Join us this Sunday at 8:15 am or 10:45 am for our message titled “The Last Prophet: The Way is Prepared,” based on Malachi 3.

Join us for Sunday School, for children aged 4 and above, or coffee hour from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 16, is our monthly Soup & Sandwich Luncheon. Everyone is welcome! The luncheon will be held from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Our annual Church Conference will be held this Sunday at 4:00 pm. All church members are welcome to attend, with special emphasis on those serving on executive committees. The conference is expected to conclude within an hour.

We’re still collecting food items for our Thanksgiving giveaway. Right now, turkeys, turkey breasts, and pies are the most urgently needed items. If you have any questions, please see Pastor Brian.

Please continue submitting poinsettia orders and signing up for the church Christmas card this Sunday. The final deadline for both is Sunday, December 1. You can find all the necessary information on the round table in the sanctuary.

Advent begins on Sunday, December 1. Advent reading calendars are available on the round table and will also be included as the monthly reading in the December Newsletter.

For those interested in learning about this year’s Advent songs, we will be singing “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” at 8:15 am and “Advent Hymn” by Christy Nockels at 10:45 am.

The church office will be closed from November 28 to December 2 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

It’s hard to believe that almost half of November is already here. We are entering a very busy season at the church. If there are any requests or assistance you need from any of us, please be patient and give us a bit more time to respond. Additionally, if you have any suggestions or contributions you’d like to include in the December newsletter, please submit them by noon tomorrow, November 13.

The poinsettia order form is linked below. Please ensure that all payments are received by December 1st. Kindly place cash or a check (made payable to 2nd Avenue GMC with “flower” in the memo) in an envelope and clearly label it as “Christmas Flowers.”

Poinsettia Order Form

Church Christmas Card sign-ups are off to a fantastic start! You can sign up until Sunday, December 1st, at the round table. Your donation of $10 or more will ensure that your greeting is sent to the entire church via a digital video card. Paper copies will be mailed to those on the mailing list and will be available at the church. Additionally, we will display the card before the combined service on December 22.

NEW OFFERING: If you signed up for yearly envelopes for 2025, they will be available for pickup between services starting Sunday, November 24th. Please note that after receiving the December/January packet in the mail, no more envelopes will be mailed out.

The Iron Bridge Dinner Theatre will be performing “Steeple People” at the building from Thursday to Sunday, so the building will not be available in the afternoon and evenings during that time.

Services are now back at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. We hope you can join us as we continue our series, “The Last Prophet,” with the message, “Faithful to the Covenant.”

The 2nd Avenue Kids pageant practice session will continue during the 10:45 service. The pageant will be held on Sunday, December 22, during a combined 10:00 a.m. service.

Sign up for our Church Christmas Card fundraiser, starting tomorrow, at the round table in the sanctuary. You can either select an image from our collection and cross it off (we’d like to use each image only once this year) or email your own picture to Jill. Once you’ve chosen your image, fill out the sign-up sheet and place your donation of $10 or more in the provided envelope. Then, place the envelope in the offering plate. 

Tomorrow, you’ll also be able to collect your poinsettia order form. Each flower costs $11 and will be available for pickup on Christmas Eve. Please enclose your order form in an envelope along with cash or a check made payable to Second Ave GMC (with “flower” in the memo line).

The deadline for Christmas cards and flowers is Sunday, December 1st. (Regrettably, there are no exceptions to the due date.)

As a friendly reminder, the church office will be closed on Monday in observance of Veterans Day. We will resume operations on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.

We hope you had a great time at our combined service yesterday. If you missed the in-person worship, you can catch the live-stream on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s56xK5aZUoc

We’re entering one of the busiest church seasons, so please ensure you read your emails, bulletins, and newsletters to avoid missing out on important updates. If you haven’t registered for text reminders (you can also send us prayer requests, questions, and other inquiries by texting your name to 833-768-9112)

On Sunday, you can start signing up for the church Christmas card. Visit the round table for more information. Sign-ups will conclude on Sunday, December 1, so we have enough time to prepare the card.

The church office will be closed next Monday in observance of Veterans Day.

The Iron Bridge Dinner Theatre production of Steeple People will be held in our gym from Thursday, November 14, to Sunday, November 17. Starting Saturday, November 9, they will be having practices in the gym, so the area of the church will be off-limits until the play ends. We kindly request that everyone avoid entering the building during their performances (unless you’re attending the show). Please let Jill know if you have any questions.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming combined services on December 22 and 29, both scheduled for 10:00 a.m.

Today marks All Saints Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to celebrating and remembering those who have passed away in the past year. We will observe this day during our combined 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday. Following the service, a potluck luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall. As a friendly reminder that this weekend daylight savings time ends, please ensure that you turn your clocks back an hour before going to bed tomorrow night.

On Tuesday, November 5, elections will be held in the Narnia room, located within the glass entrance on 2nd Avenue. The office will be open during the voting period, but we kindly request that you refrain from entering that area of the building unless you intend to cast your vote.

As a reminder, we merely allow the county to use our space. We cannot disclose information about voting here or answer questions related to it. If you require any information on voting, please contact the Blair County Elections Office at 814-693-3150.

On Sunday, you will be able to collect your new church directory. Jill will be present in the Elevation room prior to the service (following Praise Band practice) and will remain there for a few minutes after the service concludes. If your photograph was not taken or you would like to obtain more than one copy, we have additional copies available for a donation of $5. 

Our church conference will be held here on Sunday, November 17, at 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but only church members can vote to approve items in this year’s packet.

UPCOMING INFORMATION/EVENTS

The church office will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

Church Christmas card sign-ups will commence next Sunday, November 10.

The ROCK Christmas board is displayed in the Elevation Room. If you have any questions, please consult Ashley.

November Soup and Sandwich Lunch: Saturday, November 16

Thanksgiving Giveaway: On Tuesday, November 26, if you’d like to donate items for these meals, kindly place them on the table in the Elevation Room (in front of the stage).

The office will be closed from Thursday, November 28, through Monday, December 1, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

The November Food Pantry will be held on Friday, November 29.

Although it may appear that Christmas is still a considerable distance away, it will undoubtedly arrive before we are know it.

We want to give you ample time to sign up for this year’s church Christmas card. It will be available in both a video format shown during church services and a paper copy.

Our Church Christmas card provides an exceptional opportunity for you to extend your well wishes to the entire congregation without incurring the expenses associated with purchasing individual cards and postage. By utilizing this service, you will be making a valuable contribution to the support of a ministry in need.

This year, Ashley and Jill will be venturing out to buy some “trending items” that kids and teens adore, which will be exclusively available to families who are chosen to “shop” at the Christmas Store located at 2nd Avenue.

To ensure we have ample time to complete this shopping, kindly sign up between Sunday, November 10th, and Sunday, December 1. Visit the round table, select an image (you can also send me a picture of your choice via email), write a greeting, and place your donation (suggested at least $10) in the marked envelope. Then, place that envelope in the offering plate. Your entire donation will support our cause and bring some joy to children who may not otherwise receive any gifts for Christmas.

Please do not hesitate to contact Jill if you have any inquiries.

We extend our sincere gratitude for your unwavering support of our community, 2nd Ave.

The Rock will commence collecting monetary donations for the 2024 Christmas gift. Given the escalating costs, the cost of each gift this year is approximately $25. The total fundraising objective is $1250. These donations will enable each child to receive a journal, stuffed animal, blanket, sticker, and ornament.

Kindly visit the bulletin board located in the Elevation Room (adjacent to the stage) and retrieve an envelope (or two). Please ensure that your checks are payable to “The ROCK.” Your contributions would be greatly appreciated if you could return them to the church by December 8th.

Please direct any inquiries to Ashley.

We will celebrate and remember those who have gone home to the Lord in the past year during a combined service at 10:00 a.m. this coming Sunday. 

If you would like to receive offering envelopes for 2025 (even if you already receive offering envelopes), please inform Jill by Wednesday, October 30. Envelopes will not be mailed out after the December set. For 2025, you will need to collect a box of envelopes from the church. 

If you are interested in renting the church hall in November or December, please contact Jill as soon as possible to inquire about availability for your desired date. Bookings are filling up rapidly.

From November 14 to 17, we are delighted to host the Iron Bridge Theatre and their captivating production of “Steeple People.” This theatrical performance will be held in our gymnasium, with a limited number of tickets available.

To secure your tickets, kindly contact the Iron Bridge Theatre at 814-505-2551 or visit their Facebook page for further information.

If you are interested in making an appointment at the Hope Chest, please direct your inquiries to the new Hope Chest Facebook page rather than contacting the church office via phone. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567692903269

Join us on Sunday at 8:15 a.m or 10:45 a.m. for the message titled “Coming Down From The Mountain: God Desires Mercy.” This message is based on the passage Matthew 9:9-13.

This Sunday evening promises to be an exciting occasion. The African Children’s Choir will grace us with their performance at 6:00 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. A goodwill offering will be accepted, with all proceeds going directly to their ministry. Additionally, our Youth Group will be hosting a bake sale (cash only) to support their ongoing activities. 

Next Sunday, November 3, we will have a combined service at 10:00 a.m. There won’t be Sunday School, but there will be a staffed nursery and pageant practice. Together, we will remember the Saints and celebrate Holy Communion. After the service, we’ll have a potluck lunch. If you’re planning to attend, please sign up on the round table and let us know if you can bring a dish to share.

Save the date! Our church conference will be held on Sunday, November 17, at 4:00 p.m. We encourage all church members to attend. 

Upcoming deadlines:

• If you wish to include a loved one in our All Saints Sunday remembrance, kindly provide Jill with their name and a photograph (if available) by Monday, October 28th.
• We are updating our offering envelopes in 2025. If you would like to continue receiving them or receive them for the first time, please inform Jill by October 31. 

This Friday, our monthly Food Pantry event will be held. If you would like to contribute non-perishable items, please feel free to drop them off during office hours this week.

On Sunday, October 27, we will host a concert by the African Children’s Choir at 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. A voluntary donation will be accepted, and all proceeds will be donated to the choir.

If you would like us to honor a loved one who has passed away since last All Saints’ Day, please submit their name and photograph by next Monday, October 28. During this year’s All Saints’ Day service (combined on November 3 at 10:00 a.m.), we will display these remembrances.

Sunday, November 3, we will hold a combined service at 10:00 a.m. We will have Holy Communion and commemorate All Saints’ Sunday. After the service, we will have a potluck luncheon. If you plan to attend, please sign up on the table in the sanctuary and indicate what you intend to bring. Notably, Sunday school will not be held on this day, but there will be a staffed nursery and Pageant Practice during the service.

Our Church Conference will be held on Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 p.m. All church members are encouraged to attend. We’ll vote on several items, but the conference should be brief. 

Christmas Pageant practice will commence on Sunday, October 27th, during the usual Jr. Church time slot. If your child intends to participate but won’t be able to attend, please reach out to Ashley as soon as possible, as parts will be distributed during the initial practice session. On the other hand, if your child typically attends Jr. Church but has decided not to participate in the pageant, kindly bring them a quiet activity or something similar, as they will remain in the sanctuary during this time. 

Jill intends to distribute directories to individuals who participated in the photo session on Sunday, November 3. Extras will be available for a donation of $5, and additional printing can be arranged if supplies run low.