Hello St. John’s Family,
After some needed – and much appreciated – time away, it is so good to be back with you! My family and I were able to enjoy relaxing time together, including a visit to the sunny beach at Topsail Island, North Carolina, where we all got a bit more sun than we should have. I find time at the ocean, quietly taking in the vastness and beauty surrounding me, to be incredibly restoring. Yet it felt so good to come home; to sleep in my own bed, to be in familiar surroundings, and to fellowship and worship with my church family.
Returning home just in time to mark one year in ministry together was especially meaningful. And what a year it has been! Navigating the uncertainty of pandemic challenges this past year was incredibly hard on all of us. Your strong trust in God’s guidance and provision, and willingness to make personal sacrifices for the health of our congregation, community, and healthcare workers has been a powerful example of living out our faith in God through difficult times. Thank you for that example. It is humbling and fulfilling to serve God together with a church family who is willing to live our faith in word and deed.
Amid all we encountered over the past year, God’s enduring presence and provision have been the overriding constant. That reality powerfully struck me as I returned home. This past week, I looked into the faces of many friends - young and old - that one year ago were completely unfamiliar. God’s provision of connection and fellowship (even during distancing) has been so much greater than I realized. I was reminded of many wonderful moments: sharing in the Sacrament of Baptism with multiple families, reaffirming our Baptismal vows together, and celebrating the Confirmation of a wonderful group of youth. God powerfully reminded us that distance does not stop the Spirit; God has been active and moving in the lives of children and youth. I was uplifted and blessed as I read the past two issues of the Cornerstone and heard in their own words how God is working in the lives of our two newest staff members. God’s Spirit has guided and provided abundantly, as beloved staff have moved on to new endeavors and new persons have said yes to God’s calling in their life. At every turn, God’s Spirit has guided us and provided exactly what was needed – thanks be to God!
Friends, the amazing blessing of our God is that God will not leave or forsake us. Ever. We’ve experienced this in the past and can trust in that promise for the future. As we (hopefully!) have opportunities for some rest, relaxation, and reflection this summer, take some time to thank God for God’s goodness and provision. And in that process, be ready and attentive… God’s often looking to reveal a new, next step!
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, July 11, 2021
2 in-person services offered:
One at 9 AM in the Sanctuary and one at 10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall
The 9 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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Don't forget to extend your thanks and appreciation to the Leight Family
It's been exactly one year since Pastor Brad, Jennifer, Gavin and Darcy joined our St. John's family. And what a year they have had! They had a new church, a new home, a new community, a new school - and all while wearing face masks and staying "socially distanced" during a global pandemic! Thanks be to God for showering them with his grace and mercy in guiding them through this very trying first year.
We are so grateful and blessed that God sent you all to us!
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NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
AUGUST 8, 2021
If you are considering membership, please contact the church office
by phone 215-357-6998
for further information.
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READ TO FEED®
A Heifer International Program
ENROLL NOW!
“Seize the day and join other children
who are changing the world.”
Please check our website for more information!
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ALL AGES
COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE
Bring outdoor chair.
Hot dogs and marshmallows provided.
Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
June 23 to August 25, weather permitting
Questions? Contact: Sarah.sjumc@gmail.com
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DONATIONS NEEDED
Donations of non-perishable food for the Eastwick Food Pantry are needed throughout the year. Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex and fellowship hall lobby.
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank. Please contact Lou Lescas, stjohns820@gmail.com if you are available to help.
Thank you for your support.
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St John's Drive-Thru Prayer Ministry is back!
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If you cannot come to church but are in need of prayers, our prayer team will pray with you at our drive-thru prayer.
Join us the 3rd Wednesday of each month starting July 21st from 4:30-6:00 PM.
If you would like to join us and be a part of this ministry of St John's, please contact Pastor Ruth by calling the Church office.
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ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, July 13
10:00 AM in Grace Cafe' and 7 PM in Parlor.
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede
When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill.
We will follow St. John's guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. Please join us!
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The Upper Room Devotionals
for
July/August
Will be available in the Narthex, outside of Fellowship Hall, and in a container on the front porch of the church beginning Sunday, June 27.
Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend.
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TOWELS FOR RED BIRD
Thanks to your generosity, many families served by Red Bird Mission will have an added blessing this Christmas. The collection of towels for Red Bird was a huge success. The 200 bath towels, 154 hand towels and 192 wash cloths will be distributed in Christmas gift boxes to families and individuals in need. Your response has been overwhelming.
Thank you!
Naomi Circle, St. John’s UMW.
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UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, August 21, 2021
8:00 AM
St John’s Fellowship Hall
(pending approval by Leadership Board)
Final Planning Meeting for the September 18th Chicken BBQ
All Men Are Welcome!
Contact Jack Donovan or Paul Henry for additional information on UMM activities
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Calling all Golfers!
UMM Golf Outing
For more information, please contact
Jack Donovan at Jdonovanco@comcast.net
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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.
OR try TEXT GIVING
All you have to do is 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!
It's quick and secure.
The same vendor that handles electronic giving for us, Vanco Services, has state of the art encryption, so you can rest easy that your transaction is 100% safe and confidential.
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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When your flowers are in full bloom, take a picture and share it with us!
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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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HELP NEEDED
Two significant needs and great opportunities to serve at St. John's!
A small team of dedicated audio-visual ministry volunteers enable us to offer meaningful online worship each week. We're in need of additional help, as there's very little flexibility within the team in the event someone needs to be away. While some aspects of this ministry requires technical expertise, other aspects are very straight-forward. If you have the ability to advance PowerPoint slides, you can help us offer online worship!
Please contact Sarah Floyd, Director of Video Ministries at
or sign up here!
Also, ushers are needed for in-person worship to greet worshippers, direct them to their seats, and assist with questions. This is a simple yet meaningful opportunity to serve God by serving our
St. John's family.
Please contact the church office if you are interested in serving as an usher.
(215) 357-6998.
Thank you for your faithful support of all we do in service to Christ
at St. John's!
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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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