.98 each of the 52 weeks. Let’s all stay faithful to the One we call our Savior and our Lord.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO “PETE”! On February 9, 1930 thirty-five persons officially organized themselves as Saint Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in a storeroom at 7609 Ogontz Avenue. Today, we continue as a faith community bearing the name, the spirit, and the mission of Jesus Christ. GIVE GOD THE PRAISE, GRATITUDE, AND GLORY FOR THE PAST! GIVE GOD YOUR HUMILITY, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT FOR THE FUTURE! Let’s all stay in prayer for our worship, our giving, our serving, our inviting, our loving. Let’s all stay passionate and persistent in our following of the One we call our Savior and Lord. In changing and challenging times, some congregations have the will but don’t have a way. Some congregations have the means but have lost the motivation. MAY WE BE A PEOPLE THAT LOVES THE LORD AND LOVES TO SERVE HIM! GOD HASN’T BROUGHT US THIS FAR SO THAT WE COULD FAIL HIM NOW!

   LOVE, NOT HATE.            PEACE, NOT VIOLENCE.

  MERCY, NOT GREED.           JUSTICE, NOT ABUSE. 

   HUMILITY, NOT ARROGANCE.      GOD’S TRUTH, NOT LIES. THE WAY OF JESUS, NOT JUST “MY WAY”.

 

  ThiS week At st. peTer’s

Every day… BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Discover. Celebrate. Commit to the future.

Monday, 7:00PM CHURCH COUNCIL meeting on Zoom.

Tuesday, 7:00PM         Area Girl Scout leaders in Rhoda Hall.

Wednesday, 9:30AM              Senior Ministry “Study and Discussion” in Rhoda Hall. (Note the earlier start!)

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

Wednesday, 11:00AM            Whole Foods fresh produce distribution.

Ash Wednesday, 12 noon First day of LENT. “In person Worship” with ashes and Holy Communion.

Ash Wednesday, 7:00PM First day of LENT. “Hybrid Worship” with ashes and Holy Communion.

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

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

Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts.

 

     What’s Happening…

February…  BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

       You are invited to wear Afrocentric clothing or appropriately messaged shirts this month.

February 18…  FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.

February 19…   Scholarship Committee meeting on Zoom, 7:00PM.

February 24…   Rental event in Rhoda Hall.

February 25…   SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.  Pastor David Maddox II will preach. [Alternate date for ANNUAL MEETING.]

Month of March… Women’s History Month. Remember. Celebrate. Step forward. 

March 10…  FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT.  Deadline for Easter plant orders.

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4 important questions during Lent:

• Do you believe that God loves you?

• Do you believe that you are a sinner?

• Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins?

• Will you now trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord?

 

Join in our new life together which is being shaped by the good news of Jesus Christ crucified and now risen among us! Speak to our Pastors about Holy Baptism, affirming your Baptism vows, or joining St. Peter’s.