St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Oak Lane

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Oak Lane St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church is located in the heart of West Oak Lane in Philadelphia. Peter’s is a welcoming beacon to the people – young and old.

A beautiful church with a steeple on a hill at the intersection of Briar Road and 74th Avenue St. This site offers a place where the congregation and their friends can communicate and share information, pictures, and notifications that will be important to St. Peter’s Church. This is a closed site. The membership will be by referrals only; however, members are free to invite St. Peter’s members, family, and friends – past and current. Please make comments and posts that are relevant to the purpose of the site, and use discretion in language. We look forward to a close connection…

09/12/2026

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / Grandparents Day
09-13-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

+ We Rejoice In God’s Presence +

THE OPENING RITE (based on PSALM 103):
L People of God, bless the Lord, bless God’s holy name!
With every fiber of your being, rejoice and praise God!
How can we ever forget God’s many blessings?
C God forgives me my sins and touches my afflictions with healing!
God snatches me back from the jaws of hell and delivers me at the door of death!
God embraces me with concern and surrounds me with love!
God gives me meaning for life and purpose for living!
How can I ever forget God’s many blessings?
L Rejoice with me, all you who seek and serve God!
Whoever… wherever… however you are – lift your hearts in praise to God!
This is no time for despair and discouragement.
Let us all remember and rejoice!
From head to toe… inside and out… always and in all ways… don’t forget a single blessing!
C Our God is full of compassion and overflowing with mercy!
Our God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love!
Our God’s love reaches high and deep, far and wide, here and there, now and forever!
How can I ever forget God’s many blessings?
OPENING SONG: “OH, WHAT HE’S DONE FOR ME” Tan #154
A GREETING:
L Welcome, people of God! How can I ever forget God’s many blessings?
Rejoice with me! Shout God’s praises! Lift your hearts in joy and thanksgiving!
A SONG OF PRAISE: “I WILL BLESS THEE, O LORD” Tan #530 I will bless Thee, O Lord! I will bless Thee, O Lord!
With a heart of thanksgiving, I will Thee, O Lord!
With my hands lifted up, and my mouth filled with praise,
With a heart of thanksgiving, I will bless Thee, O Lord!” [repeat]
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
O Lord, what do we owe for love so divine, for mercy we have not earned, for forgiveness we do not deserve?
Help us to extend the patience and the pardon that you have given us to the world that we live in.
Teach us to forgive and forgive and, then, to forgive again
And help me to ask for forgiveness from you and from those I have wronged. Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
“GRANDPARENT MOMENT #1”
FIRST READING: GENESIS 50:15-21
[Unexpected forgiveness instead of bitterness and revenge. Joseph will offer God’s mercy… will his brothers receive it?
Will you offer it? Receive it?]
SECOND READING: ROMANS 14:1-12
[In the Christian community we are called to stop fussing with, judging, and condemning one another. With the gifts of
righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit – and the awareness that each and all of us are judged by God – the Church can
abide a lot of disagreement over many other things. IF we are humble and obedient!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
GOSPEL VERSE: “There is strength in the name of the Lord…
There is power in the name of the Lord…
There is hope in the name of the Lord…
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:21-35
[How can a person who is forgiven the equivalent of 150,000 years of wages, in turn, be unwilling to forgive a debt of 100 days of
wages? And are we really listening to ourselves when we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass…”?]

“GRANDPARENT MOMENT #2”
THE SERMON: Ryan Mathis, young adult member, a son, grandson, and father
SONG RESPONSE: “LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH” Tan #498
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
THE PEACE GREETING… We offer words and signs of GOD’S LOVE alive and real among us!
OFFERING… Let us give as God has so abundantly given to us. We are truly blessed. Will we be a blessing?
In the Sanctuary, place your offering in the offering plate or scan the QR code on the screen.
At home, mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138 or scan the QR code on the screen. You can also contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select. Or you can text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for your contribution. Thank God, praise God, and serve God with your faithful giving.

SONG SELECTION ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “More about Jesus would I know, more of his grace to others show,
More of his saving fullness see, more of his love who died for me.
MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS… MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS…
MORE OF HIS SAVING FULLNESS SEE, MORE OF HIS LOVE WHO DIED FOR ME.
More about Jesus let me learn, more of his holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my Teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.”
OFFERING PRAYER (see PHILIPPIANS 3:10-11) led by the Communion Assistant:
Dear God, I want to know Christ inside and out. I want to experience the power of his resurrection and join him
in his suffering. I want to be like him in his death and be raised like him from death. As I grow in the grace of
Christ, make me strong in my faith, bold in my witness, and fervent in my servant-love. There is no better life
than life in Christ! Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L We are the Body of Christ! C His Spirit is in us! Alleluia!
L [continues the Preface]… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C [singing…] “Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
holy, holy, holy, holy.

Precious Jesus, precious Jesus,
We’re so glad that you redeemed us, precious Jesus…
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
come and fill our hearts anew, O Holy Spirit…”
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! You may come up by the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice; we will also have a tray of pre-poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles.
COMMUNION SONGS: “I AM THINE, O LORD” Tan #387
“CAN’T NOBODY DO ME LIKE JESUS” Tan #384
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ We Rejoice in Our Mission +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor…We are sent forth to be and become the BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “DOWN AT THE CROSS” Tan #248

09/12/2026

Weekly Announcements for the week of 16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / Grandparents Day 09-13-2026

Happy Grandparents Day! It is a secular holiday rather than a Christian holy day, but churches eagerly celebrate the joy and the sense of blessing in both having grandparents and in being grandparents. Grand ones, may God continue to bless, forgive, inspire, guide, and assure you… and may you continue to pass on the faith values to the generations behind you. Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate. Don’t have a grandchild nearby? Adopt a grandchild in our congregation or on your street. Children of all ages, hug a grandparent today… it doesn’t have to be yours. MAY OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP AND OUR BRANCHES GROW STRONG.
TODAY
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
11:30AM “Grandparents Day Food and Fellowship” downstairs in Rhoda Hall.
12:30PM From the Throne Ministries first worship in Knapp Chapel.

Our thanks to Ryan Mathis for this morning’s message and for his journey of faithfulness! You can look at some Christians and see the heritage of God’s love and grace that was passed on.
Greetings to From the Throne Ministries whose servant leader is Pastor Chantell Poole. They are renting space each Sunday afternoon and one Friday evening per month.
Welcome to St. Peter’s Church.
We invite you to share in our new life together, which is being shaped by the good news of Jesus Christ crucified and now risen among us.
 “We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves.” (St. Paul) 
Beyond support of our 2026 Budget ($187,927 is what we envision spending) are those opportunities for special giving on behalf of others. You can also give directly online to most of these:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (responding to international, national, and local hunger and poverty). We received $25 last Sunday and $2,166 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 $811 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 received $5 last Sunday and $275 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 our neighbors in the city!
“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. We received $150 last Sunday and $225 to date. You can also give directly online or by mail. Compassion is always more than tears!
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Monday, 7:00PM CHURCH COUNCIL meeting. We are asking you to be physically present.
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence.
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scout troops. Welcome back!
Every day is an odd surprise. Pray for our President as he continues to deteriorate physically, mentally, and emotionally… pray as those who are bending the knee begin to abandon him and maybe even plot harm against him. How politics unfold is an old and repeated story in human history…
What’s Happening…
September 20… PENTCOST 17. Worship at 10:00AM (in person and online).
September 26… Girl Scouts workshop in Rhoda Hall, 10:30AM – 1:00PM.
October 10-11… 41st Annual Women’s Day weekend. (Saturday + Sunday)
“Clothed in the Word – Know Your Worth” Proverbs 31:5
Suggested colors: purple and gold. More information (preacher, meal, Choir) to come later.
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”.

09/03/2026

15TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / Labor Day Sunday
09-06-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

+ We Rejoice In God’s Presence +
THE OPENING RITE OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS:
L Where two or three gather in the name of Jesus…
C He’s right here with us!
L He’s right here with us to remind us of God’s love for us...
C He’s right here with us to tell us to love one another!
L Especially when we seek to hear God’s Word and to put that Word into practice…
C He’s right here with us!
L Even when feathers are ruffled and egos are bruised and some of us are angry and alienated…
C He’s right here with us!
L Especially when we are genuine in our words and our embraces when we share our Lord’s peace…
C He’s right here with us!
L Whenever we refuse to nurse a grudge, keep a score, seek a payback, or walk away forever…
C He’s right here with us!
L Especially when we offer and ask forgiveness, when we seek and practice reconciliation…
C He’s right here with us!
L Even when our lives are crumbled in disarray and our world is reeling and vulnerable…
C He’s right here with us!
L Whenever we seek to show and tell the Good News of God’s love to all our neighbors, near and far…
C He’s right here with us!
L In our believing, in our thanking and our praising, in our obeying and our serving, in our living and even our dying…
C He’s right here with us!
L Praise the Lord, glory to God, right here, right now, as we gather together in the Body of Christ, the family of faith…
C He’s right here with us, Alleluia!
OPENING SONG: “O HOW I LOVE JESUS” Brown #250
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
O Lord, St. Paul writes that the main quality of a Christian is this:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
God loved us to save us, and God saved us to love others.
Help us to live for God and for others rather than only for ourselves. Amen.

+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: EZEKIEL 33:7-11
[The prophetic responsibility is to “tell it like it is” and to live it how “it oughta be”. It is not a choice whether to think right, say
right, do right, and be right,!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
SECOND READING: ROMANS 13:8-14
[The Christian obligation is to love one another, seeking the highest good for our neighbor, staying centered in our love for Christ.
Keep on loving because there’s nothing else to live for!]
GOSPEL VERSE: “There is strength in the name of the Lord…There is power in the name of the Lord…There is hope in the name of the Lord… Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:15-20
[The vital ministry of reconciliation within the faith community. Keep learning and trying to love!]

THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “JESUS LOVES ME” Brown #248
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!

+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
THE PEACE GREETING… We offer words and signs of GOD’S LOVE alive and real among us!
THE OFFERING… Paul reminds us, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” Let’s do it together!
In the Sanctuary, place your offering in the offering plate or scan the QR code on the screen.
At home, mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138 or scan the QR code on the screen. You can also contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select. Or you can text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for your contribution. Thank God, praise God, and serve God with your faithful giving.

SONG SELECTION ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “More about Jesus would I know, more of his grace to others show,
More of his saving fullness see, more of his love who died for me.
MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS… MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS…
MORE OF HIS SAVING FULLNESS SEE, MORE OF HIS LOVE WHO DIED FOR ME.
More about Jesus let me learn, more of his holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my Teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.”
OFFERING PRAYER (see PHILIPPIANS 3:10-11) led by the Communion Assistant:
Dear God, I want to know Christ inside and out. I want to experience the power of his resurrection and join him
in his suffering. I want to be like him in his death and be raised like him from death. As I grow in the grace of
Christ, make me strong in my faith, bold in my witness, and fervent in my servant-love. There is no better life
than life in Christ! Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L We are the Body of Christ! C His Spirit is in us! Alleluia!
L [continues the Preface]… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C [singing…] “Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
holy, holy, holy, holy.
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus,
We’re so glad that you redeemed us, precious Jesus…
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
come and fill our hearts anew, O Holy Spirit…”
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! You may come up by the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice; we will also have a tray of pre-poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles.
COMMUNION SONGS: Brown #119 Brown #155
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.

+ We Rejoice in Our Mission +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor…We are sent forth to be and become the BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY” Brown #228

09/03/2026

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has issued his fourth in a series of monthly messages that continue through the end of this year, titled “All Together in One Place."

Each message will share a pastoral word, rooted in Scripture, that witnesses to God's presence today, our rich theological tradition and the social teaching that connects us.

Read his latest message, "A Call to be Trusted Messengers in this Election Season America," here: elca.org/news/a-call-to-be-trusted-messengers-in-this-election-season

09/03/2026

September is National Su***de Prevention Month. "Su***de impacts people of all ages, especially youth and young adults. Pray for hope, relief from suffering and skilled, compassionate care for people who struggle with loneliness, depression and mental illness. Pray that they will find comfort and encouragement in knowing that God abandons no one. Ask God to bless and further the work of Lutheran Su***de Prevention Ministry and other organizations engaged in su***de awareness, education, collaboration and advocacy." —Prayer Ventures

09/03/2026

Weekly Announcements for the week of: 15TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 09-06-2026

Discipleship is costly. Martin Luther said, “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing is worth nothing.” Ours is a costly and challenging path, but our rewards are abundant and our life eternal. May you receive God’s love, give thanks for God’s mercy, and risk God’s call to you to live faithfully and to love fervently. Several persons have recently expressed an interest in being baptized or in affirming the faith into which they have already been baptized. Please speak to our Pastors if the Holy Spirit is leading you into this place and into this St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church family people. Join our family, share God’s love, and grow in discipleship. There is no better life than LIFE IN CHRIST.
TODAY
10:00AM + PENTECOST SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and online)
3:00PM “Youth Revival” at St. Mark’s Lutheran. “Formed, Consecrated, Appointed!”
Today was the target date for first worship in Knapp Chapel at 12:30PM by From the Throne Ministries Worship Center, whose servant leader is Pastor Chantell Poole. But preparation of the space has taken a little longer. From the Throne will rent the space each Sunday early afternoon and one Friday evening per month.
 St. Paul writes: “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” 
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. You can give directly online to most of these these They include:
ELCA World Hunger Appeal (responding to international, national, and local hunger and poverty). We received $50 last Sunday and $2,141 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 $811 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 received $45 last Sunday and $270 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. We received $10 last Sunday. You can also respond directly online or by mail without giving through St. Peter’s.
Labor Day Sunday prayer:
Gracious God, we thank you on this Labor Day for the blessing of work. Help us to realize how interdependent we are in our living and our laboring. Help us to understand that, job or no job, we all have worth as human beings. We ask for strength to complete each day. We ask for rest when we are weary. We ask your guidance for all who are seeking employment. We pray for those who are overworked and underpaid, who have dangerous jobs or poor health care, and who are being displaced by artificial intelligence, robots, and the hate politics. Lord, whether we are being compensated by paycheck or just by the satisfaction of an unpaid job well done, help us all to labor for your goodness and glory in our daily living. May all Christians be focused on the job we each share throughout our life’s journey – receiving God’s love with humble gratitude and eagerly and courageously extending it to others. Amen.
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Monday… Labor Day. May Jesus be your boss and my boss each and every day!
Tuesday, 7:00PM Area Girl Scout leaders return here for monthly meetings and mutual support.
Wednesday, 9:00AM “Living Waters and Re-imagining Black Lutheran Futures”, Celebrating 40
Years of the Conference of International Black Lutherans, United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia (in person and virtual) – includes lecture, chapel, panel discussion, reception.
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.
Wednesday, 7:00PM Mark S. Livermore Scholarship Committee online meeting.
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find and share support to overcome codependence.
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scout troops. Welcome back!
Saturday, 9:30AM – 2PM Girl Scout ceremony in Rhoda Hall.
Saturday, 11:00AM Women’s Ministry “GATHERING” in person and online.
What’s Happening…
September 13… PENTECOST 16. Grandparents Day. Hybrid Worship in person / online at 10AM. (Ryan Mathis, young adult member, a son and a grandson, will preach.)
Let’s celebrate our roots of life and rejoice in our heritage of faith! September 13… “Mediator Lutheran 120 + 1 Anniversary”, there at 3:00PM.
September 14… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting, 7:00PM.
September 20… PENTCOST 17. Worship at 10:00AM (in person and online).
October 10-11… 41st Annual Women’s Day weekend. (Saturday + Sunday)
“Clothed in the Word – Know Your Worth” Proverbs 31:5
Suggested colors: purple and gold. More information (preacher, meal) to come later.

09/01/2026

Make plans to attend this important event

In August, we gave a surprise 75th birthday party to Pastor Gwen. Special shout-out to Jerona Jackson-Rice for organizin...
09/01/2026

In August, we gave a surprise 75th birthday party to Pastor Gwen. Special shout-out to Jerona Jackson-Rice for organizing the event.

08/29/2026

14TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
08-30-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ We Rejoice In God’s Presence +
OPENING SONG: “TO GOD BE THE GLORY” Brown #264
THE OPENING RITE OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS:
L Welcome to worship, brothers and sisters. We all want Jesus to be our Savior, and we all say that he is our Lord, but we
aren’t always willing and able to be his faithful followers. Our time of confession is an opportunity for us to be honest with
God and with each other. And so we say together…
C Gracious God,
I hear your call to follow, to “lose my life”, and to “take up my cross”, but I don’t always want to go there.
I confess that sometimes I look for an easier gospel, a lighter cross, a less demanding Savior, and a
cheaper ticket to heaven.
I confess that faithful living and fervent loving is not always who I am or try to become.
I confess that I am setting my mind not on divine things but on human things.
I confess what you already know, that I am a sinner, wrong and weak.
Today I am asking for the grace of forgiveness, for the power of your Holy Spirit, and for another chance.
Forgive me, renew me, and use me for your mission activity. Amen.
L What would it profit us to gain the whole world and lose our life? Our God is in the life-saving business! While we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us, and God raised him up from death so that we too might walk in the newness of life. My
sister, my brother, your sins are forgiven [+], and your future is as bright as the promises of God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
O Lord, let our love be genuine.
May we hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, serve the Lord, rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer, and bless those who persecute us.
We ask that we may never be overcome by evil, but that we might overcome evil with good. Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 15:15-21
[God’s abiding love is tough enough for your complaints. But is your faith humble and obedient enough for God’s commands?]
SONG SELECTION: Renee Hines
SECOND READING: ROMANS 12:12-91
[The Christian community is called to live lovingly in an unfriendly world of evil and rejection. It begins right here but reaches
out to all people.]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”
HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16:21-28
[Find your life by losing your life in Christ. You don’t have to go around looking for crosses to bear. Just start loving, serving,
and sacrificing right where you are!]
THE SERMON: Rev. Dr. Harold Evans, friend of St. Peter’s and a follower of Jesus
SONG RESPONSE: “MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE” Brown #237
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
THE PEACE GREETING… We offer words and signs of GOD’S LOVE alive and real among us!
OFFERING… In the shadow of a threatening cross, we hear Christ’s call to self-denial and sacrificial living. Will we respond?
In the Sanctuary, place your offering in the offering plate or scan the QR code on the screen.
At home, mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138 or scan the QR code on the screen. You can also contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select. Or you can text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for your contribution. Thank God, praise God, and serve God with your faithful giving.

SONG SELECTION: Renee Hines
OFFERING SONG: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY SONG,
PRAISING MY SAVIOR ALL THE DAY LONG! [sing the chorus 2 times]
We are God’s people, we are Christ’s Church, called by God’s Spirit into the world.
We have God’s power from heaven above, we’ll share God’s justice, mercy and love!”
OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant:
Lord God, we thank you for making a way out of no way in our life! During this summer may we dedicate
our leisure and our work, our rest and our travel, our service and our spending, our health and our
wealth, our worship and our witness to glorify You and to extend your Kingdom to others.
Someone somewhere is in need of your Good News. Amen.
THE PREFACE AND THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful… C … and set us on fire with your love! Alleluia!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! You may come up by the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice; we will also have a tray of pre-poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles. CHRIST
OFFERS US PEACE, POWER, AND PROMISE FOR FAITHFUL LIVING AND FERVENT LOVING!
COMMUNION SONGS: Brown #82 “OH, HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME”
Brown #146 “I CAN HEAR MY SAVIOR CALLING”
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ We Rejoice in Our Mission +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor…We are sent forth to be and become the BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “LEAD ME TO CALVARY” Brown #86

Address

2169 W. 74th Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
19138

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Oak Lane posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Oak Lane:

Shortcuts

Share

Category