GOD’S GPS
When he has brought out all his own,
he goes on ahead of them,
and his sheep follow him
because they know his voice.
John 10:4
After I moved to Pennsylvania from West Virginia, my daughter and son-in-law gave me a GPS so that I wouldn’t get lost and they wouldn’t have to send out the National Guard to find me. After all, where I came from…a four-lane road was a major highway!! In addition to that, I was constantly confused by the street names. My daughter lives in Holland and in my opinion, the streets there weren’t very thoughtfully named. I mean…Holland Road, Lower Holland Road, Middle Holland Road, Upper Holland Road…who in the world thought that was a good idea???
My new car has a GPS built in so I have given up the first one. With that one, when I took a wrong turn, the lady’s voice would say “recalculating!!!” (in a not-so-nice tone). Then she would give me new directions. My new GPS doesn’t fuss at me at all when I make a wrong turn. Instead, she just patiently redirects me. No shaming tone. No exasperated correction. Just a gentle course correction. And soon I arrive at my destination. She reminds me of how Jesus deals with me.
I’ve taken more than my share of wrong turns in my life. I’ve made some misguided choices. Sometimes I relied on my own feelings and desires rather than trusting Jesus and the navigation offered in the Bible. If I had checked the “road map” of Scripture and consulted the Holy Spirit before taking off – or even when I first got disoriented, I might have gone the right way sooner, saving myself time and grief.
Still, my gracious Navigator lovingly seeks even this one wandering sheep and patiently reroutes, gently guiding me where He intended all along, without condemnation.
As St. John’s is navigating the changes necessary to cope with this seemingly unending COVID pandemic, we want to always follow the guiding of God’s GPS – He will never point us in the wrong direction. All we have to do is pay attention!!
Loving Shepherd, thank You for being so patient when we stray from the path You intend for us. We want to follow Your leading in everything we do and in everything we say. Help us to listen to Your sweet voice as You guide us through this life. Amen.
Pastor Ruth
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WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS |
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Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: |
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Worship this Sunday,
October 10, 2021
with
Pastor Jim MacMain
2 in-person services offered in the Sanctuary
Contemporary Worship
at 9 AM
and
Traditional Service
at 10:30 AM
The 10:30 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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Tech Team Volunteer Opportunities
(Anyone age 12 to 112 years old is welcome)
Come join our Tech Team!
Click the box below to sign up for the YouTube LIVE
traditional service or the non-broadcast contemporary service.
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Please contact
Sarah Floyd, Director of Video Ministry
at sarah.sjumc@gmail.com
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Please contact the church office to sign up to serve as an usher or greeter.
215-357-6998
or
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Ushers & Greeters Needed
for in-person worship services. This is a simple yet meaningful opportunity to serve God by sharing His love with others.
Thank you for your faithful support of all we do in service to Christ here at St. John's.
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SHARE YOUR STORY!
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.
Please consider writing a devotion for our Advent Devotional.
Please submit your
Advent Devotional to Pastor Ruth by this Sunday,
October 10th.
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Children's Sunday School
10:30 am
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Parents, please have your children age 4 thru 6th grade check-in at the mobile check-in outside of the Education wing. |
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REVISED (New Date)
Beginning November 7th, the children will join their families in the Sanctuary for Children's Message every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Children age 4 through Grade 6 will check in at the mobile check-in cart that will be located in the Narthex. Please remember to arrive early to check your child in. After the Children's Message, a Sunday School volunteer will take the children to their classroom for a Bible story and activities. At the end of the service, parents can check their children out from their classroom.
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sunday mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
We will talk about and discover who we're meant to be
and live out the individuality
God gave us.
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BECOME AN ACOLYTE!
Bring the light of Christ into the Sanctuary and then take the light of Christ out into the world
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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This Sunday,
October 10th
Grades 7 - 12
Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
BYOC (bring your own chair)
and Bible!
For better or worse, change shows up in our lives and tests what we're made of. There's good change like getting the date or making the team, bad change like divorce or medical diagnosis, and complicated change like switching schools or choosing a healthy break-up. Change brings so many emotions which makes us ask all kinds of questions. Am I strong enough to face this? Is it even worth it to go through this? Can I handle this alone? Should I handle this alone? Our Youth will be challenged this month to rethink how they view change, and we'll explore how God's commitment to us doesn't change, even if everything else does.
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Meeting outside in the parking lot after bell/vocal choirs share their gifts at 10:30 service!
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Youth Nights Are Back
Grades 7 - 12
Sunday 7:15 - 8:30 PM
Our Youth get together every Sunday to hang out, play games, and talk about everything from theology to current events.
Join us this Sunday at 7:15 PM in the Youth Room!
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Confirmation Experience
Required Introductory Meeting
for Parent & Confirmand
Sunday, October 10th
11:30am – 12:30pm
Fellowship Hall
First of six Confirmation Workshops Sunday, October 17th
from 11:30am – 2:00pm
- Attend 6 Sunday workshops on various Sundays from 11:30am to 2:00pm. (make-up dates available)
- Student participation in worship as outlined in syllabus
- Retreat with Pastor Brad and Sarah Floyd
For 7th and 8th grade plus any high school students
who have not yet participated in Confirmation.
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Share your talent by participating in one or more of our choirs. It's is a wonderful way to praise God and serve in our church.
Joyful Voices Choir
has resumed rehearsals. The choir is for children grades K-5th grade. We rehearse after the 10:30 service.
Our next rehearsal for Joyful Voices will be
this Sunday, October 10th.
As you return to in-person Worship, please consider having your child participate in the choir.
The YOUTH CHOIR (grade 6-12)
has resumed rehearsals
on Sunday evening, 6:15-7:15.
We will be singing on October 10 (2nd Sunday) with the Adult Choir at the 10:30 service. As you return to in-person Worship, please consider having your child participate. We need to re-build our choirs with your help.
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The Red Bird Mission trailers are open until further notice for your usable donations every Saturday and Sunday
between 8:30am and 5pm.
(no TVs or books please).
Thank you to our congregation and friends for your support.
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WARRIOR COFFEE
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”
ORDER NOW!
If you wish to order coffee, please contact me (text or voice) at 215-962-6719 or via email at phenry605@verizon.net. Alternatively, you can complete the order form located on the church bulletin board in the narthex.
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DONATIONS NEEDED
Donations of non-perishable food 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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Join us the 3rd Wednesday of each month 4:30-6:00 PM. Our next Drive-Thru Prayer will be on Wednesday, October 20th.
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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A Faith-based approach to Money Management
The CAP Money Course was devised by the award-
winning charity, Christians Against Poverty, in
2008, with over 10,000 people benefitting from it
each year. No obligations, no hidden fees.
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The Zoom Class continues to meet online Tuesday mornings from 10:30-11:45 am to learn about and discuss various topics related to our Christian faith. Upcoming topics include:
“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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Wednesday Night
Bible Study
Mysteries of the Messiah
by
Rabbi Jason Sobel
Facilitator: Ken Lee
Wednesday Evenings
7 - 9 PM in the 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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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, November 3rd
10 AM and 7 PM in Grace Cafe'
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
Touching Spirit Bear
After his anger erupts into violence, Cole, in order to avoid going to prison, agrees to participate in a sentencing alternative based on the native American Circle Justice, and is sent to a remote Alaskan island where an encounter with a huge Spirit Bear changes his life.
We will follow St John's policy on masking.
Please wear a mask or shield inside the church.
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A new small group Bible Study will be meeting on Monday evenings
at 7:30 PM
in the Church Library
Coming Together Through God’s Word:
An Interactive Look at Sunday’s Scripture
This small group is open to anyone interested in furthering their understanding of Scripture . We will meet Monday evenings at 7:30 PM through November 22nd, 2021. Participants are welcome to join any one or all of the meetings without the need to commit to every Monday.
The primary format of this small group will be the interactive part where questions and comments about the Scripture can be openly shared to further the faith development of each member of the group. All are welcome!
Please sign up in the narthex at church or contact Denise Clark at dclark.prayer@gmail.com
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Upcoming Bible Study
starting Thursday, October 14th
Breaking the Code:
Understanding the Book of Revelation
by
Bruce M. Metzger
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While many Christians find the Book of Revelation to be full of great beauty and comfort, others find this part of the Bible bizarre, bewildering, and sometimes frightening. Prolific scholar Bruce M. Metzger (who chaired the Committee on Translators that produced the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible) provides one of the most important and trustworthy guides of Revelation, and now it includes findings from the most current biblical research. In Breaking the Code Revised Edition, you’ll still find Metzger’s rich content and insights presented in his approachable, non-academic style, with additional teaching from New Testament scholar David de Silva.
Previous Bible study groups have requested a study on Revelation… so here’s your chance! This six-week study will be led by Pastor Brad and begins in-person on Thursday, October 14th at 10 am in the Parlor and Thursday evening at 7 pm via Zoom. To register and order the book ($12 cost), contact the church office.
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United Methodist Women
Thank you for your generosity! You are truly sharing God's love with others.
Sock It to Me Sundays!
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Men's Breakfast Meeting
10:00 AM October 16, 2021
at
Sycamore Grill
255 North Sycamore
Newtown, PA
(BYOB - Buy Your Own Breakfast)
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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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Blessings & Praise!
Congratulations on the birth of Malayah Grace Marguerite Black
Great-granddaughter of Terry Dyson
and
great-niece of Denise Dyson Kauffeld
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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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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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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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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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