Cornerstone

December 26, 2024

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

December 29, 2024

Luke 2:40-52

Our 10:30 Worship Service can be viewed LIVE through

St. John's YouTube Channel

Past worship service videos can also be found:

https://www.stjohnsivyland.com/videoarchive

Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.

NOMINATIONS REPORT FOR 2024

Advent Stewardship

Thanks for your giving this Season of the coming Christ!

Questions about Giving: email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com

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

Our Giving envelopes for your 2025 Tithes and Offerings are now available in the Church narthex. You can stop in anytime or pick them up this Sunday!

“...For God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)”

ENGAGE @ ST. JOHN'S THIS WEEK

We humbly invite college-aged Young Adults to join us for a facilitated conversation about how St. John’s Ivyland can best provide meaningful, impactful and accessible ministry to Young Adults today and in the future.

The Upper Room

Devotionals for January/February

Will be available in the Narthex beginning Sunday, December 29

Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend.

Focus Group

Serving God with faithful, vibrant ministry isn’t easy in today’s world. Like many congregations, St. John’s is facing challenges in the areas of societal shifts, an aging population, and faith community support.

As we continue to respond to God’s call, St. John’s leadership has established a Strategic Planning Committee to vision and plan the future direction of the church. The committee determined that the best way to understand the needs and challenges facing the congregation is to talk with individuals in four different stages of life. In early 2025, we’d like to talk with Young Adults, Young Families, Empty Nesters, and Seniors. If you would like to be a part of “a focus group”, we’d love to hear from you. Focus Groups are forming SOON! Contact Joe Ayoub, Ira Hoffman, Jeff Cartwright, or reach out to the St. John’s Office for more information, and watch the Cornerstone for registration information.

Music Ministry

Youth Choir Schedule for December

Sunday December 29

Youth Choir Sings - 10:30 Worship
No Rehearsals

The word “Chrismon” is a combination of the words “Christ” and “monogram” It refers to special Christmas tree ornaments that have been crafted to display symbols of Christ. All the ornaments are finished in white and gold.

In January of 2024 a large group of members of our St. John’s family began working on Chrismons for our Chancel Christmas tree. We are so blessed to be able to display these ornaments on the tree in our Sanctuary as well as the tree in the Narthex.

We hope that you will be blessed during this Advent Season by these Chrismons; and that you will take the time to see them up close.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at ST. JOHN'S

The Nursery will be open and there is a combined Children’s Sunday School celebration in Classroom B during Traditional Worship. Youth and Young Adults are encouraged to Worship in the Sanctuary and there is a special (college age)Young Adult program in the Fellowship Hall after 10:30 Worship.

Children's Registration

Youth Registrration

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT

The St. John’s United Women in Faith Mission Team met

on Sunday, November 24th, 2024, and the following were

approved for the 2025 mission team.

Officers:

Carol Rice President

Louise Henry Vice President

Eileen Phillips Secretary

Debbie Bradt Treasurer

Mission Coordinators:

Spiritual Growth: Laura Paulus / Linda Barr

Social Action: Denise Gray

Education & Interpretation: Arlene Williams

Membership Nurture

& Outreach: Vacant

Secretary of Program

Resources: Rosemarie Malizia

Appointed Chairwomen:

Public Relations: Eileen Phillips

There are currently 5 United Women in Faith circles at St. John’s with approximately 70 members:

Deborah, Naomi, Phoebe, Rebekah, Salome

The circle leaders are also part of the United Women in Faith Mission Team:

Deborah: Laura Paulus

Naomi: Debbie Bradt

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.

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict. A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

The Study will be held in the St John's UMC Library beginning at 7pm. Please notify the church office if you plan on attending and/or need help ordering the book. Thank you very much. God Bless. Ken

"Moments With the Savior."

This engaging study is based on Scripture and the book of the same name, authored by Pastor Ken Gire.

In "Moments With the Savior," we will explore transformative encounters with Jesus, diving deep into the heart of the Gospel and reflecting on how these moments shape our faith and lives. Join us as we seek to grow closer to Christ and understand His teachings in a personal and meaningful way.

Prayer List

Prayer requests should be submitted to prayer.stjumc@gmail.com

Prayer requests are reviewed

Monday-Friday AM.

All year long, Servant-Leaders in our AV Ministry help facilitate meaningful Worship at our Contemporary and Traditional Services. This Fall, we invite you to (re)CONNECT by experiencing how they help us share the Word of God and the power and passion of Worship with those who can’t join us in a new way. St John’s Ivyland needs your help in growing & sustaining our AV Ministry. (re)CONNECT today and participate in this vital ministry!