Hello St. John’s Family,
It’s hard for me to fathom that August is almost past and a new school year is beginning. Somehow, two-thirds of 2021 has flown by and is now “in the books.” I hope you had opportunities to share meaningful time with family and friends this summer, enjoying some cherished traditions together. And though I’m not quite ready for the relaxed feel of the summer months to end, I am eager for the arrival of September, and renewed opportunities to share together in the fullness of a life of faith at St. John’s!
Beginning Sunday, September 12, our worship services will explore how relationship with Christ brings renewed, vibrant life in the midst of an uncertain and challenging world. In conjunction with worship, many of the meaningful ways we live out our faith together will resume. Christian education for children and youth will kick off a new year with in-person activities, and our Confirmation program will begin in October. Our choirs and bell choirs for all ages will be active in offering their gifts to God in worship and rehearsals. Bible study opportunities for adults will resume, as will serving the needs of our community and congregation with programs like GriefShare. Opportunities for participation and service will abound, from reading scripture, to serving as an acolyte, to reaching out to those in our St. John’s Family who cannot attend in-person. The fall season will be a vibrant time at St. John’s! I ask you to keep these plans in your prayers, and to make a commitment to join with us in worship, learning, and service.
Clearly, one of the most critical components needed for all these meaningful opportunities to come to fruition is for us to be together. This is why the decision was made to align with CDC guidelines and require masks indoors at this time: to give us the best opportunity to be together safely. I recognize this is a sacrifice. Since I arrived, I’ve seen you make sacrifices in love for the good of others: for the most vulnerable, the healthcare and medical workers who care for us, and our young people who cannot be vaccinated. Thank you for your sacrifices, and your willingness to live out Christ’s call to sacrificial love. Your witness is a shining light in a dark and difficult time.
Before I close, I want to share an image of hope. Each night this week, my family has watched a doe and her fawn emerge from the tree line beside the parsonage to enjoy their dinner together. Often, they are out front under one tree, whose lowest branches are the perfect height for each to reach some leaves. The fawn is curious, and at times playful, yet guarded; mom is always close by with a watchful eye. Despite the noise and traffic of Almshouse Road thundering by, each are calm and content, eating, nuzzling each other, and taking in the good things that are around them.
Watching this pair has reminded me of the goodness and abundant provision of a loving God that is always present. Yes, we face many challenges and difficulties, yet we never face them alone. God is always with us, watching, guiding, and providing abundantly. Know that God is with us now in the challenges we face, eager to use our sacrifices and our service to paint a beautiful image of faithful life together.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS |
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A Letter from the Pastor & Leadership Board
Congregants and Friends of St John’s,
A pandemic that has brought so much isolation, suffering, and difficulty continues to afflict us. The Delta variant has spread rapidly, including transmission among fully vaccinated persons. In multiple areas of our country healthcare professionals and hospital systems are pushed to their limits, and patients are suffering alone. While that level of spread has not occurred in our immediate area, case counts have risen steadily, as have the concerns that the imminent opening of schools will accelerate the rise in cases. How do we continue to be Christ’s Church, shining the light and hope of Christ into these uncertain times? I and the Leadership Board have spent significant time praying and discerning how to do that in a meaningful and safe way.
Throughout the pandemic, guidelines from the CDC and local public health authorities have been a significant barometer in our decisions. Those guidelines, in combination with vaccinations, have enabled us to gather and resume many ministries safely. Leadership is agreed that aligning with those guidelines is the appropriate course of action to enable us to continue to gather and expand our in-person activities.
Based on this, masks will be needed for indoor gatherings regardless of vaccination status, effective Sunday, August 22. As the local level of transmission/case counts decrease below the level of substantial spread as defined by the CDC, this will be relaxed for fully vaccinated persons. I recognize this isn’t what anyone wants – myself included. It is another sacrifice – a meaningful sacrifice made in love, offering our children and the most vulnerable among us an increased level of protection. Thank you for your patience and sacrifices to enable us to continue to gather together safely.
In conjunction with this update, significant discussions have occurred regarding our approach to worship and congregational ministries this fall. All discussions focused on our enabling our St. John’s family to engage with each other meaningfully and safely.
Beginning Sunday, September 12, we will proceed as
outlined below.
Fall Worship: two worship services will be offered, both in our Sanctuary. Contemporary Worship will move to 9am, with Traditional Worship following at 10:30am. Both services will encourage congregational participation while limiting direct contact (i.e., incorporating scripture readers, acolytes, musical offerings, etc.). Nursery coverage at both services will resume September 12, provided sufficient help can be coordinated (volunteers must be vaccinated). Grace Cafe' will remain closed at this time.
Music Ministries, including Choirs, Bell Choirs, and Praise Band will rehearse and participate in worship as scheduled by Director of Music Ministries.
Sunday School/Christian Education for Children & Youth: in-person classes will be offered weekly at 10:30am. Youth Group will meet on Sunday evenings; our Confirmation program will begin early October.
Small Group Ministries (Bible Studies, UMW/UMM, GriefShare, etc.) are encouraged to proceed/continue meeting.
Activities where food will be served and consumed indoors are to be approved by the Leadership Board. Participants in Bible studies, small groups, etc. are welcome to bring individual water bottles/drinks if desired. Outdoor activities are mask-optional. A complete guidance document will be posted on our website by early next week.
I want to thank you again for your patience and willingness to sacrifice out of love for each other as we continue to expand our ministries together!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad and the Leadership Board
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Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: |
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Tech Team Volunteer Opportunities
(Anyone age 12 to 112 years old is welcome)
Come join our Tech Team!
Tech Team members learn how to run camera, operate video switcher, scroll the projector slides, monitor audio, and run YouTube software.
Click the box below to sign up for the YouTube LIVE traditional service or the non-broadcast contemporary service.
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 29, 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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On August 08, 2021, we welcomed nine new members to St. John's:
Bill & Donna Brucker
Wayne Hirschbill
Jennifer Leight *
Gavin Leight *
Darcy Leight *
Rob Lunny
Tracy Vasger
Stephen Whitehead
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BECOME AN ACOLYTE!
What is the job of an acolyte?
An acolyte’s role is to bring the light of Christ into the Sanctuary at the beginning of worship and then to take the light of Christ out into the world at the end of the service.
This is a great opportunity for our children to become involved in worship here at St. John’s.
Grades 3-6 Training included
If you are interested, contact Jennifer Haas
@ 215-776-1740
Or
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Join us for fun and fellowship Sunday, September 12th from
4 - 6 pm as we learn about the connection between kindness and God's character, as shown through God's big story!
For the entire family -
Bring snacks and drinks!
Tailgate party starts at 4 pm church parking lot!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP,
PLEASE CONTACT SUSAN SEAMANS
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Summer Youth Nights Final Week!
Friday 7 PM to 9 PM
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Friday, August 27th -
End of Summer
Water Fight!
Bring squirty things, a towel and a change of clothes. (Water balloons provided)
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Sneak Peek:
September 18th 11-3 PM Youth car wash & bake sale
Youth Nights starting Sunday, September 26th 7:15 - 8:30 PM
New Confirmation Class starts Sunday, October 3rd.
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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 Mission Sewing Group |
The young girls in Africa need panties to go with the Sani-Panis that our sewing group is making. Please consider donating panties in GIRLS sizes 14 and 16 and in Women’s sizes small and medium.
There will be a collection box in the Narthex for your donations until September 5th.
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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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WARRIOR COFFEE
UPDATE #4
AT ST. JOHN’S WE ARE
FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S RIGHT -
ONE CUP AT A TIME
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“FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S RIGHT - ONE CUP AT A TIME”
2021 is becoming a good year for the village of El Naranjito after nearly a year’s isolation. The coffee bean harvest which is just coming in looks to be a record harvest in terms of quantity and quality. The weather for the coffee beans has been very favorable over the last year. So the harvest and the opening of the economy means that Warrior Coffee will be available for you to drink, and for us to resupply the Grace Café when it reopens. I will be placing an order for St. John’s in mid to late September, so contact me at my email address below or use the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the church narthex.
More importantly, the Village of El Naranjito and the town of Peralta are being vaccinated thanks to all of you who drink Warrior Coffee. The town of Peralta was hard hit by Covid 19, with estimates of infection ranging as high as 70%. The village of El Naranjito did fare better, but only because they chose to stay in their village in the mountains to avoid social contact.
The vaccine has become available in the Dominican Republic at designated vaccination centers. However, these centers were far from Peralta and required travel that was not available to all the townspeople. Therefore, Lycoming is utilizing the dollars from the sale of coffee to provide transportation to all the community members that need it so that they can be vaccinated. This is just another great instance of how you can help simply by drinking Warrior Coffee.
If you drink coffee, consider ordering Warrior Coffee. Warrior Coffee also makes a nice gift and best of all the recipients of your gift will know they, too are “Fighting for What’s Right, One Cup at a Time”.
Paul Henry email: phenry605@verizon.net
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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, September 15th.
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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The Zoom Class continues on September 21st after a summer break. Like last year’s format, we will meet online from 10:30-11:45 am each Tuesday to learn about and discuss various topics related to our Christian faith. We have several interesting and informative topics planned. They include:
“All in The Family” – a look at what the New Testament tells us about Jesus’ family members
“What’s Up with Revelation” – a five week understanding of the Book of Revelation and what it means for us today
"Questioning Christianity" - Utilizing a book by Dan Patterson & Rian Roux, we will explore the nature and relevance of the Christian Gospel.
If you are interested in being a part of any of these discussion groups, please contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net
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New Wednesday Night
Bible Study
Mysteries of the Messiah
by
Rabbi Jason Sobel
Facilitator: Ken Lee
Starting Wednesday, September 22, 2021
7 - 9 PM Church Parlor
Join us for a six-week video Bible Study featuring Rabbi Jason Sobel as he walks the land of the Israelites of the Old Testament and explores the connections to Jesus the Messiah.
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Six Sessions including:
- Finding Jesus in the Story of Creation
- Finding Jesus in the Story of the Patriarchs
- Finding Jesus in the Story of Joseph and Judah
- Finding Jesus in the Story of Moses
- Finding Jesus in the Story of Ruth and Boaz
- Finding Jesus in the Story of David
Please contact Ken Lee or the office by phone or email if you plan to attend.
215-357-6998, stjumc@aol.com.
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ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
10:00 AM Grace Cafe' and 7 PM in Parlor
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
The EXILES
by Christina Baker Kline
An ambitious, emotionally resonant novel about three women whose lives are bound together in nineteenth-century Australia and the hardships they weather together as they fight for redemption and freedom in a new society.
We will follow St. John's guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. Please join us!
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The Upper Room
Devotionals
for
September/October
Will be available
in the Narthex and outside Fellowship Hall beginning
Sunday, August 29, 2021
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Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend. |
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United Methodist Women
September
Sock It to Me Sundays!
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The United Methodist Women are collecting new clothing and toiletry items for needy families in our local and surrounding areas. In addition to clothing and health care items, they also need back to school items such as tablets, pencils, crayons, binders and back packs etc.
Just as 2020 was a struggle for many families, 2021 is proving to be as big of a financial challenge. Please drop off your new items at the church or place in the barrel on the front porch (Saturday and Sundays Only). We will be collecting items for the full month of September.
ITEMS NEEDED:
Baby Disposable Diapers, Adult Disposable Underwear(men and women),
Socks, P.J's, Underwear, Toothpaste and Toothbrushes, Hair Products, Deodorant, Bath Soap, Wash Cloths and Towels, Baby Care Items, Baby and Toddler Clothes, Children's Clothing, School Supplies.
Thank you for your continued support and your generous gifts!
For questions please feel free to contact any member of the UMW Committee or contact Kathy Keppol at 215-357-7404. Email: rekeppol@comcast.net
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At least 20 men attended our August breakfast where we finalized plans for the Chicken BBQ and enjoyed a morning of fellowship. Our next breakfast will be at the Sycamore Grill in Newtown (PYOB - pay your own breakfast!). An October date will be announced soon.
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St. John's
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!
Congratulations to Dean and Carol Leib, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 19. 2021
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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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