New Members / New Sermon Series / Sermon Recap

In last week's Friday Feature News, we continued to introduce those who will become new members of Stillmeadow. We provide a face and a name - and information about each new member. So far it has been a real blessing to understand how these special people came to know Jesus and how they found their way to Stillmeadow. We continue with more introductions this week.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

Seth: HOW DID YOU FIND JESUS?

I was raised in the Nazarene church; from as far back as I can remember my family attended the Ephrata church of the Nazarene and then Stillmeadow. When you are raised under a set of values and beliefs, as an adult, there are only two choices: maintain those beliefs or come up with new beliefs. Through adolescence and adulthood there have been times that I question my beliefs and even adjusted my beliefs but I have never taken my eyes off of Jesus. I didn’t have to find him, he was an inheritance of love given as a gift to me from my parents and grandparents.

Seth: HOW DID YOU FIND STILLMEADOW? I was raised in York County but my family was from Lancaster County. Our Sunday would be spent going to church and visiting family in Ephrata. As Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts and Cousins moved from the Lancaster area and after my brother, sister and I graduated high school my parents began searching for a new church closer to home. We attended many good churches from around the area but none seemed to be the right fit until we found Stillmeadow. I also think there may have been an article in the newspaper about a church with a blue or teal roof and Pastor Bud, if my memory is correct. I began attending Stillmeadow regularly after I graduated college, about 15 years ago and with the help of my wife I have slowly become more involved.

Amber: HOW DID YOU FIND JESUS?

I found Jesus when I was about 7yrs. old at bible to youth camp in Mt. Union Pa.

Amber: HOW DID YOU FIND STILLMEADOW?

I found StillMeadow through my husband. We met and began dating in 2011. I attended Stillmeadow with him and his family. I was reluctant to call it "home" for quite some time. I missed my home church, Grace Bible Hollidayburg, Pa, and pastor Bud bounced around a little more than I was used to.....but two years ago I became involved in a small group, Mommy Matters, I now lead the group. I also volunteer as a worship leader for preschool service. I'd say I'm home now. 

Seth and I have two wonderful children Cameron 4 and Lily 2 years old.

HOW DID YOU FIND JESUS?

Ben and I both found Jesus as children and grew up with faith. 

HOW DID YOU FIND STILLMEADOW?

It’s a cool story how we found Stillmeadow. We had been attended another church for a very long time and were baptized and married there. After we had our children, we struggled to get to church on time and the children didn’t want to stay in the Sunday school. One Sunday, we were late again and were passing Stillmeadow at 10:45, which was the time our church started and we were still 15 minutes away. I had remembered someone telling me Stillmeadow started at 11:00, so we pulled in and thought we would give it a try. After that, the kids kept asking to go back to the church with the green roof and Stillmeadow became our home!

HOW DID YOU FIND JESUS?

Felix grew up in church. I (Maria) suffered with life changing health problems at the age of 30 and came to realize my need of Jesus. 

HOW DID YOU FIND STILLMEADOW?

We found Stillmeadow through one of my husbands friends, Dennis Berkheimer.

NEW SERMON SERIES STARTS MAY 7th  

This coming Sunday we launch Spark discipleship. It is our desire that a culture of discipleship exist here at the Stillmeadow. Spark begins with a sermon this coming Sunday, and then throughout the week into all of our adult discipleship groups. The new series will examine how we can grow into a unified community to be the kind of people who impact the world for God’s kingdom together.

To kick off our SPARK sermon series, we start where Jesus started: the formation of a transformed community. God designed humans to grow and flourish together, not alone. Alone = not good. Together = so good. 

Last Underdog Sermon 

Last month Stillmeadow began a sermon series called "Underdogs". Since then we've provided a brief recap of each sermon. Last Sunday (April 30th) Pastor Josh concluded the Underdog series with "The Way of the Servant" based on Mark 9:30-50. This entire passage is about being a servant in Jesus' kingdom. 

• The first thing we see about being a servant is this: a servant of Jesus is focused on being last and serving all.
• The second thing this passage points out is that Jesus' servant is flexible for others.
• The third thing this passage shows us is that Jesus' servant is fierce with his sinful habits and attitudes.

Pastor Josh encouraged all of us:

• Always ask: How can I help?
• Who Can I welcome?
• What sinful habit or attitude needs to go?