The Messenger

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"The Messenger"

Sunday Schedule

8:30 A.M. Worship

9:15 A.M. Choir rehearsal

9:30 A.M. Sunday School

10:45 A.M. Worship

6:00 P.M. Youth Group

Lent Begins Wednesday, February 22^nd….

Lent, a season of forty days (not counting Sundays) beginning on Ash Wednesday

and ending on the Saturday of Easter weekend,

is traditionally a time in the church for special attention to spiritual growth and discipleship.

Please make note of just some of the opportunities at Stone UMC…

Ash Wednesday Worship Service

7:00 P.M. in Miller Parlor

Lenten Bible Study

11:00 A.M. Wednesday Mornings

7:00 P.M. Thursday Evening

Community Lenten Luncheons

Each Wednesday 12:00 Noon

You’re Invited

To A Presentation On

Gift Planning: Your Legacy of Faith!

A representative from the United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania will be here at Stone United Methodist Churchon Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. to describe what is involved in establishing a legacy of faith through your will or a life-income gift.

Gifts made through your will- known as bequests - can help you continue to fund United Methodist Ministries. These gifts can take many forms. This seminar aims to help you understand bequests and other types of long-term gifts such as Charitable Gift Annuities.

The United Methodist Foundation member will also explain and answer any questions you may have regarding the roles of other professionals such as attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, or other individuals, may have in establishing your will and carrying on your legacy of faith.

For more information, please contact Robert Waid at 814-439-4481. We hope to see you there!

Fairview/Fairmont Outreach Program

Is Seeking an Assistant Director

This position is 20 hours per week with the possibility of 25 in the summer. Hours are flexible but would include "after school" time between 3:00-5:00. If you are interested - or know someone who might be - please leave a resume at the church office as soon as possible! More information - contact Diane Craven at the Outreach Program, 336-3516.

Mittens & Socks

Received at Fairview / Fairmont

Many pairs of mittens and socks were given as Christmas gifts to the children, from babies to age 18 at the Fairview/Fairmont complex in mid December, 2011.

We thank the congregation at Stone Church for assisting us in sharing of the holiday season . Your generous contribution of mittens and socks allows the United Methodist Women to support and continue this Christian mission project.

May God continue to richly bless all of you in this New Year.

Janet Haas, Mitten Project Coordinator

Stone Soup “Souper-Bowl”

In the folk story of “stone soup” weary travelers arrive in a new town and teach the community about cooperation, sharing, and being appreciative for what they have. Just like the keen concoction of vegetables, seasonings, broth, and meats in the soup, our diverse group of youth bring their own interests and backgrounds to Stone UMC. The Youth Group at Stone Church has been very active in the past year and a half and has gone through the process of choosing the name “Soup” to represent them.

We hope that everyone will embrace this new name and the concept it portrays by attending our “Souper-Bowl” on February 5^th right after church. Fill up on some delicious homemade soups before the big game and show your support for OUR “Stone Soup.” We are also seeking donations of homemade soups to be served that day as well (specifics are on a flyer in the church office). We thank everyone for their continued support and we hope to see you at our “Souper-Bowl.”

Spring Lay Speaking School

2012

Two separate school locations are available:

Saegertown UMC – Sundays February 26 through March 25, 2:00-4:00 PM

First UMC, Erie – Tuesdays February 28 through March 27, 6:00-8:00 PM

If you are interested, please phone the church office for more details and a registration form. You must register no later than Feb. 17, 2012.

2012 Pledge Commitments:

As of January 30th, fifty-nine (59) persons have offered their financial pledge commitments for 2012

with the amount pledged to date $107,155. Our prayerfully anticipated pledge goal is $115,000.

Thank you to those who have already offered their pledges. Thank you in advance to those of

you who are yet to do so!

Pledge commitment letters are available at the back table in the sanctuary.

Supervising Editor– Rev. Sarah Roncolato

Production Editor – Eileen Shields

Layout & Graphics – Carolyn Turnbull

Duplication Supervisor – Jim Turnbull

Proof Readers – Don and Nancy Snyder

Distribution Managers – Eileen Carpenter Marilyn Carlson

Web Coordinator – Carolyn Turnbull

Reporters – Stone UMC members