StoneBridge Community Church

05/14/2026

Warning: our Day Camp is so epic, your kiddo might just discover their superpower! 🌟 Join us at StoneBridge Church Day Camp, where mini-humans ages 3 1/2 through 5th grade can level up their awesomeness, make BFFs for life, and experience the life changing power of faith. Don't miss this chance to be part of a journey that will leave them (and you) beaming with pride! Secure your spot today!
https://www.stonebridgesimi.com/stonebridge-day-camp

04/05/2026

Easter happened… now what? Try ALPHA!

Easter changed everything. At ALPHA, come discover what it means for your life.

Explore life’s big questions and the essentials of the Christian faith in a relaxed, welcoming environment — no pressure, no prerequisites, just conversation.

🗓 Session 1 - Begins April 12 @ 10:45am at StoneBridge
➡️ Click here to sign-up online:

The ALPHA Course is a basic introduction to the Christian faith. It's an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed and non-judgmental setting. ALPHA meets once a week for 10 weeks. Each session includes dessert & beverages, a short, engaging talk on DVD, with time for questions and di...

04/03/2026

Friday, April 3
A Reflection on Charity from Steve Tapp

Steve is a longtime member at StoneBridge. He most recently served on the Nominating Committee of StoneBridge. He is married to Lori.

1 John 3:17-18 ESV But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in action and in truth.

In 1958, driving an old car with many miles in it, headed north on a desolate stretch of highway on a blazingly hot day near Red Bluff California, my family’s summer trip suddenly stopped. The engine just quit. My brother was 5 years old and I was 3. My folks had little cash for the trip, no phones nearby, no credit cards, no city or homes in sight. A truck stopped and two Mexican-American men gestured with my dad, since a common language wasn’t spoken. Before long, my brother and I were playing in a stranger’s home with several kids who shared their toys with us. My mom sat with gracious ladies, without speaking more than a few words. Hours later, my dad drove up with the car repaired. And after heartfelt “thank you's” were said, off we went. My mother’s eyes welled with tears every time she told this story. Compounded by ever-present money worries, she had been so scared of being stranded on that desolate highway. But the main point of her recollection was their kindness, generosity, and how that entire family dropped everything for an afternoon to help us. We drove north on that highway every summer for over a decade. And every time, mom quietly teared up along that lonesome stretch of highway. Putting 1 John 3:17-18 into practice can have a lifelong effect.

As we reflect on our call for charity, let’s not only open our hearts to opportunities to extend God’s love and take action to do so, let’s also spend a few moments remembering those who have shown charity to us - whether that be something tangible like a meal, clothing, money, a place to rest, or perhaps something intangible like words of encouragement, or a hug when it was needed most.

Prayer: Lord, fill me with strength to focus and take actions beyond my own needs and to hear your voice when called to do so. I pray for courage to put my faith into action that will result in spreading comfort and love to others, whoever they are, and whatever the need. I pray you’ll bless my efforts as I walk with you, my loving Father. Amen.

04/02/2026

Thursday, April 2
A Reflection on Charity from Gayle Luker

Gayle is a longtime member at StoneBridge. She currently serves as an elder of Session, helping to lead the Cross-Cultural Missions Team. She is married to Mark.

Just as I have, I know many of you have participated in a variety of charity and volunteer work. There is a great sense of accomplishment when we give to others our time, our talents and/or our resources. Sometimes, charity takes on a deeper meaning, transforms us, and is a blessing. Let me explain.

To be a blessing is much different than just giving. To be a blessing means to live in a way that genuinely adds value, hope, and goodness to the lives of others. To be a blessing goes beyond good intentions or appearances and is rooted in sincere care, humility, and consistent action. Small acts like kind words, patience, forgiveness, or simply showing up for others often have great impact. Such moments of compassion can restore faith, inspire courage, and remind others that they are seen and valued.

Let me share with you a memory from my professional life as a pediatric nurse.
I was caring for a six-year-old girl being treated for a rare form of cancer. As I was attending to her, her father asked me, “Why do you do this?” I said it is my duty to care for my patients. He said, “Yeah, I get that. Many nurses come in and attend to my daughter. But you do it as if she’s your daughter!” Then he added, “You are a blessing to me and my family.”
That statement struck a deep chord within me. That’s when the reality of what I was called to do as a child of God struck me to the core – charity meant utilizing the gifts God has blessed me with in a manner that truly serves others.

I experienced a similar moment when serving in Uganda. I was helping prepare dinner when our Ugandan host interrupted my work and asked me to stop, saying, “Let me serve you, you had come a long way and you are a blessing to us!” There are moments in life when God has directly spoken to me through others. Again, this was one of those times!

From these experiences, I learned that exercising charity is a blessing that transforms both the receiver and the giver. Pouring kindness into the world creates a cycle of grace that extends beyond ourselves and ultimately, we are shaped by it in return.

04/01/2026

Wednesday, April 1
A Reflection on Charity from Michael Purvis

Michael is a longtime member of StoneBridge. He currently serves as an elder on Session, chairing the Health and Safety Team. He is married to Kristen. They have two children.

In the past, I’ve found myself in situations when keeping up with the Joneses made it seem impossible to give to charity. From the flashy sound system to always having the newest smartphone, I let my money get away from me. What has consistently focused my heart and eased my worries about money is the spiritual discipline of charity. Scripture reminds us that "… where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mt 6:21) Intentionally setting aside resources to give to God has helped shape the way I view stewardship. Concentrating on charity helps me remain mindful of how I use the blessings entrusted to me, reinforcing the truth that “… every good and perfect gift is from above, …" (James 1:17). Giving keeps my focus centered on God throughout each day, reminding me that true security never comes from wealth. As Proverbs teaches, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce…” (Proverbs 3:9). In practicing charity, I’m reminded that everything I have is ultimately God’s, and that trusting in God’s provision brings far greater peace than anything money could offer. Cultivating that spirit of charity has helped anchor my heart more firmly in God.

03/31/2026

Experience the transformative power of Holy Week with StoneBridge!
Join us for a journey of reflection, renewal, and celebration.
4/2: Maundy Thursday Service - 7:00pm | Communion will be served. Nursery care provided.
4/3: Good Friday Service - 7:00pm | Find hope in the darkness. Nursery care provided.
4/4 & 4/5: Easter Celebration Services:
Saturday @ 5:30pm | Regular Children's Programming
Sunday @ 9:30am | Regular Children's Programming
Sunday @ 11:00am | Nursery care provided.

03/31/2026

Tuesday, March 31
A Reflection on Charity from Kim Vasquez

Kim is a longtime member at StoneBridge. She currently serves as an elder on Session and is the Clerk of Session. She is married to Sergio. They have one adult child.

As I gather my charitable donation receipts in preparation for the upcoming tax season, I ask myself, what is charity? I know it must be more than writing a check or volunteering from time to time. Charity is the sacrificial care given for another’s well-being. It is patient, selfless, kind, and humble. It endures. Reflective of 1 Cor 13, charity embodies God’s love. I’ve heard it said that charity begins at home. Like many others, my husband and I are caring for aging parents. I certainly didn’t ask for this job. It is hard, exhausting work. But then, I think of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He made the hard choice. His love for us was greater than any fear, frustration or anger he might have experienced. How could I choose to not extend this same love to those I care for?

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Lao Tzu

I know that I am deeply loved by God, and I deeply love my family. I know I will have the strength and courage to persevere.

03/30/2026

Monday, March 30
A Reflection on Charity from Michael Toney

Michael is a longtime member of StoneBridge. He currently serves on the Nominating Committee at StoneBridge Community Church.

Over 30 years ago, I started pondering Song of Solomon 8:7. My paraphrase of this verse goes like this:

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot overflow it. If a man were to give all he had for love, it would be utterly despised.

What? Come again? I appreciate the beautiful poetry in the first half. But what about that second part? Then one day, its meaning came to me — at least what I think, in part, it means.

I am a widower. My house is full of things that my wife, Sheryl, and I accumulated during our happy adventures. Many of them are things I wanted her to have. Of course there’s things she wanted me to have, too. I wanted her to have them because they brought her joy. How much is that joy worth? Don’t you want to give more than you are able to someone you love? The fact is, I wanted to give Sheryl everything I could — more than I could!

I recited that verse to Sheryl when I proposed to her. Giving is good. Very, very good.
I could never give her enough. I think that’s what the second half of that verse means.
And still our Heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to His children. And He rejoices in His children’s joy.

Charity. The word itself is beautiful. What it represents, even more so!

Charitable giving. Don’t recoil at the idea.

“Better to give than to receive,” said Jesus. That, coming from someone who gave everything.
Our Heavenly Father loves to give. He gives all the time. Abundantly. God gives… life, hope, provision, purpose, peace, blessing, salvation, redemption.

God also loves a cheerful giver, (2 Cor. 9:7). I have learned that it’s fun to give! To see someone light up when you surprise them; when you give a good tip; to know our Heavenly Father is pleased with such things. There’s marvelous joy in giving. A charitable act becomes immutably cemented in history. It lasts. Its memory brings joyful warmth to the heart years later.

03/27/2026

Friday, March 27
Associate Pastor Jonathan Lusche

Charity
Read John 6:1-14

Today we depart from Jesus’ story of The Good Samaritan, but we don’t leave behind the lessons we’ve learned – practicing charity requires staying alert to needs that are literally near and dear to us, holding loosely the schedules that bind us, and taking stock of our personal resources and leveraging them for blessing others.

So now we turn our attention to John 6:1-14 in which a boy, in the smallest of ways, contributes to a big miracle. It’s possible that the boy applied two of the three lessons stated above by asking himself, “What’s the need?” Answer – hungry people. “What are my resources?” Answer – five barley loaves and two fish. And when it comes to practicing charity, we secretly agree with Andrew when he questions, “… but what good are these among so many people?”
But, facing a mob of hungry people, what neither the boy nor the disciples could do with such an unsubstantial offering, Jesus did.

If charity is a recipe, then charity must be exercised with a pinch of trust and a dash of faith. Andrew’s right. Alone, we cannot successfully meet all the world’s needs with only our meager offerings. But often, a beautiful miracle takes place when resources are pooled together and, like a faith offering, are placed into the competent hands of God. Then, surprising miracles happen and we can be thankful that we had a small part in it.

Weekend Instructions:
On Monday, you’ll resume reading StoneBridge’s Lenten devotional. However, over the weekend, continue to prayerfully consider how your charity will require staying alert to needs that are near and dear to you, occasionally surrendering your schedule, taking stock of your personal resources and leveraging them for blessing others. Then consider StoneBridge, not only as a faith community into which you can invest your charity but also as a church that provides opportunities to do so collectively, like the Deacon’s Fund, The Samaritan Center, Gigi’s Playhouse, Jame’s Storehouse, Sarah’s House, etc. Need consultation with connecting your charity dots? Feel free to contact Associate Pastor Jonathan Lusche.

03/26/2026

Thursday, March 26
Associate Pastor Jonathan Lusche

Charity
Read Luke 10:30-37

In a consumer economy where people have expendable income, we shouldn't be surprised at the deluge of advertising that strategically targets our human insecurity of not having the newest, best thing. Madison Avenue’s advertising industry magically causes us to feel like we need everything they’re selling. Well, not quite magically. In the United States alone, $443 billion (with a B!) was spent on advertising in 2025. As Americans, our psyches are molded from an early age to feel like we don’t have enough, (commonly known as a scarcity mind set), when in fact many of us do have enough. It’s hard to break the mold.

The Good Samaritan’s example of charitability teaches us how to break the mold. It’s hard not to imagine that perhaps the Samaritan, in the moment, took a quick inventory of what he did have - a donkey, time to spare, and financial blessings. Then, he leveraged his resources in such a way so that he could care for the need that was right in front of him.

You don't have infinite resources. You never will. So, if practicing charity is a virtue prolonged until “you have it all”, then charity will be a virtue never realized. Instead, take an inventory of your current resources - Is it time? Financial blessing? A unique set of skills? Material resources, like a home or car? We all have something.

Then, practice charity by applying what resources you have to the need that is near and dear to your heart.

Prayer:
Loving God, help me connect the dots between the resources You’ve blessed me with and a meaningful charity, near and dear to my heart. Amen.