Pastor’s Pondering

“Living in the Power of the Resurrection”

I believe that the central and defining moment of the Old Testament is the Exodus, while the New Testament reaches its highest point in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection, everything we have learned would remain incomplete, and our faith would be in vain. The church itself would have no reason to exist. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

Yet the resurrection is not only a past event to be remembered—it is a living reality to be experienced. It is an ongoing work of God in the life of every believer. Each day, we are invited to “die” to ourselves in the Lord and to rise again into new life. As Paul writes, “I die every day” (1 Corinthians 15:31). We are called to die to sin and to be raised into renewed life in Christ.

This daily rhythm of dying and rising is sustained through worship, Scripture, prayer, and service. When we neglect these means of grace, we risk missing the ongoing encounter with the risen Christ, who comes to meet us, renew us, and transform us again and again.

As we approach Easter this year, we do so with a deep awareness of the brokenness of our world. Ongoing conflict and uncertainty weigh heavily on many hearts, reminding us how fragile peace can feel. Yet it is precisely in times like these that the message of Easter speaks most clearly.

The first Easter did not unfold in a moment of calm or confidence. It came in the aftermath of suffering, fear, and loss. Jesus had been crucified, and His followers believed that all hope was gone. But even then, God was at work—and on that morning, the stone was rolled away.

The resurrection proclaims a truth that still stands today: darkness does not have the final word. Death does not win. In Christ, new life is always possible.

We are like vessels that carry this new life in Christ. Each of us has a different capacity, shaped by how deeply we receive and live into the life of the risen Lord. The thief on the cross was given a beautiful promise—“Today you will be with me in paradise”—and he entered into eternal life with a small vessel. Yet we might also consider the lives of Peter, Mary, Paul, David, and Moses, who walked long journeys of faith and were continually shaped by God’s presence.

This is not a comparison of worth, but an invitation. We are called to grow—to widen our hearts and deepen our capacity to receive the fullness of life in the risen Christ.

So we ask ourselves: In what area is the risen Christ calling me today? Where is Christ inviting me to die to old ways and rise into new life? How is He calling me to live as a witness to His resurrection?

This Easter, may we be people of hope—hope that endures, hope that shines, and hope that trusts that God is not finished yet.

Jesus Christ is risen—and because He lives, we also live in great hope.     

   From Pastor Rev. Sarah Lee 

April 2026 Schedule of Events

Maundy Thursday Communion– Thursday, April 2nd at 5:00 PM.

Good Friday– Friday, April 3rd.

 The Great Vigil of Easter - Saturday, April 4th.

Easter Sunday-  Sunday, April 5th,

             🌷 Easter Continental Breakfast : 9:30 AM                        

🌷 Musical Worship Service: 10:45 AM

🌷 Sunday Community Gathering: 9:30 AM                

Join Continental Breakfast and Easter Musical Worship service at 10:45 AM. This group will meet once a month after Sunday worship for fellowship and conversation. All are welcome—young families are encouraged to join

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering –Received through Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026. Join Presbyterians worldwide in sharing God’s love through disaster relief, food assistance, and support for the poor and oppressed

Stone Bible Study- Wednesdays, April 8, 22, & 29, at 12 PM

Stone Choir  Rehearsal- Sundays, April 5, 12, & 26, at 10 AM

Handbell Choir Rehearsal– Wednesdays from 5 PM-6 PM

 Pastor’s Study Leave- April 13 to April 19.

Session Meeting- Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 PM.

Baptism & Membership: If you or your children wish to be baptized or join our church,

please speak with a Session member or the pastor.

Use of Church Facilities

 Northern Blend Chorus:

Mondays April 6, 13, & 27 from 6:45—9:45 PM. And

Sunday, April 19, 12:30 pm -3:30 pm.

Garden Club :

April 1st 6:30 pm—9:30pm.

North Country Bird Club:

Wednesday, April 8th, 6:30 pm—9:00 pm.

   NC Quilting Guild Group:

Saturday April 4th, 8:30 am—4:30 pm.  And

   Tuesday, April 14, 6:00 PM –9:30 PM

The Quilters Group:

Saturday, April 11th, 9:00 AM-4:30 PM.

April 2026 Birthday’s

Vanessa Siver- April 8th

Rev. Bruce Smith- April 10th

Mathew Siver- April 21st

Jeannie Greenwood- April 23rd

Harrison Dalton- April 29th

April 2026 Anniversaries

Corey and Shelly Reed- April 26th

Donald and Debra Sholett- April 26th

Flower Sign Up Chart

 If you want to present the sanctuary flowers, please sign-up on the chart in the hall way . After worship, the flowers will be given to welcome newcomers or delivered to shut-In service. Cost of Sunday Flowers is $16.00.

Also please donate your milk carton to make to deliver the flowers (Inquire Kelly and Max). Thank you for your generosity!

April 2026 Lectionary

April 2 Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-4(5-10) 11-14 and Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; 1Cor. 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35

April 3 Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

April 5 Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Sunday)

Acts 10:34–43 or Jeremiah 31:1–6 Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24 Colossians 3:1–4 or Acts 10:34–43 John 20:1–18 or Matthew 28:1–10

April 5 Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Evening)

Isaiah 25:6–9 Psalm 114 1 Corinthians 5:6b–8 Luke 24:13–49

April 12 Second Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 22–32 Psalm 16 1 Peter 1:3–9 John 20:19–31

April 19 Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 36–41 Psalm 116:1–4, 12–19 1 Peter 1:17–23 Luke 24:13–35

April 26 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:42–47 Psalm 23 1 Peter 2:19–25 John 10:1–10

Pastoral Care

If you or someone you know would like a visit or need support, please feel free to reach out. 

We’re here for you, and it would be a privilege to connect with you. 

To arrange a visit, please contact

the church office (315-788-5630) or

Pastor Sarah Lee: Call/Text: 315-788-8286 

Email: pastorsarahleespc@gmail.com

Worship Ministers

Pastor

The Rev. Sarah Lee

Organists

Chris Hyde-Hall

Ghilyana Dordzhieva

Choir Director

Jeannie Greenwood

Handbell Choir Director

Nancy Boynton

Ministry Assistant

Kerstain Rieves-Rouda

Ruling Elders on the Session

Class of 2027

Roxanne Young

Stuart Price

Class of 2028

Maxine Perkins

Chris Dear

Jeannie Greenwood

Stone Presbyterian Church

140 Chestnut Street Watertown, NY 13601

315-788-5630 (Office)/ 315-788-8286 (Pastor)

Sunday Worship 10:45 AM

E-mail:  Stonep@centralny.twcbc.com

Website: stonepreschurch.com

Facebook:  Stone Presbyterian Church