FAITH MATTERS

In this Lenten series based on the Gospel of Luke, we're going to focus on the meaning of journeying to the cross with Jesus. His message to us is one of the most crucial, yet simplistic messages. And yet, we recognize that discipleship with him works through everything in between!

“The story of Lent is a story of messy middles. Jesus is on the road, but he’s not there yet. Jesus is telling stories, but the crowds don’t understand. Jesus is leading a parade, but it’s not the one they expected. Jesus is risen, but the disciples can’t forget the cross.

The story of Lent, the story of our faith, is a story of messy middles and nuanced surprises. So this Lent, we are remembering that faith is more complex than this or that, black or white.

This Lent, we are wading into the middle of these sacred texts to find God and to stretch our own understanding beyond the binaries our world so often gives. And we hope you’ll join us. Welcome to an in-between Lent. This is the light before the dawn.”

LET'S GET READY!

ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION!

Eastern Pennsylvania's yearly gathering is coming up in two months! Registration is now open on our conference's website! Our Annual Conference is where we vote on important church legislation, participate in wonderful worship services and workshops, and ordain new clergy!

Register for the conference now!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Date: Tuesday May 20 - Thursday May 22

Wildwood Convention Center, NJ

POCONO UNITED METHODIST

LENTEN SERIES NOW HAPPENING!

The Pocono United Methodist Churches are excited for our 2025 Lenten worship series!

Faith will be hosting on March 26th!

Our theme this year will be the Spiritual Disciplines, which are the different ways in which the church calls us to live out our faith!

Time: Wednesdays of Lent - 7pm

Locations on the poster

40 DAYS OF PRAYER SUNDAY GROUP!

We're excited to be doing a Lenten Sunday group in between our 8am and 10am service that examines 40 Days of Prayer By Sarah Young!

This is a wonderful Lenten devotional book that encourages to recognize our prayers and hopes as we journey with Jesus to the cross!

If interested, join us in our Sunday School room Sunday mornings! See Sharon Wary to learn more!

Date: Sundays of Lent - 9am

CHURCH SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY!

Our church has the usual clutter from the season of winter and it's time for a spring-cleaning day!

AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

If you have an hour or so on Saturday, please consider coming up to the church and lending a hand!

Some of the projects to do:

Clean upper and lower hall closets



CHURCH C.A.R.E.S.

COMMUNITY DINNER

We look forward to this joint dinner between the church and our new tenant and ministry partner C.A.R.E.S. (Community and Residential Engagement Services)

All families from the church and our local C.A.R.E.S. group are invited to come and share a wonderful meal! Also, you'll be inspired by talk about future projects! Free-will donations during would be greatly appreciated!

Come as you are! All are welcome!

Date: Saturday April 5th - Starting at 4pm

Lower Fellowship Hall

EASTER EGG HUNT!

The Easter season is coming up, and it's time to spread the word about our youth event!

See Haley Rogers if interested in volunteering!

Spread the word to your family's kids!

Date: Saturday April 19th - 1pm

Arlington Heights Elementary School

VOLUNTEERS FOR THE

FINANCE TEAM NEEDED!

Our Finance Team is looking for some new volunteers to assist with counting and recording tithes, paying church bills, and keeping track of our operating budget. If you are interested, please talk to Mitch Grossman or Mike Raub.

Please consider volunteering! The Finance Team is vital to the church and needs all our help!

LOWER FELLOWSHIP HALL PAINTING

In the next several weeks, our Trustees will be working on a project in collaboration with the C.A.R.E.S. group to paint the Lower Fellowship Hall. This will be a good update for the downstairs space and we look forward to beginning the work in the next month.

If you would be willing to donate funds or paint supplies, please contact Trustees Chair Tom Rogers.

EASTER EGG HUNT CANDY COLLECTION

We are preparing for some of our spring events, and we're looking forward to our Easter Egg Hunt for our community's young people!

What we need now are small, wrapped candy donations! If you are willing to donate candy to stuff in our eggs, please bring them to the Church Office.

NOTE: Candy without nuts is appreciated but not required... just so we have candy for any children with allergies.

PROJECT NEHEMIAH

FUNDRASING CONTINUES!

Our next big Trustees Project is being planned, and we need your help!

Back in the fall, we learned that we had several holes in our roof shingles over the Sanctuary. The ceiling in the Sanctuary also has several deteriorating spots, due to these holes most likely.

Being that our roof has gone 25 years, and our ceiling in the Sanctuary will need work as well, our Trustees have decided it is time for an overall update!

We are very grateful to those of you who have made special donations already, and we hope all will consider making a donation towards the project! We all love our Sanctuary space and want to maintain it to the best of our abilities.

PROJECT FUNDRAISING GOAL: $50,000

CURRENT FUNDING RAISED: $36,000

Please reach out to the Church Office

for giving options!

RAISERIGHT GIFT CARD MINISTRY!

One of the consistent fundraisers we have for our St. Stephen's Ministry (Mission Fund) is the RaiseRight Gift Card Ministry. This is where each month we place orders for gift cards to some of your favorite stores, restaurants, and brands!

This is an easy way to support our mission fund, receive cards to your favorite places, at no extra cost to anyone!

Orders and Payment are due:

First Sunday of Each Month

Orders Come In: Second Sunday of Each Month

Questions?

Contact Mike Raub

570-994-5536

*Mike will be in touch when your order is ready.

FAITH RAISE RIGHT ORDER FORM

*Physical copies available at the church

WEDNESDAY MORNING

BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES!

Our Wednesday Morning Bible Study continues each week!

In April, we will be reading a new book!

"24 Hours That Changed the World"

By Adam Hamilton

Join us for some in-depth discussions and conversations about specific books or parts of the bible!

Date: Wednesdays - 10am - Wilson Hall

FAITH CLOTHING SHED!

We are excited to have a clothing shed on our campus through TurnKey Enterprises. This is a great opportunity for our church and those in our close area to donate used clothes! There is also revenue donated to the church from this organization based on the amount and size donated per month!

Please bring your unused clothes

in bags to the shed!

GRIEFSHARE MEETINGS

NOW HAPPENING!



As grief is a natural part of life and our Christian journey, we're glad to have ministries to help navigate it. Our GriefShare group meets weekly to help our church members and wider community with this, and how we keep our faith in the midst of it all.

Join us Wednesday evenings in the Lower Fellowship Hall.

Date: Wednesday Evenings - 6pm

- Lower Fellowship Hall

YOGA CLASSES NOW AT FAITH!

New 4-week series

Wednesdays from 5:30pm – 6:30pm

4 week class card $40

Drop-ins - $12.00/class

Trial class $5

Regular 4 week sessions have resumed.

Lois’Gentle yoga classes are appropriate for all including those who want a softer, nurturing, slow-paced, well-supported and relaxing practice. The approach includes carefully orchestrated movements, controlled pressure, and well-measured stretches, including range of motion

exercises. This class will include breathing techniques and meditation.

Please wear loose clothing and bring a mat.

**Classes will suspend in MAY and resume in JUNE

For further info:

Contact Lois Silver Zini 718-986-9502

loissilver1@mac.com

Lois Silver Zini holds certifications in Hatha Yoga, Chair Yoga and Yoga for Strong Healthy Bones.

FAITH PRAYER CHAIN

To submit a prayer or join the email list,

inform the Church Office!

Other Ways to Submit a Prayer:

Go online to:

www.stroudsburgfaith.org/prayers

Calling/Texting:

908-878-8036

PRAYERS ADDED EACH WEEK!

WAYS TO ADD A PRAYER:

-Call/Email Church Office for prayer chain

-Fill out a Connection card during worship

-Navigate to Stroudsburgfaith.org/prayers

and fill out the form

INSTRUCTIONS FOR

2025 OFFERING ENVELOPES

This year's giving envelopes are a bit different! Read the instructions here:

All weekly givings are now placed into one envelope. You must write your name and mark the lines with the amounts you are giving to each fund. Information about our church's accounts are below.

General Fund: Covers our basic ministry expenses and needs i.e. congregational care, worship supplies, building supplies.

Faith Promise (Building Fund): This pays down our church's mortgage which was a necessity taken on when the church renovated in 2021.

St. Stephen's (Missions Fund): This is givings set aside to be invested in our church's outreach ministries and community service, and also given to other organizations doing good work in the community, nation, and world.

NOTE: If you are writing checks, you must write separate checks for each fund, as they are different accounts.



We appreciate this, as it will create less stress for our finance team.