ThiS week At st. peTer’s | 6-4-23
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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HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY 06-04-2023
Welcome to worship. TRINITY is a term not found in the Bible, but it is our Christian attempt to account for the complex biblical testimony that (1) GOD THE “FATHER” who created our world and our lives remained all-powerful and transcendent; and yet (2) JESUS CHRIST THE “SON”, who lived and died and was raised by God, was somehow also God; and moreover (3) the HOLY SPIRIT, poured out on the Church at Pentecost and even now, is also God; and yet (4) there is only ONE GOD. When we are baptized in this name, we receive a sense of divine order to the chaos of this world…we enter into a mutual relationship that is marked by divine love… and we receive a divine mission to help create the kingdom of God through our fervent witness and faithful service. God calls us to live, to be, to speak and pray and serve and love. The Church is alive and on the go!
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:20AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.
Join our family, share God’s love.
“Trudi’s Challenge”
During our 92nd ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S (February 26), Trudi Wright suggested that 70 people giving an extra $143.00 in regular giving during calendar year 2023 would add about $10,000 to our Budget Income, taking care of our anticipated $7,322 deficit and creating a small surplus for 2023. Pastors Gwen and Neil liked that idea. If you would like to join in that quest, please designate such extra giving as “Trudi’s Challenge”. But it will blend with other general giving toward our 2023 Budget needs. Total since February 26: $1,577.00. Lord, let me steadily walk your path. Help me to give witness to your love through generous giving!
Thank you to all who helped make last Sunday’s PENTECOST WORSHIP (uplifting songs and sermon, waving streamers and rhythmic dancers, saints gathered in bright clothes and bright faces) and FELLOWSHIP TIME (cake and ice cream) a wonderful blessing! Many hands shared the load. Now, with empowered spirits, liberated tongues, and enthused hearts, let us truly remain the BODY OF CHRIST – alive and on the go with the Jesus story and the Jesus love!
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Monday… Property Committee meeting (in person).
Wednesday, 10:00AM Senior Ministry “Bible Study” in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 11:00AM Whole Foods fresh produce distribution.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON PROGRAM. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts.
Saturday, 11:00AM Women’s Ministry “Gathering”?
Celebrating the gift of life’s journey. This Saturday, June 10, Elaine Jones invites you to her 84th birthday celebration at Radisson Hotel, Trevose (for the cost of the meal). Contact her.
Never keep the story of God’s love a secret from others.
What’s Happening…
June 11… PENTECOST 2. BEAR CREEK CAMP SUNDAY. Come and meet some of the staff as they join with us in worship. After worship we will provide lunch for Bear Creek staff, campers and
parents… plus additional Youth and those interested in helping to work with youth ministry. Please don’t delay in registering for camp! Often our kids will choose Session 8 (August 6-11 this year).
June 12… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting, 7:00PM.
June 17… Memorial service celebrating the life and faith of Fannie Thompson, in the Sanctuary, 1:00PM.
June 18… PENTECOST 3. JUNETEENTH, FATHER’S DAY. Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM.
June 25… SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY. Guest preacher.
July 11… Scholarship Committee “Bus Trip to Sight and Sound” in Lancaster. Contact Jerona Rice.
Giving in 2023.
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… or give online 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.
You are also invited to give to our selected Mission for January 1 – June 30: Covenant House of Philadelphia provides safe spaces, emergency sheltering, transitional housing, education and employment services, medical services, mental health and counseling support, nutritional food, clothing and more to every at-risk young person who is homeless or runaway and without much of a plan or support. In 2022, Covenant House reached out to 910 young people through its core programs and services. Those using the offering envelopes will find a “Mission Offering” envelope for May 21 in their box of envelopes; others will need to designate what they are giving. We have designated “Mission Offerings” in the past to Covenant House: $1,520.00 in 2014; $448.00 in 2018; $605.00 in 2019; $602.16 in 2021; and $748.60 in 2022. To date in 2023, we have received $262.00 and pray to do better. There have also been some other ways that we have given support over the years (for example, Thrivent Action Projects). Pastor David Maddox II continues to be part of the staff that helps to offer help and hope and healing to those who are searching, struggling, and suffering.
God’s love for us is greater than our sins, failings and fears. Don’t refuse it. Don’t abuse it. And don’t lose it in the clamor and clutter of what this world pimps as the “good life”.