This week, the nursery will reopen at the 10:45 service. Children aged 3 and below are welcome. (Children aged 4 to 5^th grade are welcome to Jr. Church at the 10:45 service.)

Today, Duncansville Memorial Park is hosting Jesus Jam, an outdoor music festival that promises to be a fun-filled event regardless of the weather. The gates will open at 2:00 p.m., and the entertainment will commence at 4:00 p.m. The headliner, Rebecca St. James, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for just $16 in advance, but they will be priced at $20 on the day of the event. 

The ROCK program will resume on Wednesday for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! The program runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and caters to children aged 4 through 12^th grade. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley.

The ROCK is hosting a Panda Express fundraiser day on Sunday, September 21^st. When you present the flyer (either a paper copy or on your phone) or place an online order using the provided online order code, 20% of the sales will be donated to the ROCK. Copies of the flyer are available at church, and digital copies will be shared on the Facebook event page. The online ordering code will be emailed to participants closer to the event. 

Beginning today, office hours will be 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the fall and winter months. As a reminder, these are not Pastor Brian’s hours; please call him or let me know if you require pastoral care, and I will contact him to set up an appointment.

In roughly a week, the ROCK season for 2025-26 will begin! (Next Wednesday, September 10) All children aged 4 through 12 are welcome (from any school district). The ROCK will be held every Wednesday while there is school (with a few exceptions). Please keep in mind that the building is closed for other activities on Wednesdays between 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., when children may be present for the session.

A reminder that Thursday Bible Study is now from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. All adults are welcome.

In September, the monthly luncheon will be held on Saturday, September 20, and the Food Pantry will be hosted on Friday, September 26.

If you haven’t already filled out an updated contact form, please do so right away. Forms are accessible at the church and can be emailed. It’s been several years since we’ve updated our records and would like everyone to complete one out so we have all the information in one spot.

Beginning in October, Jill will open the gym/building for a morning of light exercise and conversation. Later this week, a survey will be distributed to choose the preferred day.

Remember, there’s only one service this Sunday at 10 a.m. Our Youth Group will be sharing their exciting Mission Trip experience. You won’t want to miss this! After the service, there’ll be a potluck lunch, and everyone is welcome. While there won’t be Sunday School, there will be Jr. Church.

The church office will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. Starting Tuesday, September 2^nd, we will resume our fall and winter office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. These hours are not Pastor Brian’s. To schedule an appointment with Pastor Brian, please contact him directly or let Jill know, and she will arrange for him to contact you.

The September newsletter and calendars are now in the mail and were also sent out yesterday via email. Paper copies are available in the sanctuary for anyone who would like to take one.

Please ensure you collect a contact information sheet and fill it out on Sunday (or the next time you visit the church). We update our files to maintain the most current information, even if there are no changes. Therefore, please fill out the entire sheet so that when we compile the information, we don’t have to search for yours! Completed sheets can be placed in the basket on the table in the sanctuary.

Starting next Sunday, September 7^th, the 10:45 service will have a staffed nursery again. This nursery is available for children aged birth to 3 years old. The nursery is staffed by trained volunteers who have the necessary clearances. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley.

A friendly reminder that the new Bible Study time is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays.

This upcoming Friday, we’re hosting our monthly food giveaway, and we urgently need your help! If you can lift boxes of food and carry them outside to cars, we’d be incredibly grateful. Please arrive around 9:30 a.m. if you’re able to assist. Additionally, we’re accepting non-perishable food donations throughout the week, from Thursday to the end of the office hours.

On Sunday, August 31^st, we will have a combined 10:00 a.m. service and potluck luncheon. The youth kids will be sharing their experiences from their mission trip, and we will also have a few other summer ministry wrap-ups.

The office will be closed next Monday in observance of Labor Day. We will resume our fall/winter hours on Tuesday, September 2^nd, which are from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The ROCK program will commence its 2025-26 year on Wednesday, September 10^th. It welcomes children aged 4 (must be fully potty-trained) through 12^th grade. The program operates from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This year, the ROCK requires financial support more than ever. The OOT grant has changed, and they were awarded only half of what they received in the past. The ROCK will be hosting some fundraisers (more information will be provided soon), but even a few monthly donations could make a significant difference. ROCK donation envelopes are available on the table in the sanctuary. Checks should be made payable to 2nd Ave GMC with “The ROCK” in the memo line. Please note that checks need to be enclosed in a separate envelope marked for the ROCK, in addition to cash donations.For any specific questions, please contact Ashley.

This week, you’ll receive the September newsletters and calendars in the mail. Additionally, they’ll be emailed out towards the end of the week. Please make sure to check them out! There’s also a daily Bible verse calendar and the church calendar. 

 

Join us this Sunday for our services at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. We will also have Sunday School from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Our monthly Food Pantry is next Friday, August 29^th. We need help on the pickup day, Wednesday, as well as the day of the pantry. If you’re free and can lift and carry boxes of food, please consider coming to help out!

Youth Group will resume its activities for the 2025-26 school year on Sunday, September 7^th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All students in grades 6 through 12 are welcome and encouraged to bring a friend along! For any questions, please contact Nic Harclerode.

Second Avenue will be participating in the Jesus Jam Musical Festival, which will be held at Duncansville Memorial Park on Saturday, September 6^th. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Pastor Brian for volunteering opportunities. If volunteering is not feasible, tickets are currently available for $18 (a reduction from the previous price of $30). Further information can be obtained from their website: https://www.jesusjammusicfestival.com/

There will be a brief ROCK volunteers meeting after the 10:45 service on Sunday. If you’re planning to volunteer or want to learn more about the available volunteer opportunities, please attend the meeting. If you intend to help but can’t make it, please inform Ashley as soon as possible!

This week, the office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Beginning Tuesday, September 2nd, the autumn hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. most days; any changes will be posted.

Thank you to everyone who got their Faith Night Curve tickets! The game is on Sunday; gates open at 4:30 p.m., and there is an all-you-can-eat buffet from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (the game begins at 6:00 p.m.). Our section is the picnic area along the third base line.

Sunday, after the 10:45 service, there will be a quick ROCK volunteers meeting. Please attend if you intend to volunteer this year! If you will be unable to attend, please notify Ashley ahead of time.

Thursday morning Bible Study with Pastor Brian will be held at 9:30 a.m. this week.

A reminder that this Saturday, August 23, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., is 2nd Ave Kids Morning at Slinky Action Zone. Kids aged 12 and under are free, as is one adult per household. There are still few open spaces, but you must register in advance. Sign up here.

Sunday, August 31^st, we will have one service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a potluck luncheon. If you want to attend the luncheon, please sign up on the table in the sanctuary. You don’t want to miss this service because the Youth Group will be providing a recap of their Mission Trip to Williamsport.

 

On Sunday, we will welcome a missionary who was supposed to be here a few weeks ago. He will speak with Pastor Brian during both services. However, the service will not be recorded for the safety of the missionary and his family.

The Blessing of the Backpacks will be held on Sunday as well. Children are invited to bring their backpacks, and we will have a time of prayer for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Additionally, we will pray for our school district employees.

Join us after church at 1:00 p.m. for a picnic at Matt and Tiffany Stuckey’s home. (If you need their address, please let Pastor Brian or Jill know.)

Jill will be handing out Curve Faith Night tickets to those who purchased them. The envelope will contain your tickets and wristbands (wristbands are mandatory for entry into the picnic area). The game is scheduled for August 24, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. The all-you-can-eat buffet will be served from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (on the 3rd base side). Please note that there is no reserved seating; it’s a first-come, first-served basis. Since there are several churches in our area, please ensure you sit at tables marked for 2nd Avenue. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jill.

The office will be closed on Monday as Jill will be moving her daughter to school. She will resume work on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.

This Saturday, the Hope Chest will be open 10-2 for a clothing giveaway and our monthly soup & sandwich luncheon will be held 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m!

Don’t forget, our 2nd Ave Kids Slinky Action Zone event is 8-23, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This is free for children 12 and under and one parent/guardian. Registration is required and space is limited!  SIGN UP HERE

Sunday, August 24th there will be a ROCK volunteers meeting following the 10:45 service–it will be brief, but please plan to attend if you are volunteering at the ROCK this year. If you cannot be here, please reach out to Ashley ASAP.

Our church picnic will be held at the Stuckey’s home next Sunday 8/17 at 1:00 p.m. If you need their address or are interested in immersion baptism, please let me know! 

The church office will be closed next Monday, 8/18, as Jill have to move her daughter back to school. She will be back in on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. 

Faith Night tickets and wrist bands will be here for pick up next Sunday 8/17, and throughout next week. Please make sure to find Jill to pick yours up or stop in during office hours. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. on 8/24. You can proceed to the picnic area and there will be tables on both levels of the area for our church–as there will be more than just our church in attendance and sharing the space. 

 

2nd Ave Kids is hosting a Slinky Action Zone event for children aged 12 and below on Saturday, August 23^rd. The event is free for children (12 and under) and one parent or guardian per family. If another parent or guardian wishes to attend, they can do so for a nominal fee of $10. The event will commence at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 12:00 p.m. Please note that registration is mandatory due to limited space. For more information and to register, click here.

Ashley is eager to resume staffing the nursery in September, but currently only has two volunteers signed up. To ensure the nursery is staffed during the 10:45 service, two people are required weekly. Ideally, you would only be scheduled once a month, or less if sufficient volunteers are available. Please contact Ashley if you’re interested. Volunteers must have clearances, training, and be 18 or older. 

The Hope Chest is hosting a clothing giveaway on Saturday, August 16^th, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Everyone is welcome to participate.  

Sunday, August 17^th, marks the Blessing of the Backpacks. Before the school employees and students head back to the classroom, we will gather to pray. At 1:00 p.m., there will also be a church picnic at Matt & Tiffany Stuckey’s home. A sign-up sheet is available on the table in the sanctuary. If you’ve never been baptized and are interested in submersion baptism, please contact Pastor Brian.

Sunday, August 31^st, will feature a combined 10:00 a.m. service followed by a luncheon. If you plan to attend the luncheon, please sign up at the sanctuary. 

We eagerly anticipate your presence on Sunday. Our services will commence at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Additionally, Sunday school will be held for children aged 4 and above from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 

Jill is back in the office this week, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. She plans to catch up on emails and phone messages today and tomorrow. Also a reminder that Pastor Brian is away on the Youth Group mission trip this week; if you require pastoral care, please contact her and she will contact him.

Starting in September, Jill looking for help running slides and sound at 10:45 a.m. If anyone in the Youth Group or over 18 wants to help operate slides or run sound, please contact us; it’s quite simple and we’ll show you everything you need to do.

If you’re going to Faith Night with the church group, remember that sign-ups and money are needed by 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. If you need any other information, please let Jill know. The game is on Sunday, August 24^th, and the buffet will begin at 5:00 p.m.

The church picnic will be held on Sunday, August 17^th at 1:00 p.m. at the home of Matt and Tiffany Stuckey. There is a sign-up sheet available at the church. Lunch will be served later in the afternoon. Bring your swimwear! If you have never been baptized and are interested in immersion baptism, please contact Pastor Brian.