News & Updates: Week of 2021-08-16
A few weeks ago, I coined the phrase “beautifully exhausting.” That’s definitely how you could describe the last several days around here at Stonington! We were able to have a “beautifully exhausting” week of VBS last week, with kids from all over joining us on the Rocky Railway where they learned how Jesus’s power pulls them through life. We capped off VBS week with a closing ceremony that included a giant banana split!
Then, yesterday, we had our annual church picnic at Mountain View Bible Camp, with some great worship, great food, and great fellowship! And to top all that off, we got to baptize Evelyn and Naomi Shively! Seemingly everywhere you looked ministry was happening. Yes, eating, conversing, and carousing in the pool is ministry, too. It’s the church functioning like a family, which is what we are: a family bought and covered by Jesus’s blood.
Be sure to check out more photos from this weekend by clicking the button below:
I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those who helped pull off these last few days of “beautifully exhausting” ministry. The set decorators for VBS, the crew leaders for VBS, and all the other helpers, and Gwennie Francis for coordinating another smooth week of VBS where we were able to pour the love and power of Jesus into the lives of young people. Also, a big thank you to everyone who participated in the church picnic and for the many helping hands who made sure we were well fed, include Tommy Heitzman and Dave Herman for making sure we had enough chicken!
I’m so fortunate I get to serve as your pastor and watch as the church lives and acts and serves as “the church.” That’s thrilling. That makes my heart sing. Here’s to many more “beautifully exhausting” ministry weeks and weekends in the months and years ahead!
Love 🙏
Pastor Brad
Events & Announcements
Come To The Tent THIS WEEKEND! The Susquehanna Valley Tent Revival, organized by the Sunbury Community Prayer Room, is this F, August 19–21! You won’t want to miss this exciting weekend of singing, preaching, praying, and experiencing the words of Jesus as we seek to reach the valley with the gospel. 🙌
The meetings will be held at 249 Memorial Drive in Sunbury, located near the Sunbury Community Pool. On Thursday and Friday, the meetings start at 7pm. On Saturday, there is a youth rally from 1–5pm, followed by the final night of worship at 6pm. (Pastor Brad will be preaching during the Friday night meeting.)
To learn more about this revival and how you can take part, click here.
Join us as we gather for fellowship and worship around the Word of God with the people of God every Sunday at 10am and 6pm! We’ll be having a hymn-sing during the evening service this week, so come ready to sing your favorite hymns!
Make sure to join us for Sunday school too!
We have Sunday school every Sunday at 9am, with classes specifically geared for adults, teens, and young children. I pray you’ll take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to grow in grace with your church family.
Children’s Church & Nursery are available during the morning service.
(Note: The Nursery is also available during the evening service.)
For all those interested in volunteering in WOL Kids Clubs, please mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 25, at 6:45pm for a leaders meeting to overview this year’s clubs! Anyone interested in leading should make plans to attend. Be praying how God can use you this year. Thank you 🙏
The teens are going whitewater rafting on Saturday, August 28. The group will leave from the church at 8:30am sharp and return around 7pm. The cost is $20. Please see Pastor Nathan or Christa Kersey to sign up.
Men, make sure to join your brothers on Saturday, August 28, at 9am for another time of Bible study and prayer. Join us as we seek to sharpen each other in and with God’s Word.
We are “relaunching” our worship team later this year with some exciting new policies and best practices. If you’d like to be involved with either planning, leading, or singing going forward, please plan on coming to the Worship & Sound Potluck, Sunday, August 29, immediately following the morning service.
Anyone interested in these vital ministries is expected to attend.
Please bring a dish to share. Thank you!
Looking Ahead
Ladies, mark your calendars for this year’s Ladies Retreat at the Linck Hill Inn, September 24–26. The cost for double occupancy is $167, and for single occupancy is $197. There’s still time to reserve your spot, so please see Christa Kersey if you’d like to register.
Resources
Thank you for continuing to support the ministries of Stonington through your generous giving. Your support allows us to keep spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for being a praying church by taking your church family to the Lord in prayer. If you have a prayer request you want added to the list or if you have an update on any of the requests listed, please contact Pastor Brad. Thank you!
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Be encouraged by reading Pastor’s devotionals and theological reflections over on his blog.