ThiS week At st. peTer’s | 9-8-24
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
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PENTECOST 16. 09-08-2024
Today’s reading from James reminds us, that when it comes to God’s command to “love your neighbor”, wealthier does not mean worthier. So don’t make distinctions that Jesus wouldn’t approve of. Today’s reading also cautions us, that when it comes to God’s command to “love your neighbor”, don’t think that seeing and speaking about the needs of your neighbors… maybe even shedding a tear or mumbling some encouragement… are sufficient. James suggests that our faith dies when we do not support that faith with loving works. Put your love into action! Let your faith be truly alive!
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:30AM WOMEN’S DAY CHOIR rehearsal. Add your voice to the praise!
The spirit of caring, the ministry of sharing.
Beyond support of our 2024 Budget ($179,787 is what we envision spending this year) are various special opportunities for giving on behalf of others. They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs)
$250 last week, $2,058 received to date in 2024. God’s love is on the loose!
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)
$966.50 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.)
$5 last week, $223 received to date, ends December 31. God’s love is on the loose!
Happy Grandparents Day!
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH… 10 steps to a long, healthy, active life:
- Do at least 30 minutes of sustained, rhythmic, vigorous exercise 4 times per week. Make exercise normal to your life.
- Eat like a bushman: fruits, whole grains, vegetables, lean meat, less dairy. And fight your junk food habits. Maintain your weight – at age 25. By 25 years of age, your metabolism starts its slow decline. And once you’re in your 30s, 40s, and beyond, you’ll certainly notice a few unwanted pounds may hang on longer than they used to despite your best efforts to shed them.
- Get as much sleep and rest as you can. You might have other healthy habits, but if you’re skipping out on sleep, you’re doing both your mind and your body a serious disservice.
- Don’t smoke at all and don’t drink in excess. It’s really never too late to quit smoking, and your body starts to heal the damage the smoking has left behind as soon as you stop. And you might think that your heaviest drinking days are behind you, but research has shown that problematic drinking actually peaks for some people in their 60s. A few drinks to unwind each day or night is a health risk.
- Maintain your sense of humor (look for it if it’s lost!) and deflect anger… keep a positive and optimistic outlook… reduce your stress levels before they reduce you. If your perspective is both wider and larger, you won’t be so self-absorbed.
- Set goals and accept challenges that force you to be as alive and creative as possible… grow!
- Don’t depend on anyone else for your well-being… develop a healthy sense of self-worth and self-identity. Your life is not really about popularity or others’ opinions.
- Be necessary and responsible. Live outside of yourself… help someone or something. Compassion and generosity toward others paradoxically bring joy to oneself.
- Have a living faith that God forgives, inspires, guides, assures, and loves you. Humility, gratitude, and trust can sustain you for a moment, a day, and a lifetime.
- Don’t dread growing old. If you expect to lose energy, health, memory, meaning, and interaction with others, then your aging will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Monday, 7:00PM CHURCH COUNCIL meeting in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 9:30AM Senior Ministry “Study and Discussion” in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Whole Foods fresh produce distribution.
Thursday, 7:00PM 7400 Beverly Road Block Association meeting.
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” (in person and online). Sisters together in Christ!
Saturday, 2:00PM Installation of the Rev. Bryan Penman as the next Bishop of our Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 19 S 38th Street, Philadelphia PA 19104.
PEACE + REST + ETERNAL LIFE
We thank God for the life and faith of Joan Dezoice who completed her earthly journey and the hard work of a lengthy illness on Labor Day, September 2. Already baptized, Joan affirmed her Christian faith and became a member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on January 1, 1990. She was active and involved in this faith community for many years. Funeral arrangements will be announced. Let us hold grieving family and friends in our hearts and prayers.
What’s Happening…
September 15… PENTECOST 17. 10:00AM worship in person and online.
September 28… Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 2:00PM.
October 5… “Spaghetti Fundraiser” for Steven’s Wings Global Youth Adventures… 2PM, $20 per person… contact Trudi Wright.
October 12-13… 39th Annual Women’s Day! “God’s Love Conquers All”