Count on God, Easter Surprise, Prayer Week
Dear Church,
We’re now over halfway through 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 Christine Deibert.
“AS THE DEER”~ by Steffany Gretzinger
I feel that I need to start by saying how amazing God is, how He always meets me where I am. Recently I have been dealing with multiple family issues. All of them are out of my control. I have told God (in one of our many conversations) that my life is His. I have had to hand things back to Him regularly. There are two sentences in the passage I chose to reflect on that scream out to me: "I am counting on the Lord...I long for the Lord." My desire for knowledge, my quest to get closer and closer to Him, is a real thirst.
Where is your focus during this season in your life? Who are you counting on and longing for? The song, "As The Deer" by Steffany Gretzinger, kept playing in my head as I read Psalm 130:5-6 over and over. May it bless you today.
KEEP FOLLOWING THE LENTEN DEVOTIONALS
Pick up a physical copy at either campus. Click the button below, or subscribe for emails here: www.stillnaz.com/lent2023/subscribe.
Hear Sunday’s Services
Stillmeadow Lane Campus — Pastor John Farley
York City Campus — Chastity Frederick
Holy Week Prayer Week
Let’s join our hearts in prayer together every night of Holy Week.
Monday and Tuesday we’ll be at the Stillmeadow Lane Campus.
Wednesday-Good Friday we’ll be at the York City Campus.
Make a plan now to join us for these times of prayer and worship from 7-8PM.
Baptisms on Easter
Have you given your life to Jesus? The next step is to be baptized!
Baptism is the ancient symbol of the church to recognize that a person has been cleansed of their sins, has died to their old way of life and has been raised to Jesus’ way of life. For the baptized it is an opportunity to say “I am all in” to the way of Jesus.
We want to celebrate your new life in Christ with baptism on Easter Sunday. If you have questions, you can ask pastorjosh@stillnaz.com. And you can sign up at www.stillnaz.com/baptism.
Grow with us
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).
N.O.M.A Groups-No One Matures Alone-If you would like to be in a N.O.M.A group contact pastortabitha@stillnaz.com.
Men’s Conference-Saturday, May 6th, 9AM-7PM at the York City Campus. Questions? Contact Wayne Rumsey at 717-893-4017 or waynerumsey@yahoo.com. Register for the conference HERE.
Serve with us
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:
Easter Help
Join us for the Easter Surprise (April 1) or help with Easter music (April 9). If you’re interested in helping welcome families at the Easter Surprise contact pmoses@stillnaz.com. If you’re interested in celebrating Jesus through song in our band or in our choir please contact pastorjohn@stillnaz.com.
Servants
The mission of Servants.org is to empower churches and individuals to share God’s love through acts of service. We partner with them in home help projects and are inviting folks to sign up for their summer work camp: June 26-30. Click the button below and select “Servants” to let us know you’re interested.
Thanks for the toothbrushes!
We exceeded our goal of 900 toothbrushes for Crisis Care Kits! We are looking to collect 200 Bandaid Boxes (30+). You can drop those off at the Kids Welcome Center!
Sabbatical Exploration Update
Last week, we turned in our Renewal Grant Application to the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program. On Sunday, March 5, our board secretary, Scott Mingus announced that the church board and Pastor Josh are working together to plan a sabbatical in 2024 and 2025. The Lilly Endowment offers a scholarship to cover Sabbatical costs.
You can find out more and stay up to date at www.stillnaz.com/sabbatical.
We desire that this would be mutually beneficial for him and for Stillmeadow. So, to prepare for reflection prior to and during a Sabbatical, we invite you to share your thoughts there.
Congratulations to…
Josh and Lindsay Alley & Family as they welcomed their little girl Mackenzie May on March 18.
Condolences to…
Samantha Jarzynka & Family-Samantha’s grandmother, Olida “Dean” Burgess passed away Sunday, March 5.
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 have really enjoyed the Sabbatical survey reflections and would love to hear more. If you haven’t had a chance, go to www.stillnaz.com/sabbatical/seasons and share your perspective on what season you think Stillmeadow is in and how you’d like to see Stillmeadow grow.