Keep Watch, Ash Wednesday, IF: Gathering
Dear Church,
“What will be the sign of Jesus’ coming and of the end of the age?” That’s what the disciples wondered in today’s reading from Matthew 24. It’s what many people wonder when they ask about the “signs of the times.”
It’s interesting to note that Jesus only gives one sign, a few difficulties that will come and many warnings for believers.
The one sign is a promise: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:30-31) This is good news, that Jesus will come again!
Jesus also listed difficulties that the world and the church would experience in the meantime: Earthquakes, wars, famines, false messiahs “are the beginnings of birth pains” (Matt 24:4-8) but are not the sign.
Jesus warned against:
Deceptive and abusive leaders (Matt 24:5, 22-24)
An increase of wickedness (Matt 24:12)
A coldness of love (Matt 24:12)
And the destruction of the temple (which took place within the first century!)
How are we to live?
Stand firm to the end. (Matt 24:13)
Preach the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world. (Matt 24:14)
Keep watch. (Matthew 24:42)
Jesus states that we “do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)
A Prayer from Matthew 24
Father, we thank you for sending your Son to teach us how to live ready for whatever happens and for planning his second arrival.
Jesus, we thank you for coming to save the world from ourselves and for promising to come again.
Spirit, help us stand firm in righteous love, inspire us to preach the good news in word and deed to our neighbors and the nations, guide us to keep watch against coldness of heart within ourselves no matter the circumstance.
KEEP FOLLOWING THE DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS
We have scripture readings to go with our sermon series. We are reading through "the Gospel of Matthew” to coincide with our current series: “The Kingdom of the Beloved.” Click below for this week’s scriptures.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE LENTEN DEVOTIONALS
Beginning February 26, we will journey together through the season of Lent with devotionals written by Stillmeadow Nazarenes. Subscribe here: www.stillnaz.com/lent2023.
Hear Sunday’s Services
Stillmeadow Lane Campus — Pastor Josh Kleinfeld
York City Campus — Pastor Jade Frederick
Ash Wednesday Service
February 22, 7PM. We will begin our Lenten season in unity with sister churches in the Black Minister’s Association at our Stillmeadow Lane Campus.
Grow with others 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).
Classic Club
For those age 50 and up! Join us for fellowship and food the 1st Friday of every month, 8:15AM at Lyndon Diner! Jeff Phillips leads this group that will meet next on February 3.
Emotionally Healthy Relationships
“Discipleship that deeply changes your relationship with others.” Beginning Wednesday, March 29th 6:30-8PM this group is led by Pastor Brad Shaffer. For more information contact pastorbrad@stillnaz.com.
Serve with us this year
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 serve with you. Here are two of the many ways you can join in:
Habitat For Humanity
Join us as we build with Habitat and future home owners. Anyone 16+ can help. If interested, contact Sue Cox at s-cox@comcast.net or sign up below.
Stillnaz Youth Ministry
Join an incredible team of adults who pour into the lives of teenagers on Sunday mornings at 10:30 or Tuesday nights at 7 on our Stillmeadow Lane Campus, or Sunday mornings at 11:00 or Wednesdays at 7 on our York City Campus. Contact Pastor Chris (pastorchris@stillnaz.com) for more info or sign up below.
Annual Reports and Winners!
What a great night it was to hear God stories and share good soup and chili. Congrats to the winners Sue Cox with her Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup and Mike Caufield with his Brisket Chili!
If you’d like to see the reports, check the link below.
Earthquake Relief
The death toll continues to rise in Syria and Turkey and you can join in helping through financial gifts to the work of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries or through the assembly of Crisis Care Kits.
Child Dedication at York City Campus
Interested in dedicating your young child(ren) to the Lord? Questions about what that means? Informational session/class will be held at York City Campus (IMPACT Youth Room) on Sunday, March 5th at 9:30 am.
IF:2023
Attention ladies! Cost is $15. Questions? Contact Pastor Tabitha at pastortabitha@stillnaz.com.
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.
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 were emailed on January 25, 2023. If you did not receive one, please contact pastorkent@stillnaz.com.
Condolences to…
The Moses Family-Chuck’s father, Sylvantus "Red" Moses, passed away Wednesday, February 8.
The Babinchak Family-Betty Babinchak passed away Monday, January 23rd.
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.
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)
For His Kingdom,
Pastor Josh and the Stillmeadow Team
PS…We’re excited that Carlos Gordon is joining us in our services on March 26. We’ll be spending some extra time in a potluck meal at York City Campus at 12:30. Sign up for the potluck here: https://www.perfectpotluck.com/PJIT0468.