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.

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.