We hope you can join us this Sunday as we continue our series “Coming Down From the Mountain” with this week’s message: “The Son of Man Has the Authority.” Services will be held at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Additionally, Sunday school and coffee hour will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Matthew 9:1-8

If Alyssa took your pictures for the directory, you can see me this Sunday (or during office hours next week) to pick up your printed photo. The directories will be available for pickup starting Sunday, November 3, before our combined service. If you didn’t get your picture taken, you can still get one for a $5 donation to help cover the cost of printing them. 

Beginning next Sunday, October 27, the 2nd Avenue Kids will commence their Christmas Pageant rehearsals during the 10:45 a.m. Jr. Church time slot. If your child is interested in participating but will not be present on the 27, please contact Ashley in advance to ensure that they receive their assigned parts. 

Junior Church is also in need of snacks. If you’d like to donate any items, here are some of the things the kids asked Ashley for: 

• fresh fruit (grapes, kiwi, bananas, etc.)
• little bites muffins
• Chocolate chip Granola Bars
• Chips- Goldfish
• Mott’s Fruit Snacks
• Pringles
• Rice Krispie Treats
• 8 oz waters
• juices boxes
• Sunny D

Next Sunday October 27, the African Children’s Choir will grace us with their presence at a free concert at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. A goodwill offering will be collected, and all proceeds will go toward their ministry. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and our Youth Group will also be hosting a bake sale. 

All Saints’ Sunday: We will commemorate the saints who have passed away in the past year on Sunday, November 3, at our combined 10:00 a.m. service. If you have a loved one you would like to include in the service, please let Jill know by Monday, October 28.

If you’d like to continue receiving envelopes for the 2025 year or would like to receive them for the first time, please sign up on the round table. We will no longer be mailing out envelopes, and to have a number assigned to your giving, you must sign up.

This Saturday, our monthly Soup & Sandwich luncheon will commence at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is cordially invited to this complimentary meal!

The African Children’s Choir will grace us with their presence at a free and open-to-the-public concert on Sunday, October 27, at 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. A voluntary offering will be accepted, and all proceeds will support their ministry. Invite your friends and family to join us for an unforgettable evening of music.

The ROCK will host a Trunk or Treat event for its kids on Wednesday, October 30. If you’d like to decorate a trunk or donate candy, please reach out to Ashley (ashleymiller1228@gmail.com).

The ROCK is seeking more volunteers for its Wednesday evening program. If you’re interested in helping out (even a few times a month), please reach out to Ashley to learn more about available opportunities.

Those who had their photos taken by Alyssa for the directory will be able to collect their printed photos starting next Sunday. I’ll be in the Elevation Room between services to assist you. The directories will be available soon. I’ll keep you updated!

Mark your calendars for our church service on Sunday, November 3, at 10:00 a.m. We will commemorate the saints and partake in Holy Communion together. Following the service, we will gather in the social hall for a potluck lunch.

On Sunday, we will resume our series “Coming Down From The Mountain” with a first-person account (by Pastor Brian) titled “He Told Them To Go.”  Matthew 8:28-34

Services are held at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Sunday. Sunday school and coffee hour are held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 

Here are a few reminders about upcoming events: 

• The African Children’s Choir will host a concert at 2nd Avenue on Sunday, October 27, commencing at 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the concert is complimentary and open to the general public.
• On Sunday, November 3, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday with a combined service at 10:00 a.m, followed by a potluck lunch. Please see the round table in the sanctuary to sign up.
• If you have a loved one you would like to remember on All Saints’ Day, please inform Jill by Monday, October 28. 
• The ROCK is seeking additional volunteers. The program operates on Wednesdays (when school is in session for the AASD) from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please contact Ashley for further details. 
• Second Avenue will be participating in the downtown Altoona Christmas Parade with a float. For more information, please contact Vicky Plummer.

This week, Jill will commence compiling our new church directory. If you didn’t have your picture taken but still wish your contact information to be included, contact Jill before Wednesday, October 9, during office hours. 

If you have a photograph taken by Alyssa, we will create an 8×10 print for you. If you prefer a 5×7 print, please contact Jill as soon as possible (no later than Tuesday, October 8 by 10:00 a.m.). Additionally, if you do not wish to receive a copy of the photograph, please inform Jill of your decision. 

If you have a photograph taken by Alyssa and would like to purchase an additional print, please refer to the following pricing information. 

8×10  $4.50

5×7   $2.99

4×6   $.40

You can order extras until Friday, October 18. Jill will have the pictures ready for pickup starting Sunday, October 20.

The social hall is quickly filling up for November and December, so if you were planning to rent it for a party, get-together, or any other event, please contact us as soon as possible. The rental fee is $60 for church members and $115 for the general public.

Vocal Choir practice will commence on Sunday, October 13, immediately after the 10:45 service. If you’re interested in participating but can’t make it on this day, please let us know.

If you have a loved one who has passed away since last All Saints’ Sunday and would like us to include them in our 10:00 a.m. service on November 3, please contact Jill by October 28. If you have their name and a photograph, you can email them to Jill, and it will be displayed on the screen during the service.

 

We cordially invite you to join us on Sunday as we conclude the series “Coming Down from the Mountain” with this week’s message, “Wind & Waves Obey” (Matthew 8:23-27). Additionally, we will commemorate World Communion Sunday at both services (8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.).

On Sunday, November 3, we will commemorate All Saints’ Day with a joint service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a potluck luncheon. 

If you have a loved one who would like us to recognize during our All Saints Sunday remembrance service (for those who have passed away since our previous All Saints Sunday), please provide their name and a photograph via email to Jill by Monday, October 28.

The October soup and sandwich luncheon will be held on Saturday, October 19, at 11:30 a.m. All are cordially invited to this complimentary lunch.

The October Food Pantry will be held on Friday, October 25, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Jill.

Things are becoming busy around here as we go into October and farther into the fall–please keep up to date on everything going on in the building, as well as various chances to serve in the community and fellowship.

The African Children’s Choir will perform on Sunday, October 27 at 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The doors will open about 5:30 p.m. Our Youth Group will also host a bake sale that day.

The Christmas parade committee will meet regularly in the gym on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Contact Vicky Plummer for additional information.

Please get in touch with me by this coming Sunday, October 6, if you would still like to be included in the directory but were unable to get your photo taken. If you would prefer not to upload a photo, you can simply include your contact details. (Printed copies of the images will be sent to all those who had their photos shot by Alyssa. There have been some requests for extras printed; if you’re interested, let me know and I can get you pricing or provide you the photo file so you can print it yourself. We can accomplish this for a price. By Thanksgiving, we plan to have directories available for pickup. You will be able to buy an image for a $4.00 donation if you didn’t receive one for the directory.

Date Revision: The church conference will now take place at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 17.

We will celebrate World Communion Sunday on Sunday at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. 

This Thursday through Saturday, we will be taking photographs for a new church directory. If you have not yet registered, please inform Jill if you would like to know the available time slots. If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions, Jill would like to take your photograph (during office hours or on Sunday) within the next two weeks. Please let Jill know if you have any questions. We are self-funding this project and will continue working on it throughout October. Additionally, families or individuals who receive a photograph during the designated time slots will receive a complimentary printed photograph (there will be no sales attempts). If you would like to contribute toward the costs of producing the directory, please place your check or cash in an envelope and label it “directory.”

We are delighted to announce our participation in the downtown Altoona Christmas Parade on December 7. The inaugural meeting to discuss the float will be held this Thursday, September 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium. For further inquiries, please contact Vicki Plummer.

On Sunday, October 6, we will commemorate World Communion Sunday at both services. Special musical arrangements will be featured during the services.

On Sunday, October 27 – African Children’s Choir Concert, 6:00 p.m. We are seeking chaperones and children to host at our homes for the concert. Please contact us if you are interested in participating. We will provide you with further information and answer any questions you may have.

November 10th, Church Conference will be held at 2nd Avenue (time to be determined). All are welcome to attend. Church members will have the opportunity to vote.

We hope you can join us this Sunday as we continue the sermon series “Coming Down From The Mountain,” Great Faith Heals Matthew 8:5-13.

Sunday school classes for ages 4 to adult are held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Children in grades 4-5 meet upstairs in the craft room, while students in grades 6-12 meet upstairs in the Youth Room (across from the balcony). There are several adult Sunday school classes throughout the building. If you’re not sure which one is best for you, ask Pastor Brian.

We also have coffee hour in the Gathering Place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 

Tomorrow is our monthly soup and sandwich luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to this free meal.

All hands are on deck! Our fall Hope Chest clothing pickup takes place on Sunday in Jaffa. Your assistance, whether for an hour or several hours, is greatly appreciated. Please meet at Jaffa around 5:15 p.m. Please let Pam or Pastor Brian know if you have any questions.

We are thrilled to have two major concerts coming up here at 2nd Ave GMC.

We will host the African Children’s Choir on Sunday, October 26, at 6:00 p.m. The concert is free and open to everyone. A love offering will be accepted.

On Wednesday, December 18th, we will welcome back the three Heath Brothers for their Christmas concert. Tickets are now available on their website (but must be purchased in advance).

Our Christmas Choir will commence rehearsals on Sunday, October 13, following the 10:45 service. Interested individuals are still welcome to register (the registration sheet is available on the round table). Should you have any inquiries, please direct them to Braydon (our organist, who also performs in the praise band at 10:45). 

During the daytime hours of Wednesday through Friday, a conference will be held in the sanctuary. Please be advised of this event if you plan to be in the building during that time. 

The collection of fall clothing for our Hope Chest will be taken on Sunday, September 22, at the Jaffa. Kindly plan to meet at the Jaffa at 5:15 PM, and we will proceed to transport the clothing back to the church. 

Save the date! The Church Conference will be held on Sunday, November 10, at 4:00 p.m. All church members are cordially invited to attend and participate in the voting process. 

We are thrilled to host the African Children’s Choir on Sunday, October 27. The concert is free and open to the public. We have promotional posters available in the office for anyone who wants to place one at their workplace or on any community bulletin boards.

The September soup and sandwich lunch will be held this Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The September food pantry will be held on Friday, September 27, at 11:00 a.m.

We hope you will join us on Sunday as we begin our new series, “Coming Down From The Mountain.” This week’s message is “Made Clean,” from Matthew 8:1-4. 

If you want to play handbells, join Riann and Adam Edson after the 10:45 service this Sunday. Throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, handbells will be played at special services.

Riann and Adam will also start a parenting Sunday School class this Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30. 

The ROCK got off to a great start this past Wednesday! The first night’s attendance was unprecedented, with the highest number of children ever! If you’d like to help, even just a few times a month on Wednesdays, please contact Ashley at ashleymiller1228@gmail.com.

Have you registered for your church directory photo? Sign up for a time slot at the sanctuary table; each family/person who attends on a regular basis will also receive a copy of the church-provided picture.