ThiS week At st. peTer’s | 4-14-24
He is risen and alive! But it takes a while for disheartened disciples – at that first Easter as well as here and now – to move from doubt to faith, to break their silence with words and deeds of witness. Today and every Sunday we gather, like those first disciples, in joy and doubt, fear and hope. Each Sunday we share a meal with the Risen Christ, each Sunday the scriptures are revealed to us, each Sunday we are restored, each Sunday we are drawn together as a community of grace and empowered to go out to become and to share the good news of God’s love in the world. As your own bewilderment is changed to belief that the crucified Jesus has defeated death, risen victorious over the forces of evil, and established his new kingdom of love, you can’t help but speak that Word of life and share the Risen Christ with others. We have a message to hear and a story to tell…
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:30AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.
4:00PM. AGAPE (Dave Scherer) and Joe Davis – both noted for Christian
witness among children, youth, and adults with music, poetry, and storytelling – will present at Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale, PA as a fundraiser for the ELCA Youth Gathering 2024 this summer.
- PETER’S CHURCH COUNCIL (4/8/2024): (1) elected Veronica Britto as Church Council President, Stephanie Fluellen as Council Vice President, and Janice Henderson as Council Secretary; (2) approved Minutes of 3/11/2023 Council Meeting; (3) received Pastors’ Report that celebrated Holy Week and Easter worship experiences; (4) celebrated the wonderful news that our January – March 2024 Budget Income was $51,471.46 while Budget Expenses totaled $45,884.71 (surplus of about $5,600) (5) supported having a Pentecost Day Indoor Picnic celebration on May 19 after worship, with hotdogs and hamburgers provided and other items volunteered; (6) received reports on Youth Gathering preparation and Property concerns; (7) endorsed some further discussion of possible summer space rental by a preschool. Your 2024 Church Council is Pastor Gwen and Pastor Neil, Veronica Britto, Regina Carter, Carol Chatman, Armia Dennis, Brenda Draper, Stephanie Fluellen, Linda Gillum, Janice Henderson, Rashidah Perkins, Ida Swindle, Cecil Webb, and Trudi Wright. Ben Shipanga, no longer a member of the Church Council, continues in the role of Treasuer. We are grateful for the faith, the time and skills, and the effort that these believers offer to the Lord as servant- leaders in our Congregation!
Giving in 2024
Beyond support of our 2024 Budget ($179,787 is what we envision spending this year) are those opportunities for special giving on behalf of others. They include:
- ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs)
- $597 received to date in 2024;
- Lutheran Charities Appeal (assisting three local social ministry organizations – KenCrest Services, Lutheran Settlement House, and Gemma Services – that serve thousands of neighbors in need
- $272 received to date in 2024.
- Mission Offering (For January – June we have selected Loaves and Fishes, Capetown, South Africa, suggested by Pastor Bob Holum after he had occasion to visit and interact there. It is a shelter facility and social ministry that works with homeless people to provide “spiritual, psychological, and material renewal”.)
- $405 received to date in 2024.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Monday U.S. Federal Income Tax due in most states. Take time to pray for our nation today, that there might be LESS bitterness and hate, greed and addiction, violence and abuse… and MORE mutual respect and concern, peace and justice, love and compassion, unity and integrity. Our hearts and minds need healing.
Wednesday, 10:00AM Diane Hughes, volunteer office administration.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activities” in Rhoda Hall.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON PROGRAM. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 8:00AM Senior Food Box distribution ministry.
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts.
Saturday, 12:00 noon ELCA Youth Gathering meeting in Rhoda Hall.
What’s Happening…
April 21… 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER. We need a Good Shepherd in our life!
Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM. Autism Awareness Month.
April 23… Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania.
April 27… Girl Scout event in Rhoda Hall, 9:00AM.
April 28… 5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER. Hybrid Worship at 10AM.
Synod ELCA Youth Gathering pre-trip meetings, 3:30PM and 5:00PM.
May 3… Senior Food Box distribution ministry, 8:00AM.
May 3, 4… Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly at Franconia Mennonite Church, Telford PA.
May 4… Our Cliveden-Wister Al-Anon Step Group gathers in Rhoda Hall for another anniversary celebration!
May 11… Women’s Ministry “Gathering” at 11:00AM. (in person and online).
May 12… 7TH SUNDAY OF EASTER. MOTHER’S DAY.
Tyesha Love Blackshear, a St. Peter’s member, will be our guest preacher.
May 18… “Talent Show” by the Scholarship Committee.
May 19… DAY OF PENTECOST. A Spirit explosion of joy and power!
Hybrid worship at 10AM (in person and online), followed by a picnic and fellowship in Rhoda Hall. Wear bright red, yellow, orange, or pink as we celebrate the fire of the Holy Spirit that filled, fueled, and poured out of those 120 praying gathered believers when the Church was born! Invite FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, STRANGERS! Sign up to help us estimate the attendance, sign up to contribute food items!