MAY 2026 NEWSLETTER
Pastor’s Pondering
Imagining a New Way Forward
I have always cherished continuing education. There is a unique joy in learning from seasoned
lecturers and in sharing both the joys and challenges of ministry with fellow servants of Christ.
During my recent study leave, I traveled to Boston to participate in a conference titled “Imagining
a New Way Forward.”
While there, I met with many young pastors and lay leaders, and together we reflected on the past,
present and future of the Church. It became clear that we are living in a season of transition.
Through lecture, conversation, and fellowship, we sought a renewed vision for the
future of our congregation, youth and children’s ministries.
One shared concern echoed throughout our time together: the noticeable decline in youth
participation. This is not unique to one congregation or denomination; it is a reality across the
Church in the United States. We wrestled with important questions: How do we faithfully minister
to our congregation? How do we pass on the gift of faith in ways that are both meaningful and
lasting?
We were encouraged by a professor who introduced a university initiative supported by a Lilly
Endowment grant. This project gathers stories through documentaries, films, and animations that
focus on passing faith from one generation to the next. It served as a powerful reminder that
storytelling is not optional to our faith—it is essential. Our testimonies, lived and shared, become
bridges through which others encounter God.
During our discussions, I was reminded that if we truly believe the Church is to be a house of
prayer for all people, then our welcome must go beyond kind words. It must be intentional,
relational, and ongoing. We are called not only to greet people warmly but to walk with them,
nurture them, and care for them—regardless of their background or circumstances.
Jesus’ Great Commission calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Here
in the United States, we are uniquely blessed to encounter “all nations” within our own
communities. People all around us are searching—for healing, for hope, for belonging. We cannot
simply wait for them to come to us. We are called to go, to seek, and to invite them into the grace
of Jesus Christ, who says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Our mission remains clear: to welcome all people and to nurture them as disciples of Jesus Christ
through worship, fellowship, education, Bible study, pastoral care, evangelism, and service.
Through these practices, we grow together and are equipped to be a blessing to the world.
As we look toward the future, may we live faithfully and courageously, trusting that God is still at
work among us. And may we one day hear those gracious words from our Lord: “Well done, good
and trustworthy servant… enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). Amen.
From Pastor, Rev. Sarah Lee
Upcoming Events and Holidays
🍞 Holy Communion
📅 Sunday, May 3 – During Worship
Come to the Lord’s Table and share in the sacrament of grace. All who trust in Christ are welcome.
📖 National Day of Prayer
📅 Thursday, May 7, 2026
Please take time to pray, reflect, and seek God’s guidance as we join believers across the nation in prayer. The Lord has truly blessed us.
🌸 Mother’s Day
📅 Sunday, May 10
Let us celebrate and honor all mothers, giving thanks for their love, faith, and devotion. We wish them a joyful and blessed day.
✨ Ascension of the Lord
📅 Thursday, May 14
We remember and rejoice in the ascension of our Lord into heaven and His eternal reign.
📖 Bible Study
🗓 Wednesdays at 12:00 PM – May 6, 21, & 27
(No Bible Study on May 13)
Join us for a time of learning, reflection, and fellowship in God’s Word.
📌 Pastor’s Study Leave
📅 May 12–17, 2026
🙏 Laity Sunday
📅 Sunday, May 17 at 10:45 AM
We welcome Kerstain Rieves-Rouda as she shares her testimony during worship.
📝 Session Meeting
📅 Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 PM
🔥 Day of Pentecost & Fellowship Hour
📅 Sunday, May 24
Celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit! Join us for a Fellowship Hour following worship. You are welcome to bring a dish to share, but your presence is the greatest gift.
🔔 Handbell Choir Rehearsal
📅 Wednesdays, 5:00–6:00 PM
🎶 Choir Rehearsal
📅 Sundays – May 10, 17, & 24
Lift your voices and make a joyful noise in praise to the Lord!
🪦 Memorial Day
📅 Monday, May 26
On this day, we remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Group using Church Facility
Northern Blend Chorus will meet on Monday, May 4th, May 11th, May 18th and May 25th at 6:30PM. They will meet on Sunday, May 31st at 12:30PM.
Garden Club will meet on Wednesday, May 6th from 6:30PM to 9PM.
May 23rd, 2026 will be the Garden Club Plant Sale.
Bird Club: will meet on Wednesday, May 13th from 6:30PM to 9PM.
Quilters’ Group will meet on Saturday, May 9th from 9 AM to 4:30 PM
North Country Quilters Guild: will meet on Tuesday, May 19th from 6PM to 9:30PM.
Baptism and Church Membership
If you or your children wish to be baptized or join our church, please speak with a session member or the pastor.
Lectionary for May 2026
May 03
5th Sunday of Eater
Acts 7:55-60 & Ps,31:15, 15-16 or Prov.4-10-18 & Ps. 119:9-32;1 Pet.2:2-10; John 14:1-14
May 10th
6th Sunday of Easter
Acts 17:22-31& Ps.66-20 or Ezek. 34:1-7a & Ps. 115; Pet.3:13-22,John 14:15-21
May 14th
Ascension of the Lord
Acts 1:11&Ps.47 or Ps.93 or Dan.7:9-14 & Ps. 113; Eph.1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
May 17th
7th Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:6-14 & Ps. 68:1-10,32-25 or Isa. 45:1-7 & Ps.21:1-7; 1 Pet. 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
May 24th
Day of Pentecost/ Heritage Sunday
Acts 2:1-21 or Num.11:24-30 & Ps. 104:24-34,35b; 1 Cor. 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39
May 30th
Trinity Sunday
Gen 1:1-2;4a & Ps.8;2 Cor. 13:11-13; Matt. 28:16-20
Urban Mission Food Pantry Donations
Thank you for continued donations to the Urban Mission Food Pantry. Your continued generosity is appreciated. When donating, please ensure items are not expired, have unopened packaging, are not in glass jars, and cans are undamaged and not leaking. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the hall of the church. Please see Max Perkins for further information and details.
Save The Date
Day of Pentecost, Fellowship Hour and Community: May 24, 2026
Please join us after Pentecost Sunday 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.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Easter Sunday Musical Worship! It was a day filled with song, remembrance and community. Your presence made this celebration of hope, joy and resurrection truly meaningful. We were so grateful to share this special day with you, lifting our voices in praise and reflecting on the gift of new life through Christ.
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
Bob Siver
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
