Weekly Announcements for 3-16-2025
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT 03-16-2025
+ The Mission of Lent +
God sent his Son Jesus into the world with no other certainty but that he had to suffer and die. Jesus faithfully and obediently fulfilled his mission to the end. He was not deterred from his mission by threats that Herod was intending to kill him. Nor was he deterred by the realization that the people of Jerusalem would resist and reject the maternal love he offered. Like Herod, like Jerusalem, we are sometimes plotting against Jesus with our thoughts, words, and actions… we are refusing to respond to him… we are turning away… we are not willing to be gathered. Lent is a season of remembering Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation. Now is the time to turn to God, to return to God’s mercy, grace, and will. 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 prayer (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)
11:20AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.
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 $275 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.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH COUNCIL (03/10): (1) elected Veronica Britto President, Stephanie Fluellen
Vice President, and Janice Henderson Secretary; (2) learned that 2025 Budget Income for January and
February was too slow and leaves us with a deficit of $7,241 after two months; (3) officially approved the hiring
of Leon Jordan, drummer; (4) discussed “deficit reduction” actions, including a renewed Stewardship
Committee and a financial challenge; (5) received Pastors’ report and 95th Anniversary report. Pray for
your elected servant leaders, pray for your church, and pray for the faith, the love, and the work we all
share.
Month of March… Women’s History Month. Discover. Celebrate. Commit to the future.
According to United Nations Women, one in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual
violence. We need boys and men everywhere – even in the White House, in the Supreme Court, in Cabinet and
other governmental positions, in schools, in families, and in pulpits and churches here in our United States –
who will STOP touching, grabbing, forcing, disrespecting, raping, and violating. Respect, protect, and affirm
women and girls, mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, friends, neighbors, the young, the vulnerable, God’s
created beings.
“PREACHING WITH POWER 2025”, today through Wednesday, continues an annual tradition in
Philadelphia by United Lutheran Seminary and features five sermons and one lecture by African American
preachers and theologians. You can look online for the preachers, schedule, and locations.
THIS WEEK AT ST. PETER’S
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!
Wednesday, 6:30PM Online international prayers related to Women’s History Month.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops.
Saturday, 3PM – 7PM Rental event in Rhoda Hall.
What’s Happening…
March 23… THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 4-8PM.
March 26… Online international Prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30 – 7:00PM.
March 29… “Jazz Luncheon” presented by our Scholarship Committee, 11AM – 2PM, $30 donation.
Please contact Jerona Jackson Rice, Veronica Britto, or any Scholarship Committee member.
Fortune (Our church keyboard player), Vinson, Cruse will provide the rhythms… singer
Brenda Smith will return to Philadelphia to sing the vocals. Help support education!
March 30… FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
April 20… RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD / EASTER DAY.
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.
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!