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Hello St. John’s Family,
Like so many others, I woke up this morning with a heavy heart, anticipating news reports of continued devastation from Hurricane Ian. Recent days have been filled with near-constant weather updates and warnings regarding the danger of this storm. Images of the damage in Cuba preceded Ian’s arrival here, and before that there were the images of Puerto Rico being devastated by Hurricane Fiona the week prior. All reinforced the power and force that nature can unfurl so quickly, and the long-lasting impact on those who find themselves caught in the path of these storms.
As I spent time in prayer for those impacted, I was struck by the difficulty – and sense of sheer helplessness – one feels while waiting as danger approaches. My mind recalls severe flooding that accompanied Hurricane Floyd in 1999. While attempting to drive home from work, I encountered a creek that had completely flooded the roadway. Slowing down, I saw a tree (not a branch or limb, but a full tree) being swiftly carried by the flood. Homes and businesses would soon be in the pathway of that flood and tree, and the resulting damage was significant. It was heartbreaking; yet there was little I could do in that moment, other than watch and pray.
That experience was a vivid lesson that we as humans will face situations beyond our control. We cannot control the results of catastrophic storms; we cannot control the results of heartbreaking, even catastrophic choices made by those we love. More often than we like, those situations bring difficulty and devastation into our lives. And though we cannot control the situations we face, we do control our response: how we react to the situation at hand.
I believe our responses in those devastating moments begin with turning to God. Right now, we seek God’s presence, strength and help for all those suffering: those in Florida, those in Cuba, and those in Puerto Rico. As we do that, we seek God’s presence and guidance for us: guidance and direction on how God needs us to be the living Body of Christ in the middle of the mess. That may mean offering donations of money or supplies. It may mean volunteering to offer physical assistance. It may mean spending focused time in prayer in the coming days for those who are hurting. It may mean all the above! Yet it always means pausing, seeking God, and enabling God to help us see those suffering as God sees them: as beloved children of God. I pray God will help us to do that in the coming days.
This Sunday, I hope you’ll join me in worship as we explore Luke 16:19-31. In this powerful parable, we’ll be reminded of our opportunities – and responsibility – to see as God sees. We’ll see how that forms the essence of faith - what many call “religion.” Ultimately, that essence will shape our responses to the difficult situations we encounter in life. I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS | |
Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: | |
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Come Worship with us this Sunday,
October 02, 2022
Contemporary Praise Service
at 9:00 AM
Traditional Service
at 10:30 AM
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This 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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FELLOWSHIP & COMMUNITY OUTREACH | |
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THIS SUNDAY, October 2, 2022
4:00 PM
ST. JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
(Front lawn)
(In case of rain, we will move to Fellowship Hall.)
Everyone is invited to attend with their animals (properly restrained, of course) as we give thanks for all God’s creation, and celebrate His gift of creatures, great and small.
Each animal will receive a personal blessing, a treat, a gift and a free picture of this special event.
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Donations Needed of
Non-perishable foods
Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank.
Thank you for your support.
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Recycling Event
to benefit Bright Futures Academy
(and our Planet Earth)
Through a program with the Trex Corporation, we are collecting clean and dry soft plastic bags (examples in flyer). Bags should be brought to St. John's and placed in the large white container in the Narthex. Upon collecting 500 lbs of material, Trex will provide us with a brand-new bench (can receive 1 bench every six months). Our first bench will be sent to the Bright Futures Academy for their new playground. This project is organized by two of our Youth Stars, Nicole & Melissa McDevitt. Click below for acceptable plastics to be recycled.
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The Grace Cafe is Open!
Stop by between services for a freshly brewed cup of Warrior Coffee, a sweet treat, and fellowship with your St. John's family.
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Fellowship Team
Forming Now
Come join the fun and help to plan future opportunities to gather together as a Church family. We're looking for ideas from our youth and our "elders" and every age in between. Join the Fellowship Team or just come to planning sessions as you are able. Contact Pastor Ruth, Kathy Keppol or Lynne Tomlinson
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Children's Message this Sunday!
All children age 4 through Grade 6 will check in at the mobile check-in cart located in the Narthex. Please remember to arrive early to check your child in.
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This year in Sunday School we are going to take a journey through God's Big Story. This month we will take a closer look at the lives of Joseph and Moses. Both of these men trusted God through hard circumstances and would not give up. These are two heroes of the faith, and we hope we can help the kids see how their stories connect between Genesis and Exodus.
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We hope you’re enjoying our Journey Kids Newsletter! | |
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Grades 7 - 12
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Fellowship Hall
Often, for Sunday School, our devotionals, even sermons, we focus on one specific Bible verse and flesh out what it has to say to us today. However, what are we missing by not looking at the ‘big picture?’ What do the first four books of the New Testament have to teach us that we might be missing by parsing out individual passages? This series will look at the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) at a macro-level. Who wrote them and when? Who is the target audience? What are the dominant themes, and how do they overlap or even contradict one another? How did they make the cut and get included in the Bible at all? Most importantly, how are they still relevant for us today?
No homework; participation strongly encouraged!
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Music at St. John's
Our Music Ministry rehearsals have begun. There is still time to join. If you have any questions, please contact:
JOYFUL VOICES CHOIR
The Joyful Voices Choir is for children in grades K-5. The Choir meets every Sunday following the 10:30 Worship Service. Rehearsals usually run about 45 minutes. The Joyful Voices sing twice a month at the 10:30 service. Singing Sundays are the FIRST and THIRD Sundays of the month.
YOUTH CHOIR (singing)
The Youth Choir is for children / youth in grades 6-12. The Choir meets every Sunday at 6:15 and the rehearsal lasts one hour. The Youth Choir sings twice a month at the 10:30 Worship Service. Singing Sundays are the SECOND and FOURTH Sundays of the month. Occasionally the choir will sing at the 9:00 Contemporary Worship. New members are welcome. Previous participation in a choir is not a requirement.
ADULT CHOIR (singing)
Our Adult Choir presents music every Sunday at the 10;30 Worship Service. The Adult Choir rehearses every Thursday night at 8:00. Rehearsals usually last until 9:30. New members who have had some singing experience are always welcome to join us for rehearsal. Please contact Roy Nelson for additional information.
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP PRAISE BAND
The Praise Band sings each week at the 9:00 Worship Service. Singers and instrumentalists (guitar / percussion) are invited to join us. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at 7:00. Adults and youth were invited to participate.
HOLY HANDBELLS (Handbell Choir)
We are hoping to re-start our Holy Handbell Choir. This Handbell Choir is for children grades 3-6. Rehearsals will be announced pending participation interest.
GENesis Bells (Handbell Choir)
The GENesis Bells is a Handbell choir that includes both Youth and Adults. GENesis Bells rehearse on Sunday nights at 5:15 (before Youth Choir). The choir plays each month on the SECOND Sunday. There are several "vacancies" in our choir, due to members graduating. No previous experience with Handbells is necessary. Basic music knowledge is a plus for membership, but not required. Youth grades 6 - 12 are invited to participate.
CELEBRATION RINGERS (Handbell Choir)
The Celebration Ringers rehearse once or twice a month, usually on Monday night. Previous Handbell experience is not necessary to join the choir. We have several spots open in the Celebration Ringers (Bass Bells and Middle Bells). Basic music knowledge is a plus for membership, but not required. Celebration Ringers play several times a year at "special events" and at some Sunday Worship Services. Please contact Roy Nelson for additional information.
RING OF FAITH (Handbell Choir)
The Ring of Faith Handbell Choir meets on Thursday nights at 6:45. The choir plays each month on the FOURTH Sunday. Presently, there are no opening in Ring of Faith, but experienced "subs" are needed. Please let Roy know if you are interested.
FESTIVAL OF CAROLS - Sunday December 4th - ALL CHOIRS
Ann's Choice - Adult Choir and ROF - Thursday December 15
MUSIC SUNDAY - December 18 - ALL CHOIRS - 2 Morning Services
Christmas Eve - Joyful voices - 5:30 service
Christmas Eve - Bells & Youth & Adult Choirs - 7:30 service
Christmas DAY / SUNDAY - to be determined
As you can imagine, with SIX choirs to plan for and schedule, I need your help in making sure that you, or your child, is present for our singing Sundays. I appreciate your dedication and commitment to our Music Ministry at St. John's.
Roy 215-962-8928
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Join our
Volunteer Tech Team and see just how "Techie" you can be!
All ages welcome - youth, young adults, elder statesmen and stateswomen.
Amaze your family with your AV skills!
Skills taught weekly.
Contact church office
at 215-357-6998
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BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS | |
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St. John's Book Club
"It's easy to feel at home in Mitford. In these high green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel thief and a secret that's 60 years old. A rich, provincial comedy in which mysteries and miracles abound."
Please join in on Wednesday, October 12, at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM, in the Grace Cafe. All welcome.
Leaders Barbara Schneider and
Carol Campbell
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CONTRIBUTE A DEVOTION!!
Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. This should be a time for families to come together in prayer and devotion.
This has been another really difficult year for all of us.
We look forward to a more normal Advent/Christmas season this year.
So, please consider writing a devotion for our Advent Devotional. As always we will have paper copies of the devotional available and, in addition we will be posting each day’s devotion online
If you are interested in contributing a devotion, please contact
Pastor Ruth.
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We’ve started our Disciple III Fast Track, it’s not too late to join.
Our sessions are on Wednesday evenings. This is a 24-week comprehensive study with manageable daily scripture readings. The first half focuses on Old Testament prophets; the second half on the Letters of Paul.
This is a wonderful opportunity to study God's Word, strengthen your faith, and form lasting friendships with fellow Disciples.
Please contact the office if you are planning to attend or if you need a book
215-357-6998
Ken Lee, facilitator
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Disciple III FastTrack study guides on The Prophets and Letters of Paul can be purchased online from The Well Bookstore, UM Church of the Resurrection
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Tuesday Morning Zoom Bible Study
Tuesdays
at 10:30 AM
Join us for our Zoom Class in which will explore the Journaling with The Bible - A Presentation by Anita Grant & Denise Clark.
To join contact Paul Henry at [email protected] to obtain the pass codes for the Zoom session.
The Zoom class meets Tuesdays at 10:30 am.
CLICK HERE for Fall Schedule.
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Red Bird Mission would like to include sports balls in the Christmas boxes for kids in the Beverly, KY area. The Communion offering on Sunday, October 2nd will go to Red Bird.
Please contact Carol Campbell 215-431-7452 or Linda Barr 215-773-9865 with any questions.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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United Methodist Men
A big Thank You goes out to all who attended the Chicken BBQ and especially to those who helped in the kitchen
Next meeting is on October 15th, 2022- breakfast meeting.
Agenda: Chicken BBQ Recap
and Guest Speaker, Denise Clark. Please see the article below for more information.
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True Love
An Abuse Awareness Course
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St. John’s has talent and Denise Clark will present her work in lay ministry and abusive relationships to the men’s group at their October 15th breakfast at 9 am at the church.
No one likes to talk about abuse. It makes us uncomfortable. Unfortunately, too many people have experienced abuse in many different ways.
As caring followers of Christ, we do our best to provide for the people around us: family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances. But rather than shying away from someone, what if we knew enough to be able to be helpful at a time when that person needs it the most?
Rather than focusing on the ugliness of abuse, Denise will focus her presentation on 1 John 4. This will focus us 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 the least, the hurting and lost among us.
Denise Clark is a member of St. John’s and is a certified lay minister. As part of her commitment to lay ministry she has developed a six-week course on Abuse. Through a series of Scripture readings, definitions and discussions of relevant questions, knowledge is gained whereby you can be a gentle help to a hurting person.
Denise will be sharing her work in this area with us at our October meeting. Breakfast will be served at 9 am in the Fellowship Hall. Please join us for fellowship and support.
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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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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 [email protected].
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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!
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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ST.JOHN'S LINKS & INFORMATION | |
If your contact information changes:
address, phone, email, etc.
please notify the church office at
and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.
Thank you!
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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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For Cornerstone announcement requests check the Communication Timelines & Procedures page in our website HERE.
Thank you! :)
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CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 | |
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St. John's Ivyland UMC
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
215-357-6998/[email protected]
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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Thank you to everyone who has followed us on Instagram! If you haven't yet, please do so!
@stjohnsivyland
www.instagram.com/stjohnsivyland
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