OCTOBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
Sunday Worship 10:45 A.M.
Pasto’s Pondering
Growing Together in God’s Grace
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
—Psalm 118:24
On September 27, we joyfully welcomed four new members into our congregation! We welcome them with open arms and grateful hearts, giving thanks to God for bringing them into our church family.
In Christ, we are one—with Christ and with one another. May God bless our new members and our entire church family as we continue to grow together in faith, love, and service.
Over the past several years, we have experienced challenges as many of our long-time members have grown older, become unable to attend worship regularly, or passed away. Yet, even amid these changes, God has continued to bring new people into our church family. Today, approximately 20–25 non-members regularly worship with us and participate in the life and ministries of our church. On this day, four of these individuals became members, while others are prayerfully considering baptism and membership.
These are encouraging signs of God’s grace and the fruit of the faithful ministry we have shared together.
My hope is that we will continue to strengthen our congregation and prepare a healthy, growing, and faithful church for the next generation and for the next pastor. We do not know exactly what the future will bring, but we do know who holds our future.
Every person who worships with us, serves with us, prays with us, and shares life with us is precious in God’s sight. Our presence, our love, our prayers, and our relationships with one another are gifts that help build up the body of Christ. When we serve, let us do so not out of pressure or obligation, but with joy and with the strength that God provides.
“Whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.”
—1 Peter 4:11
Let us continue to build our church together—not simply to become larger, but to become stronger, healthier, and more faithful in Christ. May Stone Presbyterian Church continue to be a place where people encounter God’s grace, grow in faith, find community, and serve others in Christ’s name.
Let us walk together in faith, hope, and love, trusting God to lead Stone Presbyterian Church into the future.
Thanks be to God for what God is doing among us—and for what God will continue to do through us. Amen.
from Rev. Sarah Lee, the Pastor
October Schedule of Events
🍞World Communion Sunday
📅 Sunday, October 4th–Piet Visscher will lead worship due to Rev. Lee’s vacation.
🍂Columbus Day
📅Monday, October 12th- This Columbus Day, may God guide our journey in faith, peace, and unity.
🎶Choir and Handbells
The Stone Choir will rehearse on October 18 and sing during worship on October 25.
Handbell Choir will rehearse every Wednesday from 5 PM to 6 PM
📝 Session Meeting
📅The next Session meeting will be held on Thursday, October 15, at 1:00 PM
📖 Bible Study
📅 Join us Wednesdays October 14, 21, and 28 for conversation and time in God’s word. Newcomers are always welcome- we’d love to have you!
🤝 Stone Fellowship Hour
Join us October 18, 2026, after worship for a light lunch, fellowship, and friendship! Beverages will be provided. You are welcome to bring a dish to share, but no obligation—just bring yourself!
Flower Sign Up
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.
Pastor’s Vacation and Pulpit Supplies
📅 Rev. Sarah Lee will be on vacation starting October 3rd, 2026 and returning October 13, 2026.
We will welcome guest worship leaders during her absence.
October 4th: World Communion Sunday- Piet Visscher
October 11th- Rev. Gail Parsons
Stone Fellowship Hour
Please join us for Stone Fellowship Hour on October 18th, 2026, after worship. A light lunch will be provided with beverages. You are welcome to bring a plate to share, but there is no obligation. The most important thing to bring is yourself! Join us for a time of fellowship, community, and friendship.
October 2026 Birthdays
Kathleen Compeau October 12th
Wendy Shultis October 15th
Pat Conti October 28th
Dan Woodward October 30th
Please let us know your birthday and wedding anniversary month and day, and we will celebrate these special days together!
October 2026 Anniversary
Roger and Roxanne Young
October 8th
Pastoral Care
If you or someone you know would be blessed by a visit or some supports, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you, and it would be a privilege to connect with you.
To arrange a visit please contact Pastor Sarah Lee: (315)-788-8286
pastorsarahleespc@gmail.com
Mission and Outreach
The Backpack Program was successful. We delivered 132 school-supply items to the Urban Mission on September 1st, 2026. We will continue to collect food items for the mission
Let Us Pray for Our Family and Friends
Glenn Chapman, Doris Miller, Rev. Adele Spencer
Christine Visscher, Cheri Baird, Bob Walace, Wiiliam Milton, Kathie Compeau, Kathie Marks, Rehba Clarke, Patricia Abbott, Rev. Bruce Smith, Douglas Smith
For those who have died in September 2026: Jane Tabolt, Jean Woolsey -
Baptism and Membership
If you or your children wish to be baptized or becoming members of our church, please speak with a session member or the pastor.
October 2026 Lectionary
Sunday, October 4
Semicontinuous Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9, 12–20 Psalm 19 Philippians 3:4b–14 Matthew 21:33–46. Complementary Isaiah 5:1–7 Psalm 80:7–15 Philippians 3:4b–14 Matthew 21:33–46
Sunday, October 11
Semicontinuous Exodus 32:1–14 Psalm 106:1–6, 19–23 Philippians 4:1–9 Matthew 22:1–14. Complementary Isaiah 25:1–9 Psalm 23 Philippians 4:1–9 Matthew 22:1–14.
Sunday, October 18
Semicontinuous Exodus 33:12–23 Psalm 99 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Matthew 22:15–22. Complementary Isaiah 45:1–7 Psalm 96:1–9 [10–13] 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Matthew 22:15–22.
Sunday, October 25
Semicontinuous Deuteronomy 34:1–12 Psalm 90:1–6, 13–17 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Matthew 22:34–46. Complementary Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18 Psalm 1 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Matthew 22:34–46
Group Using Church Facility
Ladies Retreat: Friday, October 2, 5:00–8:00 PM for set-up
Retreat: Saturday, October 3, 7:00 AM–2:00 PM.
Garden Club will meet on October 7th from 6:30PM to 9PM.
Quilters Group will meet on October 10th from 9AM to 4:30PM.
Bird Club will meet on October 14th from 6:30PM to 9PM.
North Country Quilters Guild will meet on October 20th from 6PM to 9:30PM.
North Chorus Blend will meet Mondays, October 5, 19, and 26, 6:30–9:30 PM;
and Sunday, October 11, 12:30–3:30 PM
Worship Ministers
Pastor
The Rev. Sarah (Young Ju) Lee
Organists
Chris Hyde-Hall
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
Chris Dear
Jeannie Greenwood
Clerk of Session
Chris Dear
Stone Presbyterian Church
Sunday Worship 10:45 A.M.
140 Chestnut Street Watertown, NY 13601
Office: 315-788-5630
Pastor: 315-788-8286
Sunday Worship 10:45 AM
E-mail: Stonep@centralny.twcbc.com
Website: stonepreschurch.com
Facebook: Stone Presbyterian Church
