Weekly Announcements for 6-20_2025
PENTECOST 6 07-20-2025
My brother and my sister in Christ: Are you distracted? A few Sunday Gospel readings ago, Jesus tells those who would follow him that nothing must get in the way: no time to rest, no time to bury the dead, no looking back, no heavy baggage, no leisurely pace, no attitude of entitlement. Or, maybe, are you perhaps not distracted but nevertheless “out of focus”? Last Sunday we watched as a priest and a Levite valued the sacred duty of serving God in the Temple above stopping by to help another human being in desperate need. And this Sunday we watch as sister Martha is too anxious and too busy – trying to fulfill the important duty in the first century of showing hospitality to guests in the home – to stop and listen to Jesus, as her sister Mary does. Sometimes the choice is not between good and bad, but between what is good and what is better. Let us pray that we will allow ourselves the time and the silence to be receptive to God and reflective of our lives… that we might stop worrying about the wrong things and becoming frantic about the wrong priorities… and that we will seek a personal nourished relationship with the Lord. It will make a huge difference in our lives and in the lives of others!
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
Thank you, Pastor Bob Holum, for today’s preached word of comfort, challenge, and Christ!
Gifted with love we have not earned, we generously extend it to others.
Beyond support of our 2025 Budget (we anticipate spending $186,576.82) are special opportunities:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs).
$115.00 last week. We have received $1,110.00 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).
$5.00 last week. We have received $584.50 to date.
Mission Offering (For July 1 – December 31 it is Lutheran Settlement House, located in the Northern Liberties / Fishtown section of Philadelphia. Our Church Council elected to give them additional support; they are also one of our 3 Lutheran Charity Appeal organizations. Founded in 1902, they originally offered assistance of various kinds to Southern and Eastern European immigrants. Today they continue to offer dignity and justice to all. They provide domestic violence services, homeless services, food access, senior services and education for various ages. $10.00 last week; we have received $10.00 to date. [For January 1 – June 30 our Mission Offering was Steven’s Wings Global Youth Adventures, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth to discover the joys and the how of travel. We received $840.]
Lutheran World Relief (responding to various disasters and tragedies all over the face of this earth).
We have received $50 to date. [A recent disaster you might respond to is the devastating loss of life and property due to recent flash floods in South Central Texas and elsewhere. You can give through
St. Peter’s, or online, by mail, or by phone.
Someone somewhere is in need of the Good News of God’s love.
And you may be just the right person to say and do that.
Wear your church around town. We are still receiving orders and deposits for the “95th Anniversary” t-shirts, $20 total. Thank you, Carol Chatman (coordination) and Janice Henderson (shirt maker).
ST. PETER’S CHURCH COUNCIL (07/14): (1) celebrated the 95th Anniversary Committee’s June 29 Church Picnic and Worship event, and heard preliminary plans for September 28 visit by Bishop Bryan Penman; (2) selected a Lomax Carpet and Tile bid for first floor Education Building tile project (about $2,000 in addition to Synod “Urban Ministry Grant”); (3) discussed other property issues and the need for a revived Property Committee; (4) voted to purchase an ad for St. Mark’s Lutheran 175th Anniversary; (5) received Pastors’, Women’s Day, Parish Register reports; (6) discussed Rhoda Hall audio upgrade and Children and Youth Ministry. Church Council normally does not meet in August. Next meeting is September 8.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!
Thursday, 7:00PM Beverly Road block association meeting in Rhoda Hall.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence!
In these days of war and rumors of war, hurt and hate, chaos and corruption,
MAKE AMERICA (and the world) HUMAN AGAIN.
2025 DEFICIT REDUCTION. We are looking for 50 St. Peter’s members or friends who will each give $160 in addition to their regular offering support this year. We have received $1,835 to date, and our goal is $8000. The contribution amount does not need to be given in one payment. Please mark your gift as “Deficit”. Help us reach our goal.
What’s Happening…
June 15 – August 8… BEAR CREEK CAMP. Sign up now for a wonder-filled week at our
Lutheran Church Camp in the Pocono Mountains! The “Philly Connect” base fee will again be $75; additional items (Camp Store, photo or video) will cost extra. You can register online or on paper. See the Pastors if you have any questions. We have a few sponsor gifts to help with the camp fee.
July 27… PENTECOST 7. Worship in person and online at 10:00AM,
July 30, August 13, August 27… Whole Foods fresh produce distributions, 10:30AM.
August 8… Senior Food Box distribution ministry, 8:30AM.
August 31… PENTECOST 12. Worship in person and online at 10:00AM. Labor Day Sunday.
September 28… 95th Anniversary Worship + Meal, 10:00AM.
BISHOP BRYAN PENMAN, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of ELCA, will be our guest preacher.
LOVE, NOT HATE. PEACE, NOT VIOLENCE.
MERCY, NOT GREED. JUSTICE, NOT ABUSE.
HUMILITY, NOT ARROGANCE. GOD’S TRUTH, NOT LIES. THE WAY OF JESUS, NOT JUST “MY WAY”.