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Hello St. John’s Family,
What a wonderful day! Following a meaningful morning of worship last Sunday, we were able to enjoy an amazing afternoon together at our Church Picnic. Beautiful weather, excellent food, warm fellowship, and plenty of fun were enjoyed by all. In a culture and society where a multitude of responsibilities occupy so much of our time and energy, it was a blessing to pause, catch up, eat, and fellowship with each other. I want to thank our Fellowship Committee for all their efforts to plan and coordinate this day – Thank you for the gift of a wonderful afternoon together!
Throughout this week I’ve found myself reflecting on the blessing of pausing. Pausing to enjoy conversation with others. Pausing to take in a beautiful autumn day, where children can run around carefree – laughing, playing, and simply being kids. Pausing to remember that it’s not only needed, but also sacred and good to, well, sit down and be with others with no other agenda than to appreciate the company and the goodness that is around us. I sense that’s the essence of Sabbath: pausing to be, while recognizing and appreciating the God-given goodness around us, prior to a week of life’s responsibilities and demands.
In my devotions this week, I came across a reflection from Evelyn Underhill, a gifted author from the early 20th century who wrote extensively on worship and living a Spirit-centered life. Underhill wrote:
We mostly spend [our] lives conjugating three verbs: to Want, to Have, and to Do. Craving clutching, and fussing, on the material, political, social, emotional, intellectual – even on the religious – plane, we are kept in perpetual unrest…
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Underhill continues by noting the fundamental verb is to Be, and that Being, not wanting, having, or doing, is the essence of a spiritual life centered on God. As I continued to reflect, my mind quickly went to a photograph I was fortunate to capture on my recent trip to Chincoteague, VA: a majestic bald eagle perched on small platform overlooking the salt marsh. I watched this eagle for over 25 minutes; there was barely a movement, save a periodic turn of the head. As needed this raptor can instantly take off and soar; it can swoop to grasp a fish from the water with power and pinpoint precision. Yet much of its time is spent in stillness. Watching and taking in. Simply being.
I sense that eagle has much to teach us regarding a Spirit-centered life. I also think Underhill would agree, as she often quoted St. Theresa of Avilla, who said “to give our Lord a perfect service, Mary and Martha must combine.” Coming to a place where we are able move with intention and purpose according to God’s guidance, while pausing to be with God and take in God’s presence isn’t easy. I personally feel out of synch in that endeavor more times than I care to admit! Seeking that balance, though, begins with the intentional act of pausing to be – and I’m very thankful for the opportunity we had to simply be with each other in fellowship and worship this past Sunday.
This Sunday is another opportunity to come together and be in God’s presence. We’ll continue our exploration of stewardship as a life oriented toward God by responding to God’s goodness with our first and best, as we hear an account of Jesus inviting himself to dinner at an unlikely house… and what that man’s response is. We’ll also be blessed to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism at our 10:30 service – it will be a powerful morning of worship! Check out Luke 19:1-10 (read verses 1-10 for full context) and Psalm 84:1-7 and then join me in worship on Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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Stewardship
The Finance Committee is focused on cultivating and stewarding the resources God provides, such that St. John’s will continue to be a vibrant congregation full of vitality and love - both now and for future generations. A letter was recently sent to all members that details specific areas of focus and seeks your continued, faithful support.
Please read this letter and reach out to any member of the Finance Committee, or Pastor Brad, with questions. If you missed the mailing, the letter can be read here.
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We can CELEBRATE God’s love for us by answering the call to Stewardship!
Questions about Giving: email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com
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“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
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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)”
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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.
| | Statement Thru September 2025 | |
- Engage (This Week)
- Upcoming in November
- Sunday School
- Bible Studies
- Ministries & Small Groups
- Opportunities to Serve
- About the Cornerstone
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This Sunday October 26th will be a thrilling day full of sweet surprises, fun and games.
- Kids (of all ages) are encouraged to wear their costumes.
- At 10:30 there’ll be special Sunday School classes for kids from pre-K through high school.
- There’ll be a spine tingling crafts and games in our Fellowship Hall at 11:30.
- At Noon Trunk or Treat begins in the St John's Parking Lot
- Right after Trunk or Treat kids & families are invited back to the Fellowship Hall for a FREE Pizza Party!
To find out more or to volunteer to decorate your trunk, email Pastor Megan.
All donated candy is shared with our Trunk or Treaters and Happy Kids Academy in the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia. For more info about candy donations, email Minister JT.
Email Pastor Megan
Email Minister JT
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Just as God shares the Bread of Life with us, we enjoy feeding our fellow congregants! Whether it’s homemade or store bought treats, our ministry provisions the Grace Café each Sunday morning with cookies, quick breads, cakes, doughnuts and more.
Joining our team of volunteers means you would be in a rotation once every 3-4 months. If you are interested in helping to sweeten our Sundays, talk to Amy Scarlett. PLEASE REACH OUT BY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17th so we can start 2026 off strong!
Call Amy: 610-322-2276
Email Amy: drandmrsscarlett@yahoo.com
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October Bible Study - Faith and International Relations
Our special Fall Bible Study continues with thought provoking discussion and analysis led by Co-moderators Lance Kenney & Pastor Brad Leight. Our next gatherings are this Monday, Oct 27th at 10 am & 7pm.
We’ll continue to examine 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.
Please join us!
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Thanks to all who were able to support our Fall Church Picnic with their presence, their gifts and their prayers! A great afternoon of fun, food and fellowship was had by all.
| | | | In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case. | | |
It’s hard to believe but Advent is right around the corner! St John’s is blessed that our Children’s Ministry is offering a Christmas pageant, once again and we’d love it if you’d join.
There are opportunities for speaking roles and lots of singing of favorite carols
Practices will be 10:30am-12:00pm
- Saturday, November 22
- Saturday, December 6
- and Saturday, December 13
Our Pageant will be shared during the 10:30am Worship Sunday, December 14.
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Immediately after Pageant Practice on Saturday, Nov 22nd All are invited to a FREE celebration of Thankfulness Messy Church style!
There will be crafts, a meal and so much as we explore different ways we can worship and give God thanks!
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Surviving The Holiday
Help and hope as you navigate the Christmas season
Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated?
Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death.
You’ll learn:
- How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays
- What to do about traditions and other coming changes
- Helpful tips for surviving social events
- How to discover hope for your future
St. John’s Ivyland, 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974 (Church Parlor)
November 19, 2025 – 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Book -- $5.00
Sign up online at GriefShare.org Or Contact Carol Cambell
Email: eccampbell@aol.com
Phone: 215-431-7452
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Youth Fellowship
There IS NO Youth Fellowship this Sunday as our Youth will be helping with Trunk or Treat!
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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.
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Tuesday Morning Zoom Bible Study
Our next Zoom Bible Study is this Tuesday, at 11am. We’d love to see you there! For access please email Rev Paul Henry via the link below.
Email: phenry605@verizon.net
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Wednesday Evening Adult Bible Study
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!
| | MINISTRIES & SMALL GROUPS | | |
St John’s Ivyland is blessed to have so many current college students in our church family! We regularly pray for all our Young People by name, including those away at school. If you are interested in becoming a prayer warrior for a few of our students, please contact JT Crockett and join this awesome intercessory prayer project today.
Email: youth.stjumc@gmail.com
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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!
| | 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!
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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
| | CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 | | | | |
