ThiS week At st. peTer’s

5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER 04-28-2024

Christ is the vine and we are the branches. So proclaims Jesus in John’s Gospel as he speaks to his first disciples on the last night of his life. And so we hear and say about ourselves this morning as his disciples of here and now. Jesus, the true vine, gives us – his branches – two primary teachings about nurture. The first is that in order for the branches to stay alive they must draw daily nourishment from him. The second is that our purpose as branches is to bear fruit, not just leaves; and the fruit that we bear will always be some expression of God’s love. Living connected and giving compassionately are central to the Christian life. If the vine is true and the gardener is good and the branches stay securely connected, then we will be sustained and thriving… and the fruit of our faith will just naturally appear. Let us gladly bear the name Christian and freely share this new life that we have received with our brothers and sisters of the human family, for the sake of Christ, the one who shared his all with us. Amen.

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.

3:30PM “MYLE Event” Pre-Trip Meeting, followed by

5:00PM – 7:00PM ELCA Youth Gathering meeting, both at St. Luke, Devon, PA.

Giving in 2024

Beyond support of our 2024 Budget ($179,787 is what we envision spending this year to bear Christ’s name, spirit, and mission) are those special opportunities for giving on behalf of others. They include:

ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs)
- $100 last week, $703 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 with various needs)
- $92 last week,$374 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 visited 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.

4 important questions during Easter:

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?

We invite you to join in our new life together as we hear God’s fresh word to us, grow in grace, and offer our God-given gifts in service to others. A heart that is open to Jesus Christ is a heart that is open to change. May we each live fully in the time and the place where God has called us.

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

Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activities” in Rhoda Hall.

Thursday… NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER.

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

Friday, 8:00AM Senior Food Box distribution ministry.

Friday + Saturday Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly at Franconia Mennonite Church, Telford PA. Pastors Neil + Gwen will attend… we have no other delegates registered.

Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts.

Saturday, 7:00PM Cliveden-Wister Al-Anon Anniversary in Rhoda Hall.

Saturday… “Cheesecake Fundraiser” orders due today. (See below.)

“Created to Be”, ELCA Youth Gathering, July 13-20, New Orleans

We have 7 kids and 2 adult leaders going to the Gathering that we will need to raise a few more dollars to help send. Please support their CHEESECAKE FUNDRAISR with an order placed by May 4 or just a cash donation. Another 5 adults have volunteered to serve as ELCA Gathering staff.

What’s Happening…

May 5… 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER. Hybrid worship at 10AM.

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, 12 noon – 3:00PM.

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!