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Hello St. John’s Family,
Early Monday morning while heading from the parsonage into my office, I was surprised to see several vehicles parked in our parking lot. It was early in the morning, and I wasn’t aware of any special events or activities that day. I and the staff would learn very soon how there would be a lot of activity throughout the day, as milling, patching, and some repaving occurred on a stretch of Almshouse Road, including right in front of the church. The congestion and traffic that day were, well, terrible!
I doubt anyone would argue this stretch of road was in good condition. In fact, many have expressed the urgent need for repairs to take place, especially with pothole season right around the corner. And some may feel that pothole season is 24/7/365 along Almshouse Road. Yet I found myself – and others I spoke with that day – noting the inconvenience and aggravation of the road repairs, as they made it very difficult to enter or exit our lot, or to get anywhere. I knew repairs were needed, yet really wasn’t in the mood to have these needed repairs interrupt my day, and I had no problem expressing that sentiment.
Later in the day, I found myself walking in the Education Hallway, reading the long string of cards that were added to our “Gratitude Train.” It was awesome to see how long the train has grown! So many of our St. John’s family have joined with our children to note the many things in our lives that we can be grateful for – it was powerful to read your notes.
As I stood, looking at all the cards, something that Pastor Ruth shared before her prayer on Sunday popped into my mind: it is gratitude that yields joy, and not the other way around. The more I reflected, I saw how my morning was spent focusing on the inconvenience of temporary traffic – and how that didn’t exactly yield joy. Yes, inconveniences are real, as is the frustration that accompanies them. Still, focusing on the inconvenience of a moment over the benefits of the outcome had negatively impacted my attitude… all over something that was intended to help me.
I decided to take Pastor Ruth’s advice. I whispered a prayer of thanks for those working outside to improve our road; for the improved ride thousands of cars will experience each day; and for the fact that I might not hear large trucks hit every pothole at 5am in the morning anymore. I’m not sure I experienced joy in that moment, but my outlook shifted, and my frustration lightened. And as I continued to read of the families and pets, the relationships and sports and foods and multitude of other good things that the St. John’s Family are grateful for, I distinctly felt joy, as I saw how I am also grateful for many of those things in my life. When we pause to recognize and express gratitude for the many good things in our life, joy will spring forth.
I hope you’ll set aside some time today, and throughout November, to express gratitude for the good things in your life. Consider coming this Sunday and adding to our ever-growing Gratitude Train in our hallways (yes, I added “Repaired Potholes” to the train!). As you do, be ready to experience the joy that accompanies God’s goodness when we slow down and take notice!
This Sunday in worship we’ll explore Matthew 25:14-30 – the second of three parables in Matthew 25. In the “Parable of the Talents” we’ll consider the great depth of God’s trust that’s extended to us, and how God’s ask of us in return is that we don’t play it safe. I hope you’ll join me Sunday morning-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: | |
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Only Adult Choir this Sunday
Regular rehearsals this Sunday, November 19 for Children & Youth.
There will NOT be rehearsals on Sunday, November 26 for:
- Joyful Voices
- Joyful Chimes
- GENesis Bells
- Youth Choir
Rehearsals will resume on Sunday, December 3.
Reminder: Music Sunday & Festival of Carols are on December 17th.
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UMW Angel Tree Update
The official start of our St. John's Annual Holiday Angel Tree has begun!
The United Methodist Women in Faith will once again be collecting gifts to send to Eastwick United Methodist Church starting on;
Sunday November 12th and running until Sunday December 10th.
You will be able to go to the St. John's webpage and select an adult or child and purchase a gift to help make their Christmas Merry and Bright.
Once you have made your selection you will receive an email confirming your choice.
The last day to drop off your gift will be Sunday December 10th. Please place your unwrapped gift along with the tag number in the Narthex next to our tree and we will handle the rest. Gift Cards may be placed in the box designated for Gift Cards.
Gift Receipts are greatly appreciated by the receiver in case of size exchange or duplicates.
Should you have any questions or need any extra help please contact Arlene Williams or Kathy Keppol.
ArleneW13@aol.com 215-355-0162
rekeppol@comcast.net 215-357-7404
Thank you and have a wonderful Holiday Season
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Men's Breakfast on
November 18th at 9 am in the Fellowship Hall
And we are cooking. We need cooks! The speaker is Anita Grant, Mustard Seed Mission. It is called 'Scribing.' Come and learn about this way to strengthen our faith in God and trust in the teaching of Jesus Christ.
This is the last Men’s Breakfast until January 2024. Next, we need help to decorate the church for Christmas. The date is November 29th at 9 AM, and we'll continue until around 11 AM or so. After decorating, join us for coffee and Danish in Grace Café. All organizations are welcome! Plus, there are lots of Christmas decorations in the church attic. There is a major scene with three-foot people, lots of tree decorations, garland, etc. We can get very creative. Our normal decorations are in the attic up front in Roy’s Music Room.
Jack
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Our Blood Drive is right around the corner!
The date is Monday, November 20th from 2:00 to 7:00 PM.
We have many open appointments available that need to be filled.
Please consider donating blood! It's quick and easy.
If you know anyone who may want to give blood, please let me know and I will set them up.
Be a lifesaver and donate blood!
Click on the button below to sign up!
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Cookies for Community Outreach on Christmas Eve | |
On December 24th, members of St. John's will distribute cookie bags to the First Responders at the Northampton Police Department, Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad, Northampton Fire Department, Wawa, Sunoco, and Exxon businesses. We appreciate their service to our community and this is our way of letting them know! | |
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If you are able to make one or two dozen cookies for this event please contact Tammy Coapman at twcoapman@gmail.com for more information.
Here's what you need to know:
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Bake 2 Dozen cookies by Thursday, December 21st
- Please wrap them individually, or put each cookie in a snack-size Ziploc bag
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Mark your cookies with the following label: Community Outreach Project
- By Thursday, December 21st - Place cookies in the church freezer at your convenience, OR put cookies on the counter in the kitchen
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We will be putting a note on the tag that says: MAY CONTAIN NUTS, so feel free to put nuts in your recipe
Thank you for your help with this community outreach mission!
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The St. John’s United Women in Faith Mission Team met on Sunday, November 5th, 2023, and the following were approved for the 2024 mission team.
Officers:
Linda Barr President
Louise Henry Vice President
Eileen Phillips Secretary
Debbie Bradt Treasurer
Mission Coordinators:
Spiritual Growth: Laura Paulus and Carol Rice
Social Action: Kathy Keppol
Education & Interpretation: Arlene Williams
Membership Nurture
& Outreach: Dolly Cell
Secretary of Program
Resources: Rosemarie Malizia
Appointed Chairwomen:
Sunshine: Dolly Cell
Public Relations: Eileen Phillips
There are currently 6 United Women in Faith circles at St. John’s with approximately 70 members:
Deborah, Joanna, Naomi, Phoebe, Rebekah, Salome
The circle leaders are also part of the United Women in Faith Mission Team:
Deborah: Laura Paulus
Joanna: Elaine Cassidy
Naomi: Debbie Bradt / Carol Bigam
Phoebe: Colleen Peterson / Amy Scarlett
Rebekah: Ruth Bowyer
Salome: Kathy Keppol
We are truly blessed with the good works and the commitment of these women and all the circle members.
Linda Barr,
President
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Advent Bible Study
Join us in the Parlor on...
Mondays at 6:30 pm
11/27, 12/4, 12/11, and 12/18
Tuesdays at 10 am
11/28, 12/5, 12/12, and 12/19
as we explore Experiencing Christmas: Christ in the Sights and Sounds of Advent
Books will cost $11 and can be paid at the first meeting.
Sypnosis: Everything seems different at the end of the year. We put lights on our houses to dispel the growing darkness, Christmas music floods local radio stations, apple cider and peppermint bark are again on the menu, and wrapping paper and tape are always ready. Things just look, smell, and taste differently during the Advent and Christmas season, and these differences are a sign to us that God is about to do something radical and different. That first noel was when God had eyes to see suffering, ears to hear our cries, and hands to hold those in need, and all of these senses were bundled in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. “This will be a sign to you,” the angel told the shepherds, and they traveled to Bethlehem and found a child. What signs do you see during the Advent and Christmas season that point you to the divine - we'll reflect on that question throughout our Experiencing Christmas Advent Study!
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GREAT DAY OF MUSIC
Mark you calendars for a "Great Day of Music" on Sunday, December 17.
Our Choirs will present the "Message in Christmas Music" at the 9:00 & 10:30 Worship Services.
At 6:00 in the evening, we will present our 24th annual "Festival of Carols"
Be sure to attend these Wonderful Musical celebrations. Invite your family and friends.
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Time to dust off your Christmas spirit!
St. John’s Christmas gift to our community!
December 10, 2023 5 PM – 8 PM
“Drive-thru Living Nativity”
In past years hundreds of members of St. John’s family have been involved in this wonderful event.
We have all been blessed to be able to give our gift of
The Drive-thru Living Nativity to our community.
Hundreds of cars have driven through
experiencing the Christmas story – complete with live animals.
We are currently working on this year’s event.
So, mark your calendar!!!
Sign-ups are available in the Narthex.
If you missed this outreach opportunity
in the past, please consider participating this year.
We guarantee that you will be blessed!
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If you are able to come out to help and enjoy some fun, please email me at jnel12409@gmail.com so that I can contact you if there is a change in the weather or unforeseen occurrences causing other plans to have to be made.
Thank you
Jon Nelson
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Book Club
We will meet on
Wednesday, December 13,
at 10:00 AM
in the Grace Cafe. All are welcome!
Please join us as we discuss:
"A Redbird Christmas"
by: Fannie Flagg
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"After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River. There he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder, you too will never forget A Redbird Christmas."
Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
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MINISTRY & FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES | |
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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.
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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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MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES | |
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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!
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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 was delivered to Bright Futures Academy for their new playground. This project is organized by, Nicole & Melissa McDevitt. Click below for acceptable plastics to be recycled.
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CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION | | |
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 UMC
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
215-357-6998/office.stjumc@gmail.com
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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