Weekly Announcements for 23 March 2025

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT 03-23-2025

+ The Second Chance of Lent +

Luke 13:1-9 includes the story of a fruitless fig tree that the owner is ready to cut down. The gardener asks
for a little more time, wants to tend and cultivate the soil in the hope that figs may yet grow. There are times in all
of our lives when we are the barren fig tree, seemingly unproductive and worthless, suited to be uprooted and cast
away. But God loves us too much to give up on us… enough to send Jesus in human flesh to live among us and
to die for us. On our behalf Jesus took all the failings and sin of the world to the most barren tree of them all – the
cross. And on that cross he transformed the guilt and despair of the world into a new possibility, a second chance,
new and eternal life. During Lent we sing, “Lord, let my heart be good soil, open to the seed of your word”
because we want to be productive, we want to bear the fruit of faithfulness. The traditional disciplines of Lent down
through the ages were the act of giving alms (offering money and resources to extend God’s glory and goodness
to others), the act of praying (devoting more time to listen and to share with God) and the act of fasting
(abstaining from eating for a set period of time, skipping a meal, not eating a food we like, etc.) During the 40 days
of Lent, GIVE to realign yourself with others, PRAY to realign yourself with God, and FAST to realign yourself with
self. Sundays are not included in the 40-day Lenten period. Each Sunday is a re-enactment of the resurrection!

TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + LENTEN SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
4:00PM Rental event in Rhoda Hall.

God’s great grace attitude of gratitude generosity!
Beyond support of our 2025 Budget (we anticipate spending $186,576.82) are special opportunities
to give on behalf of others. They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs).
We have received $485 to date.
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).
We have received $290 to date.
Mission Offering (For January 1 – June 30 it is Steven’s Wings Global Youth Adventures, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth to discover the joys and learn the how of travel.
We have received $416 to date.
Lutheran World Relief (responding to various disasters and tragedies all over the face of this earth).
We have received $50 to date.
Hard times for so many struggling and suffering in our world are an opportunity for heart times of compassion,
affirmation, and support from those of us who are willing to care and share.
Month of March… Women’s History Month. Dispensing love, creating positive change.
Last week Jesus spoke of himself as a mother hen, gathering and sheltering the little ones. You are encouraged
(and it’s not illegal in our changing United States) to remember, be grateful for, affirm, and repeat the concern
and actions of the sheroes who have made a wonderful difference in your life and in this world.

ThiS week At ST. PETER’S

Wednesday, 9:30AM Senior Ministry “Sister Talk” Study and Discussion. Men are also invited.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Whole Foods fresh produce distribution in Rhoda Hall.
Wednesday, 6:30PM Online international prayers related to Women’s History Month.
Thursday, 7:00PM All Saints Choir NEW rehearsal begins. Add your voice to the messages!
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops.
Saturday, 11AM – 2PM “Jazz Luncheon” presented by our Scholarship Committee, $30 donation. Fortune, Vinson, Cruse will provide the rhythms… and singer Brenda Smith will return to Philadelphia to sing the vocals. Help support education!

What’s Happening…

March 30… FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
April 4… Senior Food Box ministry, 8:30AM.
April 5… Girl Scout event in Rhoda Hall, 10AM – 2PM.
April 6… FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
April 12… WOMEN’S MINISTRY “Gathering”, 11:00AM.
April 13… PALM PROCESSION / PASSION SUNDAY. Hybrid Worship at 10:00AM.
April 17… MAUNDY THURSDAY Worship.
We remember Jesus washing feet, breaking bread, offering the cup, serving, sacrificing.
April 18… GOOD FRIDAY Worship. Volunteers for “7 Last Words of Jesus”?
We remember Jesus suffering, submitting, and dying to love us.
April 20… EASTER SUNDAY RESURRECTION. Still dead? No, he rose!
Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM. BAPTISMS! NEW MEMBERS! Speak to our Pastors.
May 10… “Everybody’s Birthday Party” event, sponsored by Women’s Ministry.
May 31… 95th Birthday Party for Queen Sutton at Marriot Philadelphia West (Conshohocken), 2PM, $50.
Deadline for tickets is May 1.
November 7, 2028… U.S. Presidential Election. Stay resilient and loving in the midst of all the
trauma and drama, the non-ending expressions of hurt and hate.
+4 important questions during Lent: 1) Do you believe that God loves you?
2) Do you believe that you are a sinner?
3) Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins?
4) Will you now trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord?

Speak to our Pastors about joining in our new life together which is being shaped by
the good news of Jesus Christ crucified and now risen among us! Get baptized, affirm
your baptism, join our congregation, and walk in faith and servant love. April 20 is the
EASTER SUNDAY celebration of Christ’s victory. Make it a victory in your own life!