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August 21, 2025

What is Christian Education?

A Lifelong Journey of Faith

I am a preacher's kid, born and raised in the church. Growing up I attended everything: Sunday School, worship, prayer meetings, and so many pot-luck dinners. I loved Sunday mornings where I would spend time learning Bible stories and singing songs, especially Bible songs with movements like “Father Abraham.” By the time I was 6, I felt that I could sing almost every kid's Bible song that existed. I had started a journey that I’ll be on for the rest of my life, a journey of faith through Christian Education.

Too often the words “Christian Education” are only used for our children; yet Christian Education is an important aspect of our faith for our entire lives. Christian Education is how we learn about God and how we develop our spiritual life. 

Scripture is the inspired Word of God and tells us how to know God and how to live by faith. Faith is what helps us deepen our relationship with God and Christian Education is a lifelong process of growing our faith by learning more about God. 

St. John's Ivyland offers Christian Education programming for all. We encourage all ages to learn how deeply God loves us and how we can relate Scripture to our lives at every stage. Christian Education helps us to deepen our spiritual life, to see beyond the challenges of life, and to find joy in our faith by being aware of God’s presence.

We are called Christians because we believe in Jesus, Son of God, and because we seek to live out our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. We are called to live in this world while living out the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are called to pray, read the Word of God, follow God’s laws, to love God and love one another. 

Our calling compels us to tell others about Jesus so they too can live in the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you (Matthew 28: 19).” Christian Education prepares us for living into Christ's words. 

How important it is to have a closer relationship with God, to transform our world into a better place for generations to come! It is a blessing to deepen our faith all because someone took the time to live into their calling and to share with us that God loves us and wants a relationship with us.

I will always look back on my childhood years as my foundation in Christian Education as I continue to live into my calling to share God’s love with others. Many of you continue to serve and share your own experiences with others and I encourage you to use the words Christian Education when talking about your own faith journey. Continue to deepen your faith through service, spend time in Bible Study, join in Sunday School for any age, pray, and live into God’s calling for your life as you deepen your relationship and love with God. That’s Christian Education.



Rev. Megan Berkebile

Luke 18:1-8 | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

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)” 

As we work to get ready for our Fall Kick Off we thank God for all the efforts that have been made to restore the Sanctuary screen and recognize Chris Seger, Glenn Kavash, Rich Prim, Stew Horton & Casey Lawrence for their  service to God and the St. John’s Ivyland Family.

We’re looking for servant-leaders to help us serve God by serving God’s Children and Teens. If you are interested in helping on Sunday mornings and/ or when we offer special programs please reach out to Rev Megan or Youth Pastor JT, today!

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! 

Everyone is invited to attend with their animals

(properly restrained, of course).

 If you wish you may bring a picture of your pet

to be blessed.   

We will give thanks for all God’s creation, 

and celebrate His gift of creatures, great and small.

Each animal will receive a personal blessing, a gift, 

a treat and a free picture of this special event.

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