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August 14, 2025

Thank God for the Journey

Peace St. John’s Ivyland family! I survived Summer Vacation. You see, my wife and her cousins planned a surprise 82nd birthday party for her dad - on their family farm in Brooks, Maine! I have never been to Maine and most of what I had been told about the Nickerson family farm is that there were lots of cows and lots of cow manure. Still, this was a good occasion, so we piled three generations into a rented minivan and headed up the New England coast. I admit this sounds like the premise to a “family road trip disaster” story - but you know what, IT WAS AWESOME! 

It was not all smooth sailing. Exits were missed. Restaurant lines were so long that “hanger” (hungry + anger) set in. Plans were changed. And everyone got tired of me asking if we needed to make a pit stop. (What can I say? No one wants to be battling tourist traffic in a rural country and have nowhere to “go”!) 

We made stops, saw beautiful coastlines, ate well and bought souvenirs. We spent a whole lot of time in the car together and survived the mild panic of a seemingly misbooked reservation. The biggest blessing turned out to be driving down Nickerson Road and experiencing the growing excitement from our daughter and her grandparents as we arrived at the family farm. I got to watch my Father-in-Law share the place he grew up with his grandchild. I thank God for that.

All of our respective life’s journeys brought us to that moment; and God has been present - watching over us, providing for us and protecting us - EVERY step of the way. 

Our ages spanned ages 9 to 82 and our needs were just as broad; but God is so good that our needs weren’t just met - they were anticipated. Our problems were solved before we had time to interfere (try as we might!). When you realize that God had been keeping you throughout the journey, the most appropriate thing to do was stop, look at God’s handiwork, and say “Thank You.”

* * * 

Fall is a time of shifts, a return to school and work for many of us. It is also as good a time as any to remember that God is with us every step of our journey.

At St. John’s we are excited for our Fall Kick Off and all the exciting opportunities for Worship, ministry, and growing connections to God that (re)start in September. I am eager to spend this year reflecting on “Loving God in the Real World” with our Teens, resuming our Young Adult Bible Study, and bringing new ministry and fellowship opportunities to parents with kids at home. 

I’m also hopeful for the powerful GriefShare ministry to begin its next cohort this Wednesday August, 20th at 6:30pm, the Blessing of the Animals and so much more. In every phase of life we can reflect on the goodness of our everpresent God and say “Thank You” for all the ways God has made it possible for us to be present in the very moments we thank God for.

* * * 

Confirmation class also begins this Fall and I ask that you share the names of potential Confirmands with me by Monday, September 1st. Helping young people name God, know God and vow to follow God through Confirmation is meaningful in the life of the church, just as being Confirmed is an important part of life’s journey for our Confirmands. In Confirmation we acknowledge God at work in our lives AND we commit ourselves to faithfully following Jesus and answering God’s call.

I pray we all take some moments and reflect on God’s presence in our life’s journeys over the coming days and weeks. Whether returning to school or college, transitioning from a “Summer schedule,” embarking on a significant life change or maintaining the normal course of our lives, we all owe God a heartfelt “Thank You,” for sustaining us all along the way!



Love & Light,

~jt

John-Thomas Crockett

Minister for Youth, Young Adults & Families

Ephesians 2:11-18 | Psalms 86:8-12

Worship Service can be viewed LIVE AT 10:30 AM on

St. John's YouTube Channel

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.

Assistive Listening

St. John’s Ivyland wants to meet the needs of our community, and support our members and visitors in vital ways, including helping everyone to fully participate in Worship.

We are thankful to be able to provide ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES (ALDs)that are available for use at each Service.

These ALDs are FM radios that are connected to the audio broadcast for our Worship Services. The listening devices can be found in a marked basket in the church narthex.

Each service the devices will be sanitized for use but if you are interested in purchasing your own listening device they are available to order for under $20. Please contact the St. John’s church office to order a device or if you have any questions about St. John’s Ivyland’s ALD program.

“Thank God for the gifts and thank God for the Givers!”

Your faithful support of St. John’s Ivyland with tithes and offerings makes it possible for us to serve God as we are called throughout the year.

Questions about Giving: email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com

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)” 

Orders MUST BE in by Monday 8/18 at 11:59pm!

A variety of quality T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, and more will be offered at very reasonable prices. Apparel is a great way to make St. John’s visible in our community… and will serve as an excellent “uniform” for the upcoming Chicken BBQ!

The St. John’s Ivyland Apparel Store are open since Monday, August 4^th at 8am through Monday, August 18^th, 11:59pm. All orders must be placed online and will be available for pickup at St. John’s during the week of September 8^th – just in time for the Chicken BBQ.

You can scan the QR code above to access the store or click here: http://kampusklothes.chipply.com/STJOHNSIVYLAND

We’re looking for servant-leaders to help us decorate Sunday School classrooms this Wednesday, August 20th from 10 til Noon. Come help us prepare the rooms for God to do God’s work! (Also, donuts will be provided)

GriefShare BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY at 6:30PM. To learn more please contact Carol Campell eccampbell@aol.com or (215)431-7452 or Register at GriefShare.org

St. John’s will have a Confirmation Class beginning this Fall! We’ll be sharing more information about our introductory meeting throughout the Summer.  If your family is interested - or if you know someone who is - reach out to JT Crockett, today! 

We are preparing for another wonderful Christ-centered year of Sunday School at St. John’s Ivyland. 

Parents of students between grades 1 and 6 who have not received a Bible from St. John’s, please email Rev. Megan Berkebile by Friday August 15th so your child(ren) can receive one as part of our Fall Kick-off on Sunday, September 7th! 

Youth Fellowship Gathering is back (!!) following Traditional Worship this Sunday (Aug 17th)! See you there!

The story of Jamie Pyke, a man with a complex past, who has been passing as white in Philadelphia. When a young boy goes missing, Jamie must confront his true identity and return to the South, navigating the dangers of being exposed as a runaway. His journey intertwines with the Underground Railroad, leading him to confront past traumas and secure a new future.

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!

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