Weekly Announcements for the week of the 3rd Sunday of Advent 12-14-2025
Third Sunday of Advent 12-07-2025
Joy !
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + Advent Worship + (in person and online)
11:30AM All Saints Choir rehearsal.
Gifted, grateful, good, generous, and glorious in our giving!
Beyond support of our 2025 Budget ($186,576.00 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);
$15.00 last week; $1,825.00 received to date in 2025.
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);
$1,059.50 received to date in 2025.
Mission Offering (For July – December we have selected Lutheran Settlement House, one of our Lutheran
Charities, for additional support; $15.00 last week and $514.00 received to date. Our January 1 – June 30
Mission Offering was Steven’s Wings Global Youth Adventures. We received $840.00.)
Lutheran World Relief (responding to various tragedies and disasters and emergency needs);
$50 received to date in 2025.
Bishop’s Fund (for emergencies and special needs in our Synod); $345 total to date.
Vision and Mission Ministries ($500 was contributed by Pastors N & G to support ministry development in
a rural poverty area in India being assisted by the Rev. Dr. Mark Bethala, an 86 years old Lutheran pastor
who grew up in India and is a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Olney.)
“God’s Global Barnyard” is a “Sunday School” Christmas project we also did last year in support of ELCA
Good Gifts. We have collected $20 to date in 2025. Our gifts can be converted to: goats ($50 per goat,
$300 for a herd) or chicks ($10) a rooster ($15) or piglet ($30) or cow ($500) or fish farm ($250) or even
honeybees ($20). What we choose will be delivered to a place in the world where people are trying to get
out of hunger and poverty. You can contribute through Diana and Timyk Hillsman or in the offering plate.
(Designate as “Good Gifts” or “Farm”)
John the Baptizer had a moment of uncertainty about Jesus being the Messiah. He expected harsh judgment upon the earth, not healing and restoration. What kind of Messiah do you want? What kind of a Messiah do we need?
ST. PETER’S CHURCH COUNCIL (12/08): (1) celebrated that 2025 Budget Income for January – November ($177,206.92) higher than our expenses ($174,520.68; (2) received a report from the Pastors; (3) discussed Synod “Vitality Survey” we are doing from December 7 – January 11; (4) discussed several brief topics. Pray for your elected servant leaders, pray for your church, and pray for the faith, the love, and the work we all share.
We have a need for ALTAR GUILD volunteers who will be trained by Armia Dennis or Pastor Gwen to help prepare our altar area for Sunday worship and for Holy Communion. The task is not that hard and can be done by one or two persons, either on a Saturday or early Sunday, for one month of the calendar year.
SACRED STILLNESS – AN ADVENT JOURNEY
ADVENT is a season of holy anticipation – a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and make room for God’s light in the middle of our everyday lives. Join us for a 3-week story and scripture journey where we’ll pause together, listen for God in the quiet places, and reconnect with hope in this sacred season. Come as you are. Bring your cup of tea, your questions, your weariness, your wonder. There’s room for you in the stillness. Online gatherings on Wednesdays, December 3,10, and 17 from 7PM to 8PM.
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 to the community.
Wednesday, 7 – 8PM Advent Online Story and Scripture led by Pastor Clesha Staten.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence!
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops.
Saturday, 9:00AM Decorate the sanctuary for Christmas.
What’s Happening…
December 21… FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. Worship in person and online, 10AM.
December 24… CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP. Candles, carols, communion, and Christ! Hybrid Worship at 7:00PM.
December 28… FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS College and Career Student Sunday.
Guest Preacher: Christian Hicks (15 years of experience with higher education enrollment; life experience of personal career changes; pastoral staff at Christ’s Church of the Valley, Royersford PA).
Wear your school sweatshirts and shirts. 10:00AM.
Youth and Young Adult Gathering after worship (pizza, games, conversation).
************* ST. PETER’S VITALITY SURVEY ************* DECEMBER 7 – JANUARY 11!
Member or visitor or neighbor, regularly involved or not so involved, young or old, geographically near or connected online, please help us with a “30 questions” survey on paper or online.
Thanks!