ThiS week At st. peTer’s | 7-2-23
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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PENTECOST 5 / U.S. Independence Weekend 07-02-2023 Welcome to worship. We need to pray for our nation, our leaders, our people, this world… for all those who are very powerful and self-serving and for all those whose lives are being shaped and even manipulated by the wants and whims of others. We need to pray for the least, the lost, and the lonely. We need to pray for those who are very angry and very agitated in an increasingly trigger-happy humanity. Let us, as the Body of Christ today, commit ourselves to always close the door to hate and to open the door to love, especially toward the vulnerable. Let’s hold onto Jesus, hold onto hope. Let’s work toward peace and justice in our land and all over the face of this globe. Let’s stand up, speak out, do the right thing. As Jeremiah suggests for his nation in today’s First Lesson, “Time will tell” what God is doing in and through the United States of America.
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:20AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.
Scholarship Recognition Sunday (6/25). Words from Micah Gillum, teacher and a Christian man:
“Whenever I had doubts or hard times, then and now, I prayed to the Lord.”
“Things are not always going to be easy and straightforward.”
“Even when it seems like life is taking a long time, God is listening. Even when it seems as though it’s too much to handle, God is listening. Even when it seems we lost our way, God is listening. Even when everything is working against you, God is listening. Even when the path makes no sense and seems long, winding, and convoluted, God is listening. Even when your best plans have fallen apart, God is listening.”
“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. Received last Sunday: $30.00. Total since February 26: $1,702.00. Lord, let me steadily walk your path. Help me to give witness to your love through generous giving!
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”.
As noted two weeks ago, on June 21, 1981 Gwendolyn Johnson-Bond was ordained to lead and serve as a Lutheran pastor, the sixth African American woman in our denomination. Forty-two years later, there have been many more… and even a Bishop. Pastor Gwen thanks you for all your kind wishes and unexpected gifts!
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Monday, ? PM Property Committee meeting (in person).
Tuesday… U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY holiday
Wednesday, 10:00AM Diane Hughes (volunteer office administration).
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!
Saturday, 11:00AM Women’s Ministry “Gathering”. It will be a service project.
Schedule Note: The C.B.S. Food Program (offering free breakfast and lunch for children up to age 18) was started June 21 but has been cancelled. We simply were not connecting with enough of the estimated 400,000 hungry children in Philadelphia.
What’s Happening…
July 9… PENTECOST 6. Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM (in person and online).
July 10… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting (in person), 7:00PM.
July 11… Scholarship Committee “Bus Trip to Sight and Sound” in Lancaster. Contact Jerona Rice.
July 15… YOUTH MINISTRY KICK-OFF RALLY at 1:00PM. An afternoon of fun!
July 29… YOUTH MINISTRY “GET FIT + BE LIT!”, noon – 2:00PM.
August 6… BEAR CREEK CAMP Session 8 begins.
August 25… YOUTH MINISTRY MOVIE NIGHT at 7:00PM.
FAITH is possible in the most difficult of circumstances.
LOVE is the true call no matter what the world says.
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 through bit/ly/stpetersgiving and set up a 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.
Our selected Mission offering for January 1 – June 30 was Covenant House of Philadelphia, which provides shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and other services to homeless and runaway youth in and around our city to help them get off the streets, into a job, and transitioned into independent living. We received $527.00. We have also 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. And there have been some other ways that we have given support over the years (for example, Thrivent Action Projects). Carol Lee is currently sponsoring a “Thrivent
Action Project” and is asking for donations of menstrual sanitary products towards individual care packets that are being assembled. There is a box in the rear of the sanctuary space. 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.
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. To date in 2023, we have received $257.00.
Covenant House of Philadelphia
You are invited to give to our selected Mission for January 1 – June 30: 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. To date in 2023, we have received $277.00. Please note that June 30 is just five days away. Carol Lee is also sponsoring a “Thrivent Action Project” that will ask for contributions of specific items. In 2022, Covenant House reached out to 910 young people through its core programs and services.
Never keep the story of God’s love a secret from others.
Goodness is stronger than evil;
love is stronger than hate;
light is stronger than darkness;
life is stronger than death;
victory is ours through Him who loved us.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa
Join our family, share God’s love.