JULY 13, 2023

PASTOR'S REFLECTION

Hello St. John’s Family,

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…

Those wise words – and the list of life’s seasons and events that follow in Ecclesiastes 3 – are powerful. They remind us of God’s presence with us in the transitions of life: the blessings, the challenges, and everything in between. They have a way of bringing perspective, comfort, and peace during times that seem uncertain. This morning, our office staff joined together and reflected on this as we celebrated and thanked Jan Steinmetz, our outgoing Office Clerical Coordinator on her final “official” day, and welcomed Holly Gray, our new Office Clerical Coordinator, who joined us this week.

I should back up and share how our reflections also incorporated The Office, that sitcom/mock-documentary from the early 2000’s that followed “typical” office workers at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. During Jan’s time at St. John’s, she and the staff have all encountered many crazy situations… situations that could feel like they were lifted from an old episode of The Office. Whether it was the time she found herself trapped in the courtyard with the exterminator who had just agitated a nest of yellow jackets, or dealing with the copier… the HVAC system… the front door buzzer (the list goes on and on), or navigating the unique quirks we all have that surface daily (and Jan put up with!), Jan has seen our good, our not-so-good, and everything in between. When we pause to reflect, we often see how there is beauty and meaning in those experiences, as working closely with others forges relationships and trust. I want to thank Jan for her dedicated efforts as she’s worked with us over the past 3 years – she’s been a blessing to our congregation, to our staff, and to me.

Life reveals how God brings us together for seasons and sends us outward in other seasons. When we are open and attentive, we experience what the writer of Ecclesiastes noted: I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. God has made everything suitable – many translations say “everything beautiful” – for its time (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11). Our prayer for Jan is that God’s guidance, strength, and blessing will guide her as she moves into the new season God is leading her to, as we thank God for leading Holly here to St. John’s. Holly comes to us with extensive office management, HR, and computer skills; a deep faith in God; and an earnest desire to help us live out our mission to be open arms and serving hands, transforming lives through Christ. I’m thankful Holly is part of our St. John’s staff, and I look forward to seeing her gifts and graces serve God as we work together. If you find yourself stopping by St. John’s between 9am-1pm during the week, I hope you’ll swing by the office and introduce yourself to Holly.

I also hope you’ll join us for worship this Sunday, as we continue to explore the Apostle Paul’s teachings on how our relationship with Christ makes us free. While many recognize God’s offer of mercy and grace is a wonderful gift, some struggle to believe that gift truly applies to them, as past mistakes can seem too big for God to overlook. In Romans 8:1-6 and 14-16 Paul notes how, in Christ, there is no condemnation. Continue to keep our upcoming week of Vacation Bible School in your prayers, and join us in worship on Sunday-

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

NOMINATIONS REPORT FOR 2023

WORSHIP

Safety Procedure

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

St. John's Policy Update

Sermon: Free: No Longer Condemned

Text: Romans 8:1-6, 14-16

Come Worship with us this

7th Sunday after Pentecost

July 16, 2023

Contemporary Praise Service

at 9:00 AM

Traditional Service

at 10:30 AM

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.

GIVE NOW

The Upper Room

Devotionals

for

July/August

is available

in the Narthex

(Outside the Sanctuary)

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

The Grace Cafe is Open!

Stop by between Services for a fresh cup of coffee, tea, a sweet treat and fellowship with your St. John’s family!

THIS WEEK FROM ST. JOHN'S IVYLAND

Watch Preview

Check More Info

Be a part of a vibrant, growing ministry at St. John's UMC Ivyland as Director of Children's Ministries. Introduce and guide children from toddlers through 6th graders to the love of God through relationship with Jesus Christ. Provide programming leadership and direction to Sunday School teachers, coordinate the annual one-week Vacation Bible School, and work with families and their children to establish solid foundations to Christian life.

This part-time, 20 to 25 hours/week staff position requires all background clearances and Safe Sanctuary Training be completed prior to employment. A heart for Jesus, a love of children, and effective communication and delegation skills are essential. A bachelor's degree or background in education and/or ministry is strongly desired.

Please send application or resume to Staff-Parish Relations Committee, St. John's United Methodist Church, 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland PA 18974 or email to office.stjumc@gmail.com

UPCOMING MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

Hello St John’s Family,

We are 4 weeks out for our next blood drive!

The date is Friday, August 4th from 2:00 to 7:00 PM.

Please consider donating lifesaving blood!

If you know anyone that might be interested in donating, please contact me a jlescas19@gmail.com

Click the link to make an appointment

Click Here

Thank you for being a blood donor!

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 was delivered to Bright Futures Academy for their new playground. This project is organized by, Nicole & Melissa McDevitt. Click below for acceptable plastics to be recycled.

Recyclable Plastic Bags

WAYS TO SERVE AT ST. JOHN'S IVYLAND

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.

Email Roy Nelson

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

Become an Usher

Email Church Office

Call Church Office

MINISTRY & FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

GriefShare 13-week Session

Wednesdays from 6:30 pm -8:30 pm

August 9, 2023 – November 8, 2023

GriefShare is a support group that meets weekly.

You will find it to be a warm, caring environment;

and you will come to see your group as an

“oasis” on your journey through grief.

You may register online at griefshare.org.

There is a $20 fee for materials.

For further information

contact Carol Campbell

eccampbell@aol.com 215-431-7452

or go to griefshare.org.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month

10 AM in the Parlor.

The 500th prayer shawl was given out on March 7, 2023! This ministry began in 2009.

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.

Hello United Methodist Men!

We may have taken the summer off from breakfast but events and planning march on!

Chicken BBQ September 16th - called gross’s and reserved those BBQ pits - had meeting with brother Crockett our youth director to have 6 to 8 youth pack and unload raw chicken from the racks, the august 19th breakfast will be attended by JT Crockett and a number of young men from st john’s youth group. JT Crockett will be making the introductions, august 19th breakfast will finalize the 40th annual chicken BBQ plan.

Attic Jack project: To date we removed lots of very old church records thanks to Lou. The 18 youth chairs with the help of Jon nelson and JT Crockett are in a Philadelphia church. The vacation bible school took out lots of canvas and paper stuff for their decorative props. (take note: once done with they go to dumpster ) next to be worked on are the racks that hold folding chairs they take up a lot of space and the church no long need.

What needs to be done! Arrange the UMM storage shed to make room for about 500 pounds of charcoal. Once done we will start campaign to collect charcoal.

Comment: Monday’s get together with JT crocket, youth director was inspiring for me. I think the UMM have an wonderful chance to engage over the August breakfast with these young men. Us "Old guy’s" have seen it all and done it all. We can share our story’s and experiences with these young men. In turn we will learn from them their cares and concerns. It will strengthen our faith in god and theirs too. Ok "Guy’s" lets make this work.

Jack Donovan, Church Member