Hello St. John’s Family,
I’ve often reflected on the uncanny ability of advertisers to capture our attention. As someone who spends a lot of time attempting to communicate in an effective, concise manner that will connect with others – and who always struggled with writing as a student – the ability of marketing professionals to quickly connect with us fascinates me. I don’t remember many things my teachers, pastors or parents said when I was a child, but I remember many catchphrases! “My bologna has a first name…”, “Let Mikey eat it…”, and “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz” were all catchphrases that I heard laughingly repeated around the lunch table at elementary school (and I bet you recall the products, too). Recently, another old catchphrase has frequently popped into my mind; one I sense many can relate with: “Calgon, take me away!”
To say that many of us are weary right now is a colossal understatement. As Carol Rice eloquently pointed out in her devotion earlier this week, gun violence and unrest plague us in Philadelphia and across the country. Partisanship and political divides have evaporated any sense of respect or trust in public discourse. A pandemic that has caused so much isolation, suffering, and death is again spreading rapidly. Every day brings more conflict, more bad news, more anxiety, more pain. We’re tired and want to be done with it all. Calgon… take me away.
As I’ve lamented, wishing to withdraw from the mess – or that the challenges of this world would float away like soap bubbles – I’ve been reminded again and again how Christ sent us into this very world to be examples of his hope. Christ’s call is to go forth, to press on amid difficulty and be a shining light for the world that cannot be hidden. We’re to look different, reflecting the hope, grace, mercy, and peace that Christ has given us. That isn’t easy; it will require sacrifices. Christ told us as much when saying the first step to following him is denying ourselves. That sacrifice also comes with a great promise: Christ is with us. Always. We’ll never be abandoned.
During this crazy time, I firmly believe Christ is calling St. John’s to press on, shining the hope of Christ brightly into our dark and chaotic world. To do that, we need each other; to worship together, pray together, laugh together, and (sometimes) cry together. I and the Leadership Board know that joining together in-person is critical, and we are committed to that. As the delta variant continues to spread nationally and locally, the biggest threat to our ability to gather is to have Covid cases transmitted within our facility. Unless the rising case counts in Bucks County rapidly diminish, we are on the threshold of needing universal masking to allow us to safely gather indoors.
This Sunday I will be masking in worship, to do all I can to limit the chance of inadvertent transmission in our facility. I ask you to prayerfully consider making this sacrifice as an offering of love, regardless of vaccination status, as we join together to limit the opportunity for local spread. Widespread vaccinations also play a very important role. As I shared last week, I pray this resource that God has provided will be embraced more widely.
St. John’s Family, know that you are a bright light, extending the hope of Christ in a dark and weary world. Christ is with us always, and will guide us through this prolonged challenge as we press on together.
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
Spread the Word!
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
(Anyone age 12 to 112 years old is welcome)
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, August 08, 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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𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚓𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝
𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝙼𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚎 𝙽𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜. A𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙹𝚎𝚜𝚞𝚜 𝙵𝚘𝚌𝚞𝚜 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚢! 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚞𝚜.
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𝙸 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙵𝚊𝚗 𝙿𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝙼𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚎 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧!
𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚓𝚘𝚒𝚗 𝚞𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟸𝟷 𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚞𝚜𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝙼𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚎 𝙽𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜!
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READ TO FEED®
A Heifer International Program
THE LIST IS AVAILABLE!
Please help us by signing up to sponsor a child that has already enrolled! For more information check out the church website!
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COMING IN
SEPTEMBER . . .
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Please join us in fellowship and worship on Sunday, September 12 from 4 - 6
as we learn about the connection between kindness and God's character, as shown through God's big story! For the entire family!
Check back for more details!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE CONTACT SUSAN SEAMANS
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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
(Not-Overnight) Night
More info to come. . .
Friday, August 13th 7 PM
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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The Adult and Youth Choirs will sing on Sunday, August 15th
at the 9 AM traditional service. Rehearsal at 8:30 AM.
All choir members welcome!
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Handbell Members Needed
Celebration Ringers are in need of several new "ringers" to perform several times per year. Rehearsals are once or twice per month on Monday nights. Musical experience a plus but not necessary. All are welcome! Contact Roy Nelson or Alissa Nelson.
GENesis Bells can always use additional Youth and Adults in our multi-generational bell choir. Rehearsals are on Sunday evenings. Contact Roy Nelson to join.
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DONATIONS NEEDED FOR OUR MISSION SEWING GROUP
St. John’s Mission Sewing Group is continuing our work
on Sani-Panis for young girls in Africa.
It is important for the young girls to have panties
to go with the Sani-Panis.
We are asking for donations of panties in Girls sizes 14 or 16
and in Women’s sizes small and medium.
There will be a box in the Narthex
for donations.
215-357-6998, ex 306.
Thank you for your Heart for Missions.
Pastor Ruth
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Starting Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - GriefShare at St. John's
If you are suffering the loss of someone dear to you, GriefShare, a grief recovery seminar and support group, is available to offer you hope and healing for the journey. Seminar topics include "Is This Normal?", "The Challenge of Grief", "Grief and Your Relationships", "Why?" and "Guilt and Anger". Videos, discussions, and a supportive workbook are the tools that are used by participants each meeting of the thirteen week session. Classes will begin again at St. John's on Tuesday, September 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Church Library.
For more information and to register for class, contact Erin Maurer, GriefShare Facilitator, at 267-265-3515 or email erinamaurer@aol.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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WARRIOR COFFEE UPDATE
AT ST. JOHN’S WE ARE FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S RIGHT -
ONE CUP AT A TIME
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You will remember that in 2017 St. John’s became a partner with the Village of El Naranjito in the Dominican Republic thanks to a program initiated by Lycoming College – United Methodist related college. The program as conceived by Dr. Caroline Payne, Associate Professor of Political Science at Lycoming was twofold: (1) to identify a historically impoverished community and to make a commitment over a fixed period of time to enable the community to become economically self-sustainable. Lycoming would not adopt the community, but over a fixed period of time they would bring human resources and technology to positively change the community.
After significant exploration, Dr. Payne choose the village of El Naranjito, in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. It is a village of approximately 375 people with decades of poverty and isolation. For generations the main source of income has been growing coffee beans.
As an isolated village, the growers were always dependent on others to get their beans to market. Hence they were often treated unfairly by the coffee merchants. In addition, in 2012 a fungus spread through the coffee fields causing the farmers to lose much of their crop. The village did not have the money to purchased new coffee plants, hence they were further at the mercy of unfair vendors. In 2013, the farmers in the village were paid $0.08 to $0.12 cents per pound for their beans.
That’s when Lycoming College became involved. In addition to buying new coffee plants to replace the damaged ones, the college worked with the community to purchase and plant macadamia and avocado trees. This gave the coffee plants shade producing a better quality of coffee, as well as providing the community with two new cash producing crops.
The result has been that in 2015, Lycoming paid $1.85 per pound for beans; in 2016, $2.05 per pound for beans; and in 2017, $2.47 per pound. The economic impact on the community has been immediate.
However, the pandemic has brought great disruption to the work that was begun. Over the next few weeks I will detail the current situation and how we at St. John’s can continue the efforts to help the village - one cup at a time.
Paul B. Henry
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DONATIONS NEEDED
Donations of non-perishable food for the Eastwick Food Pantry are needed throughout the year. Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex and fellowship hall lobby.
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank.
Thank you for your support.
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St John's Drive-Thru Prayer Ministry
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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 4:30-6:00 PM. Our next Drive-Thru Prayer will be on Wednesday, August 18th.
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
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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Chicken BBQ
Saturday, September 18, 2021
11 AM to 3 PM
Take-out Only!
Full Dinner
1/2 BBQ Chicken, Coleslaw,
Potato Salad, Roll, Cold Drink $10.00
Chicken Only
1/2 BBQ Chicken $5.00
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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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PRAISE & CELEBRATION!
Sue and Roy Nelson will be celebrating their
50th wedding anniversary on August 7th.
Best wishes and many blessings
from your St. John's family.
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Nancy MacMillan would like to express her heartfelt thanks to all the St. John's friends and family who have called, sent cards, and offered prayers during her recent health crisis. Please continue to keep Nancy in prayer as she begins the next stage of her road to recovery.
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Please keep the Thomas and Nelson families in your prayers. Dorothy Taylor, age 93 and a resident of Masonic Village,
passed into eternal life on
July 28, 2021. Dorothy was a cousin of Catherine Thomas and Roy Nelson.
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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!
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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