3 Ways to Respond to Maui Fires, and more
Dear Family,
Our current mini-series in the letter to the Romans is about “Sharing the Gospel.” Sharing the gospel is more than words, but also acts of love. As we see Romans 13:8-9 says, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “you shall not commit adultery,”…”murder,”…”steal,”…”covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
As citizens of God’s kingdom, we are called to see and love every human as our neighbor, no matter where they are from. This includes the people who have suffered devastating loss in the wildfires of Maui (read about it here). So, here are three ways to respond in love to the fires of Maui.
1. Pray (from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries August 11 Prayer Email)
While searches for survivors continue, Nazarene churches are providing care to neighbors and vacationers in need. Kahului Church of the Nazarene and Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene have opened their facilities to shelter evacuees from affected areas.
All members of Pukalani church survived the fire, but two families lost their businesses. Yesterday, the church was able to send food and supplies to Lahaina, where fires destroyed the entire town, and they continue to offer food, water, clothing, showers, and toiletries to anyone in need.
We pray for the residents of Maui and visitors to the island who have been impacted by these wildfires. For those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, or who don’t yet know if their loved ones are safe, we pray for peace and comfort. Provide strength and encouragement to all first responders, and all who must rebuild their lives after devastating loss. Lord, hear our prayers.
2. Financially Support Relief Efforts through local Nazarene Church
WorldVision is working with Pukalani Nazarene. You can give directly to WorldVision here. And you can give directly to the church here.
3. Pack a Crisis Care Kit
We have been collecting Crisis Care Kits for such a time as this. And because of your help the Nazarene Compassionate MInistries center in Fawn Grove just shipped out a container of Crisis Care Kits to Maui. This means we’ll need to restock the Ministry Center for the next crisis. Here’s how to pack a kit.
And let’s pray for the Welcome Bash and Baptism Day on August 27. Let’s ask God to unify Stillmeadow, to use the Welcome Bash as a place for non-believers and newer believers to experience His hospitality through His people, to bless the Food Truck Teams (Mr. Frosty, Smoke-n-Hogs, Taqueria El Camino, & Z&D Fries) as they prepare, to use the event to strengthen the relational bonds between generations and campuses.
As you pray, Save the Date! Sunday August 27th at 10AM at the Stillmeadow Lane Campus! Worship Service will be in the Family Life Center and Food Trucks and games will be outside after the service. If you would like to be baptized you can sign-up here.
Hear Sunday’s Services
Stillmeadow Lane Campus — Pastor Josh Kleinfeld
York City Campus —Pastor Jade & Chastity Frederick
Youth Fall Retreat 2023
September 8-10 at Camp Penn in Waynesboro, PA. Cost is $50. Deadline to register is August 22nd. You can register here.
Grow with us
Check out our listing of other groups and let us know if you’re interested in one. If you’d like help, you can contact Karon Kagan (kkagan@stillnaz.com) or Pastor Tabitha Martin (pastortabitha@stillnaz.com).
EHS (Emotionally Healthy Spirituality)-Unpack core biblical principles to guide you into lasting transformation in your relationship with Christ. Register at pastorbrad@stillnaz.com. Cost for books is $30. This 8 week course begins September 17th.
Intro to Stillmeadow-Church membership classes will begin again Sunday September 17, 2023. All desiring to know more about membership in the church are encouraged to attend. You can register by clicking the button below.
Serve with us
You have been gifted and we’d be honored to serve with you. Here are three of the many ways you can join in. Click the button to sign up for these or see the other opportunities.
Care Team-A part of Engagement Ministry, Care Team members attend to the needs of attendees experiencing medical or other unusual issues during services and events. We are seeking people willing to serve. Background in medical, mental health, crisis intervention or public safety is helpful but not required to serve. Contact Wayne Rumsey (wayner3429@gmail.com) or sign-up at the serve button below.
Welcome Bash-Many hands are needed to make this event special! If you are able to serve at this event on Sunday, August 27th please click the button below to sign-up.
Fawn Grove Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Center — On the first Wednesday of every month we have a group that serves, helping organize clothing and Crisis Care Kits and whatever else is needed. Contact Sue Cox (sue-cox@comcast.net) if you’re interested or sign up below.
Pray with us
Let’s Pray for York Together This Summer
Let’s join our heads and hearts in prayer for York. Check out the daily prayer guide at the link below. Share your requests at the link below as well.
Let’s pray for our unsaved and lost neighbors and families
On Sunday, many church family members came to the altars and prayed for those who do not yet know the power and love of God personally. Let’s continue those prayers and pound heaven on their behalf. If you’d like to share the name of your loved one so we can pray with you, share it below.
Give with us
God has given each of us gifts for us to share. In addition to giving a regular tithe, consider helping with our Crisis Care Kits or Gift Cards for School Guidance Counselors.
Crisis Care Kits —One way the Church of the Nazarene supports people facing natural and humanitarian disasters is through Crisis Care Kits. These are little packs that help meet basic needs. If you’d like to help, you can build kits of your own and bring them into Stillmeadow. You can find the list and instructions HERE.
Gift Cards for School Guidance Counselors — Often schools and counseling offices help meet basic needs of their students by purchasing needed items. We’d like to show our support by collecting gift cards from Target, Walmart and Kohls for Guidance Counselors as they serve at Goode, Sinking Springs and Roundtown Elementary (the three closest elementary schools to our two campuses). Bring your gift cards to the Welcome Bash and put them in the offering!
Special Announcement
Accepting Applications for the Positions of Facilities Manager & Facilities Team Members- The positions are an important part of the ministry at Stillmeadow and are mostly second shift and weekends due to the nature of our church activities. Contact Pastor Kent at 717-577-4246 or pastorkent@stillnaz.com for more information or to apply.
Condolences to…
To the Family of Sharon Williams. Sharon passed away Wednesday, August 9.
To Melissa Franklin and Family. Melissa’s sister Jannie Rowe passed away Sunday, July 30.
To Corey Sell and Family. Corey’s grandmother, Norma Jean Keener, passed away on July 20.
I conclude this message with the theme verse for Nazarene Youth Conference and our memory verse for the last part of our Romans series:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Overflowing with hope,
Pastor Josh and the Stillmeadow Team
PS…One of my favorite things is to serve with my family. There were plenty of opportunities listed in this message. Consider packing a Crisis Care Kit with your family, or serving as greeters for the Welcome Bash as a family or Praying for Maui as a family.