The Kingdom is here, Baptisms are Jan 29, Join with us in ‘23
Dear Church,
What’s the best news you have ever received?
It’s hard for me to choose between the exciting moments of my life between good health diagnoses, college acceptance, when Aubrey said ‘yes’ to my proposal, or when I found out I was going to be a dad. But none of those compare to the good news that we have in Jesus.
The kingdom of heaven has come near.
If you are doing the reading of Matthew, you will notice that John the Baptist starts with this message in Matthew and that Jesus picks up the message in Matthew 4 after John was put in prison. It is the message that God’s loving and righteous way (the way of heaven) has come to humanity (earth). God has made Himself available to us.
We receive the kingdom through repentance.
Repentance means changing our minds about God, ourselves and the world according to what we see in the life of Jesus. And not just changing our minds, but adjusting our lives to the loving and righteous way of Jesus.
Let’s do that this year.
Prayer
God, you are eternally good and righteous and holy. We need your help to be good and righteous and holy. Jesus, you showed us the way to live, but we confess that it is hard to always live like you. Spirit, fill us to overflowing with your power to strengthen us to live according to the King of kings.
KEEP FOLLOWING THE DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS
We always have scriptures readings to go with our sermon series. This week we began a reading through "the Gospel of Matthew” to coincide with our new sermon series: “The Kingdom of the Beloved.”
Hear Sunday’s Services
Stillmeadow Lane Campus — Pastor Steve Grosvenor
York City Campus — Chastity Frederick
Grow with others this winter in a small group
Join a group this year. Check out our listing of 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).
IF:Table
1/20 at 7:00PM- A space to feel known, be seen and have honest conversations with other women about the relationships God always intended us to have. This month we will reflect on the past year and dream about what God is calling us to this year. Save the date...March 3-4 IF: Conference 2023. More details to come. Any questions email Pastor Tabitha. Pastortabitha@stillnaz.com
GriefShare
A special weekly support group for people grieving the death of someone close will begin Saturday, February 4th. This group will meet in Rm. 112 from 10AM-12 Noon and is led by Pastor Kathy Foltz . For more information contact pastorkathy@stillnaz.com. You can register for this group HERE.
Serve with us in 2023
As we look ahead at 2023, we’d love to have you on our volunteer team. It’s so cool to think that each person serving at Stillmeadow is part of a tradition of serving that has existed for 85+ years at our church and 2000+ years in the church universal. You have been gifted and we’d be honored to have your gifts in greeting, worship, childrens or youth ministries, and more. Click on the button below to share you’re interest.
Habitat For Humanity-January 28th Volunteer Day!
We have reserved Saturday, January 28th for a volunteer day at both the Chestnut St. and Partridge Dr. (Dover) builds. To sign up contact Sue Cox at s-cox@comcast.net.
Baptisms are January 29
If you’d like to show your faith through baptism, we’d love to celebrate that commitment. We have baptism classes on January 22 to prepare for that day. So please sign up at the button below.
Stillmeadow Souper Chili Bowl is February 5
We’re hosting our annual meeting with stories from the last year at our first ever Souper Chili Bowl, from 4:30-6:30 on Sunday February 5 at our Stillmeadow Lane Campus. We’ll have a Soup and Chili competition too! Sign your soup up at the link below. If you can’t to bring soup, but want to join, bring a side or drink!
Journey with other adolescent parents in the Passage Blessing. Sign up at the button below.
Annual Super Bowl Party
Sunday, February 12th at the York City Campus. Doors open at 6PM. Refreshments will be served. Donations of bottled water, tea, soda or lemonade appreciated. Invite friends, neighbors and co-workers. No sign-up required.
Celebrate Recovery Softball Team
Coming this Spring! In recovery or want to be? Looking for a positive environment? Contact Pastor Jade 717-434-3223 for more information. sign-up HERE.
2022 Giving Statements
The generosity of God’s people has blessed Stillmeadow and its ministries here in York and to the world beyond. Together our contributions shared the Gospel, fed the hungry, supported the hurting, sustained missionaries, sent a team to Florida, gave children and youth a camp experience, and allowed our church to operate the two campuses. Your 2022 giving statements will be emailed on January 25, 2023.
Condolences to…
Chris Ness and her family on the passing of her father, Donald Swope on January 3.
Congratulations to…
Ethan and Janell Greer on the birth of their daughter Noa Renee Greer on January 9.
Pray with us for the Jamaica Team at 10:02
From January 6-15, we’ll have a group of Stillmeadow Nazarenes serving with our brothers and sisters on the East Jamaica district. Let’s cover them in prayer while they are away. Set your phone alarms for 10:02 and pray for the team each day at that time. Why 10:02? Because Jesus said in Luke 10:2, that “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, therefore pray to the Lord to send out workers.” So, let’s pray for protection, provision, open doors and open hearts.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Josh and the Stillmeadow Team
PS…If you haven’t checked out the invitation to review and reflection for renewal in the new year, check out www.stillnaz.com/newyears. God is doing a new thing, but sometimes we can rush by it without noticing!