Hello St. John’s Family,
I want to begin this note offering my thanks and deep appreciation to our staff and leadership committees for the time and effort they contributed to our annual Charge Conference meeting on November 1st. Charge Conference requires significant work and preparation; our staff and leaders once again did an excellent job of summarizing the meaningful ministry and mission of our congregation. A special note of thanks goes to Jan Steinmetz, our Office Coordinator, who did an outstanding job of pulling together the many forms and reports that needed to be submitted. Thank you to all who assisted – your efforts are appreciated!
As I was exhaling last weekend, thankful that Charge Conference is completed for another year, I received a message indicating a special Charge Conference would need to be held, as soon as feasible. Not the message I wanted to receive, yet it is an important one. Here’s the background: as many likely know the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy after being named in numerous suits relating to sexual abuse by leaders. As part of the bankruptcy process, United Methodist congregations across the country had the opportunity to file a “proof of claim.” Filing a proof of claim indicated that the local church had a right to be indemnified/protected by BSA as well as BSA insurance policy coverage for any claim filed against the local church by a scout survivor. As St. John’s had chartered BSA troops at various points in our history, it was strongly recommended that we file a proof of claim in case St. John’s would ever be named in litigation associated with the sexual abuse of scouts. We filed our proof of claim in late 2020, through our Eastern PA Conference.
Filing a proof of claim enables us to vote on the BSA bankruptcy settlement. The purpose of the special Charge Conference is to authorize the Trustees of St. John’s to evaluate the recommendations from the Eastern PA conference and denominational counsel regarding the settlement, and then for the Trustee Chairperson to execute our vote. So, based on all of that, the Leadership Board has been authorized to hold a special Charge Conference on November 22, 2021 on Zoom for the purposes I just noted.
Right about now you may be wondering why I am sharing all this information with you. Two important reasons: first, we need to announce a Charge Conference at least 10 days prior to the meeting, and this fulfills that requirement. Second – and more importantly – this offers us a sobering reminder of the critical importance of doing everything we possibly can to protect our children and youth. Any instance of abuse is one too many; we must ensure we do all we can to protect the young people God entrusts in our care. Sometimes, that may mean we’re inconvenienced by the protections and policies put in place. Yet that is minor compared to the damage done to the Body of Christ when abuse occurs. Just ask the BSA, an organization that is now decimated by the horrific actions of a small fraction of its leaders.
I want to thank you for your care and concern for all God’s children, and for your commitment to make St. John’s a sanctuary of safety and love for them… a sanctuary that is needed more and more each day.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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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,
November 14, 2021
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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Community Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday,
November 23, 2021
at 7:00 PM
St. Andrew's United Methodist Church
999 York Road, Warminster, PA
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- Children's Christmas Play Sign-Ups
- Living Nativity Sign-Ups
- Angel Tree Gifts
- Tech Team Volunteer Opportunities
- Children's Ministry - Sunday School Teachers/Assistants
- Ushers and Greeters - 9:00 and 10:30 services
- Nursery Attendants - 10:30 service
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Children's Activities This Week
Sunday School - 10:30 to 11:30
Education Wing Classrooms A - E
Joyful Voices - rehearsal Sunday, 11:30 AM in the Sanctuary
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sunday mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This week Mrs. Scarlett will continue a series on contentment. We will talk about how we can find a lot of enjoyment when we focus on what we already have . . . or maybe even find ways to “upcycle” it and make it better.
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Youth Activities This Week
Sunday School - 10:30 AM (after Youth Choir sings at 10:30 service)
Confirmation Workshop -this Sunday, the 14th 11:30 - 2:00
Youth Night - 7:15 to 8:30 PM this Sunday in the Youth Lounge
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Confirmation Experience
Third of six
Confirmation Workshops
Sunday,
November 14th
from 11:30am – 2:00pm
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Youth Night
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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Opportunities at St. John's to prepare your heart and your family for Advent
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The Christmas Story
Jesus Christ is the Same - Yesterday, Today, and Forever!
December 24th at 5:30 PM
Children's speaking and non-speaking parts available, need four adults to help with costuming and rehearsals,
and a pianist.
Sign-Up Deadline November 27th
Contact Susan Seamans for additional info
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St. John's 22nd Annual Festival of Carols
Sunday, December 05, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Please come with family and friends to usher in the Advent Season with an evening of music from our choirs, bell choirs and orchestra guests. Our traditional collection of non-perishable foodstuffs will go to Jesus Focus Ministry Food Pantry.
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Our Gift to the Community
4th Annual Drive-thru Living Nativity
Sunday, December 12
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Youth choir and GENesis bells will participate in the
10:30 AM service this Sunday,
November 14th. Regular rehearsal for both groups will be on Sunday evening.
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It's not too late to join the fun with Joyful Voices children's choir or with Youth Choir. Come help celebrate Advent and the arrival of our Messiah by adding your voice to one of our choirs. |
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UMW Naomi Circle is still collecting aluminum tab tops for Ronald McDonald House. The collection container is beneath the UMW bulletin board just off the Narthex. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.
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In search of angels, shepherds, wise men, Holy family, innkeepers, Centurions - if spotted, tell them to hasten to the Narthex and sign up for Living Nativity!
Opportunities for Set-up, Breakdown & Characters
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Sign up early and often!
(you can sign up for more than one thing)
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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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Warrior Coffee Makes a Great Christmas Gift
ORDER NOW!
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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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We are excited to offer a four-week Advent Study based on the book "Faithful, Christmas through the Eyes of Joseph" by Adam Hamilton. This study begins November 10th and continues each Wednesday evening through December 8th (no class on November 24th).
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The Zoom Class continues to meet online Tuesday mornings from 10:30-11:45 am. We are continuing our study and discussion of The Book of Revelation.
Please contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net for info
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ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
Wednesday,
December 1st
10 AM and 7 PM in Grace Cafe'
The humble shepherds, the first believers, are the subject of an imaginative Christmas novel by Richard M. Barry, titled The Shepherds’ Prayer. The book tells the story of an adopted son with a mysterious connection to the Messiah, who seeks the truth about his birth thirty years later.
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
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A 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
Please sign up in the narthex at church or contact Denise Clark at dclark.prayer@gmail.com
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Thursday Bible Study
with Pastor Brad
10 AM - Parlor
7 PM - Zoom
Breaking the Code:
Understanding the Book of Revelation
by
Bruce M. Metzger
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Check St. John's website starting November 13th for the link to gift lists on Sign-Up Genius. This year, the gifts will be given to children and families served by Eastwick UMC
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YES, VIRGINIA THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS . . .
Only this Christmas, his name is not Saint Nick but Saint John's.
Once again the Lord has presented us with the opportunity to share his love and abundant blessings with others. We had such success last year with our virtual Angel Tree that we are planning to use the same system again. The sign up and all instructions will be appearing shortly in the Sign Up Genius on the St. John's website.
Thank you and have a safe and Blessed Holiday Season.
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Debbie Bradt
2021 UMW Mission Recognition Honoree
Each year, St. John’s United Methodist Women select a person within the church to receive a Mission Recognition Pin. This pin is given to recognize the good works of an individual who goes above and beyond in supporting the mission work of this church and, in this case, also the United Methodist Women.
Our 2021 mission recognition pin has been given to
Debbie Bradt
Debbie has been a lifelong member of St. John’s, has been a member of the Naomi Circle since 2014, and took on the position of Treasurer for St. John’s UMW in 2016. Debbie is so dedicated to the missions at St. John’s and she has a heart of gold. We thank you Debbie for all you do.
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Next breakfast meeting
Saturday, November 13th 10 am
Sycamore Grill
255 North Sycamore St
Newtown, PA
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The first meeting of the New Year will be the third week of January 2022 (no meeting in December). The Annual Chicken BBQ will be held September 17, 2022. |
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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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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!
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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