Hello St. John’s Family,
Here we are, once again, on the doorstep of a sacred night. Tonight – Maundy Thursday – we remember and re-experience Christ’s final night with his disciples prior to his execution, as well as the intimate opportunity Christ offers us to draw near to our Lord. It’s a sacred night, centered around a sacred act, consecrated through a sacred meal, and culminated in a scandalous, yet sacred arrest. For those who have followed Jesus for some time, tonight likely has a familiar feel. We approach it anticipating the sacred, as we respond to Christ’s call to do as He has done, to partake, and to remember. Arriving again at this intimate moment feels familiar. Almost like home.
Almost. See, tonight is also a troubling one. Unlike Christmas Eve, when the True Light of the world breaks into darkness in a most beautiful way, darkness appears to get the upper hand tonight. After rising from an intimate table and meal, tonight will conclude with helpless gasps and silent stares as we are shaken by the shock and horror of Christ’s arrest. Under the cover of darkness, the Lord of all creation is apprehended and led toward His death. Sorrow and fear are superimposed on our familiarity and desire. And right in the middle of it all, our Lord asks a question: do you understand what I have done for you? (John 13:12)
Like so many of Christ’s questions, the question of do you understand what I have done for you is a loaded one. Jesus’ disciples – the ones first asked this question – certainly didn’t understand. They didn’t have a clue as to the depth of love that was revealed in Christ’s act of washing their feet, or that would be revealed over the next three days. They didn’t grasp how their lives would be changed forever by what they experienced. Those disciples were in way over their heads, and that fact was about to become very obvious. Their heads were spinning as they struggled to process a night and weekend that transformed human history.
Honest reflection will reveal how we are in a similar situation. As we approach this sacred night, Christ is asking us this same question that He asked the twelve: do you understand what I have done for you? This question troubles us. It’s a question that cannot be fully answered, yet it must be contemplated. Wrestled with. Applied to our hearts and minds, so we can begin to grasp just how much Christ loves us.
I pray that each of you will wrestle with this question over the next three days… and that Christ Jesus will reveal His mercy, grace, and incomparable love in powerful and new ways!
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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Easter Sunday
Come Worship with us,
April 17, 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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Please note: The Church office will be closed on Monday, April 18th. |
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Lenten & Holy Week - Opportunities to Worship & Serve |
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Holy Week Worship Services
- 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. The cross has been placed on the front lawn, We invite you to bring a flower or small bouquet and place it on the cross before or after each service on Easter Sunday.
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Children's Activities This Week
- Children's message followed by Sunday School
at 10:30 AM
- Parents, children will check-in at the mobile cart
in the Narthex
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A Reminder . . .
The hallway for Classrooms A – E IS CLOSED to general traffic on Sunday mornings. Only children and their parent/guardian(s) will be permitted in this hallway. If you enter the church through the back door and do not need to check in children for Sunday School, please turn right down the hallway past Fellowship Hall and around to the Sanctuary. If you are checking in your child for Sunday School, please proceed to the mobile check-in cart outside Classroom A in the Education Wing.
St. John’s has an “absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and youth” and your assistance is greatly appreciated!
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Children's Sunday School following Children's Message at 10:30 in the Sanctuary. Join us for a story and a surprise.
And be sure to bring a small basket or bag!
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Youth Activities This Week
No Youth Sunday School on April 17th
Class will resume on Sunday, April 24th!
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No Youth Night
This Sunday, April 17th
Have a blessed Easter
with family & friends
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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 and personal care items for infant to toddler, teen to adult
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During the 4
Sundays of April,
UMW will be collecting donations of NEW ITEMS
Some Suggested Items:
Underwear: Men, Women, Children, Infants
Undershirts: and Bras (all sizes)
Pajamas: Men, Women, Children, Infants
Socks: Men, Women, Children, Infants
Diapers: (all sizes)
Adult Sanitary Underwear (all sizes)
Women's Sanitary Items
Personal Hygiene and Dental Supplies
Soaps, Shampoo, Baby Wipes
School Supplies, Backpacks
Infant and Toddler Clothing (all sizes)
Infant Blankets and Sleepers (all sizes)
Sweaters, Sweatshirts, Hoodies (all sizes)
Bath towels and Washcloths
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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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The Upper Room
Devotionals
for
May/June
Will be available
in the Narthex,
beginning
Sunday, April 24.
Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend.
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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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Anxious People is about a group of people held hostage after a bank robbery who get to know each other, and they end up helping each other and helping the bank robber to find her way out of the mess. It's quintessential Backman: quirky, heartwarming and uplifting.
We will meet on Wednesday, May 11, at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Grace Cafe. Please join us; all are welcome. Facilitators Barb Schneider and Carol Campbell
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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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