DECEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
Stone Presbyterian Church
December 2025 Newsletter
Advent is the beginning of our church calendar year, a season of hope and joyful expectation. Our Advent Angel Game has begun! We remember that we are God’s servants. Scripture tells us that “all angels are God’s servants, sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).
Each participant has been given a special mission: to quietly serve, pray for, and show love to one person throughout the season of Advent. This simple tradition helps us practice Christlike love within our church family. Every “angel” offers their care in secret—perhaps by sending a Christmas card, sharing a kind word, or giving a small treat without revealing yourself or through a messenger.
On Sunday, December 21, all will be revealed! We’ll discover who our angels were, express our gratitude, and may share a small token of appreciation in return.
Last year’s Advent Angel Game was a wonderful blessing. Many said, “Let’s do it again!” Hearts were warmed, friendships deepened, and the season was filled with love and joy. Every word of kindness, every small act of service, every whispered prayer, and every faithful step taken in this angel game becomes part of God’s mission among us.
This Christmas, we celebrate not only the birth of our Savior but also the mission He brought into the world—a mission of love that begins with God’s people. Yet our calling does not end here. Jesus came to love and serve us, and now He sends us to share that same love—within our church, our neighborhoods, our community, our city, and to the nations.
Christmas reminds us that God’s mission continues. Just as the shepherds hurried to share the good news and the wise men traveled far to worship the newborn King, we too are invited to move outward with Christ’s love. The world is longing for hope, and Christ remains the answer.
May this season renew our passion to reach the lost, encourage the brokenhearted, and shine Christ’s light wherever He leads us. As we enter a new year, may God strengthen our hands, open new doors, and fill us with boldness and compassion. Merry Christmas!
With hope, peace, love and joy,
From Pastor Sarah Lee
December 2025 Schedule of Events
Holy Communion – Sunday, December 7
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion during worship on December 7. All are invited to share in the Lord’s Table.
Advent Angel Game — November 30 to December 21
Bible Verse: “Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” — Hebrews 1:14
Each participant will secretly become someone’s “angel,” serving them with kindness and small surprises until the joyful reveal on December 21. You can make this fun or dramatic!
Please draw a name to find out who you will serve during the Advent season. Show kindness with encouraging words, helpful actions, cards, notes, or small gifts. You may deliver these secretly or through a messenger by December 21.
On December 21, you will discover the angel who you has been serving you. Before giving your small thank-you gift to your angel, try to guess who your angel is and share what you have received.
🌟 Annual 2025 Memory Tree (See Page 7)
Honor loved ones—past or present—with a Memory Tree bulb ($1 per name).
Orders due: December 1 - December 17
Names will be read and the tree lit during worship on Sunday, December 21. Let us glorify God as we remember those who bless our lives.
🎄 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Join us for our beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Wednesday, December 24, at 4:30 p.m. Come and celebrate the birth of Christ with joy and thanksgiving.
🎶 Stone Choir
Rehearsals: Sundays, December 7, 14, and 21.
The choir will sing during the Christmas Eve Service on December 24 at 4:30pm.
🔔 Stone Handbell Choir
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, December 3, 10, and 17. The Handbell Choir will play on Sunday, December 21 and for the Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday, December 24 at 4:30pm.
📖 Stone Bible Study
Bible Study meets on Wednesdays, December 3, 10, and 17.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
📝 Session Meeting – Tuesday, December 16
The Session will meet on December 16 at 1pm.
🎁Christmas Joy Offering
We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering during Advent on Sundays, December 7, 14, and 21, and during the Christmas Eve Service on December 24 at 4:30pm.
This offering supports our church leaders—past, present, and future.
🧤 Mitten Manger
Our Catherine Martin Mitten Manger is ready to receive donations of: Hats, Mittens, Scarves, Warm socks.
Donations may be brought throughout December. Items will be delivered to the Urban Mission in January. Thank you for your warmth and generosity!
Poinsettia Plants to Decorate the Sanctuary:
Purchase a poinsettia and bring it to the sanctuary anytime during Advent (December 1–21). You may label your plant. All poinsettias will remain until after the Christmas Eve service, after which you may take yours home or leave it at the church for someone to enjoy.
Sunday Community Christmas Eve Service Invitation
We warmly invite you all and young families to join us for our Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday, December 24, at 4:30 PM. We’ll sing carols, read Scripture, and share a moment with children, including Christmas gifts.
Lectionary for December 2025
Year A
Sunday, December 7
Second Sunday of Advent
Isiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4, Matthew 11:2-12
Sunday, December 14
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5, or Luke 1:46-55, James 5:7 Matthew 11:2-11
Sunday, December 21
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 7-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25
Wednesday, December 24
Nativity of the Lord/ Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titas 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Thursday, December 25
Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA) 2 Nativity of the Lord/ Christmas Day, Christmas Dawn
Isaiah 62:6-12, Psalm 97, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20, Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), Joh 1:1-14
Sunday, December 28
First Sunday of Christmas
Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:12-23
Use of Church
Northern Blend Chorus will meet on Mondays , December 1, 8, and 15, from 6:45 PM to 9:45 PM.
Garden Club will meet on Wednesday, December 3, from 6 PM to 8:30 PM.
Bird Club will meet on Wednesday, December 10, from 7 PM to 9 PM.
Quilters Group will meet on Saturday, December 13, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
North Country Quilters Guild will meet on Tuesday, December 16, from 6 PM to 9:30 PM.
Laura House Party will be held on Saturday, December 27, from 9 AM to 8 PM.
Stewardship Committee
Dear Members and Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Another year has sped by. Again, I find myself preparing for 2026. I am developing an operating budget for our Church for 2026 and starting our Stewardship Campaign for 2026.
During the holidays we find time to reflect on this year of 2025. We reflect on our losses of family members, things we need to improve on in 2026 but most importantly we reflect on our blessings. Blessings that we have received especially during these turbulent political times which have affected so many people. As a Church we have tried to make a difference in our community. We have not been self-centered and focused only on the internal needs of our Church. Times are challenging and we look to God and our faith for guidance. We look at and are thankful for our personal blessings that we have received.
As Presbyterians we are asked to donate our time and talents to help operate our Church and our Church’s mission. We are so thankful for all of our faithful members who help us achieve our goals. As a small congregation how do we meet our financial obligations? We use your pledges and donations that you give to the Church as well as some of our invested funds to support our budget and mission. Often, we feel that our pledge or donation won’t make that big of a difference so why give if the Church can get by. In Exodus, Proverbs and Deuteronomy, these books of the Bible instruct us to give to God first. Give your first and best fruits or gifts. Everyone makes a difference. Your gifts to our Church will help ensure that our Church will continue to grow, and we can make a difference in our community and in the world. Together we are united and together we can make a difference.
Please join me in supporting our 2026 Stewardship Campaign.
May God Bless you.
Stewardship Committee
Bob Siver Jr.
Caring for the Congregation
The Pastor and the spiritual leaders place a priority on visiting hospitalized members of the congregation. Please notify the pastor or the church office if someone you know should be visited in the hospital or while recovering at home or at a care center.
Also, if you or someone you know would enjoy a visit from Pastor Sarah Lee or a Ruling Elder, or would appreciate receiving communion at home, please phone the church office, e-mail the church office (Stonep@centralny.twcbc.com), or place a note in the collection plate on Sunday.
Christmas Concerts
Northern Blend Chorus Concert will be held at our church on Monday, December 15.
Northern Choral Society Christmas Concert
will be held at Asbury Methodist Church
December 6th and 7th at 3:00 pm.
Flower Sign-up Chart:
The new 2026 flower sign-up chart is in our church hallway. If you want to present flowers in our sanctuary, please give the office the yellow envelope with the fee ($12) and the date of the requested Sunday in memory of or to honor your loved ones or gratitude to God. This will be included in our Sunday worship bulletins then after worship flowers will be delivered to at home or nursing home those who are not able to attend Sunday worship. Thank you.
Memory Tree
(bulbs $1 each name)
We will read the names and light the Memory Tree during the morning service on Sunday, December 21nd.
Please make checks payable to Stone Presbyterian Church. Please return the completed order form to the Church Office by Sunday, December 17th. Thank you.
Stone Church offers a special way for you to remember your friends and loved ones at Christmas time. It is our very own Memory Tree. You may purchase a Christmas light bulb in memory of your friends or loved ones for $1.00 each with funds going to Hospice. The red bulbs will be in honor of the living and the white bulbs in memory of the deceased.
Stone Presbyterian Church
140 Chestnut Street Watertown, NY 13601 (315) 788-5630
Sunday Worship Service 10:45 A.M.
Pastor, Rev. Sarah Lee, Call/Message/Text 315-788-8286
E-mail: Stonep@centralny.twcbc.com
Web site: www.stonepreschurch.com
Facebook: Stone Presbyterian Church
Ruling Elders on the Session
Class of 2026
Linda Rohde
Class of 2027
Robert Siver Jr.
Roxanne Young
Class of 2028
Maxine Perkins
Chris Dear
Jeannie Greenwood
Clerk of Session
Chris Dear
Worship Ministers
Pastor
Rev. Sarah Lee
Organists
Chris Hyde-Hall
Ghilyana Dordzhieva
Choir Director
Jeannie Greenwood
Handbell Choir Director
Nancy Boynton
Ministry Assistant
Kerstain Rieves- Rouda
