Hello St. John’s Family,
Happy Thanksgiving! In a society and culture which rarely pauses, it is a wonderful blessing to have a day set aside to do just that: pause. To pause, with the purpose of expressing our thanks for the many good things in our life. I pray you have an opportunity to pause this Thanksgiving; to spend time with those you love; to enjoy some good food; and to give thanks to the amazing God who is the source of all good things. For those who cannot do that, know that you are in my prayers. I pray that you will experience God’s blessing in a tangible and meaningful way, such that you may have a few quiet moments of peacefulness to say thank you to God, and hear God’s response of “you’re welcome, my beloved child.”
Psalm 92 offers a wonderful reminder of the importance and goodness of giving thanks to God. The first four verses are particularly powerful, reminding us of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness that mark our life.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
These are blessings we never want to overlook. Yet, as I read those verses, I’m struck by another blessing of God’s presence in our lives: the fact that earnestly thanking God never fails to uplift us. When we sincerely reflect on the goodness of God and give thanks, we can’t help but be glad! Our focus moves from the challenges we face to the goodness we’ve received. We can’t help but smile – and sing – as we realize anew the amazing blessing of God’s presence in our lives.
So, dear friends, know how good it is to give thanks to the Lord – on Thanksgiving Day, and every 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 28, 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
St. Andrew's UMC, Warminster
November 23, 2021
YouTube link below
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- Children's Christmas Play - Kids & Youth/Adult Helpers
- Living Nativity - Characters & Helpers
- 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 in the
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
Confirmation Activities - Advent Church Participation, Reading & Reflecting, Mentor Meet-ups
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Grades 7 - 12
Sundays 10:30 - 11:30 AM
BYOC (bring your own chair)
and Bible!
Join Mrs. Gutsch and Mrs. Zesinger as they begin a new series -
"It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas"
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS MEET
IN THE PARKING LOT OR THE YOUTH LOUNGE
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Confirmation Experience
Movie Meet-Up on
December 5th at Regal Oxford Valley Cinema
(see info and sign up below)
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Confirmation Experience and Youth Group
Movie Meet Up, “Christmas with The Chosen:
T he Messengers”
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
Date: Sunday 12/05/2021
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Location: 403 Middletown Blvd, Langhorne, PA 19047
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Youth Night
Grades 7 - 12
Sunday 7:15 - 8:30 PM
Our Youth get together most Sundays to hang out, play games, and talk about everything from theology to current events.
No Youth Group this Sunday night. Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend.
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Opportunities at St. John's to prepare your heart and your family for Advent
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Creche and Banner Presenters Needed
at 10:30 Worship Services
Children aged 4 - 12 to present a manger figure
Several Youth to present Advent banners
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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 still available. It's not too late to sign up. Rehearsals start Saturday, December 4 from 9 to 11 AM
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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UMW Angel Tree Gift Lists
Now through December 12th
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Our Gift to the Community
4th Annual Drive-thru Living Nativity
(see details in Outreach Section below)
Sunday, December 12
5:00 to 8:00 PM
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Christmas Caroling for
Youth and Young Adults
Sunday, December 19th
7:15 to 9:00 PM
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December 5th at 6:00 PM
22nd Annual Festival of Carols
December 19th -
Music Services at
9:00 and 10:30 AM
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Please save your aluminum tab tops for the UMW Naomi Circle collection for Ronald McDonald House. The collection bin 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, and a camel (maybe a sheep or two).
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!
ORDERS PLACED BY DECEMBER 5th WILL ENSURE FRESHLY ROASTED COFFEE FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON
Please sign up on the bulletin board or contact Paul Henry (text or voice) at 215-962-6719 or via email at phenry605@verizon.net.
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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). Facilitator, Ken Lee.
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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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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 using the same system again. The sign up link and all instructions are in the Advent Section above and on the website.
Thank you and have a safe and Blessed Holiday Season.
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The next meeting will be the third week of
January 2022. Have a blessed Advent and Christmas!
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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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