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

We invite you to join us this Sunday as Pastor Brian begins his final sermon series at 2nd Ave, titled “Looking Ahead.”This week’s message, “The Will of God,” will be from 1 Thessalonians. Services are at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m.

Please mark your calendars for two upcoming combined services—Sunday, April 26 and Sunday, May 17—both at 10:00 a.m. There will be no Sunday school classes on those days.

Please be sure to stop by the table in the sanctuary to sign up for upcoming events, including the luncheons, the 2nd Ave Kids lunch for the Sandell kids, Muffins with Mom, and more!

Although The ROCK is wrapping up for the 2025–26 session, Ashley is looking for volunteers to help next year, Monday through Thursday. Assistance is needed in the kitchen, gym, and with homework on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. If you’re interested or have any questions, please reach out to her at ashleymiller1228@gmail.com.

Summer Dates to Save!

• Saturday, June 6th time TBA, Church Picnic at Canoe Creek
• July 13-17 2nd Ave Kids VBS
• Saturday, August 22nd Block Party

The photo above shows the before-and-after of the newly installed gym padding on the walls and posts. The ROCK received a grant from the Altoona Curve that covered most of the project’s cost as part of a sports facility improvement initiative. Special thanks to Ashley for applying for the grant and helping bring this project to life!

We’d like to thank everyone who came out on Saturday to help with our Spring cleaning, and we’re especially grateful to the Social Committee for organizing the event.

This Saturday, join us for our monthly Soup & Sandwich Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

Sunday, April 26 we will have one combined service at 10:00 a.m. (there will not be Sunday school–there will however be a staffed nursery and Jr. Church), with a potluck lunch to follow. Please sign up on the table in the sanctuary if you plan to attend the lunch.

Sunday, May 3, 2nd Ave Kids will host a lunch & fun time in honor of the Sandell kids, following the 10:45 service. All kids and their families are welcome. We just ask that you sign up on the table in the sanctuary so we have enough food! (Parents/guardians must stay with their kids)

The Social Committee will be hosting “Muffins with Mom” on Saturday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m. This special event is for moms (and other special women) and their children, grandchildren, and loved ones. Please be sure to sign up!

Pastor Brian’s final Sunday with us will be May 17. We will hold one combined service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a catered luncheon. Please sign up for the luncheon so we can plan accordingly. There will be no Sunday School, Jr. Church, or staffed nursery that day, as we encourage everyone to worship and be together.

Save the date:

• Saturday, June 6th Picnic at Canoe Creek (more info. TBA)
• VBS July 13-17
• Youth Group Mission Trip August 3-7
• Saturday, August 22 Block Party

Pastor Brian will be away until Sunday evening. If you have a pastoral emergency during that time, please contact Wendy Lucas or me, and we will connect you with the on-call pastor.

This Sunday, we will be blessed to hear a message from Rev. Steve Moore at both the 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. services.

Thursday morning Bible study will resume this week with Pastor Brian at 9:30 a.m.

Our April Soup & Sandwich Luncheon will take place on Saturday, April 18. Please sign up if you’re able to bring a soup or help out that day.

The ROCK is quickly wrapping up its 2025–26 session, with the final night scheduled for Wednesday, May 13. The 2026–27 session will kick off in September—and we need your help! Ashley is looking for volunteers to serve on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, in addition to the regular Wednesday program. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday will run from 4:00–5:30 p.m. and include a light dinner, homework help, gym time, arts and crafts, and more. Wednesdays will run from 4:00–6:30 p.m. and continue the program that The ROCK is already known for. If you’re interested in helping, or know someone who might be, please contact Ashley at ashleymiller1228@gmail.com. She will also be offering two on-site training opportunities in August.

Please be sure to stop by the table in the sanctuary to sign up for the upcoming luncheons on April 26 and May 17, as well as the 2nd Ave Kids event on May 3.

This coming Saturday is our Spring Clean Up Day; there will be people here 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., stop by for a few hours if you can. There will be jobs everyone can do; dusting, cleaning windows, pulling weeds, picking up trash, etc. We will also be wiping down the gyms walls so we can apply padding (this will start around 10:00 a.m.).

Pastor Brian will be away this weekend. If you have a pastoral emergency, please reach out, and I will connect you with the on-call pastor. This Sunday, Rev. Steve Moore will be sharing the message at both services.

Our April Soup & Sandwich Luncheon will take place on Saturday, April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Please sign up if you’re able to bring a soup or help serve.

We will have a combined service on Sunday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. There will be no Sunday School; however, a staffed nursery and Jr. Church will be available.

On Sunday, May 3, following the 10:45 service, 2nd Ave Kids will host a farewell party for the Sandell children. All kids and their families are invited to join us for lunch, games, and time to hang out together. There will be games, bounce houses, and more.

 

If you were unable to join us for Maundy Thursday, the service is available on our YouTube channel—feel free to watch using the link below.https://www.youtube.com/@secondaveglobalmethodist/streams

This evening’s service will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will not be livestreamed or recorded.

If you plan to visit the building on Saturday for the prayer vigil, please enter through the glass elevator door, which will be the only door open. You are welcome to pray anywhere in the building where you feel led. A prayer vigil guide will be available on a table near the front of the sanctuary, and it is also linked below for anyone who wishes to use it at home. Prayer Vigil Guide

Easter Sunday services will be held at 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., with breakfast served in between from 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Everyone is welcome! Please note, there will be no Sunday School, Jr. Church, or staffed nursery. The nursery will be open as a cry-room, and activity bags will be available for children.

Easter offering envelopes are available in the sanctuary. All contributions in these envelopes will go directly to Child Evangelism Fellowship.

The church office will be closed on Monday. Our regular hours will resume Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Holy Week has arrived. If you weren’t able to join us for yesterday’s services, you can watch them anytime on our YouTube channel using the link below. https://www.youtube.com/@secondaveglobalmethodist

Here’s a reminder of our service times for the remainder of the week, including Easter Sunday.

• Thursday, April 2 – Maundy Thursday: 5:00 p.m. Seder Meal | 7:00 p.m. Service
• Friday, April 3– Good Friday Service: 7:00 p.m.
• April 3–4: 24-Hour Prayer Vigil
• Sunday, April 5 – Easter Sunday: Services at 7:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m. | Breakfast from 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

If you’re submitting a video for Easter Sunday, please send it by noon tomorrow, March 31, so I have time to edit and compile everything. We’d like you to answer these two questions: 1) What does the resurrection/Easter mean to you? and 2) What is an Easter memory or tradition you’d like to share? Please record in a quiet space, speak clearly and loudly, and leave about 10 seconds of silence between your answers. Keep your video to around 40 seconds or less. Currently, we don’t have enough submissions to create the opening video—I still need about 6–8 more.