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September 19, 2024

Hello St. John’s Family,

Throughout this week, troubling reports from the Middle East continue to come in. News of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies targeting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon revealed another wave of terror, suffering, and death that extended far beyond militants. Israel, still reeling from the horrific Oct. 7^th attack by Hamas and attempting to free those taken hostage, has steadily expanded its response beyond Gaza to Lebanon. I, like so many appalled by the Oct. 7^th attack, grasp the need to provide protection and safety for innocent people. Yet the intensifying responses have raised the level of suffering, fear, and uncertainty for so many innocent people to levels that are bordering on unconscionable, while doing little if anything to establish meaningful safety and peace. As the one-year “anniversary” of the October 7^th attack approaches, the conflict, terror, and suffering experienced by so many across that region only seems to deepen by the day. One cannot help but wonder where God is in this mess.

Yet God, as God so often does, breaks into the mess. In late August, I came across a story regarding Sapir Cohen. Ms. Cohen, abducted on October 7^th and then released 55 days later, spoke on August 27^th at Yeshiva University in New York City. During her talk, Cohen shared how she found herself paired with a teenage girl while in captivity. Prayer was constant for her throughout that time. Soon, God revealed a purpose for her: to care for that teenage girl. God empowered Cohen, which she recounted: “Every day I say three things. First is my prayer. Second is, thank you God for sending me to this place. I feel all the power that you gave me. I know how to use it to keep myself and this girl. Last is, thank you God about all the angels you sent me." Both Cohen and the teenage girl were safely released together.

I do not believe God caused – in other words, acted to orchestrate - the situation Cohen found herself in. Humans – broken and sinful, acting outside of God’s just and good ways – caused that all on our own. What I believe God did orchestrate is a strong, unshakeable awareness within Cohen that God was present. God was right there with her, in every moment of the hell of captivity. God would not abandon her, however the situation progressed. As God’s presence was understood and embraced, she was able to open herself to be an instrument of goodness and grace in an unimaginably horrific situation. Cohen was able to bring calmness and a sense of peace to scared and struggling girl. This was empowering, as oppressors no longer had control over her. Even in the midst of captivity, Cohen was free, through the liberating power of God.

Perhaps Sapir Cohen is just one example of God acting to redeem the suffering, struggle, and pain in the conflicts across the world. I pray more and more people will come to grasp God’s presence and power to break through intractable, seemingly hopeless situations here in our community, in our country, in the Middle East, and beyond… and fully experience what it means to be free.

This Sunday in worship we’ll continue our sermon series Created for Connection. Exploring Hebrews 10:21-25, we’ll hear of the importance of maintaining our connection – especially in times of difficulty – and be reminded of God’s faithfulness. I hope you’ll join me in worship on Sunday!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

Come worship with us this Sunday!

September 22, 2024

"Hold to the Hope"

Hebrews 10:21-25

Weekly Scripture: I Peter 3:8-12

Lead Pastor - Rev. Brad Leight

Contemporary: 9:00AM | Traditional: 10:30 AM

This service can be viewed LIVE through

St. John's YouTube Channel

or on our homepage:

www.stjohnsivyland.com

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.

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

Confirmation Class: Introductory Meeting

The process of Confirmation ends with a sacred ritual but it begins with an earnest exploration of who God is and what it means to be in a faithful relationship with God.

St. John’s Ivyland will be offering Confirmation Classes for young people in the 7th Grade and older, our Introducing Confirmation meeting (for parents & Youth) will be held THIS SUNDAY, September 22nd, in the St. John’s Youth Room, immediately after 10:30 AM Worship!

God’s Wonderful, Messy Creations (Messy Church)

"Messy Church" is where we teach & learn that God’s love is for all of us, all the time, everywhere !

Kids and Families are invited to join us for an afternoon of fun, crafts and lunch Saturday, September 28th from 12-2pm! Please contact Pastor Megan (childrensministry.stjumc@gmail.com || 814-691-1318 ) for more info & to RSVP.

St. John’s Caring Ministries Visitation Team 

is a vital part of the mission of our church. 

The Team regularly visits our shut-ins, makes calls to check on them 

and sends cards to brighten their days. 

If you are interested in becoming a part of this important

ministry of St. John’s, please contact Pastor Ruth.

We will be scheduling a training meeting soon, 

so prayerfully consider joining our Team.

St. John’s Ivyland celebrates all the ways you have (re)CONNECTED to God with us this September! We encourage you to keep exploring and sharing all the ways we can experience God at St. John’s. We worship, pray, sing, volunteer, serve as Christian Educators, usher, acolyte and so much more. We invite you to (re)CONNECT to God with us; all are welcome!

The Upper Room

Devotionals

for 

September/October

Are now available

in the Narthex

Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend.

Our next Blood Drive is right around the corner!



The date is Monday, November 4th, 2024, from 2:00- 7:00 PM.

Please help us share all the wonderful things God has for our kids, register the Children in your life today!

Welcome kids pre-K to 6th Grade to an exciting new year of Sunday School at St. John’s Ivyland. We have three classrooms this year so kids of every level can come learn and experience God’s Love!

St John’s Ivyland is looking for children & teens (3rd Grade & older) who are interested in becoming acolytes.

What is the job of an acolyte?

Acolytes perform a vital role in Worship: they bring in the Light of Christ prior to the service and to take the Light of Christ out into the World at the end of the service.



Training is available for all interested in serving! 

If you know of a young person who can serve in this meaningful part of Worship Contact Jennifer Haas (215)-776-1740 | jenhaas95@gmail.com

2024-25 Youth Sunday School Registration is live! Please help us to make sure your youth is registered. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to JT Crockett at youth.stjumc@gmail.com.

Teen Sunday School

Is God online?

All middle school & high school aged teens are invited to join us in Sunday School for the next part of our topical conversation about what it means to be teen, be online & be a Christian.

This Sunday at 10:30 am in the St. John’s Youth Room

All teens are invited to join our Youth Fellowship Hour immediately after Traditional Worship (11:30-12:30 PM). THIS WEEK we’ll start in the St. John’s Youth Room & shift to the Library!

Join us for a Special Celebration of Halloween with Costumes, Pizza, Candy & More, Sunday October 27th at 10:30 AM! Kids (and adults) can show off their costumes during Traditional Worship, there will be a special spooky Sunday School and so much more! We invite all Children & Familie to join us and we hope you will too! 

HARVEST WELCOME BRUNCH

Saturday, October 5th, 2024

10:00 - 11:30am - Fellowship Hall

Come and join the women of St. John’s in welcoming the Fall. 

A light breakfast/brunch of coffee, tea, homemade breakfast casseroles and bagels will be available while we socialize and get to catch up with each other and make new acquaintances. We will discuss upcoming events at St. John’s and United Women in Faith, which will be followed by our guest, Trish Conover. 

Trish will enlighten all who attend with a musical program:

“Sisters in Song: Re-Valuing Women Hymn Writers”

Music is a means to escape, to remember, to worship, and so much more. Join our guest artist, Trish Conover, as she explores the back stories of some of the greatest hymns written by women. This session will include singing by our guest clinician, as well as audience participation.

A sign-up sheet is on the United Women in Faith bulletin board. Please come, invite your friends, & join in a morning of good fellowship.

Project Arch Street Service Events

SUNDAY, October 6, 2024

4:00 PM

ST. JOHN’S IVYLAND

(Front Yard of Church.)

(In case of rain we will move to Fellowship Hall)

820 ALMSHOUSE ROAD

(Across from Solly Farm)

IVYLAND, PA

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.

On Friday Oct 25th, St. John’s Ivyland is proud to be hosting a FREE Family Movie Night for all our families and their friends. Families of all ages and sizes are welcome to share in a meal, laugh, fellowship and enjoy the show! 



We’ll share more info - including how to sign up - soon so keep your eyes open and ears open. We look forward to fellowshiping with you Friday, 10/25!

Trunk or Treat!

On Sunday, October 27th St. John’s Ivyland is hosting a Trunk or Treat!

Trunk or Treat is where we decorate our vehicles and invite kids and families to celebrate the season of spookiness with us in our St. John’s parking lot.

Contact Pastor Megan (childrensministry.stjumc@gmail.com | 814-691-1318 ) by October 13th for more info & let us know you want to participate!

Music for Sunday, September 22

GENesis Bells: "Danza" - A Joyful Dance

Youth Choir: "Sing! Shout Alleluia" - Tammy Skiermont, Flute

Adult Choir: "I Am Determined" - Tammy Coapman, Soloist

Alissa Nelson, Director

All year long, Servant-Leaders in our AV Ministry help facilitate meaningful Worship at our Contemporary and Traditional Services. This Fall, we invite you to (re)CONNECT by experiencing how they help us share the Word of God and the power and passion of Worship with those who can’t join us in a new way. St John’s Ivyland needs your help in growing & sustaining our AV Ministry. (re)CONNECT today and participate in this vital ministry!

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