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Throughout Lent we asked the St. John's Ivyland community to help prepare for an Easter celebration for area kids by donating candy, eggs and decorations. Even as Maundy Thursday and Good Fridaywere observed, we were working to get ready to share some Easter joy with our neighbors and families.
Late Saturday morning, children and parents began arriving at St John's, and when they entered our Fellowship Hall, they came into a space that had been transformed. Prayerfully, when they left - in addition to having experienced an afternoon full of games and crafts, a homemade pasta dinner and an epic Easter egg hunt - they experienced the love of God through Jesus Christ in us.
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This Sunday, St. John’s will be celebrating Scouts: young people - who through their preparation, dedication, and work - are transforming the world, one good deed at a time.
The work of our Easter celebration volunteers, and the work of our young Scouts (and the adults who faithfully guide them), remind me of the transformative power of God's love for us.
Lent is a period of sacrifice and reflection that reminds us of Jesus' fasting and temptation in the desert prior to the beginning of His “public” ministry. But Lent is also a time of preparation: since for God ALL things are possible; we need to get ready for “what isn’t” to be “what is.” We need to prepare to be transformed.
Jesus transformed a loaned donkey and a ragtag group of followers into a kingly procession, and a shared meal with friends into a Holy Communion. Our Lord transformed the humble act of washing feet into an anointing, and the humiliation and brutality of a public execution into the ultimate act of love. Jesus turned a borrowed tomb into Holy Ground, and faithful grieving women into evangelists. Jesus' sacrifice for each of us transforms us from “sinner” into “Redeemed,” and transforms the cross from a symbol of torture and degradation into a simple of the Greatest Hope and the Greatest Love the world has ever known.
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So as we celebrate the Resurrection and the soul saving power of God's transforming love, the question is how are we preparing to be transformed? God's transformative power is certain. What remains uncertain is what we are going to do to be ready for God - who is always everywhere - to “show up” and be God in our midst.
A community celebration doesn’t just happen. We gave prayers, time and resources to prepare and facilitate an Easter experience for the families of our community. Young people committed to making a positive change in the world doesn’t just happen. We give prayers, time and resources to our Scouts as they prepare themselves to transform their communities. The transforming power of God’s Love is ever present; but for God to use us the way God truly can, we have to be willing and working to let God transform us.
Pray that we live like we are transformed by God’s Grace, Redeemed by God’s Love, continually in God’s Presence. Pray that we keep sharing our prayers, time, and resources. Pray that when people see us, they see a community of open arms and serving hands such that lives are transformed through Christ!
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In addition to celebrating Scouts, this Sunday is RISE Sunday. RISE Sunday is an opportunity for St. John’s to live into our mission by partnering with Rise Against Hunger to provide and package meals for communities imperiled by catastrophic lack of food. The meals we will share have the power to heal, sustain and transform lives and communities. THERE IS ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY and this special congregational service opportunity will take place immediately after, in the Fellowship Hall.
Thanks be to God for working in, through us, and around us!
~jt
John-Thomas Crockett
Dir. Youth, Young Adult & Family Ministries
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Worship Service at 10AM This Sunday
Scout Sunday and Rise Sunday
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Stewardship
We can CELEBRATE God’s love for us by answering the call to Stewardship!
Questions about Giving: email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com
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ONLINE, TEXT, IN PERSON & BY EMAIL
Online - Click at the top of any page at www.stjohnsivyland.com
By text - Text the amount of your gift to 877-960-2396. You'll receive a one-time registration link. Then follow the prompts to complete your donation.
In person or by mail - Tithes and offerings can be brought & sent to St. John's Ivyland, 820 Almshouse Rd, Ivyland, PA 18974
“...For God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)”
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Special Announcement:
It is with sadness that I need to inform you that Holly Gray has resigned from her position at St. John’s, with her final day of service scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025. The focus and excellence with which Holly approaches her responsibilities, her calm demeanor and encouraging outlook, and her genuine care rooted in her steadfast faith will be missed. Holly has been a great blessing to the staff, our congregation, and to me.
-Pastor Brad
We are pleased to announce that Yael "Ellie" Shahar has joined the St. John's Staff as the Office Clerical Coordinator. Ellie brings a creative background with training in graphic design and a warm and welcoming demeanor to St. John's. Ellie began working with Holly this week to learn the position well, and we're excited to have her join us. If you're here during an upcoming morning, stop by, introduce yourself, and welcome Ellie to St. John's!
| | ENGAGE @ ST. JOHN'S THIS WEEK | |
There is a Vacation Bible School volunteer meeting from 7 to 8 pm Monday April 28th open to all current and interested volunteers for our 2025 VBS in the St. John’s Fellowship Hall. We hope to see you there! | |
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United Women in Faith Spring Banquet
Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, 6:30 pm
We will have a banquet followed by a special program. Fred Miller will be presenting, "George and Ira Gershwin", a lecture-in-song. A native of Albuquerque, Fred studied piano as a boy with Ralph Berkowitz, former dean of Tanglewood in New York. His performance will bring George and Ira Gershwin to life.
A free will offering will be taken.
A sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex on the table.
Please join us for an evening of great entertainment.
| | CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at ST. JOHN'S | | All of our Children’s & Youth Sunday School classes will meet in Classroom B at 10am. During our RISE Mission effort, parents of Children in the “Littles” and “Middles” classrooms can sign their children in for a Worship & Mission program designed to engage them while their parents participate in RISE. | | -
Our Young Adult Bible Study and St. John’s Youth Fellowship are NOT meeting this Sunday so our Young People can participate in RISE.
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Wednesday Evening Bible Study
On Wednesday evening, we began our next Bible study entitled:
"Jesus in the Gospels"
This comprehensive study of the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels is part of the Disciple Series. There are weekly lesson plans, and each lesson is comprised of daily Scripture readings from the Gospels, and the Old and New Testaments. Scholarly commentary is provided with each lesson. In addition to your Bible, the Jesus in the Gospels Study Manual and Gospel Comparisons are the books needed for the study. The cover pages are pictured. Please notify the St John's Church Office if you plan on joining the class and/or need help ordering the books. We hope you join us for this very powerful and in-depth study as we continue to build our loving relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Bible Study Details:
Location: St. John's UMC Library
Time: Beginning at 7:00 PM
We hope you join us for this powerful and in-depth study as we continue to build our loving relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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The story centers around the main character Philip W. Ambruster. Philip led a simple life with his parents and sister until the night of his 18th birthday. He finds himself alone on a trip from Virginia to colonial Williamsburg. He meets many interesting characters and settles in Philadelphia. With historical facts and tidbits scattered throughout, I Once Stood is a novel that will take you by surprise while reminding you what life is all about.
We hope you will join our book club on May 21st in the church parlor at 10:30 A.M.
| | St. John’s Ivyland’s AV Ministry serves to help those in our Sanctuary and those watching online experience the life changing power of Worship! Joining this vital team of Servant-Leaders is a meaningful way to serve God and others by helping to make the Love and Light of Christ accessible to all. If you are interested in joining or would like to learn more, you can speak with AV Team Leader Casey Lawrence on Sunday, call the St. John’s church office (215)357-6998 or email JT Crockett youth.stjumc@gmail.com . We look forward to serving with you! | | MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES | | CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION | | | |
If your contact information changes:
address, phone, email, etc.
please notify the church office at
215-357-6998 or office.stjumc@gmail.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
| | CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 | | | | |
