Hello St. John’s Family,
Few things encourage and uplift us more than seeing young people thrive. In a world that’s full of violence, struggle, and strife, seeing children and youth follow good paths, grow and mature, and experience success is wonderful. Those moments affirm that God’s goodness continues to overcome the messes and hurt we often see. Observing young people navigate the incredibly difficult world they face daily gives us hope. Which makes it so much more difficult to process when a bright, vibrant, successful young person suddenly ends their life.
Our community is attempting to process this heartbreaking reality right now, as a senior at Council Rock High School South died by suicide on April 2, 2022. By all accounts, this was an outstanding young man: bright, vibrant, well-liked, active in many honor societies at school – a young man looking forward to graduation in June with the world in front of him. Now, pain and sorrow and confusion overwhelm his family, school, and community. As someone who has walked with families, friends, and youth in the aftermath of suicide, there is always an infinite list of questions, and very few answers. Mainly, because there aren’t good answers. A person who outwardly appeared so well had pain that no one understood. No one can grasp that. No one can explain or understand – no one fully understands this pain. No one, except God.
I firmly believe this young man was not alone as life here ended. The Holy Spirit was with him each and every moment. And though the presence of God’s Spirit did not prevent this tragic outcome, it does not mean that outcome cannot be redeemed. That reality is the gift we receive through the cross: in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, there is nothing that cannot be redeemed through Him. At this heartbreaking moment, my prayer is for Christ’s redemptive power to work through tragedy to bring healing and goodness out of the pain and loss.
I ask you to pray for the parents, siblings, extended family and friends, and teachers who are grieving. May God’s Spirit bring strength, peace, and healing, both at the funeral tomorrow and in the forthcoming days.
For us, please remember that our children and youth are facing more today than we can ever imagine. Pray for them often, that they will always know they are loved, valued, and worthy of goodness. Also pray for the parents, teachers, youth leaders, coaches, and all who care for our young people. May any signs of concern be seen and addressed in a healing and redeeming way. And pray that all people may come to see how the very real hope of redemption in Christ can overpower all the doubts, guilt, and pain that attempts to rob us from abundant life. Lord, in your mercy-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS |
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Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: |
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Worship this Sunday,
April 10, 2022
Traditional Service
at 9:00 AM
Traditional Service
at 10:30 AM
This service can be viewed LIVE through
St. John's Youtube Channel
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or on our homepage:
www.stjohnsivyland.com
Past worship service videos can also be found:
Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.
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Lenten & Holy Week - Opportunities to Worship & Serve |
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Holy Week Worship Services
- April 10 - Palm/Passion Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM
- April 14 - Maundy Thursday 7:30 PM
- April 15 - Good Friday Community Service 7 PM
at St. Andrew's UMC,
999 York Rd, Warminster 18974
- April 17 - Easter Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM
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Easter Sunday
Flowering Cross
The flowering of the Easter Cross is a celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. It transforms a symbol of death, darkness, hopelessness and pain into something beautiful, new and alive. We will once again erect a cross on the front lawn and invite you to place a flower on it, before or after each service on Easter Sunday. Volunteers are needed to assist with the flower placement. More details coming soon. Call Susan Seamans 215-357-6998, Ext 305 to volunteer.
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Children's Activities This Week
- Children's Sunday School at 10:30 AM
Parents, children will check-in at the mobile cart
in the Education wing
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sunday 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Life can sometimes feel like a giant puzzle. All we can see is the piece we’re experiencing right now, and we’re not sure where it fits into the greater picture that is forming. We can’t always understand why some things happen to us or those we love. Yet, despite our confusion, we can have HOPE. God has kept promises throughout history. We can believe that God will continue to be with us through what we face now. Join Mrs. Scarlett as we talk about how even in the toughest times, we can have hope because we know God is always working and can make something good out of something bad.
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Youth Activities This Week
No Youth Sunday School on April 10th & 17th
Class will resume on Sunday, April 24th!
Youth Night
This Sunday the 10th
7:15 - 8:30 PM
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Youth Night
This Sunday, April 10th
7:15 - 8:30 PM
Come join us for:
Bible Challenge
Devotions
Games!
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Confirmation Class
Wednesday,
April 20th
7:30 - 8:15 PM
Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
for Confirmation Sunday
April 24th 10:30 AM
Confirmation Sunday
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All God's Children Have a Place in the Choir!
Join the choir - you'll be glad you did.
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United Methodist Neighborhood Services
Ingathering 2022
NEW clothing & undergarments for infant to toddler, teen to adult
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During the 4 Sundays of April,
UMW will be collecting donations of
NEW clothing items and personal care products for the annual Ingathering. For a complete list of needed items, see the UMW bulletin board off the Narthex.
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Donations Needed of
Non-perishable foods
Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank.
Thank you for your support.
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BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS |
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Spiritual Discipline Workshop
Please join Sue Czarnecki on Saturday, April 9th to learn more about increasing your faith through Spiritual Discipline. For more info, call Sue at
267-614-3603.
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Six Mondays starting April 18th at 6:30 in the Parlor. There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Cost of the Study Guide is $9.00, payable the first session. Books will be available that night. Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell. Any questions, please call Carol
at 215-364-0942.
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A six-week Bible Study starting Monday, April 18th at 6:30 PM
The concept of Jesus' human and heavenly nature is difficult to wrap our minds around. He's the God who formed the universe and, at the same time, knows your personal struggles...because he went through the same things. For thirty-three years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. Weakness. Weariness. Sadness. Rejection. His feet got tired. His head ached. He was tempted and his strength was tested.
The purpose of this study is simple: by journeying through these six lessons you will get to know Jesus--and, therefore, God--like you never have before. And by learning more about the person Jesus was and is, we come to understand more clearly the people we were created to be.
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Wednesday nights
at 7 PM in the parlor
Our next study (starting soon) will be a relatively short-term one on the writings of the
Apostle Peter.
Please join us for our informal discussions. All are welcome!
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Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
- Old Testament Heroes and Heroines
- C. S. Lewis - The Great "Apologist"
of the 20th Century
Contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net for Zoom info
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Save the Date - Wednesday, May 4th
UMW Spring Banquet
"Women Justices of the Supreme Court"
presented by Trish Chambers
more info to follow
Sign up on UMW bulletin board or contact Louise Henry
215-357-9398 or email louiseh605@verizon.net
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United Methodist Men
April Breakfast Meeting
Saturday, April 16th
St. John's has talent!
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The April speaker is Brian Jackson.. Brian's wife is from Peru, and he has traveled throughout South America, including a year he spent in Ecuador. The tales of his experiences hiking and traveling are sure to be interesting!
Please join us at
The Sycamore Grill,
255 North Sycamore Street, Newtown
on Saturday, April 16th
at 10 a.m.
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Prayer requests can be submitted
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.
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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 stjumc@aol.com.
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MOBILE GIVING
- Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
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Click on the 'Give' button in red, Donate Any Amount and register.
Once you've registered, you can either make donations by debit or credit. Lenten Offerings may also be received through our website.
TEXT GIVING
Simply text the amount you wish to give to 877-960-2396.
You will immediately receive a one-time registration link, then just follow the prompts to complete your donation!
You may also send your tithes and offerings to the church office:
820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974
If you have any questions about mobile or text giving,
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If your contact information changes:
address, phone, email, etc.
please notify the church office at
215-357-6998 or stjumc@aol.com
and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.
Thank you!
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WHAT'S HAPPENING!
The latest Devotionals, News and Worship Videos can be be accessed below, as well as, under the
"What's Happening"tab on our website.
www.stjohnsivyland.com
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CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 |
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St. John's Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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