A Message from Pastor Kendra
The Only Normal Thing is Change
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
It seems like we are constantly changing or adapting to the next situation. Like the changing of the seasons from summer to fall, we are changing, too. The children have gone back to school, and so bedtime, homework time, and maybe even mealtimes have changed. The students at Allegheny College have returned. Harvest is starting to wind down. The leaves are about to change colors. Change is exciting!
Things have changed at the church, too. Summer break is over, and we’re kicking off with Christian education! Sunday school and Bible study is returning! The curriculum for the children is lectionary based, but we need help and support. If you could volunteer your time for an hour or two a week, we would love to have you work with our students. Would you like to teach an Adult Sunday School class? We would love to have you!
Are you ready for a change? Do you have a particular gift or skill that you might use to glorify God and share with others? Are you an artsy, crafty person? Can you carry a tune in a bucket? Do you like to design sets? Do you want to learn new things about being United Methodist? Are you handy? Do you enjoy history? Do you like to cook? Is hospitality a gift that you have? Can you run a camera or a sound system? If your answer is “yes” to any of the questions, then we have some great mission work for you! Come and have a talk with Pastor Kendra.
Part of our logo says, “I love this place!” We love this place because God is faithful and never changes, but God and the church know people change. We have hope through Jesus Christ. Through that hope, we serve our community, because we show our love to God by loving people. Are you in a time of change or transition? Come be with us. We care about you; we love you; and we want you just like God does.
“Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7
When you are feeling anxious, God is there by your side to listen and help you heal, and we are, too.
Grace & Peace, Pastor Kendra
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
A heartfelt thanks to: Those who lent their talents to our worship services - ushers, counters, broadcast techs, and volunteers of all kinds; Darlene & Jim Ross , Anne Finney, Barb Baker, Jane Ellen Nickell, Phyllis Stockton, Patty Brown, Sue DeArment, Ron Snow, Debbie Knapp, Jim & Carolyn Turnbull, Marti Maillard; Instructor Leanne Venesky and all who attended Safe Sanctuaries class to be prepared to serve in our church and ministries; our building trustees for their dedicated care of our worship and fellowship spaces; Erin Lindsay-Means for her work to coordinate the Raise Right fundraising program, Tyson & Sarah Johnston and family for hosting our church picnic, Pat Loutzenhiser, Erin Lindsay-Means, Sue DeArment, Jim Ross and Bob Waid for their continued wise stewardship of Stone's finances and endowments; John & Cindy Karns, Jim Schlosser, Bob & Debbie McConnell and Matt McElhinney for their help distributing more than 60 Senior Food Boxes in August; Tyson Johnston for his efforts to update and maintain our technical equipment and capabilities, all those who participated in the Blessing of the Backpacks; Anne Finney for cataloging and organizing the "history" of Stone UMC and to Dr. Armendia Dixon for her continued dedication to preserving the history of Stone; to everyone who brought food, planned, prepared and who came and supported the Charge Conference on Oct. 1st; To all who give, pray and serve…THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Thank You...
to the Johnston Family for hosting and everyone involved with this year's Church Picnic! It was a wonderful time to spend together in fellowship enjoying the beauty of God's creation.
Getting to Know Pastor Kendra...
Our young people at Stone UMC had a unique opportunity at a brunch just for Stone UMC children & youth after worship one Sunday. The children were encouraged to "interview" Pastor Kendra and ask questions in order to get to know their new pastor a little better. They would like to share some of their discussion with you --
Children: Where do you travel...?
Pastor Kendra: The furthest I've gone around the world is I've gone all the way to Israel. So that means I've gone where Jesus lived...
Children: What do you do for fun?
Pastor Kendra: I love to travel, that's one of the things I do for fun. I like to cook. I like to read. I like to visit my children and grandchildren. But you know, I love my job so every morning I get up to come here, I'm excited to come and see people here any day of the week.
Children: What's your favorite football team?
Pastor Kendra: Is there any other team than the Steelers??
Children: Yes!
Pastor Kendra: The only team to have as your favorite is the Steelers, and then there are all the other teams that they play. If you go in my office, you'll see Steelers things in there because I LOVE my Steelers.
Children: In your family, did you have any triplets?
Pastor Kendra: No triplets in my family, but when I was in high school there was a dear lady who went to our church and I got to be one of the babysitters who helped with her triplets because if they all start crying at one time and there's only one mommy and one daddy, there's still one baby that needs someone, right?
Children: What is your favorite animal on the farm?
Pastor Kendra: My favorite animal is a cow, because they are usually pretty gentle.
Children: What is your typical day like now?
Pastor Kendra: I get up in the morning and drink coffee and get showered and I come here [to Stone UMC], I check my mailbox in case there is something I need to do, then I go to my computer and see if there's any messages I need to take care of, and I look at my phone to see it is is blinking to see if I have any [voice]mail. If it is a Monday, I'm probably writing my sermon so that I will have all week to memorize it. And, I start planning ahead for what we are going to be doing in the future, that way I can tie them all together. Have you noticed that my sermons from some of the weeks before kind of tied in with today? So, I kind of try to make them link together...The most churches that I have preached at on a Sunday from morning to night [is] five...I used to have four churches every morning that I would go preach at - that's a busy morning!...Actually, one was at 8, 9, 10 and 11...Somebody would usually start for me at the 9, 10 and 11 and I would come in and pick up wherever they were.
Blessing of the Backpacks
On August 27, the children of Stone UMC brought their backpacks to church. During a special Children's Chat, the congregation and Pastor Kendra gave blessings to the children and a teacher in preparation of this school year.
Gift Cards Delivered to Your Door
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Raise Right gift cards have hundreds of brands that offer physical gift cards that can be shipped directly to your home, ordered on your own schedule. It's a great way to get a reloadable card that you can add funds to later from your phone or grab some gifts to have on hand for upcoming special occasions. If you haven't signed up yet, go to RaiseRight.com today and use the enrollment code R2JAWC96GJA to start supporting the mission and ministries of Stone UMC whenever you purchase a gift card through Raise Right. There are 3 ways to find gift cards on Raise Right that have a "Ship To Home" option: 1. On the RaiseRight app, search a category and filter by Product Type > Gift Card, then check the "Ship to Home Eligible" box. 2. On RaiseRight.com, visit the Shop page and filter by Card Type, then choose Ship to Home. 3. Use our NEW Ship to Home brand list! Download a complete listing of brands that offer Ship to Home physical gift cards for quick reference. Sunday School & Children's Church Help is Needed!Children's Church during our worship service and our after worship Sunday School programs has begun. We still have openings for volunteers this fall & winter...If you are able to help with either of these ministries, please sign up on the CYF bulletin board by the elevator. Cocoa Helpers WantedThe Children, Youth and Family ministry at Stone UMC will be selling hot chocolate during the annual Meadville Halloween parade on Saturday, October 28. We are in need of a few adult helping hands to join us at the Chesnut Street entrance to the church at 6 p.m. All proceeds from the hot cocoa stand will benefit CYF ministry programs. The Bells Are Back!The Handbell Choir resumed its' weekly Monday night practices on Monday, Sept. 11. If you have ever thought you'd like to be a part of this music ministry, please speak to Jim Ross after any worship service or stop into a handbell practice -- Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. Our CondolencesWe send our heartfelt prayers and sympathies to: Brenda Andrey and family for the loss of her mother Harriette Hansen Jeff Loutzenhiser and family for the loss of his mother Anita Loutzenhiser Dr. Lawson Smart for the loss of his wife Meredith Bake Sale - October 22Our annual bake sale to benefit our Compassion International sponsor child, Sotcho Dio, will be in Thoburn Lobby after worship on Sunday, October 22nd. We invite everyone to stop in the lobby and take advantage of the sweet combination of taking home delicious goodies and supporting a child in need. If you would like to contribute home baked goods, please bring them to the lobby before service. Safe Sanctuaries - Nov 5 & 8The next Safe Sanctuaries training will be offered November 5 after the worship service or on November 8, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. This abuse prevention training program is required by the UMC for all adults working with youth and vulnerable people. Call Jen in the office to sign up today - 814-724-6736. Hockey GameCome out for a night of hockey-filled fun and excitement at the Erie Insurance Arena on Friday, November 17th when the Erie Otters face off against the Saginaw Spirit. Your WPAUMC Erie-Meadville District is offering tickets at a discounted price of $14 each. RSVP to the Erie-Meadville District office no later than November 6th! 814-250-2089 OR Erie-Meadville.Office@wpaumc.org We're Hiring! Stone United Methodist Church - A/V Systems Technician Stone UMC is looking for someone to help facilitate the broadcast of its' weekly Sunday church services. Visit our www.stoneumc.org for more information.
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