A Pure Heart, Ukraine Update, IF (women’s conference)
Dear Church,
We’ve begun our journey through Lent, the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, when we draw near to God through remembering Jesus’ journey to the cross and resurrection. As part of our journey we have collected devotional reflections from various saints from Stillmeadow. Here is today’s Lenten Reflection from Pastor Steve Grosvenor.
Verse 1 of this Psalm in the Hebrew Bible identifies it as a prayer of penitence. It’s a prayer of King David when the prophet Nathan confronted him about his affair with Bathsheba. The story of this incident is recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12.
The key petition of David’s prayer for today’s devotional is found in verse 10: “Create in me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me!” (NET). David confesses his sin and his sinfulness in verses 1-6. He asks God to wash away the guilt of his sin and restore the joy of “being forgiven” (vv. 6-7). But he recognizes a deeper need in verse 10, a need for transformation of his heart and spirit.
The heart and spirit in Old Testament literature are the seat of a person’s values and morals. He confesses a need for a work of God that went beyond simple resolutions to do better. In verse 12 He asks God to grant him a willing spirit that would sustain him as he proceeded to carry out his responsibilities as a king.
Two other descriptions of this work of God are found in Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Proverbs 3:5-6. Romans 12:1-2 provides a prescription for this work of God in our lives today.
A prayer for this transformation is expressed in a 19th century hymn.
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move. Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.
—George Croly (Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart)
I invite you to pray this prayer from your heart in this Lenten Season.
subscribe to the devotionals and plan to bring a friend to worship on Sundays).
KEEP FOLLOWING THE LENTEN DEVOTIONALS
We are on a journey together through the season of Lent with devotionals written by Stillmeadow Nazarenes. Pick up a physical copy at either campus. Or subscribe for emails here: www.stillnaz.com/lent2023/subscribe.
Hear Sunday’s Services
Stillmeadow Lane Campus — Pastor Josh Kleinfeld
York City Campus — Pastor Isabell Clark
Ukraine Update (140 tons of food given, and more)
Please prayerfully review Nazarene Missions update on what’s going on in Ukraine. We are struck by the way the church is ministering there, from using their buildings as bomb shelters to helping distribute much food to those in need.
Pray that God would continue to strengthen our Ukrainian church leadership. They are carrying the weight of not only their own trauma but the care of entire communities of people.
Pray that the trauma training seminars help Ukrainian counsellors provide hope and healing for many who are in our churches or come through our churches for assistance.
Pray for our missionaries and leaders in Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Kirgizstan, Latvia, Kazakhstan, and Armenia who are feeling the strong, negative effects of this war.
IF:2023
Attention ladies! Cost is $15. Questions? Contact Pastor Tabitha at pastortabitha@stillnaz.com.
Carlos is coming this Sunday! (potluck after the services)
Our Jamaican missionary friend, Carlos Gordon, who serves on our Africa region, will be with us in our services on February 26. AND we’ll be spending some extra time in an all church potluck meal at York City Campus at 12:30. Sign up for the potluck here: https://www.perfectpotluck.com/PJIT0468.
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).
Membership Class– Begins February 26th at 9AM in Rm. #201. All interested in church membership are encouraged to attend. Stillmeadow Lane Campus- Register at stillnaz.com/discipleship. York City Campus-Email Pastor Isabell at iclark@stillnaz.com.
Tuesday Night Groups For Men and Women- Girlfriends Growing in Grace meets in Room #112 at 7PM and Man Cave meets in the ground floor at Sprenkle House at 6:30.
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:
Worship & Media Teams
We are looking for people that love technology and want to be part of our creative team serving in the area of sound, video, lights, livestream production and image magnification. If you have any interest in any of those areas, we would love to talk to you about serving. Questions? Email Pastor John at pastorjohn@stillnaz.com.
Crisis Care Kits
Pack kits of needed items sent to assist victims of disaster. Find the list at www.stillnaz.com/crisis-care-kit.
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.
Strengthsfinders 101
March 18th 8:30AM-3PM. Research and Biblical insight combine to help you identify and live from your natural talents. $20 includes lunch and material. Register at stillnaz.com/discipleship or email pastorkent@stillnaz.com.Condolences to…
The Haugh Family-Dave Haugh passed away January 12th.
The Moses Family-Chuck’s father, Sylvantus "Red" Moses, passed away Wednesday, February 8.
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…I was struck by how churches in Ukraine are using their buildings as bomb shelters. Can you imagine? Let’s pray for peace and courage in the face of evil and atrocities.