Dear Friends,

We are excited to extend a heartfelt invitation to you for a special gathering this Valentine's Day! This will be a wonderful opportunity to come together, share stories, enjoy great food, and build meaningful connections. Whether you're new to the area or already part of our community, we'd love for you to be a part of this warm and welcoming evening.

We'll have delicious Korean BBQ (BulGoGi), savory Noodles (JabChe), spicy Stir-Fried Pork, and Rice—just a few of our favorite dishes, prepared with love for this first gathering. No need to bring anything except yourself and your family, and perhaps a fun story or memory to share with others!

We also welcome your children! A fun and engaging childcare program will be provided, where they can enjoy games and activities with other kids and even interact with the adults.

Here are the details:

• When: February 14, Valentine’s Day, at 5:30 PM

• What: Fellowship Party, Games, and Prizes to celebrate building new relationships

• Where: Stone Presbyterian Church, 140 Chestnut St., Watertown, NY 13601

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact David Lee (315-767-0541) or Pastor Sarah Lee (315-788-8286).

We truly hope to see you there for a joyful and memorable evening!

With love in Christ,
Stone Presbyterian Church Session

Happy New Year!

As we step into 2025, we pause to thank God for the blessing of a new year. While the past year brought its share of challenges, it also offered powerful lessons in resilience, faith, and the boundless possibilities God has for our church. With this new beginning, we are filled with confidence and a deeper sense of trust, knowing that God is continuously doing something new among us (Isaiah 43:19).

As we embark on this journey together, let us boldly proclaim the gospel, just as the Apostle Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16) and he also urged, “Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable” (2 Timothy 4:2). May we, too, stand unashamed of the gospel and its transformative power to change lives.

This year, I want to share a new vision: to gather people in their 30s and 40s for a monthly meeting. These gatherings will focus on building relationships, sharing meals, and having meaningful conversations about topics that matter most to us. Many in this group grew up in the church, and it is our mission to reignite their faith and invite them to play an active role in the life of our congregation.

Transferring our faith to the next generation is not just a calling, but an urgent task. Too often, we have been complacent in our duties to God and God’s church. But now, God is calling us to step out of our comfort zones into a season of growth and service. With hearts fueled by prayer and faith, we must take proactive steps to respond to God’s call.

None of this is possible without your prayers and support. God has called each of us to serve God’s precious church, and together, we can accomplish great things. Let us embrace the opportunities God has prepared for us in 2025 and commit to sharing the gospel with courage, joy, and boldness.

May this year be one of renewal, transformation, and unshakable faith as we step forward, eager to witness the life-changing power of the gospel. Amen.

From your pastor,
Rev. Sarah Lee

“The Light of the World” – Christmas Eve 2024

The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus Christ. In the very beginning, after Adam and Eve's fall through disobedience, God promised that a Savior would come from Eve’s line. This Savior, Jesus, would defeat Satan and bring hope to the world.

Around 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophets Isaiah and Micah foretold His coming. Isaiah said, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those living in deep darkness, on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2). He also prophesied, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Isaiah 7:14). This child, born to us, is a gift—a gift of light and hope. Micah further foretold that this Son would be born in Bethlehem, Israel (Micah 5:2).

All of us know what it’s like to walk in darkness. Darkness can take many forms—loneliness, pain, grief, confusion, heartache—and these feelings often seem to be magnified during Christmas. Yet, Christmas reminds us that light has entered our world, both physically and spiritually. In the midst of darkness, there is a light that shines, and that light is Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem.

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” If you’re facing darkness in your life right now, remember that the light of Jesus is shining, and He will lead you out of it.

In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, we encounter the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy, cold-hearted man who despises Christmas. One Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him that he must change or face eternal punishment. Scrooge is then visited by three spirits who show him his past, present, and future. Through these visits, Scrooge begins to regret his selfish life choices, sees the struggles of others, and realizes that he has been living in darkness—and must change.

On Christmas morning, Scrooge wakes up as a transformed man. He becomes kind, generous, and full of love, helping others and bringing joy to those around him. His transformation teaches us that the light of Christmas comes to shine upon our dark lives. And ultimately, that light leads us into hope, peace, joy, and love, bringing personal change at any time, even at the darkest of moments.

It is truly remarkable how one baby can change the course of history. Yet, one baby, Jesus, changed all our lives forever. “The light shines in the darkness,” and “the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). When the world needed Him most, Christ was born in Bethlehem. And often, it is in our darkest moments that we are most likely to see the light of Christ.

Christmas is a time for miracles. A light shines in the darkness, and a great company of angels appeared, praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors” (Luke 2:14).

May this Christmas serve as a reminder of the light that Jesus brings into our dark lives. May Christmas fill us with hope, peace, joy, and love, today and always. Amen.