ThiS week At st. peTer’s | 7-21-24
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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PENTECOST 9
07-21-2024
There is a rhythm to authentic living that includes work and leisure, rest and exercise, interaction with others and time to ourselves, getting away as well as staying home, tending to our own wellness as well as caring for others. And there should also always be some space in our busy and distracted lives for worship, both the organized worship gatherings with other Christian people as well as the personal moments of quiet reflection and prayer. It takes time to relax and be renewed. And it takes effort. First, you have to set aside the time. Then you have to work at slowing down, entering into the quiet and calm, accepting God’s peace and grace. But it isn’t as hard as you think to do this, if you are willing to “let go and let God.” After all, God has created a human being rather than a human doing. And God can help you find the right balance in your life. How do you take care of yourself and remain faithful in ministry to others?
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Youth Gathering!
Veronica, Timyk, Bernadette, Lisa, Rianna, Katrina, Demeir, Madison, Danaeh, Brandon, Samir, Xavier, and Tredon are returning from spending a week down there in New Orleans with 16,000 other people. Our St. Peter’s travel group included kids, adult leaders, and adult volunteers. Thanks for the financial support that many of you have given! Pray for the entire Youth Gathering, pray for our group, pray that each individual has been positively transformed by this “in Christ” experience!
Last Sunday. It was quite a challenge at first – both in your place and here in the sanctuary – to successfully “receive” and “send” our worship. We are grateful if you had the patience to stay with us as we wrestled with technology… and we are grateful to Tanya who realized that we might be broadcasting twice… and we are grateful that Pastor Neil (who, for example, has never owned a cell phone) didn’t try to use his “skills” to help.
Reaching out with dollars that become loving deeds.
Beyond support of our 2024 Budget ($179,787 is what we envision spending this year… and our income after 6 months trails our expenses by about $8,000) 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)
$0 last week, $1,588 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)
$12.50 last week, $741.50 received to date in 2024.
Mission Offering (For July – December we have selected a local ministry, the Sisters of Saint Joseph Refugee Housing Project, introduced to us by our young adult member Andrea Wood. Their work includes transitional housing for refugee resettlement, family support services, and a distribution center with needed household items and furniture. This Mission Offering, other monetary gifts, new and gently used items (they have a “wish list”, see the Pastors) and volunteer opportunities are all ways to respond to refugees in need with genuine love.) A new project… $0 received to dateOur January – June Mission Offering collected about $1,400 for Loaves and Fishes, Capetown, South Africa..
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activities” in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 6:00PM Neighborhood “Bingo Night” in Rhoda Hall, $10.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON PROGRAM. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts trip preparation (Some are traveling to London, some to Mexico!)
What’s Happening…
June 16 – August 9… BEAR CREEK CAMP. Register now for a wonderful week of camp!
The cost of a week of overnight camp this season is as little as $75. Contact Pastor Gwen if you have questions.
July 28… PENTECOST 10. 10:00AM in person and online.
Worship every Sunday! Keep it a strong day in your weekly routine… then the days that follow won’t be “weak” days! (Try it for 6 Sundays in a row… see if it makes a difference.)
“…like sheep without a shepherd.”
In today’s Gospel the New Testament Greek verb splangchnizomai is used to describe the reaction of Jesus to the sufferings and needs he sees in the crowd. It is “to be moved in one’s guts” – a deep and powerful emotion of love almost to the point of being physically sickened. We need to pay close attention to the words and actions of Jesus if we are going to share this compassion through our own lives. When you see with your heart, Christian caregiving becomes a way of life with your deeds and your dollars.