So thankful that Advent Experience is coming (and more)
Happy November Church Family!
Oh, what joy it is to ride and sing a saving song tonight. Heaven came down and glory filled the earth. That’s the theme of our advent series and that’s the song and story of the incarnation! God became like us so that we could become like Him. Yet, we live in the glorious in-between…the hope-filled and war-torn space between Jesus’ first arrival and his final arrival. One of the best ways to wait in that space is to practice gratitude, to say thanks for all the talents we have been given, for all the grace we have been shown. This week, what are you thankful for? Let me know at pastorjosh@stillnaz.com. My list is in the PS at the bottom!
The Family Advent Experience is Coming November 26
I’m thankful for what we’ll be doing this Sunday! The Advent season (Dec 3-24) is an incredible opportunity to prepare our hearts and lives for the second arrival of Jesus by remembering his first arrival! So, we have set aside the Sunday before Advent (Nov 26) as a special family advent experience to prepare our hearts and lives as a church family. This will be a worshipful and interactive all-generation service.
The Advent Devotional
And I’m thankful for the work of our people who helped write the Advent Devotional! It will be available on November 26. You can grab a hard copy and you can have it emailed to your inbox by subscribing on the button below.
“Just Mercy” has wrapped up!
I’m grateful for the way God moved in our most recent series, as Pastor Tabitha (at Stillmeadow Lane) and Pastor Isabell (at York City Campus) wrapped us up on Sunday.
I’m grateful for all the people who helped with the Thanksgiving Meal at our City Campus.
I’m grateful for all the people who have volunteered to help with Prison Ministries or Foster Care Ministries.
I’m grateful for all those who took ornaments to give to the Nursing Home Blessing!
I’m grateful for the $2605.51 given to Good News Prison Ministries and the $1511.61 given to Keystone Family Alliance.
I’m grateful for the $875 in gift cards given to Goode Elementary and $865 given to Sinking Springs and Roundtown (from our Welcome Bash!).
Sign up to serve at www.stillnaz.com/serve. Find out more about prison ministry at stillnaz.com/prisonministry. Find out more about foster care ministry at stillnaz.com/fostercare. Let the justice and mercy of Jesus roll in York County and beyond!
Watch the Sunday (Nov 12) Services
Stillmeadow Lane Campus —Pastor Tabitha Martin
York City Campus — Pastor Isabell Clark
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).
New Married Class-Are you soon to be married or have you been married for 10 years or less? Led by Todd and Donna Henry this group meets in Rm. 201, and is currently studying “Sacred Marriage” by Gary Thomas. Kidz Ministry is available during this time
Harvest Prayer-Hear updates from the mission field and from our EJAM partners. Join in prayer and support for our Missionaries around the world. This group is led by Erma Shaffer and meets at 10:30AM the first Sunday of each month in room #124.
Serve with us
You have been gifted and we’d be honored to serve with you. We’d love to have you serve in our Cafe or sing in our Christmas Choir. And click the “Serve” button below for more opportunities.
Cafe—Help us extend an atmosphere of “embracing unity” by serving in our Sunday morning cafe ministries.
Christmas Choir—So, we’ve got an all church, all generation choir for our Christmas program on Dec 17. Invite family members and friends to sing with you!
Pray with us
You can find a guide to prayer and submit a prayer request at www.stillnaz.com/pray. This week, let us pray for…
The Governor of Pennsylvania, the General Assembly, and all who work in State Government. All who work in businesses which provide services to others. All who work in construction. Hospitals and nursing homes: patients, residents, and staff; all who provide health care. Victims of violent crime; all who commit violent crime. All senior citizens.
And let’s pray for our Missions Prayer Requests at www.stillnaz.com/harvestprayer.
Give with us
God has given each of us gifts for us to share. In addition to giving a regular tithe, consider helping with Good News Jail and Prison Ministry or our 30 Hour Famine.
Good News Jail and Prison Ministry
The mission of Good News Jail & Prison Ministry is to help fulfill the Great Commission by reaching inmates with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pray for them as they hold Bible studies, provide individual pastoral counseling, and support the various spiritual needs of more than 900 inmates. Pray for God to help these men and women experience life change which will have a significant impact on York County and the surrounding area. For more info: www.stillnaz.com/prisonministry.
Church Board Elections
Elections for the 2024 Church Board will take place after each service on Sunday, December 10th. All members over the age of 15 can vote (age 13 and older can vote for NYI President). There is a flyer available at the Welcome Center with nominee information and pictures to assist you to prepare.
Mid-Atlantic Young Adult Retreat (Dec 29-31)
This event is for young adults ages 18 to early 30s to come grow in their faith with Jesus and in their relationships with young adults on the Mid-Atlantic District! The early bird cost is $90 by Dec 1. Regular registration is $100 by Dec 11. For information and registration go to: https://madnyi.com/young-adult-ministry/. Also, coordinate with our Stillnaz Young Adults by RSVP’s with Aubrey Shaffer @ 717-819-6131
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.
Congratulations
To Joseph Kidwell for his first local minister’s license and to Chastity Frederick, Casey Harrison and Gabe Hurlbert for the renewal of theirs! We are grateful for each of their service to our community and excited to see them grow in their pursuit of God’s call on their lives. To learn about what it means to be a local minister in the Church of the Nazarene, click here.
Condolences
To Karen and Mark Wagner and children (Amy Harmer, Mike and Matt Wagner) who are mourning the loss of Karen’s mother, Yvonne Hughes, of Texas, who passed away the week of October 29.
Jennifer Stough and family. Jennifer’s mother passed away November 17th.
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…I’m thankful for YOU! I’m thankful for the way God weaves our stories into His big story of redemption. I’m thankful for the gifts that He has given the church to share with each other and the world. I’m thankful for the grace that He has extended to us…second and third and fiftieth chances. I’m thankful for the salvation and sanctification He gives us, setting our lives straight and making us holy so that the world can experience His love through our everyday lives. I could go on…I’d love to hear your “thankful's” too! (send a message to pastorjosh@stillnaz.com)