Please help us spread the word that going forward (until announced otherwise)  Sunday school will be 9-10 a.m. and we will have one service at 10:15 a.m. which will follow the format of the combined services we’ve had over the years. We will be blessed with Rev. Steve Moore sharing the message on May 24 and throughout June & July. Sunday, May 31 we will welcome Rev. Allyce Logue to 2nd Ave to share a message. Communion will be the first Sundays in June & July, we will have two stations for intinction (dipping the bread into the cup) and one for the separate elements which was generally done at 8:15.  Tomorrow 5/19 voting will be held in the Wesley (former Narnia) Room; unless you come here to vote, please do not use the glass entrance for coming or going.  The office will be closed next Monday, May 25thfor the Memorial Day holiday.  The June/July Newsletter & daily devotionals will be available to pick up beginning Sunday at the church as well as emailed out and copies will be mailed to our home-bound folks this week as well.  Summer office hours begin Monday, June 1. We will be open Mon-Thurs 8 a.m. – Noon and emails will be checked and returned through 3 p.m.

We hope you can join us this Sunday for a special day of worship and fellowship. Pastor Brian will share his final message at 2nd Ave, we will celebrate Holy Communion, spend time in special prayer, and enjoy a meal together following the service.

We are expecting around 150 people for the meal. Reserved seating will be available for the Sandell family and church staff. We ask that everyone please fill in seating as needed and avoid leaving single empty chairs between guests. To help prevent long lines wrapping through the social hall, tables will be dismissed one at a time for the meal.

The ROCK wrapped up the school year on Wednesday with a fun-filled night and a special treat from Brainfreezers! Be sure to thank Ashley for all the hard work and dedication she puts into this ministry, and a huge shoutout to all the volunteers who helped make this year so amazing!

As we begin this interim season between pastors, we are looking for people who would be willing to help serve in a variety of ways. Please watch for emails and sign-up sheets for opportunities such as scripture readers, announcement readers, greeters, and those willing to help lock up and turn off lights after services. Jill will also be reaching out to some individuals about helping with home visits for our at-home members. If you see a need or would like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jill.

The next newsletter will be a combined June/July issue and will be distributed next week. Printed copies will be available at the church for anyone who would like one, and the newsletter will also be sent by email. Due to increased postage costs, mailed copies will only be sent to those who are unable to regularly attend church in person.

It’s hard to believe that Pastor Brian’s final week is already here. We hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we celebrate the Sandell family during a combined 10:00 a.m. service. Please note there will be no Sunday School or staffed nursery. We will also share in Holy Communion together.

If you would like to help by baking cookies for the luncheon, please let me know. A sheet cake has already been ordered, but with the number of guests expected, we want to ensure there is plenty of dessert for everyone.

This Wednesday marks the final ROCK for the 2025–26 session. We are so grateful to everyone who has volunteered, donated, and prayed for this incredible outreach ministry! The ROCK has become a well-known blessing in our community, impacting many children and their families. It’s especially meaningful to see parents who once attended the ROCK now bringing their own children. Beginning in September, the ROCK will expand to four days a week. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday will focus on homework help, meals, and gym time, while Wednesday will continue as the regular program the kids know and love. Please prayerfully consider giving your time to this growing ministry. Whether you’re able to help with math, supervise in the gym, serve dinner, or support in other ways, you are needed! For more information or any questions, please contact Ashley.

Beginning Sunday, May 24, we will move to a new schedule with Sunday School from 9:00–10:00 a.m. and one worship service at 10:15 a.m. This service will follow a blended format, incorporating elements from both of our combined services, including hymns, creeds, children’s messages, praise songs, and more. We are also pleased to welcome Rev. Steve Moore, who will be blessing us on May 24 and throughout the month of June. (We will provide an update regarding May 31 as soon as it is available.) Please continue to keep our church staff in your prayers and extend grace as we transition through this interim season.

Join us this Sunday as we honor all the moms and ladies at 2nd Ave. This will also be our final two-service Sunday for the time being. Services this week will be held at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

This Sunday is the final opportunity to sign up for the farewell luncheon honoring the Sandell family. The luncheon will follow the combined 10:00 a.m. service on May 17. Since it is being catered, we need to submit a final headcount, so please be sure to sign up by Sunday.

Sunday, May 17 will be Pastor Brian’s final Sunday at 2nd Ave. We will gather as one church family for a special 10:00 a.m. service, which will include Holy Communion. Please note there will be no Sunday School or staffed nursery that day.

Beginning Sunday, May 24, Sunday School will take place from 9:00–10:00 a.m., followed by a combined worship service at 10:15 a.m. The building will open around 8:50 a.m. for those attending Sunday School.

This Wednesday will be the final ROCK night of the 2025–26 season. The kids will enjoy an evening outdoors filled with games and a special treat from Brainfreezers. The ROCK program is fully supported through grants and designated donations. Looking ahead, we’re excited to share that a partnership with the Kathleen and Gerald Sheetz Foundation will allow ROCK to expand to four days next year and provide transportation through a van donated by the foundation. While funding makes the program possible, it’s our volunteers who truly make it thrive. If you’re interested in helping next year, please reach out to Ashley for more information.

Second Ave will once again host a Blessing Booth at Saturate Altoona, which takes place on Sunday evenings throughout June. Sherry Falbow and Vicky Plummer are coordinating this outreach and are looking for volunteers to serve each week. If you’re interested in helping, please reach out to them for more information or sign up using the sheet located on the table in the sanctuary.

OTHER UPCOMING HAPPENINGS:

• May 16 – Soup & Sandwich Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• May 25 – Memorial Day Office Closed
• June 1 – Office will switch to Summer hours Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• June 6 – Church Picnic at Canoe Creek
• June 15 – Team Effort Meal (volunteers will be needed)

Do you have a 2026 high school or college graduate you’d like us to recognize in the June newsletter? Please submit their information—name, school, future plans (if they’d like to share), and an optional photo—by Tuesday, May 12.

A reminder that this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. is Muffins for Mom! All children and the special women in their lives are invited to attend.

This Sunday, we will celebrate all the ladies of 2nd Ave for Mother’s Day. Join us for a special coffee hour from 9:30–10:30 a.m., along with a small gift from the church for each lady. Worship services will be held at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m.

On Sunday, May 17, we will share the Sandells’ final Sunday with us at 2nd Ave. There will be a special combined service with communion at 10:00 a.m., followed by a catered luncheon. Please note there will be no Sunday school. If you plan to attend the luncheon and have not yet signed up, please do so this week so we can finalize numbers.

Beginning Sunday, May 24, our schedule will shift to Sunday school from 9:00–10:00 a.m. and one combined worship service at 10:15 a.m. This schedule will remain in place until further notice. This adjustment helps support both visiting pastors and staff as they take on additional responsibilities. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

Save the date: Saturday, June 6, for a church picnic at Canoe Creek! More details will be shared soon.

The ROCK program is wrapping up for the 2025–2026 year, with only two weeks remaining. Please keep Ashley, the children, and all volunteers in your prayers during these final weeks and throughout the summer. The ROCK will return in September and will expand to four days per week. If you’re interested in helping next year, please reach out to Ashley.

Please note the church office will be closed this Wednesday. Email will be checked periodically, and phone calls will be returned on Thursday.

We invite you to join us this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion at both 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., along with a coffee hour in the Gathering Place during that time.

After the 10:45 service on Sunday, all kids and their grown-ups are invited to stay for lunch and enjoy some time hanging out and playing with the Sandell kids.

Tuesday, May 5 is our Executive Committee meeting night: Trustees will meet at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Church Council at 7:00 p.m.

The church office will be closed next Wednesday (previously communicated as Tuesday, but that has changed) so Jill can move her daughter home from school for the summer. The office will be open regular hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

On Saturday, May 9, the Social Committee will host “Muffins with Mom” for all children and the special women in their lives. Please sign up at the table in the sanctuary.

On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, we will have a special coffee hour from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., along with a small gift for all the women of the church.

Please be sure to sign up for the Sandell family farewell luncheon on Sunday, May 17. This catered luncheon will take place following the combined 10:00 a.m. service. (There will be no Sunday School, staffed nursery, or Jr. Church that day.) The deadline to sign up is Sunday, May 11.

Thank you to everyone who prepared food for yesterday’s potluck—it was a blessing to share together! We also appreciate the Social Committee for thoughtfully providing each family with a flower.

Jill is working on uploading yesterday’s service to YouTube. It will be posted in two parts, as part of the service was lost and a second recording had to be made. With the walls between the sanctuary and the Elevation Room now back in place, we expect future services to be uploaded by late Monday mornings.

Just a reminder that next Sunday, following the 10:45 service, 2nd Ave Kids will be hosting lunch, games, and more for the Sandell kids. All children and their grown-ups are welcome! If you plan to attend but didn’t have a chance to sign up, please let us know. Also, please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult—this is not a drop-off event.

There’s still time to sign up for Muffins with Mom! All kids and the special women in their lives are invited to join us for a fun afternoon on Saturday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m.

On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, we will have a special Coffee Hour from 9:30 a.m. –10:30 a.m. The church will also be providing a small gift of appreciation for all the moms and special ladies at 2nd Ave.

Sunday, May 17 will be the Sandells’ final Sunday with us at 2nd Ave. We will have one service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a catered luncheon. We hope you can join us as we celebrate the past 10 years they’ve shared with our church family. If you plan to attend, please let us know by signing up in the sanctuary, replying to this email with the number attending, or calling the church office so we can be sure to have enough food for everyone.

Beginning Sunday, May 24, and continuing until a new pastor is in place and settled, we will move to one service at 10:15 a.m., with Sunday School from 9:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m. The service will follow our usual combined format, blending traditional and contemporary elements. We (staff, Church Council, and SPRC) ask for your patience and grace during this transition. Please refrain from gossip and negativity, as these can cause division when we are called to come together as one body. As Proverbs 15:4 reminds us, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to a member of SPRC or contact the church office so you can receive accurate information from the appropriate sources. An on-call pastor will be available for pastoral care and emergencies.

Sunday, we will hold a combined service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch. Even if you didn’t have a chance to sign up, you’re still welcome to join us for lunch!

Next Sunday, May 3, following the 10:45 service, 2nd Ave Kids will host a lunch along with games and fun with the Sandell kids. All families with children are invited—please sign up at the table in the sanctuary so Ashley can plan accordingly.

Saturday, May 9, the 2nd Ave Social Committee will host Muffins with Mom at 2:00 p.m. All kids and the special women in their lives are invited! Please sign up so they can plan for how many to expect.

Here’s what’s coming up at 2nd Ave:

Tuesday, May 5, the office will be closed as Jill will be moving her daughter home from school that day.

Wednesday, May 13 will be the final ROCK gathering for the 2025–26 school year.

Saturday, May 16th from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., join us for a Soup & Sandwich Lunch.

Sunday, May 17, we will have a 10:00 a.m. service (no Sunday School or Jr. Church), followed by a catered luncheon. This will be Pastor Brian’s final day at 2nd Ave.

Sunday, May 24 marks the beginning of a schedule change: Sunday School will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., followed by one worship service at 10:15 a.m. (until further notice).

If you missed yesterday afternoon’s email, please note that starting Sunday, May 24, Sunday School will run from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., followed by a single combined worship service at 10:15 a.m. This service will include both hymns and the Praise Band. The church will open at approximately 8:50 a.m. for those attending Sunday School or wishing to enjoy coffee in the Gathering Place beforehand. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. If Jill is unable to assist, she’ll be happy to connect you with someone who can.

This Friday is our monthly Food Pantry day, open to all Blair County residents in need. Distribution will begin around 10:30 a.m. If you’re available to help, please arrive at the Wesley (formerly Narnia) Room by 9:30 a.m.

The May newsletter and calendar will be mailed and emailed later this week. Please take a moment to review them so you can stay up to date on everything happening at 2nd Ave.

On Sunday, April 26, we will have one combined service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch. That evening, the Spring/Summer clothing pickup will take place at the Jaffa. If you’re available to help, please reach out to Pam Varner or Pastor Brian.

On Sunday, May 3, 2nd Ave Kids will host a lunch and playtime with the Sandell kids immediately following the 10:45 a.m. service. All families with children are invited to attend. Please sign up so we can plan accordingly.

On Saturday, May 9, the Social Committee will host “Muffins with Mom” at 2:00 p.m. All children and their moms, aunts, grandmas, bonus moms, and special guests are invited to attend. Please sign up in the sanctuary.

Bible Studies this week:

Ladies’ Bible study with Sherry Falbow meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Steve Moore leads a study open to all adults.

Thursday at 9:30 a.m., Pastor Brian leads a study open to all adults.

We wanted to let you know, it was voted on today by church council, that beginning on Sunday, May 24, there will be a change made to the services & Sunday school as we wait for a new pastor to be hired. 

Beginning Sunday, May 24

Sunday school will be held 9-10 a.m. (doors will be unlocked at approx. 8:50 a.m.).

We will have one church service at 10:15 a.m. This will be our combined format with hymns and our praise band. 

There will still be Jr. Church; it will be open to children ages 2 (if you think your child can handle it) through 5th grade. 

There is not a staffed nursery for the months of June-August. (which is what we’ve normally done) The nursery will be open as a cry room for an adult (18+) to take a related child 3 and under if needed. 

Please help us spread the word. We will include the information in our May newsletter, all our emails, and all our announcements going forward. 

Please reach out to Jill with any questions or concerns. If it’s not something she can help you with, she will make sure to direct you to the right person.

For your reference:

Sunday, April 26 – 10 a.m. service followed by luncheon (no Sunday school)

Sunday, May 3 – 8:15 & 10:45 services

Sunday, May 10 – 8:15 & 10:45 services

Sunday, May 17 – Pastor Brian’s last service 10 a.m. followed by luncheon (no Sunday school)

Sunday, May 24 begins new schedule for the time being