Hello St. John’s Family,
The summer season is marching on! As often seems to happen, plans that seemed far off are now upon us. This week, my wife Jennifer and daughter Darcy are in the Washington D.C. area for a long-planned basketball tournament Darcy is playing in. Which means that Gavin and I are holding down the fort at home. Over the years, I’ve learned how little shifts in our familiar routines can reveal unexpected opportunities. For instance, Gavin and I have had the chance to share in some great conversations over the course of the week (and I am now fully up to date on the recruiting classes for Penn State football for the next 2 years!). A shift in routine brought forth special time together, for which I am very thankful. Over the course of your summer, I encourage you to look for and embrace those special opportunities that shifts in routine may bring.
Interestingly – and perhaps ironically – many of us have viewed the 2021 summer season as a time to return to normal. We’ve anticipated resuming traditions, gatherings, and travel that wasn’t possible in 2020. Many familiar things have resumed, and we give thanks to God for that. Yet we also know our lives are different. Questions and health uncertainties remain that influence our routines and patterns of life – including the life of the Church. Which raises the question: What will the patterns of life at St. John’s look like this fall?
Please know that very question is being prayed over and discerned with focus and intention. God-honoring, vibrant worship with meaningful music and engaged participation from all who are worshipping is foundational to our Christian life. That will continue to be our foundation. Two worship services will continue to be offered. The timing and location of those services is still being determined, as are opportunities to expand music and congregant participation in the worship service. Online opportunities to worship represent one of the positive shifts necessitated by Covid and have been a lifeline to those who cannot attend physically. This vital opportunity will continue. We must also recognize that gathering in worship is a set-apart act we offer to God. There is a fullness of God’s Spirit experienced, and a witness extended by physically gathering for worship. Patterning ourselves to pause, gather and worship God regularly is a crucial aspect of our growth in faith, both personally and congregationally.
Christian education/formation, fellowship, mission, and outreach are all core elements of a life committed to God. Engaging in these acts strengthens us in our relationship with God and extends the hope of Christ to others. Planning is well underway to ensure meaningful opportunities to participate in each of these elements in a safe and engaging way for all ages in our congregation.
Detailed information regarding plans for the fall will be announced in early August. In the meantime, please keep our staff, Leadership Board, and all volunteer teachers and leaders in prayer as plans are finalized. Pray that Covid cases will diminish, and the good and healthy opportunities to come together in Christ’s name will occur as planned. And pray that God will continue to accomplish great things through us as we extend Open Arms and Serving Hands, Transforming Lives Through Christ!
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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CHRIST SERVANT MINISTRIES
The mission of the Christ Servant Ministry Program is to celebrate the training and service of the Laity in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. Lay Servant Ministry is at the core of every church. There is always so much work to be done and every job is important . Teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, serving as liturgists, doing evangelism, leading Bible studies, ushering, or caring for the sick and homeless are some of the ways the laity serve God. In the Eastern PA Conference, we identify the laity who take special servant training to do these jobs as Christ Servant Ministers. Their training revolves around 3 broad categories that combine words with deeds to serve the church and the community.
Christ Servant Ministers are laity who seek training in how to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world
... by Leading,
... by Caring
... and by Communicating.
If you feel called to seek ways to proclaim his presence and power through all that you are and all that you do.... God may be calling you to be a Christ Servant Minister! Do you ...
· Listen to others who are suffering with personal crises...
· Teach a Sunday School Class or lead a small group...
· Serve as a liturgist or help in the Worship Service...
· Visit nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, or neighbors..
If you answer yes to some or all of the above, then you are already responding to God's call in the ways of a Christ Servant Minister.
The Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference is offering two opportunities to become a Christ Servant Minister or to continue on your journey if you are already a CSM. One opportunity will be a virtual Laity Academy in August and one in-person in October.
If you are interested, please see Pastor Ruth for further information on the upcoming Laity Academies
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY at ST. JOHN'S
Do you enjoy graphic design, developing PowerPoint presentations, writing and editing desktop publications, and updating websites and social media platforms? We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who is proficient in these areas to take on the role of Office Communications/Technology Coordinator. As part of the St. John's administrative team, you will work independently and collaboratively with the pastoral staff, the Clerical Coordinator, Directors of Children's, Youth and Music Ministries, and the congregants.
If you have a heart for Jesus, have a degree or equivalent experience in communications and graphic design, and would like to work 20 hours per week, please consider joining our St John's Administrative Staff.
Call 215-357-6998 for information or email your resume' to stjumc@aol.com
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Tech Team Volunteers Needed
There's always room for one more with our growing Tech Team! We are getting enough volunteers now that we are splitting the jobs into smaller, easier to handle responsibilities. It's no problem getting coverage when you can't make it, as long as you email Sarah Floyd in advance of Sunday. Tech Team members run camera, operate video switcher, scroll the projector slides, monitor audio, and run YouTube software. We use headsets now to aid communication within the team.
Click the box below to sign up for the YouTube LIVE traditional service or the non-broadcast contemporary service.
Sarah will partner with you until you are ready to solo.
This important ministry is bringing worship into the lives of many people, including the hearing impaired who can now enjoy worship through our
closed captioning services.
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Please contact
Sarah Floyd, Director of Video Ministry
at sarah.sjumc@gmail.com
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Worship this Sunday, July 25, 2021
2 in-person services offered:
One at 9 AM in the Sanctuary and
one at 10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall
The 9 AM 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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NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
AUGUST 8, 2021
If you are considering membership, please contact the church office
by phone 215-357-6998
for further information.
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READ TO FEED®
A Heifer International Program
ENROLL NOW!
“Seize the day and join other children
who are changing the world.”
Please check our website for more information!
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Summer Youth Nights
Every Friday
7 PM to 9 PM
July 9 to Aug 27
Plus upcoming trips . .
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Youth Overnight!
Friday, August 13th 7 PM to Saturday, August 14th at 8 AM
All Youth 7th to 12th Grades
Movies, Games and Crafts
St John's Youth Lounge
Questions? Contact: Sarah.sjumc@gmail.com
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ALL AGES
COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE
Bring your friends,
bring your neighbors
Bring an outdoor chair!
Hot dogs and marshmallows provided.
Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
June 23 to August 18, weather permitting
Questions? Contact: Sarah.sjumc@gmail.com
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St John's Drive-Thru Prayer Ministry is back!
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If you cannot come to church but are in need of prayers, our prayer team will pray with you at our drive-thru prayer.
Join us the 3rd Wednesday of each month starting July 21st from 4:30-6:00 PM.
If you would like to join us and be a part of this ministry of St John's, please contact Pastor Ruth by calling the Church office at 215-357-6998.
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ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
10:00 AM in Grace Cafe' and 7 PM in Parlor.
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
The dramatic story of three young women searching for family amid the destruction of the post-Civil War South, and a modern-day teacher who learns of their story and its connection to her student's lives.
We will follow St. John's guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. Please join us!
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UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, August 21, 2021
8:00 AM
St John’s Fellowship Hall
(Pending approval by Leadership Board)
Final Planning Meeting for the September 18th Chicken BBQ
All Men Are Welcome!
Contact Jack Donovan or Paul Henry for additional information on UMM activities
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Calling all Golfers!
UMM Golf Outing
For more information, please contact
Jack Donovan at Jdonovanco@comcast.net
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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.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Sends Fourteen Prayer Shawls to Florida
The collapse of Champlain Towers South, a twelve-story condominium in the Miami, Florida suburb of Surfside, has been in the news since June 24. The Disaster Recovery Ministry of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church has been coordinating our denominational response. St. John’s Prayer Shawl Ministry (PSM) contacted the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Trish Warren, and found out that shawls were needed. So, at the monthly meeting of our PSM team, a total of fourteen light weight shawls were selected and packed in a large box. The box was then dispatched to Pastor Cesar Vellafana, one of those working to support recovery in Surfside. Ms. Warren responded, “We would love to share your prayer shawls for those who have been impacted by the Surfside Disaster.”
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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.
OR try TEXT GIVING
All you have to do is 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!
It's quick and secure.
The same vendor that handles electronic giving for us, Vanco Services, has state of the art encryption, so you can rest easy that your transaction is 100% safe and confidential.
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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When your flowers are in full bloom, take a picture and share it with us!
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Ushers Needed
for in-person worship services to greet worshippers, direct them to available seats and assist with questions. This is a simple yet meaningful opportunity to serve God by sharing His love with others. Please contact the church office to sign up to serve as an usher.
215-357-6998
or
Thank you for your faithful support of all we do in service to Christ here at St. John's.
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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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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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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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