Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Intro to Stillnaz and Jerk Chicken!
Dear Stillmeadow Family,
Yesterday we explored the time when Peter had Jesus adjust his political expectations. It was not the most glamorous moment in Peter’s life, yet it was pivotal. When Peter admitted that Jesus was Messiah in Mark 8, he showed his faith. But when Peter rebuked Jesus, he showed where he needed to grow in his faith…which is why Jesus rebuked Peter.
Everything Jesus does is in love. And when Jesus called Peter “Satan” and told him that he did “not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” he was lovingly inviting Peter to adjust his expectations of the Messiah. He was inviting Peter to take God’s concerns in mind, to look at things through a heavenly and redemptive lens.
Discipleship for us today requires us to do the same. And this impacts how we engage in worldly politics. In this season, I encourage you “have in mind the concerns of God” by doing two things:
Take more time to listen to the Jesus story-line than the political story-lines.
Isaiah 50:4b says: “He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”
Do the math: what do you listen to or dwell on more? Human concerns or God’s concerns? Human concerns will only lead you to more anxiety. So, you may need to decrease or eliminate social and news media (which are mostly toxic and rage-bait). And you may need to increase or add prayer and Bible reading time in the beginning, middle or end of your day.
Take time to speak well of others.
James 3:9 says: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness…this should not be!”
We live in a negatively charged political environment, and Christians have an opportunity to set an example in how we speak of others. We must not only reduce, but eliminate derogatory language and story-telling in reference to people with whom we disagree. We must find creative ways to speak well of all people, even when we disagree with them.
Jesus is the Messiah, the One the world has been waiting for! It is time to admit that He is the Messiah who defies and redefines our political expectations. He is greater than any political candidate and has better plans than any political platform. Let us live according to His political platform of love.
We have a reading plan that goes along with our current series. Read along and ask: “What Time Is It?” And then act accordingly.
Weekly Reading
Monday: Isaiah 35:4-7a; James 2:1-17
Tuesday: Isaiah 38:10-20; James 2:17-26
Wednesday: Psalm 146; Mark 7:24-37
Thursday: Psalm 116:1-9; Hebrews 11:1-16
Friday: Psalm 146; Hebrews 11:17-22
Saturday: Numbers 21:4b-9; John 3:13-17
In His Hands and In His Time,
Pastor Josh
And check out the services at the Stillmeadow Lane Campus and the York City Campus!
The Main Announcements
Intro to Stillmeadow Begins Sept 15.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality begins Sept 22.
EJAM Dinner on October 12
Intro to Stillmeadow
All desiring to know more about the church and membership in the church are encouraged to attend. Led by Pastor Kent, the next cycle of nine classes begins September 15 at 9AM in Rm. #201. You can register HERE.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course Begins Sept 22
“It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature.” This course lays out a framework for growth in Christ in every area of your life.
Let Pastor Brad know you are interested HERE.
EJAM Jerk Chicken Dinner Fundraiser and Silent Auction
Join us on Saturday, October 12 and support the EJAM Work & Witness Team as they raise the funds they need to continue their work in Jamaica in 2025! drive-up sales run from 2 pm-4 pm on the 12 and doors open at 5 PM, dinner begins at 5:30PM for the sit down dinner and auction. Tickets will be available at the Welcome Desk before and after services. Donations of new items for a silent auction and baked goods for auction are needed!
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).
The King Is Coming
A look at prophecy, current events and how to live in preparation for the return of our Lord. This class is taught by Wayne Sechrist and meets Sundays at 10:30 in the second floor large conference room at Sprenkle House.
Serve with us
You have been gifted and we’d be honored to serve with you. We’d love to have you partner with us. Click the “Serve” button below for more opportunities.
~Greeter-Serve by giving a warm welcome to visitors and regular attenders Sunday mornings and at special events! Go to stillnaz.com/serve to sign up.
~ Café-Share a welcome, smile and a cup coffee by serving in our Café! Go to stillnaz.com/serve to sign-up.
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…
Our citizens who live in York County, mayors, school boards. The print and broadcast media. The churches of York: members and clergy. All who live in poverty. All who suffer from mental illness.
Give with us
Keystone Family Alliance
Keystone Family Alliance aims to educate, motivate, and equip every Christian in the state of Pennsylvania on the needs of orphans and vulnerable children, both locally and globally. They bridge the gap between the desperate needs in the child welfare system and Pennsylvania churches. By engineering wraparound Care Communities, Keystone Family Alliance provides tangible support, prayer, resources, and aid, resulting in foster families who are involved longer and stronger.
Good News 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. Good News is entirely funded and supported by the community. You can give through Stillmeadow by writing “Good News” in the memo line. Or you can give monthly to Chaplain Irvin at https://goodnewsjail.org/givecash/.
Condolences
To Paul & Michelle McKinney, Paul’s mother Charlotte Persons passed away August 22nd.