JULY & AUGUST 2026 NEWSLETTER
July & August 2026 Newsletter
Pastor’s Pondering
“Let Us Return to God's Word”
One of the great blessings of our congregation is our Wednesday Bethel Bible Study. For the past two years, we have journeyed together through the Scriptures, studying God's Word from Genesis to Revelation. As we grow in our knowledge of God's truth and place our trust more fully in God, our faith is strengthened and deepened.
Having completed our study of the Gospels, we are now working through the New Testament Epistles. During our summer break, I encourage you to read The Drama of the Book of Revelation by John Wick Bowman as a helpful introduction to the Book of Revelation.
Many Christians view Revelation as the most difficult book in the Bible. Bowman, however, presents it as a dramatic message of hope and victory for God's people. Understanding Revelation's literary style and structure helps us see its central message more clearly: God reigns, Christ is victorious, and God's saving purpose for the world will be fulfilled.
The Book of Revelation was written during a time of persecution to encourage believers to remain faithful. Its message is just as important today. At a time when many churches face challenges and many believers grow weary, Revelation reminds us that Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, has opened a door that no one can shut (Revelation 3:8) and that those who remain faithful will share in Christ's victory.
Revelation is not merely a book about the future. It is a call to faithful discipleship in the present. Again and again, its message encourages the church to worship God alone, resist the pressures of the world, and bear witness to Jesus Christ with courage and hope. The vision of the heavenly worship in Revelation reminds us that our worship on earth joins the eternal praise of God's people in every generation.
As we study Revelation, we are also reminded that the church has an important mission in the world. God continues to call the church to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to serve our neighbors with compassion, and to live as a people of hope. Even when circumstances seem uncertain, Revelation assures us that God is at work and that God's purposes will prevail.
The answer to the spiritual challenges of our day is simple: we must return to God's Word. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to listen to God's voice, trust God's promises, and faithfully follow where God leads.
As you enjoy a season of rest and renewal this summer, and as you continue to keep the Lord’s Day holy, I encourage you to spend time in God’s Word and consider reading this helpful book. Then, when our Bethel Bible Study resumes in the fall, I hope you will join us as we continue growing together in faith and in the knowledge of our Lord. Whether you have been part of the study from the beginning or are considering joining for the first time, you are warmly invited to come and learn with us as we seek to grow as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1).
May God bless you with a refreshing and renewing summer.
Grace and Peace,
From Pastor Rev. Sarah (Young Ju) Lee
Schedule Of Events
🎆 Fourth Of July
📅Saturday, July 4th- Celebrate God’s blessings, freedom, faith and community this Fourth of July.
🍞 Holy Communion
📅 Sunday, July 5th and August 2nd– During Worship: Come to the Lord’s Table and share in the sacrament of grace.
🎶Guest Bands
We plan to welcome a guest band(s) to lead music during worship on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
📝 Session Meeting
📅 Wednesday, August 19, at 1:00 PM (No session Meeting in July).
🎶🔔 Choir Rehearsal & Handbell Choir Rehearsal
📅 There will no rehearsals during the months of July and August.
📖 Bible Study
📅 There will be no Bible Study during the months of July or August. During the summer vacation, we encourage you to read The Drama of the Book of Revelation by John Wick Bowman. If you are interested in reading this book, please let me know.
We have a limited number of secondhand copies available, so readers will take turns using them.
Stone Church Picnic
Fall Activities
Our regular activities will resume in September. Dates and details will be announced in the September Newsletter
Rudy's Outing possibility will be announced later.
If you or your children wish to be baptized or becoming members of our church, please speak with the pastor.
Flower Sign Up Chart
Please sign up on the flower chart to provide flowers for the sanctuary on a Sunday of your choice. The price is $16. After worship, the flowers may be taken to share with newcomers or shut ins.
Pastoral Care
If you or someone you know would like a visit or need support, please feel free to reach out.
Pastor Sarah (Young Ju) Lee: Call/Text: 315-788-8286
July & August Lectionary
July 05
6th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous :Gen 24:34-42-49, 58-67 and Ps. 45:10-17 or Song 2:8-13; Complementary: Zech. 9:9-12 &Ps. 145:8-14; Rom.7:15-25a;Matt 11:16-19,25-30
July 12
7th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous; Gen. 25:19-34 and Ps. 119; 105-112; Complementary; Isa.55:10-13 & Ps.65(1-8) 9-13; Rom.8:1-11; Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23
July 19
8th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous: Gen.28:10-19a & Ps. 139;1-12, 23-24; Complementary; Isa. 44:6-8 & Ps. 86:11-17; Rom.8:12-25; Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43
July 26
9th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous: Gen 29:15-28 & Ps. 139:1-12, 23-24; Complementary: 1 Kings 3:5-12 & Ps.119:129-126; Rom.8:26-29; Matt. 12:31-33, 44-52
August 02
10th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous: Gen.32:22-31 & Ps.17:1-7,15; Complementary; Isa.55:1-5 & Ps.145:8-9,14-21; Rom. 9:1-5; Matt.14:13-21
August 09
11th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous: Gen.37:1-4,12-28 & Ps.105:1-6, 16-22,5 Complementary; Isa.55:1-5 & Ps.145:8-9,14-21; Rom. 9:1-5; Matt.14:13-21
August 16
12th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous: Gen.45:1-15 & Ps.113; Complementary; Isa.56:1,6-8 & Ps.67; Rom.11:1-2a,29-32; Matt.15 (10-20), 21-28
August 23
13th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous: Ex.1:8-2:10 & Ps.124 Complementary; Isa.51:1-6, Ps.138, Rom.12:1-8; Matt.16:12-20
August 30
14th Sunday after Pentecost
Semicontinuous: Ex.3:1-15, Ps.105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Complementary; Jer. 15:15-21, Ps.26:1-8, Rom.12:9-21; Matt.16:21-28
July Anniversaries
Kerstain & Adam Rouda- July 12th
Jeannie & John Greenwood- July 13th
Worship Ministers
Worship Ministers
Pastor
The Rev. Sarah (Young Ju) 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
Stuart Price
Roxanne Young
Class of 2028
Maxine Perkins
Chris Dear
Jeannie Greenwood
Clerk of Session
Chris Dear
Group Using Church Facility
North Country Blend
Mondays, July 6, 13, and 27, and Sunday, July 19, at 12:30 PM
Mondays, August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, at 6:30 PM
Friday, August 21, at 6:30 PM
Saturday, August 22, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Quilters Group
Saturday, July 11, at 9:00 AM
Saturday, August 8, at 9:00 AM
Stone Presbyterian Church
Sunday Worship 10:45 AM
140 Chestnut Street Watertown, NY 13601
Office: 315-788-5630
Pastor: 315-788-8286
E-mail: Stonep@centralny.twcbc.com
Website: stonepreschurch.com
Facebook: Stone Presbyterian
