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Cornerstone

September 25, 2025

PASTOR'S REFLECTION

Hello St. John’s Family,

 

Within the Leight household, September is a month full of special days. Early September marks our wedding anniversary and mid-September marks the birthdays of two very special people in my life. (I will not divulge names or ages, as I highly value my life). This September, though, also brings the highly anticipated (at least by me) return of Slow Horses, a guilty-pleasure TV series that has me hooked.

 

Overall, we aren’t a family who watches a lot of TV. My wife is very excited that Law and Order SVU is back, as she has a standing Thursday night appointment with Captain Olivia Benson. Recent months also featured frequent viewing of The Summer I Turned Pretty – which I acknowledge I was drawn into – yet that didn’t really connect. Number one, I never turned pretty, hence I struggle to relate; and number two, the characters are absolutely infuriating. But I digress… other than the Philly sports teams, we do not view a whole lot of TV. Slow Horses though, is my exception.

 

For those unfamiliar, Slow Horses is based on the Slough House British spy novels by Mick Herron that chronicle a group of misfit and cast-off agents in MI5, the security branch of the British Military Intelligence agency. The “Slow Horses” are agents that have been “banished” to Slough House because they have messed up in a major way and are viewed as incompetent and unreliable. Every Slow Horse agent has a significant flaw (some have multiple flaws!), and many are crude, foul-mouthed, hold little regard for agency procedures… are the antithesis of a “good” agent. Yet these misfits frequently do very good work while displaying an almost endearing quality – at least when their flaw doesn’t get in the way. The funny thing is that all the “good” agents at The Park (Headquarters of MI5) have their own flaws. Flaws that are just as bad – if not worse than – the “Slow Horses.”

 

Seeing this drama of “good” agents superimposed over “bad” agents play out – how someone labeled as “bad” and who clearly has flaws, yet often reveals a much purer heart than another who is viewed as “good” simply because their flaws are overlooked – often makes me think of how Christ Jesus sees us when He looks at our world. It seems to me that when he was here, Christ focused intently on seeing everyone exactly as they are: a good and beloved child of God, who has areas of life that are beyond their ability to fix. Christ extended love and grace to all people, especially those who were typically viewed as beyond help. Christ had an uncanny knack for seeing the goodness in those otherwise seen as broken, no matter how significant the flaw.

 

I can’t help but think our community, country, and world would be a much better place if we focused on viewing others with the same intent and focus as Jesus did. At a time of deep fracture and division, seeing how all people are created good in God’s image; are flawed by sin; and are redeemable by Christ’s love and grace opens the door to empathy and connection across divides. We’ll never all agree – at least not on this side of eternity – yet seeking to see others as Christ does will help us heal. Deep thoughts from a dark and trashy spy thriller… 

 

This Sunday we’ll gather to worship and praise Christ our Lord. We’ll conclude our series on hope by acknowledging there are moments when our hope will falter. God, though, has an uncanny knack of revealing someone who will walk with us and weather the storm. In fact, heartbreaking and seemingly hopeless moments offer opportunities for the people of God to act, extending God’s hope when needed most. Check out Ruth 1:7-18 and Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 and then join me in worship on Sunday!

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

Ruth 1:7-18 | Romans 8:31-35, 37-39

  • Engage (This Week)
  • Upcoming (October Preview) 
  • Sunday School
  • Bible Study
  • Ministries & Small Groups
  • Opportunities to Serve
  • About the Cornerstone 

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.

Stewardship


We can CELEBRATE God’s love for us by answering the call to Stewardship!



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


“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

Statement Thru August 2025

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)” 

ENGAGED THIS WEEK

HARVEST WELCOME BRUNCH

Saturday, September 27, 2025

10:00 - 11:30am - Fellowship Hall

 

All the women of the church are invited to come to 

St. John’s Harvest Welcome Brunch. 

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 present information about our women's circles and take a look at how United Women in Faith uses our donations. A new initiative of United Women in Faith is Soul Care. United Women in Faith surveyed women of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures and found that women are seeking experiences that embody both self-care and spiritual rejuvenation, what they call soul care. We'll include soul care exercises as we learn ways to nurture our whole self. 

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.


You can also sign up by contacting:

Arlene Williams
arlenew13@aol.com

215-355-0162

Ali Witt

bockerdo@aol.com

Right after 10:30 am Worship, St John’s is hosting a Coffee & Fellowship hour for Dads in our CHURCH PARLOR! We pray we see you there!

Join The Hospitality Committee


We are a group of volunteers who enjoy feeding our fellow congregants. Whether it’s homemade or store bought treats, we stock the Grace Cafe each Sunday morning with cookies, quick breads, cakes, doughnuts, etc. You would be in a rotation once every 3-4 months. If you are interested in helping to sweeten our Sundays.

Please reach out to Amy Scarlett 610-322-2276 or drandmrsscarlett@yahoo.com

UPCOMING (OCTOBER PREVIEW)

Tuesday, October 1st join the St. John’s Ivyland Book Club as we'll discuss In A League of Her Own by Kaia Alderson.

 

Based on the incredible life of Effa Manley, an unforgettable and inspiring story about a woman with a dream who wound up with a baseball team. The only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, who was a Black businesswoman in the male dominated Negro Leagues.

Advent Devotionals

Advent devotions are due Sunday October 5th! Please see Pastor Ruth to submit your contribution to this year’s Advent Devotional.


Email: outreachstjohns@yahoo.com

Confirmation Meeting


There is a mandatory Confirmation meeting Sunday October 5th, immediately after 10:30 Worship in the Youth Room. Please see or contact JT Crockett for more details.


Email: youth.stjumc@gmail.com

Painting Party


Come enjoy a fun & creative afternoon hang Saturday, October 11th from 1:30pm-3:30pm in the St John’s Fellowship Hall. The cost is $35 per participant and covers instruction and materials. If you are interested, please sign up by October 5th in church narthex (in front of Sanctuary). You can email Nicole McDevitt for more information!


Email: nikmcd@msn.com

St. John’s Ivyland Church Picnic


Family, friends & neighbors - ALL are invited to St John’s Ivyland Church Picnic, Sunday, October 19th. Come to church dressed for picnic fun. 


Sign up sheets will be available in the church narthex THIS SUNDAY


For more information on the St John’s Church Picnic please email Nicole McDevitt.


Email: nikmcd@msn.com

Trunk or Treat


Join us for Trunk or Treat & celebrate Fall on Sunday, October 26th. 


Decorate your car trunk with a theme or spooky Halloween tricks and park in a designated spot as children and adults come around for treats. The ideas are endless, and we are here to help. 


There will be food and fellowship for families after - so wear a costume and plan for a good time.


CANDY DONATIONS begin THIS SUNDAY in the St John’s Narthex! Please let us know if you plan to decorate a vehicle by October 12.


Email: childrensminstry.stjumc@gmail.com

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

No Youth Fellowship



Please note, there is NO YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Sunday September 28th or Sunday October 5th. Our teens will have time for fellowship in Sunday School (10:30)!

BIBLE STUDIES

October Bible Study - Faith and International Relations


Picking up where last year’s ‘Faith and Politics’ left off, this four-week Bible study will look at the intersection of the discipline of International Relations (IR) and issues of Christian belief. Topics will include approaches to human nature and the study of global politics; the importance of a ‘macro’ level approach to both the examination of world affairs and questions of faith; the structure of the international state system and the parallels with the Kingdom of Heaven; and the importance of marginalized voices, both in IR and our faith tradition.


The study will be held on Mondays (10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) starting October 13th . Co-moderators will be Lance Kenney and Pastor Brad Leight

Our next Zoom Bible Study is this Tuesday, September 23th. We’d love to see you there! For access please email Rev Paul Henry via the link below.

St. John’s Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study is back and we’re exploring Jesus in the Gospels. Join us Wednesday at 7 in the Library! 

Young Adult Explorer Bible Study

College-aged Young Adults have their own Bible Study at St John’s, led by our own Ken Lee. Our first Fall meeting is this Sunday at 11:30am in the church library.

MINISTRIES & SMALL GROUPS

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

St John’s Ivyland is blessed to have so many current college students in our church family! We are launching a new ministry where we pray for our students by name and lift their concerns before the Lord! If you are interested in becoming a prayer warrior for our students who are away from home, please contact JT Crockett and join this awesome intercessory prayer project today.


Email: youth.stjumc@gmail.com

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


An acolyte's role is to bring in the light of Christ prior to the service and to take the light of Christ out at the end of the service. 


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


TRAINING IS AVAILABLE!

Prayer requests should be submitted to prayer.stjumc@gmail.com

Prayer requests are reviewed

Monday-Friday AM.

MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION

If your contact information changes: 

address, phone, email, etc.

please notify the church office at

215-357-6998 or office.stjumc@gmail.com

and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.

Thank 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

CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266