MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER
Pastor’s Pondering
A Lenten Invitation: Shedding for New Life
As we enter the sacred season of Lent, we are invited once again into forty days of reflection,
repentance, and renewal. Lent is not merely a date on the church calendar; it is a spiritual journey that leads us toward the hope and joy of Easter.
A pastor who takes a light hike each day once shared that he often finds the shed skins of snakes along the trail. Snakes must regularly shed their skin in order to live. A snake that cannot shed its skin will die.
This simple image carries a profound spiritual truth.
We, too, must regularly shed our old skin—casting off habits, thoughts, and behaviors that weaken our faith in Christ. Too often we carry layers that no longer give life: excuses that idle our spiritual practices, distractions that crowd out prayer, attitudes that limit love, and routines that slowly distance us from worship and fellowship. Over time, these layers harden. What once seemed small becomes restrictive. What once felt comfortable begins to suffocate spiritual growth.
Lent is God’s gracious invitation to shed.
When Jesus Christ spent forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11), He faced temptation, hunger, and testing. Yet that wilderness was not wasted time—it was preparation, refinement, and alignment with the Father’s will. In the same way, our Lenten practices—worship, prayer, fasting, giving, confession, and reconciliation—are not empty religious exercises. They are the Spirit’s tools for renewal.
I often encourage everyone not to miss regular worship without a valid reason. Worship is essential spiritual exercise. It is also sacred time set apart for God, both together as a congregation and individually in quiet reflection. When we continually absent ourselves from worship, our faith gradually weakens, and we risk losing the vibrant witness we are called to embody as the salt and light of the world.
Lent has begun. As we await the risen Lord, let us use these forty days intentionally—casting off worn-out habits and stepping forward into new life through the Holy Spirit. Shedding is not loss; it is preparation for growth.
This year Easter comes early, on April 5. As a congregation, let us walk from now to Easter with
purpose. Let us worship faithfully and return to Scripture. Let us make room for silence. Let us examine our hearts honestly. Let us practice generosity freely. And above all, let us fix our eyes on Christ, who went to the cross for us and rose again so that we might walk in newness of life.
When Easter morning arrives, may we not simply celebrate the resurrection as observers. May we rejoice as people who have been renewed—having shed what hindered us and embraced the transforming grace of God. May this Lenten season be one of courage, humility, and deep spiritual transformation for us all. Amen.
From Pastor Rev. Sarah Lee
March Schedule of Events
🍞 Holy Communion
📅 Sunday, March 1st – During Worship: Come to the Lord’s Table and share in the sacrament of grace.
🕰️ Day Light Savings Begins
Sunday, March 8
📝 Session Meeting
📅 March 17th, at 1PM.
🎶 Choir Rehearsal
📅 Sundays, March 1st , 8th , 22nd , 29th and April 5th at 10 AM.
Lift your voices in praise!
🔔 Handbell Choir Rehearsal
📅 Every Wednesday, from 5 PM to 6 PM.
Join us in making joyful music!
A Special Presbytery Meeting
A Special Presbytery Meeting will be held on March 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., via Zoom and in person at Lowville Presbyterian Church.
✝️ Palm/ Passion Sunday
📅 March 29th : Palm/ Passion Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week on March 30th.
Palm branches will be provided.
📖 Baptism Class
If you or your children wish to be baptized or join our church, please speak with a session member or the pastor.
Upcoming Events For April
🍞 Maundy Communion
📅 April 2nd, Thursday at 5PM.
✝️ April 3rd is Good Friday
✝️April 4th is the Great Vigil of Easter
✝️April 5th is Resurrection of the Lord/ Easter Sunday
✝️April 5th there will be an Easter Sunday Continental Breakfast
will be at 9:30 AM before the Easter Worship Service at 10:45 AM.
We plan to worship with special music on Easter Sunday. Bring family and friends!
February 2026 Lectionary
March 01
2nd Sunday in Lent
Gen.12:1-4 & Ps.121; Rom.4:1-5, 12-17; John 3:1-17 or Matt. 17:1-9
March 08
3rd Sunday in Lent
Ex 17:1-7 & Ps.95; Rom: 5:1-11, John 4:5-42
March 15
4th Sunday in Lent
1 Sam.16:1-13 & Ps. 23; Eph. 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
March 22
5th Sunday in Lent
Ezek. 37:1-14 & Ps.130; Rom. 8:6-11; John 11:1-45
March 29
Palm/ Passion Sunday
Palms: Matt. 21:1-11 & Ps.118:1-2,19-29
Passion: Isa.50:4-9 & Ps.31:9-16, Phil.2:5-11, Matt.26-14 or Matt.27;11-54
March 30
Monday of Holy Week
Isa.42:1-9 & Ps.36:5-11; Heb.9:11-15;John 12:1-11
March 31
Tuesday Of Holy Week
Isa.49:1-9 & Ps.71:1-14;1. Cor. 1:18-31; John 12:20-36
March 2026 Birthdays
Glenn Chapman- March 6th
Joanne Woodward- March 8th
Elsie Zehr- March 14th
JoAnne Reed- March 16th
Group Using Church Facility
Garden Club: will meet on Wednesday, March 4th from 6:30PM to 9:00PM.
Bird Club: will meet on Wednesday, March 11th from 6:30PM to 9:00PM.
Quilters Group: will meet on Saturday, March 14th from 9AM to 4PM.
North Country Quilters Guild: will meet Saturday, March 21st and March 28th from 9AM to 4PM.
Northern Blend Chorus: will meet on Monday, March 2nd, 9th,16th and 30th.
They will also meet on Sunday, March 22nd from 12:30PM to 3:45PM.
Flower Sign-Up Chart
If you would like to present flowers in the sanctuary, please sign up on the chart in the church hallway.
Pastoral Care
If you or someone you know would like a visit from the pastor or needs support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are 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 the Pastor Sarah Lee, Call/Text: 315-788-8286.
Lent Has begun with Ash Wednesday
Lent has begun with Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days (excluding Sundays) until Easter.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Ash Wednesday service. It marks the beginning of our Lenten journey- a sacred season of reflection repentance and renewal. It invites us to pause, examines our hearts, and to draw closer to God. The Ashes on our foreheads are not merely a symbol of mortality, but also a sign of grace-a reminder that even in our brokenness we belong to Christ. May this Lenten season be one of spiritual growth, quiet strength, and renewed faith for each of us.
Save the Date
Fellowship & Sunday Community Fellowship Hour
March 15th
Please join us after worship for our Sunday Community Fellowship. You are welcome to bring a dish to share if you choose, but it is not required. We will provide a light lunch, coffee and beverages. Your presence is important!
One Great Hour Of Sharing
Special Offering
From the season of Lent until Easter Sunday (February 18 - April 5, 2026), we will receive the "One Great Hour of Sharing" as a special offering. Join with Presbyterians worldwide in responding to Christ’s call to ministries of compassion for the most vulnerable around the world. If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!
This offering supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and the Self-Development of People Program.
Please give generously during this Lenten season!
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
