JANUARY 05, 2023

PASTOR'S REFLECTION

Hello St. John’s Family,

In the blink of an eye, everything came to a halt.

One moment, an engaging, high-stakes professional football game captivates a stadium full of fans and millions of viewers across the country. The next, a group of athletic trainers and EMT’s rush to perform CPR on a 24-year-old player who fell to the ground after making a tackle – a play he’s made thousands of times without a thought. An atmosphere of excitement and anticipation vanished in a flash, as every thought was directed toward Damar Hamlin’s life, which clearly was in peril.

Silence quickly descended on the broadcast, as it always does when the events around us are completely overwhelming and disorienting. Everything happening in that moment cut against the grain of what our minds and souls tell us should be happening, and words – even if they can be formulated – aren’t sufficient.

The only words that could be offered were calls for prayer.

Those calls for prayer came quickly from virtually every person on the broadcast. Cameras soon captured hastily made signs within the stadium, seeking “Prayers for #3 Hamlin.” When the world around us descends to chaos and our words fail, we begin to recognize how we must look beyond us to find solace and strength. As I sat, stunned, praying for a young man I had watched collapse and was clinging to life, I was struck by a sobering thought: why does it often take a tragedy to stop us and focus us on the God who is our source and strength? Why is it our tendency to only turn to God when we don’t have anyone else to turn to?

Those questions troubled me Monday night and they trouble me today. They are questions asked in humility, as self-reflection quickly shows how I, a Pastor, fail far too often to place my full trust in God while cutting short time spent in prayer with God. For us – people of faith – time in prayer with God is our foundation, yet that foundation is often neglected. Why?

In the midst of those questions, an image came to mind: that of the gracious Father in a parable often called the lost or prodigal son. No matter how far we wander or stray; no matter how much we neglect our source and strength, God is waiting for us, ready to offer compassion, mercy, grace, and love when we return. That doesn’t excuse our neglect or guarantee that everything will always work out exactly as we want it to. It does offer a picture of what God truly desires: our return to God’s presence. I believe this parable also shows us how there isn’t any situation, tragedy, or mistake that God cannot redeem.

Early in this new year, a tragic event unfolded that forced millions of people to pause and turn to God in prayer. My prayer is that God will bring healing and strength to Damar Hamlin, peace to his family, friends, and teammates, and in that process will draw many to a renewed and deeper trust in the Lord of all creation – redeeming tragedy with renewed hope.

I also hope you’ll join us in worship this Sunday, as we return to our normal schedule (9AM Contemporary Worship and 10:30 AM Traditional Worship/livestream). We’ll be celebrating Epiphany, where God’s salvation is revealed to all people. Check out Matthew 2:1-12, and join us in worship on Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures:

St. John's Policy Update

WORSHIP

Come Worship with us this Sunday

January 08, 2023

Worship Service

10:30AM

Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, January 8th

The Communion Offering for January will go to support the Jesus Focus Ministries Food Pantry at Bethanna.

This service can be viewed LIVE through

St. John's Youtube Channel

or on our homepage:

www.stjohnsivyland.com

Past worship service videos can also be found:

https://www.stjohnsivyland.com/videoarchive

Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.

FELLOWSHIP & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

St John’s Blood Drive

Friday, February 17

2:00 PM-7:00 PM

Sign-ups begin on

January 7, 2023

Give the Gift of Life!

Donate Blood and Save a Life!

EASTWICK MISSION FOOD BANK

Donations DESPERATELY Needed of

Non-perishable foods

Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex;

Basically, they are out of food. If you have any questions, let me know at once. Thanks!

Also, this was sent on 2 emails- please note preference for future correspondence.

"Say YES!" to delivering food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank.

Please contact Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com if you are available to help.

Thank you for your support.

Recycling Event

to benefit Bright Futures Academy

(and our Planet Earth)

Through a program with the Trex Corporation, we are collecting clean and dry soft plastic bags (examples in flyer). Bags should be brought to St. John's and placed in the large white container in the Narthex. Upon collecting 500 lbs of material, Trex will provide us with a brand-new bench (can receive 1 bench every six months). Our first bench will be sent to the Bright Futures Academy for their new playground. This project is organized by two of our Youth Stars, Nicole & Melissa McDevitt. Click below for acceptable plastics to be recycled.

Recyclable Plastic Bags

The Grace Cafe is Open!

Stop by between services for a freshly brewed cup of Warrior Coffee, a sweet treat, and fellowship with your St. John's family.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Pre-K - Grade 6

Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

God is the author of knowledge. Everything we know to be true about the world is because of God. And while we may never know all there is to know ABOUT God, there are lots of ways we can get to KNOW God. This month the kids will learn why knowledge is so important.

YOUTH GROUP MINISTRIES

UWF/UMM

The November Breakfast and business meeting was a giant of a program! The United Methodist Men committed to $4,000.00 toward the replacing of two cameras to advance the Internet Ministry. The presentation by Paul, Lou, and Pastor Brad was Outstanding. It pointed the way on how this Internet Ministry of our Faith, bring people closer to our God and accepting Christ as their personal savior shows a way forward for our church to do its job.

I also believe this cell phone picture catalog plan will be helpful too. Next, Pastor Brad gave us insight to the Baptismal service and his strong policy on getting a commitment from the parents.

January, 21, 2023 is the next breakfast, this is a new beginning, for those who are not in attendance, you are missing out... As a member of St. John’s, you are automatically a member of the United Methodist Men. We would like to have some of your talent and fellowship. If not, there is a Group of “Old Guy’s” for which we are grateful that are making a difference in the life of our church.

So!!!! Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Stay well... It is Old Jack.

Men’s Breakfast, for the New Year!

January 21st at 9AM in Fellowship Hall

Start the New Year with Fellowship, a short business meeting, review of the New Camera’s and 2023 Agenda.

If you want to Cook, show up at 8AM. Fun Time !!! See you there.

- Jack Donovan

MUSIC MINISTRY

St. John’s Ivyland offers a wide variety of Musical opportunities. Children and adults are invited to participate in musical groups of varying styles and skill levels, or provide support to help and serve the Music Ministry.

For more information about our Music Ministries, or to get involved, visit our website or send an email to Roy Nelson.

Sunday, January 8

No Rehearsal for Joyful Voices
No Rehearsal for GENesis Bells
No Rehearsal for Youth Choir

Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, January 15

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Communion Stewards are needed to help with the preparation of the Communion elements and with the clean-up following the 10:30 am service. If you would like to help with this ministry of St. John's, please contact Pastor Ruth.

Join our

Volunteer Tech Team

and see just how "Techie" you can be!

All ages welcome - youth, young adults, elder statesmen and stateswomen.

Amaze your family with your AV skills!

Skills taught weekly.

Contact church office

at 215-357-6998

BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS

The Upper Room Devotionals

for

January/February

are now available

in the Narthex,

Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend.

St. John's Book Club

We will discuss

"Stranger in the Lifeboat"

by Mitch Albom

What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be “the Lord”. And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him.

Everyone welcome. Please join us.

We will meet on Wednesday, January 11, at 10:00 AM in the Grace Cafe

Facilitators Barbara Schneider and

Carol Campbell

Disciple III Fast Track

We'll conclude the first half of our study of The Prophets on 14 December and begin our second half 12 week study of the Letters of Paul on 4 January 2023.

Our sessions are on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 PM. This is a comprehensive study with daily scripture readings.

This is a wonderful opportunity to study God's Word, strengthen your faith, and form lasting friendships with fellow Disciples.

Ken Lee, facilitator

Disciple III FastTrack study guides on The Prophets and Letters of Paul can be purchased online from The Well Bookstore, UM Church of the Resurrection

Order Study Guides

We will begin again on January 31st, 2023

PRAYERS & PRAISE

Prayer List

Prayer requests can be submitted

online (click here).or through the church email at

prayer.stjumc@gmail.com.

Prayer requests are reviewed

Monday-Friday AM.

All "Ongoing Prayer Concerns"

will be listed for two weeks.

Please submit a new prayer request

if you desire to renew the listing for 2 additional weeks.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month

10 AM in the Parlor.

Come join us in knitting/crocheting various items for those in need.

Contact Carol Rice for more information.

Requests for prayer shawls or lap robes to comfort those experiencing serious illness, bereavement, or other major life issues may be made through the prayer request form on the church website, or by contacting the church office

at 215-357-6998 or office.stjumc@gmail.com.