PASTOR'S PIECE:
Dear Friends…
As I write this, the sun shines brightly in the clear blue sky, inviting me out into the warmth of the day. But it isn’t warm! It is still March in Meadville, with the temperature hovering in the high thirties! The combination of sun and cold captures this season of life in the church for me. I want to write only of Easter, of the resurrection, but we aren’t quite there yet. Our Lenten journey is not done.
As we travel through these last few weeks of Lent, I encourage you to persevere; continue with your Lenten prayer cards, worship, study and giving. Continue to be open to new experiences and new encounters along the way. As we open, and reopen, ministries, invite and encourage others to join you on this journey to new life. In the peace, power and presence of the Risen Christ, we never travel alone! ... Pastor Sarah
WHAT'S NEW?
What's new? Beginning April 3rd, a lot!
*The Pray-ground in the back of the sanctuary will re-open on Sunday, April 3rd. Families with children are welcome to use this space during worship. Please be courteous of others as this is a shared space. Sanitization of toys and surfaces will occur weekly and hand sanitizer is available at both the back and front of the sanctuary. While we want to teach our children to share and take turns, if your child puts a toy in their mouth, there will be a bin for “soiled” toys so that we aren’t sharing germs. We appreciate you helping to keep this a safe and fun place for our children and families during worship!
*On April 3rd, we will also begin to invite children up to the front of the sanctuary for the Children’s Sermon. Pastor Sarah will be checking in with parents regarding any specific health concerns.
*On April 3rd, we will try out a modified practice for the sacrament of holy communion, a mix of the old and the new. We will be doing the same with a return to including the receiving of the offering into the worship service. (When are we doing this? April 10th).
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! A heartfelt thanks to…Everyone who made March worship so meaningful including: Jen and Jason Ashbaugh, Skyler Bland, Jim Ross, Ron Snow, Jane Ellen Nickell, the Bell Choir, Jim and Carolyn Turnbull, Marian Beckman, the Pic-a-longs, Tyson Johnston, Anne Finney, the Ross/Malec family, the Stocktons, Patty Brown, Lisa Foust, Barb Baker, Lisa Clayton, Sue DeArment… All who supported our amazing Jared Box Project (110 boxes assembled!) …Joyce Minnis and Jim Turnbull for the delicious dinner for our Spring/Summer planning meeting…Patty Brown for three years of caring service as our office administrator … Supporters of our new “Care Team” outreach …Barb Baker for carefully tending to our Memorial donations…All who give to, pray for, and work with Stone UMC…… THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated items, money, and time toward our Jared Box Project!! We made 110 Jared Boxes for the pediatrics unit and the ER at Meadville Medical Center. WOW!!
CONGRATS!
Congratulations to George and Carol Allison on the birth of their newest great-grandson, Mason Lee Hawk, born to Zach and Holly Hawk on January 14. Big brother is Owen Hawk.
APRIL WORHIP CALENDAR
9:00 am in person at Stone (And live on Armstrong Cable Channels 23/100, on Facebook, and our website stoneumc.org)
10:30 am at Bethany UMC (140 Wadsworth Ave)
April 3 Fifth Sunday in Lent/ Communion
April 10 Palm Sunday
April 14 Holy Thursday 7pm Communion Service in the Sanctuary
April 17 Easter Sunday 7am Sunrise Service in the Gazebo in Diamond Park 9am Service in Stone Sanctuary
April 24 Celebrate Earth Day
EQUAL EXCHANGE
Stone Church, through the Equal Exchange Interfaith Cooperative, continues to offer our Fair Trade (farmers are guaranteed a fair wage for their labor) Organic (no pesticides used) coffees for sale. Presently we have Columbian Full City Blend and Hazelnut coffees in stock. Also available for those Easter baskets are 2.8-ounce milk chocolate bars for $ 2.50 each and dark chocolate minis, 8 for $1.00. Buying these Fair Trade/Organic chocolates is an act of love, not only for those who receive these yummy morsels, but also for the small farmers who produce them. Please consider putting a little extra love in your Easter this year. This is not a fund raiser and all products are offered at cost and are available at the church office. If you have any questions, you may contact Gloria Shields at 814-336-6271. Thank you!
EASTER ACTIVITY
Join us for a family fun Easter activity after Worship on Palm Sunday, April 10th. In Miller Parlor we will put together Resurrection eggs that will help kids and families learn the Easter story. Young and old alike are invited to join in this time even if you don’t have any small children at home, come and make a set for a grandchild, niece, nephew, friend or neighbor! If you could please send an RSVP to Cyndi Bland at cyf@stoneumc.org if you plan to attend that would be greatly appreciated so we know how many sets to have available in advance.
UMCOR
How You Can Help the people of the Ukraine... United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is working to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people. You can support this work through your prayers and financial gifts by contributing to Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund will provide direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries. One hundred percent of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause. The United Methodist community in Ukraine, though quite small, is actively engaged in assisting neighbors in need. Global Ministries is in touch with the church’s leadership as well as with church leaders in countries welcoming those who are fleeing from violence in Ukraine. For more information, go to Stoneumc.org and click on resource then news.
WiNS
We are still collecting boxes of graham crackers until April 10th but monetary donations are also needed. The WINS program is funded totally by donations and runs about $1,200 per week. Checks can be made out to WINS Program and are truly appreciated.
MEN'S STUDY
A new men’s study will begin April 7, 2022
Men,
Have you had it with the pressure to be a nice guy?
In his book, Wild at Heart, bestselling author John Eldredge reminds men we need adventure in our lives . . . in our work, in our love, and in our spiritual lives. He reveals how God designed men to be dangerous. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: to be a hero, to be a warrior, and to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men today have abandoned these dreams and desires—aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death.
So, instead of asking what you think you ought to do to become a better man, John asks us in this study, "What makes you come alive? What stirs your heart?"
We will join John and his band of brothers as they share stories of the deep wounds of their earlier years that took away their confidence and—in some cases—their masculinity.
Their stories and John's teaching surface these important discoveries:
· Men are haunted by the question; Do I have what it takes?
· Our deepest wound comes from our fathers, and shapes us for the rest of our lives
· In a world that emasculates men, we long to be the hero – we have a battle to fight!
· We are searching for a beauty to love
· We are wired for an adventure to live
Men, it’s time to recover our masculine heart, and step into the identity that God designed for us—dangerous, passionate, alive, and free!
We would be delighted to have any man that is seeking to grow in his relationship with God join us.
Come join us on Thursday nights starting April 7, 2022, at 6:45 PM. Hope to see you there! Feel free to contact Ron Saccol at roeusac@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information.
APRIL COUNTERS
April 3 Barb Baker & Jane Ellen Nickell
April 10 Jim Ross & Phyllis Stockton
April 17 Patty Brown & Lisa Foust
April 24 Anne Finney & Lisa Clayton
