Weekly Announcements for the week of August 9th

11TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST                                                                08-09-2026

Welcome to worship. Faith is not mere intellectual assent or a “warm fuzzy feeling” when things are going well for us. It is the risk of surrender, the courage of trust, and the commitment to obedience. It is peace in adversity, strength in trial, inner calm in the midst of an outer storm, looking forward instead of back and looking upward instead of down. You might be holed up in a cave like Elijah – feeling disillusioned, worn out, alone and afraid. You might be clinging to life like disciples in a battered boat – wearied, seasick, desperate, and in terror. Or, like Peter, you might have tried to test the power of Jesus, to test the courage of your faith, but now you have a terrifying sinking feeling out there in the wild water. The truth is that every person experiences challenges along life’s path, storms both literal and figurative, all kinds of crashing waves and opposing winds. The truth is that even Christians become ill, lose jobs, are robbed or raped, face the responsibility of taking care of a loved one, have doubt or anxiety, encounter ridicule and rejection, and will someday die. But there is another truth. TAKE HEART, DO NOT BE AFRAID. JESUS IS RIGHT THERE WITH YOU. Christ is with you through it all, offering you his presence and peace, his power and promises. And, because of this truth, everything will be alright.  

TODAY

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

         11:30AM             ELCA Youth Gathering (Minneapolis in 2027) information meeting after       worship. Who wants to go? Who can help raise the funds to go?

Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together. (Palm 85:10)       

Beyond support of our 2026 Budget ($187,927 is what we envision spending this year) are those opportunities for special giving on behalf of others. They include:

ELCA World Hunger Appeal (responding to international, national, and local hunger and poverty). 

We received $5 last Sunday and $1,991 to date. Thank you for caring that shares survival!

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 received $10 last Sunday and $801 to date. Lives are truly being changed! You are offering health and help to others! 

St. Peter’s Church Mission Offering (For July 1 – December 31 this offering will go to Pure Heart Mission, a grassroots neighborhood charitable organization begun by local resident Lamar Glover that has already worked with us through regular food donations, several clothing giveaways, and Christmas toys.) We have received $25 to date. (And in January 1 – June 30 we received $527 total to share with the Sisters of St. Joseph Refugee Housing Project here in metropolitan Philadelphia.) Thanks so much for reaching out to neighbors!

“God’s Global Barnyard” is an ELCA development project to help families and villages fight poverty. It involves sending chickens, goats, cows, and other animals and items somewhere in the world Children often are eager to help with this project. We have received $20 to date. 

Lutheran Disaster Response (walking with communities before, during, and after specific tragedies such as fires, floods, and storms… often staying for years) and Lutheran World Relief (addressing suffering, poverty, and injustice all over the face of this earth) are both responses of love and compassion in action. $0 to date.

“Lord, listen to your children praying.”

 

“Community Day” at St. Peter’s!

$638.50 has been received. But the greater “profit” for many on August 1 was a good crowd and  positive interaction with others, some shade and some air conditioning, and free gifts (backpacks and school supplies, cupcakes and donuts, packages of meat, jigsaw puzzles, arts and crafts, “Jeopardy” contest), and fun and fellowship shared by members, by neighbors, and by new faces. St. Peter’s has a legacy of being of the community and very much in the community. Thank you, Alma Hampton, for the idea. Thank you to all who helped plan and prepare… helped publicize and participate… and in any way gave support! Some churches are located in a particular community but don’t interact at all. That’s not us. 

BEAR CREEK CAMP! Session 8, signaling the end of another summer season, begins this afternoon.  Some of our children experienced or will experience a week of summer camp in the Pocono Mountains for just $75. It is one of our wonderful Lutheran Church ministries that is so much more than just being away from home and out in nature. Our St. Peter’s children have had the opportunity to get close to God’s created world, to be with new friends and old, and to experience sharing Christ’s love with others.   

ThiS week At st. peTer’s                                     

Monday…                                 NO CHURCH COUNCIL meeting, little summer break!

Wednesday, 9:30AM                    Senior Ministry “Sister Talk” Discussion and Study. Men are also invited.

Wednesday, 10:30AM        Whole Foods fresh produce distribution in Rhoda Hall to the community.

Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence.

   PEACE   🕆   REST   🕆   ETERNAL LIFE

Our former Bishop, the Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Davenport, a servant-leader of the Church and friend to many of us over many years, died of an illness on July 29. We celebrate our sister’s faith and faithfulness! Viewing (8AM to 10AM) and Homegoing Service (10AM) will both be on Saturday, August 15 at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ.

          

What’s Happening…        

August 16…  PENTECOST 12. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.  

      We hope to have an Altar Guild training session ater worship. 

August 19… “I Remember It Well, South Philly!” an event of reflection, sharing, and celebration organized by       Elaine Jones, 1-3PM in Rhoda Hall. Bring your memories! Bring your family! No cost.

      And you don’t have to be from South Philly to attend.

August 22…  “LOVE Revolution” at Grace Lutheran Church, Broomall, 8:45AM – 3:45PM.  St. Peter’s will           begin a two-year program sponsored by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA.                  It will help us transform and develop the way we do ministry in our neighborhood, our city,

     this world community. We have a St. Peter’s team assembled… we ask you to start praying.       for us to be fertile soil for seeds to grow.

August 23…  PENTECOST 13.Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10AM  (Pastor Bob Holum)