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 7 / U.S. Independence Weekend                                                                                                                                                                                                                 07-07-2024                                                                                                                                                                                

A PRAYER FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

God of all nations, we give you thanks and praise, for you have blessed this nation with health, peace, safety, and all things needed for our daily lives. But we are not a perfect country, and we are troubled by division, greed, violence, pride, and prejudice. We pray for humble, wise, and mentally sound leaders who will not just serve their own egos but will govern with integrity and seek the well-being of all who inhabit this land. May we never become so proud that we take for granted what you have bestowed, never become so materialistic that we neglect the great responsibility you have entrusted us to others less fortunate, never become so unloving as to continue further into the cycle of violence and prejudice, and never become so stupid that we forget that one day we will stand – with all nations and peoples – to be accountable before you. On this Independence Day may we continue to humble our hearts and our ways in dependence on God. Let righteousness and justice flow like a mighty river. Amen.

TODAY

 9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.

10:00AM         + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)

11:30AM All Saints Choir rehearsal?

Reaching out with dollars that become loving deeds.

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)

$45 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)

$0 last week, $704 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 there. It is a shelter facility and social ministry that works with homeless people to provide “spiritual, psychological, and material renewal”.)

$5 last week, $1,404 received. At its next meeting, Church Council will select a July – December cause.

Join our family, share God’s love, and grow in discipleship.

The winning raffle ticket for the Crux COFFEE MAKER is 3119411. See Carol Chatman.

 

ThiS week At st. peTer’s

Monday, 7:00PM         CHURCH COUNCIL meeting in person in Rhoda Hall.

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, 8:00AM     Senior Food Boxes distribution. Contact Frances Maddox.

Friday, 6:30PM     Girl Scouts trip preparation (Some are traveling to London, some to Mexico!)

Saturday…           ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The theme is “CREATED TO BE”,       Psalm 139:14. We have kids, adult leaders, and adult volunteers all attending.

Saturday, 11:00AM         WOMEN’S MINISTRY “Gathering” in person and online.

 

OUR GRATITUDE AND LOVE!

Dear  friends,

The Christian missionary Paul writes in Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” We are filled with so much gratitude to God, so much gratitude for you and to you. Thank you so much if your schedule, your finances, and your health allowed you to come here, from near or far, on a summer day in July to mark a milestone in our life and work as Pastors of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Thirty-five years! So many memories! So many blessings! So many experiences of God’s love being offered and shared, being received by us in excess of what we put forth! We never would have guessed that we would have been in this place and in partnership with so many of you for so long.

This place on this day is so full. It includes you dear ones that we can see and hug, eat and share fellowship with. It includes the many that we were privileged to know who have completed their life’s journey or perhaps moved on from St. Peter’s and the community. It includes those that we still worship with and walk beside and work hand-in-hand next to that couldn’t be here today. The room is full. Our hearts are full. We are humbled.

In the presence, peace, power, and promises of Jesus,    Pastor Gwen & Pastor Neil

  (This is from yesterday’s “35 years of Gwen and Neil as Co-Pastors of St. Peter’s” celebration.)

 

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 14… PENTECOST 8. 10:00AM in person and online.

July 20… ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans ends. Our tired and transformed group returns!  

July 20…   Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 2PM.