Just Mercy Month, New Youth Pastor and more!
Happy November Church Family!
November is “Just Mercy” Month
As we turn towards the Advent Season that leads into the Christmas Season, we will take the first three Sundays of November to draw our hearts and minds to the prophetic words of Micah, Amos and Jesus. The theme that binds the texts together? Justice and Mercy.
As God’s people, we are called not just to know God in our hearts, but to show God with our actions. So, each week we will feature a different way to show God’s mercy and demonstrate His justice. God’s compassion goes to those who are often overlooked in our culture, so we are going to follow His lead and explore ways to share His mercy with people who have been imprisoned, children in foster care and folks who are living in nursing homes.
On November 5 we will hear from Chaplain Michael Irvin from Good News Prison and Jail Ministry and how we can partner with him in his work at York County Prison.
On November 12 (It’s Stand Sunday!) we will hear from Nayler Abror from Keystone Family Alliance about how we can stand with foster kids and families.
On November 19, we will hear about an opportunity to care for the elderly and aging in our community.
And we will have two events that will be ways to live out God’s mercy. The youth will be doing the 30 Hour Famine on November 10-11 and our York City Campus will be participating in the annual community Thanksgiving Feast on November 19.
Will you join in prayer for this month?
Heavenly Father, would you light a fire for justice in the hearts of your people.
Crucified and Resurrected Christ, would you give us your sacrificial attitude to hold nothing back to serve like you do.
Holy Spirit, fill us with your compassion that we may act on the impulse of your love.
New Youth Pastor Update
A couple weeks ago we announced that Pastor Chris Fuller has received a call to prison chaplain ministry in Loretto, PA. His departure means a transition in our youth and young adult ministry. And here's what's cool. While God was preparing Chris to chaplain ministry, He was also calling someone in our own church to youth ministry.
This person has a contagious passion for Jesus and a love for people. She is an incredible communicator and highly relational and an incredible team builder. She has been serving as our Adult Discipleship Pastor and has already been volunteering in youth ministry. In both of those she has shown that she has the character and competency to lead our youth ministries into the next season of growth.
I am pleased to announce that Pastor Tabitha Martin will be serving as our Youth and Adult Discipleship Pastor. She is currently finishing up her service as middle school Bible teacher at CSY. While she finishes up at CSY, she will be part-time youth pastor and the adult discipleship ministries with Wayne Rumsey will carry those duties. But when she comes on full-time in December, she will serve as Youth and Adult Discipleship Pastor, providing leadership for spiritual formation for youth into adulthood. I believe that she and Pastor Rachel are going to be an incredible partnership in family ministries.
Join me in prayer for Chris and Emily in their transition. Their final day with us is this Sunday, November 5, which when Tabitha will begin as youth pastor! Also, join me in prayer for Tabitha and Jon and their children as their family navigates this exciting transition.
Watch the Sunday (Oct 29) Services
Stillmeadow Lane Campus —Pastor Rachel Zeigler
York City Campus — Pastor Jade Frederick
Grow with us
No one matures alone. 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).
M.O.R.E-Dig deeper into the sermon of the morning! This group is led by Steve Yinger and John Lackey and meets at 10:30AM in the Sprenkle House ground floor conference room.
Strings & Things-A Crafty Small Group. Our crafts become our ministry as we work and pray over them then give them to those in need of spiritual support . We will provide materials, training and even rides. We meet every other Thursday starting September 7, 2023 from 6:30 to 8 PM at York City campus 350 Chestnut St.
Serve with us
You have been gifted and we’d be honored to serve with you. We’d love to have you serve at our Trunk or Treat or Fall Fest or Community Thanksgiving Dinner. And click the “Serve” button below for more opportunities.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Serve as an individual, family or small group! We’d love for you to consider signing up to assist with the Community Thanksgiving Dinner held st the York City Campus on Sunday, November 19th. Join us along with a dozen local congregations as we join hands, break bread, and give thanks while fellowshipping and serving a delicious Thanksgiving meal. You can sign up HERE.
Pray with us
Missions Prayer Guide
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 FIN Fund or 30 Hour Famine
FIN Fund — Stillmeadow keeps a benevolence fund to help people in times of need. These funds have helped pay bills, buy groceries, provide a place to stay, give counseling and more. Select “FIN Fund” online or write it in the memo of your check.
30 Hour Famine — the Stillnaz Youth will be going without food for 30 Hours to raise funds for those who have to go without food on a regular basis. Join our youth in their efforts to fight poverty and hunger by praying for them and by donating at https://30hourfamine.worldvision.org/team/Stillmeadow.
Stillmeadow Youth Gift Card Fundraiser!
Purchase gift cards just in time for Christmas and support our teens. See a teen or visit the Welcome Desk on Sunday mornings to place your order. You can also obtain an order packet at stillnaz.com/sny. Deadline to order is November 28. Gift cards will arrive by December 12th and will be delivered by a teen or available for pick up at the Welcome Table.
A Message From the Pastors
We were honored and delighted by the many expressions of kindness and appreciation through the month of October. Truth is, we do this work because we love you. And we consider ourselves abundantly blessed to be a part of this church family in this season. Thank you!
~Pastor Josh and the pastors
I conclude this message with the memory verse for our next series.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
We’re praying for you. Will you pray for us?
Pastor Josh and the Stillmeadow Team
PS…Yes, I did get the series title “Just Mercy” from the title of the humbling and inspiring book by Bryan Stevenson, who has done incredible work with the Equal Justice Initiative. “Just Mercy tells the story of EJI, from the early days with a small staff facing the nation’s highest death sentencing and execution rates, through a successful campaign to challenge the cruel practice of sentencing children to die in prison, to revolutionary projects designed to confront Americans with our history of racial injustice.”