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Hello St. John’s Family,

On August 27^th my wife and I came home to an “empty” house. For the first time in 21 years, we did not have a child following us! There was no longer someone there whom we were directly responsible for: no one to make sure was at the place they needed to be on time, no one to remind to get their clothes out of the washer, no one to check and see what their plans were – whether they had a game or work or a group project after school. Not that those things were overly burdensome; they frequently brought us joy. The sudden change, though, was marked – even with two dogs, our lives were noticeably different (and quieter!).

Since then, several people have asked me how that change has been. I’ll often pause, then respond, good! Which it is. We certainly miss our kids, and the simple, good times we’d share together on an (almost) daily basis. Yet seeing them grow and mature as they go out to pursue their calling is powerful. Watching them discern where God is leading them forward, navigate setbacks, and work to prepare themselves to live out their calling has been an amazing and humbling experience. I’ve often felt like the dad of Phillies rookie pitcher Orion Kerkering… unsuccessfully fighting to hold back tears of joy for my children’s accomplishments. I’ve seen how they are ready to move forward; my task in this season of life is to love and support them along the way. Embracing that change has been, in a word, good.

Changes and transitions invite reflection. One of the unexpected realizations I’ve been pondering is how years of focus on my children and their growth inadvertently caused me to neglect other important relationships. In the past few weeks, I’ve greatly appreciated more time with my wife. I seem to be able to talk more easily with her, I joke with her a bit more, and we have more time together on an average day. It’s not that we didn’t talk or joke or spend time together before; we did. Yet as I reflected, it hit me that I have sometimes neglected to invest into our relationship as much as I’d like to. I could easily blame the kids and their schedules, or my pastoral responsibilities, or a host of other things… and there is some truth to that. Ultimately, though, there were times I just wasn’t focused on our relationship as much as I should. When I don’t have a clear vision of what’s important and intentionally prioritize that vision, the results are inevitably lacking. It’s usually not a disaster… yet it’s not what it could be – and what I want it to be.

I believe the same dynamic applies to our relationship with God. Personally, and collectively, when we’re not intentional about listening for how God wants to work in our life, and then prioritizing God’s desires – God’s calling on us in our current season of life – the results are rarely what we’d like them to be. We’ll find ourselves restless, or wandering, or overwhelmed – struggling to perceive the sense of purpose we’re looking for. God is with us in those moments, and good things still come to fruition in our lives. Yet, the results aren’t what they could be. God desires the best for us; for us to experience that, we need to be focused on and prioritize God’s calling in our daily lives. That’s essential personally, and collectively as Christ’s Church. 

Over the coming weeks, we’ll engage in the important work of prayerfully discerning where God is calling us as a congregation. Our sermons will focus on Biblical examples of people who discerned God’s voice and direction at crucial points in their lives – often in times of uncertainty or transition. We’ll also gather in small group meetings, to pray and reflect on the good ministry occurring at St. John’s, to name the challenges we face, and to work on discerning God’s vision for us now, so that we can focus and prioritize our efforts. I’m excited to begin, as I know with all my heart that God has great plans for us!

I hope to see you soon in one of our small group meetings! And I hope to see you in worship this Sunday, as we’ll see how God IS with us when we find ourselves wandering and lonely, at a crossroad in life. Check out Genesis 28:10-19, then join me on Sunday-

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

NEW MEMBERS are welcome to come and participate in this wonderful Ministry!

If you are interested, please contact Roy Nelson or Alissa Nelson for details, or, speak to a choir member or parent.

December is a busy month for the St. John's Congregation and Choirs. Below is the schedule for choir members and parents, so that you can be sure everything is on your schedule. We appreciate your dedication and commitment to our Music Ministry.

Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures:



Come Worship with us this Sunday

October 01, 2023

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.

Book Club

We will meet on

Wednesday, October 04, at 10:00 AM

in the Grace Cafe. All are welcome!

Please join us as we discuss:

"Ordinary Grace"

by: William Kent Krueger

 "A brilliantly moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God."

Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell

HARVEST WELCOME BRUNCH

Saturday, October 7th, 2023

10:00 - 11:30am - Fellowship Hall

Come and join the women of St. John’s

in welcoming the Fall.

A light brunch of coffee, tea, muffins and scones will be available while we get to catch up with each other. We will discuss upcoming events at St. John’s and United Women in Faith, which will be followed by our guest speaker, Denise Clark.  

Denise’s presentation is called:

“True Love: Understanding Abuse”

Rather than focusing on the ugliness of abuse, this presentation is based on 1 John 4. It focuses on God’s love in such a way as to help us understand what abuse is, how it affects a person’s ability to love and be loved and the 

overwhelming need for us to be able to share God’s love with those around us who are trying to cope with situations in their lives.

A sign-up sheet is on the United Women in Faith bulletin board. Please come & join in a morning of good fellowship and hear how you may be able to help others. 

Hi Blood Donors,

Due to a change with the Red Cross, St John's has had to shift days so we can be open for people who can only be here after work hours. Therefore, the Blood Drive has been moved from Friday November 3 to Monday November 20, from 2:00-7:00 PM.

You will need to make a reservation again (sorry!) Click the button below to book a time on the 20th, which should be easy, since it's wide open now.

There will be, of course, our cookies, cakes, and other goodies, post donation, and pre-Thanksgiving.

Thank you for your understanding.

Joanne Lescas

Blood Program Leader

St John's UMC

Our class objectives are to build our trust, faith and belief in God and continue to build our loving, personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Class time is spent discussing the Scriptural readings for the weekly lessons and what they mean to each of us and their impacts on our lives and relationships. We also strive to build a loving fellowship with all the class members and support one another and help each other to answer Christ's call to go out into the world to love, serve, obey and witness to God.

Title: Disciple IV Under the Tree of Life 

Where: Church Parlor 

When: Wednesday evenings 7-9 pm beginning 13 September 2023 to June 2024

Facilitator: Ken Lee 

Course Description: Disciple 4 Under the Tree of Life is a study of the Old Testament Books called the Writings (Book not including the Torah and Prophets), the Gospel of John, the Letters of John, and Revelation. The Study Manual gives instructions for daily readings and provides space for note taking. Videos of commentary from Biblical Scholars will accompany each weekly lesson. 

Point of Contact for those interested in participating: notify the Church Office by email; office.stjumc@gmail.com 

The Church office can also assist in ordering the Study Manual. 

Be a part of a vibrant, growing ministry at St. John's UMC Ivyland as Director of Children's Ministries. Introduce and guide children from toddlers through 6th graders to the love of God through relationship with Jesus Christ. Provide programming leadership and direction to Sunday School teachers, coordinate the annual one-week Vacation Bible School, and work with families and their children to establish solid foundations to Christian life.

This part-time, 20 to 25 hours/week staff position requires all background clearances and Safe Sanctuary Training be completed prior to employment. A heart for Jesus, a love of children, and effective communication and delegation skills are essential. A bachelor's degree or background in education and/or ministry is strongly desired.

Please send application or resume to Staff-Parish Relations Committee, St. John's United Methodist Church, 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland PA 18974 or email to office.stjumc@gmail.com

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month

10 AM in the Parlor.

The 500th prayer shawl was given out on March 7, 2023! This ministry began in 2009. 

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 office.stjumc@gmail.com. 

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.

Members of Naomi Circle, delivered lots and lots of aluminum tabs to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). The tabs are sold to a recycling center.

The proceeds are then used to support families staying at one of two Ronald McDonald Houses located in Philadelphia near CHOP and St. Christopher’s Hospitals.

Thanks St. John’s family for being such a thirsty bunch. Ronald was pleased!

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

St. John's Ivyland UMC

820 Almshouse Road

Ivyland, PA 18974

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

stjohnsivyland.com

Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor

Thank you to everyone who has followed us on Instagram! If you haven't yet, please do so! 

@stjohnsivyland



www.instagram.com/stjohnsivyland