This is Vacation Bible School week. It’s awesome! Celebration Hall has been packed each morning with children and volunteers. It is quite a sight to watch the kids sing, dance, and shout “Wow, God!” as they gain an understanding of God's love.
Read MoreMost of all, I am thrilled about Vacation Bible School, which begins Monday, July 6th. We are expecting 200 kids and more than 100 volunteers. Each morning, Celebration Hall will be filled with energy, laughter, worship, and a joyful celebration of what Jesus means for our lives together. It is going to be awesome!
Read MoreOn the weekend of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we will gather for one united worship service and breakfast. Breakfast begins at 10:15 a.m.; worship begins at 11:00 a.m. in the RAC. Come dressed casually and bring family, friends, and neighbors.
Read MoreBeginning this Sunday, we begin a sermon series called Diving Deep Into Faith. Over the next four Sundays, we will examine scripture that leads us into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Each Sunday, we will seek to dive deeper into the life-giving waters of Jesus.
Read MoreGreetings in the name of Jesus,
As a pastor, I am often reminded that many of us, at times, feel uncertain or insecure in our faith. Growth in faith is a lifelong process that never truly ends. When was the last time we paused to evaluate our faith walk? Are we serving God in some capacity? Are we involved in regular study and worship? Are we preparing our hearts for the next challenge, change, or crisis in life?
It’s baseball season again. If you have been around the Dallas area and follow baseball, you may know the name David Clyde. In 1973, David Clyde was drafted by the Texas Rangers to play Major League Baseball. Writers and baseball scouts said he was one of the greatest high school baseball players to come out of Texas.
Professional baseball is unique among sports because it utilizes a minor league system where young players can hone their skills and receive instruction. The average major league player spends at least three years in the minors learning, growing, preparing, and developing. Only a few have ever jumped from high school to the majors without first playing in the development leagues or college.
Unfortunately, David Clyde’s jump was not very successful. In 1973, the struggling Texas Rangers made David the number one pick in the draft and brought him straight to the major leagues. In front of a sellout crowd, David pitched five shutout innings, striking out nine batters to get the win. His momentary success caught the attention of the baseball world, but the expectations placed on him proved to be too much, and Clyde would never pitch that well again.
The pressure of professional baseball took a heavy toll on David. His career lasted only five difficult years. An injured arm and struggles with alcohol brought a promising future to a sudden halt. Clyde once said, “The correlation I felt was like going from high school to performing open-heart surgery.” Even today, fifty years later, his name is often associated with how not to develop a young pitcher.
God does have a purpose for our lives, and that purpose often includes a season of preparation. Even the apostle Paul spent over three years learning and growing, followed by another period of preparation before his public ministry began.
Growth takes time, and sometimes it can be painful, but it is necessary. You can grow an oak tree in 50 years, or you can grow a squash plant in six weeks. Which one will have the greatest impact over time?
So, don’t be discouraged if you feel stuck or if you have not yet seen God’s plan fully unfold in your life. Continue to take the time to grow, train, and prepare. In God’s time, the fruit will come, and it may be even more satisfying than you can imagine.
That is why, at Stonebridge UMC, we emphasize regular worship and involvement in small group Bible studies. These practices strengthen our faith and keep us growing closer to our Lord.
This Sunday, we continue the sermon series Twisted — Bible verses that are often misunderstood, misused, or misquoted. We will look at one of the most misquoted Bible verses: “Money is the root of all evil.” That is not what Paul says in his letter to Timothy. Money itself is not evil. So, if money is not evil, what does this part of Paul’s letter mean for us today?
See you Sunday! Invite someone to worship!
Pastor John Allen
For me, these days were both full and grace-filled. They reminded me that we do not serve Christ alone. We are part of a wider body, bound together in prayer, purpose, and hope. As United Methodists, we share in a connection that reaches far beyond our own congregation. I give thanks for the friendships, wisdom, and encouragement that sustain us in this calling. I remain deeply grateful to be a lifelong Methodist, an ordained elder, and your pastor here at Stonebridge UMC.
Read MoreOn Sunday, I shared a simple way to pray in Jesus’ name—one that helps us slow down, seek His heart, and rest in what He is truly saying to His disciples. Several of you asked if I could send a copy of that prayer, and I am glad to do so. My hope is that it serves you this week as a gentle guide, helping you draw near to God with confidence, humility, and trust.
Read MoreThis week, we began our home gathering tour, Celebrate Stonebridge Church. Twenty people joined us at the Dankel's home for a meaningful evening of fellowship. Together, we celebrated the growth and progress of our ministries and shared hopes for the future of our church. I took many notes as people opened their hearts about the dreams they carry for Stonebridge UMC, and it was truly inspiring.
Read MoreStonebridge Church has always been about people—gathering in faith, celebrating God’s goodness, sharing our hopes, and looking ahead with anticipation for what God has in store.
Read MoreThursday, May 7th, Christians across our nation will join with one voice to recognize the 75th National Day of Prayer. As your pastor, I invite you to take at least a few moments to pray at the beginning of your day. The national theme is “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations”. Join me in praying specifically for our world, our nation, our community, and our church.
Read MoreI cannot say enough about Easter. It would be impossible to count the number of volunteers who made the day so glorious and smooth. Greeters were at every corner of the building, the ushers were at their best, the children’s workers and volunteers were rockstars, the decorations were magnificent, and the choir was better than ever! Stonebridge UMC is building a reputation as a church who cares.
Read MoreWe know in the Easter victory that evil will not have the last word. Easter is the drama of life conquering death, light overcoming the darkness, and love vanquishing evil. Easter is the day when hope springs eternal!
Read MoreI look forward to Easter with great anticipation. On Easter, we proclaim that the suffering of this world is not the way of God. Easter is God’s word that violence does not have the last word. On that day, a new direction was set for all the world. We will never be the same. The power and hope that was given at Easter is now given daily to those who believe. Though we are knocked down, we are not out. Through we are driven into the ground, we are not done. On Easter, God proclaimed forevermore that defeat and despair shall not have the last word.
Read MoreWe are often tempted to focus on the secondary issues in the face of more urgent matters. We all face this struggle at one time or another – the choice between the interruptions and the important. At the same time there are noisy distractions behind us, demanding our attention. Do we tend to them, or do we stay on target? Those most successful in life are those who stay focused.
Read MoreThe service culture continues to grow. God continues to call people into service for our Lord and His Church. Think about it for a moment. Groups stepping up to help with the dinners for our Lenten Wednesday evenings. New faces in the choir. People stepping up to help with our children and youth ministries so we can reach more young people. And this is just a few of the areas where people are answering the call.
Read MoreWilliam Penn said, "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." Using time well is a lifelong pursuit, a never-ending process of weeding and pruning.
Read MoreAs your pastor, I felt compelled to speak to the crisis that has come to a head in the Middle East. For the past few days, I watched the news reports of the U.S. and Israel attack on Iran. Questions that were once theoretical are now immediate. Will this escalate further? What will the human cost be? How will Iran respond? Will there be regime change? How will this affect our safety?
Read MoreNow is the time to invite someone to worship or a small group. Now is the time to pray for our church and its impact on the community around us. Now is the time to invest ourselves in the great things God is doing at Stonebridge UMC.
Read MoreThe story is told of a little boy who had trouble staying still in church. He wanted to move and play. His Sunday shoes were hurting his feet, so he removed them. The shoes sat empty on the floor – he had no use for them if he couldn’t move around. Resigned, he sat in agonizing silence.
Read MoreIn Pastor Jana’s message on February 15, 2026, she shared 10 ways that we can exhibit humility. Some of you asked for a way to find that list. Here it is.
Be an active listener
Admit my mistakes and limitations
Express gratitude
Serve others without expecting credit
Ask for feedback with a teachable spirit
Celebrate others
Accept criticism graciously
Go last
Value unity over my opinion
Share the work – delegate and include others
Address
Stonebridge United Methodist Church
1800 S. Stonebridge Dr.
McKinney, TX 75072
972-529-5601
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday Service Times:
In-Person Service
9:45 a.m. in Celebration Hall
11 a.m. in the Robertson Activity Center
You can also view the Livestream Sundays at 11 a.m. on our Livestream page.
© 2026 Stonebridge United Methodist Church. All rights reserved