9/1/2026

Pastor’s Pondering

A New Season, A New Harvest

Welcome to September, the beginning of a new season of fall!

As we transition from the rhythms of summer, we look forward with hope and gratitude to all that God will do among us through worship, fellowship, Bible study, service, and our shared life together.

First, we give thanks to God for every person who faithfully worships with us each Sunday. We also thank those members and friends who continue to pray for us, even though they are unable to attend church. We are grateful that our worship attendance has been growing.

When we come to worship, our presence may encourage someone who feels lonely. Our smile may welcome a visitor. Our prayers may strengthen someone who is struggling. Our service may help a ministry continue. Our generosity may help the church share Christ’s love with someone in need. Every person matters, and every faithful act of love can become a blessing to others.

At the same time, we remember with gratitude the faithful members who have gone to be with the Lord during my ministry here, as well as those who have moved away or left for personal reasons. We grieve these losses, but we do not lose hope. Jesus Christ continues to build His church, and we firmly believe that God is not finished with our church.

Jesus gave His disciples this mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). The church belongs to Jesus Christ. We exist to worship God, proclaim the gospel, make disciples, welcome and care for people, and share God’s love with the world.

A healthy church cannot depend on only a few people doing everything. It needs many faithful people who are willing to ask not only, “What can the church do for me?” but also, “What can I offer to Christ and His church?”

You Are Needed: Perhaps you have worshiped us for many years. Perhaps you are new to our congregation. Perhaps you have been attending regularly but have never considered becoming a member. Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are welcome here—and you are needed here.

I encourage you to pray and prayerfully consider joining our church family. We need you, and we especially need your prayers. If you cannot take on a ministry or participate in other church activities, you can still make a meaningful difference through prayer. Please pray for our church, our leaders, our ministries, our members, and those who have not yet found their way into our church family. Prayer is one of the most important ways we can support the work of God’s church.

Let Us Build for the Future Together: As we begin this new season, let us pray for a new harvest. Your prayers are needed. Your presence is needed. Your commitment is needed. You are needed right now. Come, worship with us. Pray with us. Serve with us in whatever way God has gifted you. Welcome others with us. And together, let us share the love of Christ with our community and the world.

May this fall be a season of renewed faith, deeper fellowship, faithful service, and new growth. Together, let us build faithfully for the future God is preparing among us, trusting that Jesus Christ will continue to build His church. Amen.

From Rev. Sarah Lee

Schedule of Events

🍞 Holy Communion

📅 Sunday, September 6 – During Worship: Come to the Lord’s Table and share in the sacrament of grace.

📅 Labor Day

Monday, September 7
Enjoy a safe and restful holiday!

📖 Stone Bible Study Resumes

📅 Wednesday, September 9, 16, & 23: Join us as we dive back into God’s Word together.

📝 Session Meeting

📅 Tuesday, September 15 at 1 PM

🎶 Choir Rehearsal

📅 Sundays, September 13, 20, & 27 at 10:00 AM

Lift your voices in praise!

🔔 Handbell Choir Rehearsal

📅 Wednesday, September 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 from 5 PM to 6 PM
Join us in making joyful music.

☕ Stone Fellowship Hour Returns

📅 Sunday, September 20 – After Worship
Stay for light lunch, refreshments, and warm fellowship. Everyone is welcome!

The 280th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Nortehern New York

Tuesday, September 22, at 4 PM

Hybrid meeting with Zoom participation available

Location: 55 Preswick Dr. New Hartford, NY

This will be a joint meeting with the Presbytery of Utica

👩‍🦰 Ladies’ Retreat
✨ Sponsored by the Wesleyan Church.
A day of renewal, encouragement, and faith. (315-420-2271)

📅 Saturday, October 3rd – 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM

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 Lee: Call/Text: 315-788-8286

September 2026 Birthdays

Emily Purvines- September 1^st

Roxanne Young- September 2^nd

David Lee- September 3^rd

Piet Visscher- September 9^th

Jane Tabolt- September 10^th

Debbie Siver- September 14^th

Stuart Price- September 16^th

Murray Kim- September 17^th

Chong Herrod- September 17^th

Please let us know your birthday and wedding anniversary month and day, and we will celebrate these special days together!

September 2026 Anniversary

Justin & Elizabeth Reed

September 3rd

Baptism & 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.

September 2026 Lectionary

September 6

15^th Sunday after Pentecost

Semicontinuous Complementary

Exodus 12:1–14 Ezekiel 33:7–11

Psalm 149 Psalm 119:33–40

Romans 13:8–14 Romans 13:8–14

Matthew 18:15–20 Matthew 18:15–20

September 13

16^th Sunday after Pentecost

Semicontinuous Complementary

Exodus 14:19–31 and, Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b–11, 20–21;

Genesis 50:15–21 and Psalm 103:[1–7] 8–13

Romans 14:1–12; Matthew 18:21–35

September 20

17^th Sunday after Pentecost

Semicontinuous Complementary

Exodus 16:2–15 and Psalm 105:1–6, 37–45;

Jonah 3:10—4:11 and Psalm 145:1–8

Philippians 1:21–30; Matthew 20:1–16

September 27

18^th Sunday after Pentecost

Semicontinuous Complementary

Exodus 17:1–7 and Psalm 78:1–4, 12–16;

Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32 and Psalm 25:1–9

Philippians 2:1–13; Matthew 21:23–32

Group Using Church Facility

Garden Club

· Wednesday, September 2, at 6:30 PM

Bird Club

· Wednesday, September 9, at 6:30 PM

North Blend Chorus

Sunday, September 13, from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM Mondays, September 21 and 28 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

North Country Quilt Guild

· Tuesday September 15, from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Quilters Group

Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 AM to 4 :00 PM
Ladies Retreat

· Saturday, October 3, at 9 AM

Registration by September 20th

Call 315-420-2271

Summer Picnic Memories

A Day of Joy and Fellowship

What a beautiful and joyful day at our Church Picnic! We began with a short devotion and prayer from Psalm 23, remembering that the Lord is our Shepherd and we are never alone. We enjoyed delicious food, laughter, fellowship, swimming, and wonderful time and games together. We thank God and each of you who helped make this day so special.

May the Lord continue to bless Stone Presbyterian Church, our families, and our life together in God’s love and grace. Amen.