We hope you can join us on Sunday. We will celebrate Holy Communion at both times, and Pastor Brian will deliver the lesson “Just Judges: Othniel” from Judges 3:1-11.

Beginning this Sunday, the nursery will be closed for the summer months. It will serve as a cry room for children aged 3 and under, as well as their parent or an adult aged 18 and up who may accompany them if necessary. Please do not leave children unsupervised in any area of the building.

Today is the monthly food pantry day. If you want to help, please arrive at the Narnia Room (inside the glass entryway) before 9:30 a.m.

Saturate Altoona begins Sunday evening in Heritage Plaza, with blessing booths opening at 5:30 p.m. and service beginning at 6:30 p.m. We’ll be dishing out cotton candy again this year; if you want to help, please arrive by 5:20 p.m.

We intend to take part in Faith Night at the Altoona Curve in August. The purchase will include a picnic buffet ($32 for adults and $24 for children), as well as seating in the picnic area. We’re also considering a seating-only section in the stands for people who want to attend the game but not the picnic. More information will be provided soon. If you are interested in either option, please contact Jill in the church office and let her know which one (picnic or just seats) you prefer and how many you want. That way, we can contact you after we have all of the information.

As a reminder, beginning Monday, office hours will be Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. However, due to an appointment, we will be open 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3.

If you missed Sunday services, we encourage you to view our YouTube video; we were delighted to welcome John Nihart as he gave his first sermon with us. Please keep him in your prayers as he navigates his calling.

This Friday will be our monthly Food Pantry Day. Volunteers are needed Wednesday to help unload the delivery (about 10:00 a.m.) and on pantry day; please attend at the Narnia Room (inside the glass doors) around 9:30 a.m. if you can assist.

VBS is quickly approaching! Children aged 4 (must be potty-trained) to starting fifth grade in the autumn are welcome. It will take place between July 14 and 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you are an adult (18+) and would like to volunteer, please contact Ashley. If you have not completed any training or clearances, you will be required to do so before being approved to volunteer.

This Sunday, June 1, we will commemorate the 2025 graduates. If you missed the initial May 15 deadline but still want to recognize a high school or college graduate, please let me know by Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

Beginning Monday, June 2, office hours for the summer months will be Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pastor Brian and I will be available by email most of the week (except for vacations).

We hope you can join us this Sunday! We’re thrilled to have John Nihart share his inaugural message on his preaching journey with us. He’ll be delivering a message titled “Trading the World for Grace,” based on Ephesians 2:1-10. Pastor Brian will be leading the service as well.

As a friendly reminder, the office will be closed on Monday to observe the Memorial Day holiday.

Our May Food Pantry will be held next Friday. You can bring in food donations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays during office hours, or this Sunday. Please place the items on the stage in the social hall.

Jr. Church is in urgent need of juice pouches or boxes. They are currently completely out of stock. If you’d like to donate some, please bring them to church on Sunday and give them to Ashley or place them on the round table in the Elevation Room.

A friendly reminder: please refrain from disposing of any liquids in the trash cans. If you’re on the sanctuary level, kindly bring over any leftover beverages or other liquids to the bathroom sink or use the sink in the nearest hallway. In the kitchen or social hall, please dispose of liquids in the sink before discarding your cups.

We have a busy summer coming up. If you’re looking to use the building, rent the hall, or gym, please contact Jill in the office. The calendar doesn’t always reflect the most up-to-date availability.

This evening (Monday, May 19), there will be a meeting for anybody interested in learning more about Keystone Family Alliance and what they do to support Blair County’s foster community. You are not committing to anything by attending this meeting; it is only a method to provide more information for those who are interested or have questions. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place; please enter via the glass elevator. If you want to learn more but cannot attend tonight’s meeting, there will be another one on Monday, June 2^nd.

The primary elections in Pennsylvania take place tomorrow. The Narnia Room (within the glass entrance) serves as a polling station. We ask that you do not utilize this entrance to the church unless it is your polling place.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel? Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube page by clicking HERE so you can be notified when we post the weekly services.

June newsletters and calendars will arrive in the mail and via email later this week. Physical copies will be available at the church for anyone who wants one.

The office will be closed on Memorial Day, next Monday, May 26.

Summer office hours will begin on June 2^nd, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Emails will be examined throughout the day, until 4:00 p.m.

We hope you can join us tomorrow as we conclude our brief series, “Forgotten Ways,” with the message from Joel 3: “The Day of the Lord is Near.” Services will be held at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Our Discipleship moment from George Sackandy will be emailed out at noon on Sunday. Physical copies will also be available on the table in the sanctuary. 

We are still experiencing internet issues in the sanctuary. We will post a service video by noon (or sooner if possible). Once the video is uploaded, we will post the service link on Facebook. 

Today, we have our monthly Soup & Sandwich Lunch. Everyone is welcome to join us from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a free luncheon.

Save the Date!

• Our next combined service and potluck lunch will be held on Sunday, June 29^th, at 10:00 a.m.
• The VBS for kids from pre-K to the 5^th grade will be held from July 14 to 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• RiseUp Camp, a fun-filled program for children aged 5 to 12, will be held at the church from July 28 to 31. More details will be shared soon.
  

The church office will be closed on Monday, May 26^th, in observance of Memorial Day.

If you missed yesterday’s services, the sermon is now available on YouTube. The video did freeze, but the audio and slides are still playable. The sermon begins around 27 minutes in, and then the sermon itself starts. Here’s the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3vcR8prYEs&t=1236s

(We are currently facing internet issues at the sanctuary and are exploring solutions to ensure a smooth livestream. We appreciate your patience as we work through this matter.)

We are grateful to those who joined us yesterday to honor all the moms of 2nd Avenue with a breakfast between services. We hope you enjoyed the opportunity to relax and connect with others! 

Wednesday marks the final ROCK of the year. We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us throughout this year. Ashley is currently seeking additional volunteers for next year. Unfortunately, several individuals have stepped away from their roles, and we were already facing a shortage of volunteers this year. We kindly request your consideration and reach out to Ashley at ashleymiller1228@gmail.com if you have any questions. The ROCK will resume its activities in September. 

The church nursery will be closed for the months of June, July, and August. However, it will remain open as a cry room for children aged 3 and under. Parents or adults (18+ years old, as per Ministry Safe guidelines and insurance purposes) are welcome to take their children to the nursery and stay with them as needed. Please ensure that no children are left unattended in the nursery at any time. Children aged 4 through 5th grade are welcome to attend Jr. Church (provided they behave appropriately). If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ashley or me. 

We hope you can join us this Sunday as we continue our brief series on the book of Joel, titled “Forgotten Ways.” This week’s message, titled “Rend Your Hearts,” is based on Joel 2:1-19. Services will be held at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, we will have a light breakfast in the Gathering Place from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Everyone is welcome to honor all the ladies here at 2nd Avenue!

Moms, grandmas, bonus moms, and caregivers, please take a small token from the church located at the entrances to the sanctuary.

There’s no Youth Group this Sunday, but the Youth will be selling Gardners PB Meltaways and chocolate-covered pretzels if you need a last-minute sweet treat for Mom (or yourself)!

This Wednesday marks the grand finale of the ROCK program for the school year. The ROCK will host its annual end-of-year celebration, featuring an evening of outdoor fun (weather permitting) and a visit from Brainfreezers. The ROCK will resume its activities in September. We kindly request your consideration of volunteering next year. This year, the number of volunteers was significantly low, resulting in the program being short-staffed almost weekly. The ROCK had an average of 45 kids each week, and over 100 different kids participated throughout the year. Your support and prayers are instrumental in making this program possible.

For the time being, we are unable to webcast Sunday services; nevertheless, services will be recorded and posted promptly after their end. If you subscribe to our YouTube channel, you will be notified when the services become available. Click here to visit our YouTube page

The Trustee meeting that was supposed to take place tomorrow, Tuesday May 6^th, has been canceled due to a lack of attendance. Please contact Bill if you have any questions or concerns.

Those attending the church council meeting should arrive early (6:45) so that the meeting can begin on time and not last too long.

On Sunday (May 11^th), we will celebrate and honor all of the ladies here for Mother’s Day, with a light breakfast in the Gathering Place from 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. All are welcome, and we will also have a small gift for all moms, grandmas, bonus moms, spiritual moms, and so on, which will be located at the sanctuary entrances.

There are just two ROCK evenings left for the 2024-25 school year, and Ashley would like to thank everyone who contributed their time and/or money this year! The program is looking for roughly five more volunteers for next year, so please pray about helping out this fantastic ministry.

Pastor Brian will be away for Annual Conference from Wednesday to Saturday this week. Please contact the office or Wendy Lucas if you have any pastoral emergencies.

This Sunday, we will begin a three-week course titled “Forgotten Ways.” This series will center on the book of Joel. Our first message will be from Joel 1, titled “The Spirit Comes to the Ruined.”

Services begin at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., and both services will include Holy Communion.

Please keep in mind that the Trustees Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6^th at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Church Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Next Sunday, May 11^th, we will celebrate Mother’s Day with a light breakfast from 9:15 a.m.- 10:15 a.m. in the Gathering Place. Everyone is welcome. (Please keep in mind that we will be offering yogurt, pastries, coffee, and juice; if you want to bring some fresh fruit or something else, please let me know).

The last ROCK for the 2024-25 school year will take place on Wednesday, May 14^th. The children will be treated to an evening of outdoor fun (hope for good weather), a barbecue, and a Brainfreezers treat. The ROCK will return in September.

If you have a 2025 high school or college graduate you would like to honor in church, please send me their information by May 15^th.

If you were unable to join us for worship in person yesterday, you may catch up on YouTube! We honored Ron Stacey, who is stepping down as head chef at the ROCK after many years of service (Ron assures us he will still be around to help!), welcomed new members, and were blessed by a message from the Rev. Dr. Matt Lake.

The ROCK program is coming to an end this school year. Only three Wednesdays remain, and there will be a break until September. If you would like to contribute to the cost of Brainfreezers for the end-of-year celebration, please take a ROCK envelope from the round table and label it “celebration.” Any checks can be made out to the church.

Our Family Fun Night will take place on Friday at Morrisons Cove Memorial Park. All ages are welcome! Bowling for $2 a game, and skating for $2. They also offer food for purchase. 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

If you’d like to commemorate a high school or college graduate in our June newsletter and on Graduation Sunday (June 1^st), please send me their name, a photo (if possible), where they’re graduating from, and any future plans they’d like to share by May 15^th.

VBS will be conducted from July 14 to 18, and it will be bigger than you can imagine! (This year’s theme is Magnified! Children will be encouraged to zoom in closely on the details of God’s creation. We will be making decorations and will be looking for help in the next weeks. Please be on the lookout if you’re crafty and want to help!