Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE
Join us for worship
Calendar
Prayer List
Text Giving
Ronald McDonald House Tabs
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Thank you
Pastor's Reflection
St. John's Kids
Youth Group
Vacation Bible School
Book Club
Back to School Drive
Food Pantry Needs
Eastwick Food Bank
GriefShare
Divorce Care
Hearts for Mission
Family Promise
Red Bird Trailers
   
JOIN US FOR
WORSHIP  
  
Worship Services:
8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Traditional
 
  9:15 a.m.
Praise  and Worship
  
THIS SUNDAY,  
August 4, 2019
"When Is Enough Finally Enough?"
Luke 12:13-21
Pastor Janice
John
215-357-6998
 
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM -2:00 PM    
 
NURSERY
Available at both  
9:15 and 10:30. 
We welcome all children birth through 4 years old.  The nursery is equipped with a calling system and will alert you in worship if your child needs you.
 
For more information about our Children or Youth Ministries, please contact Director,
David Bigam, [email protected]   
THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

Thursday, August 1
7:30pm
  Al-Anon
 
Sunday, August 4
10:30am
  Children & Youth Sunday School
 
6:45pm
  Fellowship, Fun and Study
 
Tuesday, August 6
10:00am
  Book Club
 
7:00pm  
Book Club  
 
7:30pm
  AA
 
Thursday, August 8
7:30pm
  Al-Anon


 

PRAYER LIST

Please click to view

 

All "Ongoing Prayer Concerns"  
will be listed for 
2 weeks.  
Please submit a new prayer request card if you desire to renew the listing for 2 additional weeks.
If your contact information changes: 
address, phone, email, etc.
please notify the church office at 215-357-6998 or [email protected].
You may also indicate any changes on the
sign-in sheet during worship and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.
Thank you!
GIVING
MOBILE GIVING
  • Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
  • Click on the donate now button and register.
Once you've registered, you can either make donations by debit or credit.  
OR try  
TEXT GIVING 
 All you have to do is text the amount you wish to give to 215-398-1617.
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 confidenti
al. 
 
If you have any questions about mobile or text giving,
email Lou Lescas at  [email protected]

(Click for more information)
Log in to smile.amazon.com each time you shop and help make St. John's smile!
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Looking for a little inspiration during the week?  
Try an online devotional.    
(has many devotionals to choose from)
(Devotional for Women)
(Devotional for Men) 
The Grace Cafe is open Sunday mornings for fellowship and refreshments. 
MISSIONS

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE TABS COLLECTION
Naomi Circle is collecting tabs from beverage cans for Ronald McDonald House.  You will find a container under the sign hanging on the UMW bulletin board. Please place them in a plastic bag and put it in the container. This is an ongoing collection, so keep bringing them in as you collect them.   Thank you.  
   
Prayer Shawl Ministry
 
New members of the ministry group are always welcome; lessons and guidance can be provided for beginners and those with rusty skills.


The group meets mon thly on the second Tuesday to knit or crochet together and to pray over the completed items. For more information, contact Carol Rice at 215-357-1203.

                     Prayer Shawl Blessing Service
                   

click to view the thank you letter
UMC LINKS umc logo
 
  
  
August 1, 2019
PASTOR'S REFLECTION
            Have you ever noticed how impossible it is to find customer service information these days? It seems that even after you spend an exorbitant amount of time searching and searching for some way to make contact with a human, you are rewarded with an automated voice telling you to go back online and use their automated service. Of course, the entire reason you are trying so hard to speak to an agent is because your question or problem that is not addressed in the online information.
            Last month, I realized my cable bill was higher than it should be, but when I tried to contact them, the wait was too long and so I just paid the bill. This month, I wanted to find out why the bill was so high again, and I discovered a $20 fee for something I did not order. Rather than simply pay the bill again, I decided I needed to contact them. First of all, it took a lot of effort to even find the secret contact information. Nevertheless, I called the phone number. After a recording told me to go online and use the automated help, the recording finally said I'd be connected to an agent. Very quickly, I was then informed there was a greater than ONE HOUR wait for an agent. I then attempted unsuccessfully to connect to live chat. Once I was connected, I received the message, "All agents are busy. Try again later." Then I tried to locate an email address. There was none. So, as I am writing this, my phone is on the speaker mode and continuing to play the same monotonous tune over and over again (45 minutes now - and still holding.) I'm sure I'll hear this music in my dreams tonight.
            Have you ever wondered how we've come to accept this type of scenario as the norm? We hardly bat an eyelash when we can't find contact information, or when we hear there's a "greater than one hour" wait, or we receive a message that says "All agents are busy. Try again later." We just shake our heads and think, "it's the way things are these days." Which is true.
            Of course, there's probably more to the issue than simply complaining that large companies don't want to hire adequate representatives to deal with customers one-on-one. I'M wondering if the bigger issue is that we've continued to move more and more toward a depersonalized society. Customer service is now routinely handled remotely. Cyber schools are flourishing. Churches live stream worship services for those who'd prefer to worship alone. Children (and adults!) interact with their peers via text message and social media rather than spending time together. It's a crazy world we live in. And it's up to us to remember that we were created to be social beings - to work together, worship together, and simple to be in one another's company. Technology isn't a bad thing, it's a good thing - but it's not as important as our relationships to one another and to God.
                                                                                     
                                         Pastor Janice
ST. JOHN'S KIDS NEWS

 
Kids Church News......

One Room Sunday School until the Fall.  
Please go directly to Fellowship Hall for Kids Church.  
9:15 Sunday School will not be available through the summer.  We invite you to our 10:30 Sunday School.

We still need help leading one-room Sunday School...
Please use the sign-up sheet on David Bigam's door to pick a Sunday.  David is always there, as well.
YOUTH GROUP
 
Fellowship and fun for youth grades 6 thru 12.
 
Keep your eyes open for special emails regarding trips we will be taking this summer during the week. 
New 6th graders are invited to participate this summer.
_________________________________________

Morrisville Food Bank Monday
Monday, August 12th
Please contact David Bigam.
Do Not Miss This Opportunity! 
Come and experience great Fellowship
on the 2nd Monday of every month! 
Morrisville is open to EVERYONE interested in going to help make 220 grocery bags full of food. 
Families are always welcome! 
Following this event we always head to Chick-fil-a for Milkshakes!!!!
________________________________________________
 
And as always
Bring a Friend and Bring a Can!
_______________________________________________

Have you HELPED anyone today?
Have you SAID SOMETHING NICE to anyone today?

David Bigam, Director of Children and Youth Ministries

St. John's Ivyland Vacation Bible School 2019

My sincerest thanks go out to all of you have helped make our week of VBS so amazing!!! 
THANK YOU!!!   

Colleen Brownell
Donna Klein
Rachel Waugh
Carol Campbell
Helen Kushla
Hannah Hartfeil
Ed Campbell
Lisa Roth
Evan Goldrick
Bethany Conover
Luke Peterson
Caroline Gutsch
Sophia Conover
Karley Pedrick
Emily Whalen
Kari File
Mary Anne May
Ashley Whalen
Heidi Gutsch
Peter May
Connie Whalen
Priscilla Spencer
Melissa McDevitt
Emily Wilson
Greta Conover
Matthew McDevitt
Sally Zemanek
Carol Shallcross
Amber McQuaid
Rosemarie Malizia
Lea Preysman
River Norton
Kim Smith
Pat Castiglione
Susan Seamans
Richard Smith
Celine Ferrari
Grace Seamans
Melissa Steele
Marisa Ferrari
Sue Priore
Rose Vizza
Haley Handel
Wade Rice

Bobby Klein
Jalen Saunders

Devan Handel
Amy Scarlett

April Keller
Lily Scarlett

Lance Kenney
Jason Smith


The Congregation of St. John's
Decoration assistance from members of Neshaminy
Warwick Presbyterian Church

- David Bigam

VBS 2020
BOOK CLUB
ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB - AUGUST
 
Tuesday, August 6  
10:00 AM and 7:00 PM  
in the Church Parlor.   
 
The Song of the Jade Lily
by: Kirsty Manning 
 
A gripping historical novel that tells the little-known story of Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai during WWII.
 
  All are welcome to join us!
OUTREACH
Back to School Drive
 
Help us send local kids back to school
with pride and confidence!
 
Please place  NEW backpacks (please no used purses, briefcases, etc.) and school supplies in boxes in the Narthex this week. The donations will be blessed this Sunday, August 4th during worship and delivered on Monday.  
 
Backpacks and school supplies can be kept separate. Family Service will organize putting the supplies in the backpacks.
 
Suggested Supplies
New Backpacks
Lunch box/bag
Pencil box/pouch
Pencils
Pencil sharpener
Colored pencils
Pens
Pink erasers
Glue sticks
Pocket folders
Scissors
Crayons
Markers
Dry erase markers
Notebooks
Ruler
Multi-subject notebooks
Composition notebooks
Index cards
Highlighters
Protractor
Loose-leaf paper
Book covers
3-ring binders
Dividers
USB/flash drive
Calculator

 
Questions? Please call Amy Scarlett at 610-322-2276. Thank you!

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

The Jesus Focus Ministry Food Pantry is asking for help to replenish their shelves. 

They are in need of:
Peanut butter
Jelly
Pasta Sauce
Rice
Canned Soup

IF you would like to contribute to this very important mission, please place your donations in the box marked "Jesus Focus Food Pantry" in the Narthex.   
Your help will be greatly appreciated.



DONATIONS GREATLY NEEDED 
Donations of non-perishable food for the Eastwick Food Pantry are GREATLY NEEDED now and 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,  [email protected]
 if you are available to help.  
 
Thank you for your support.


 
August 26  
6:30-8:30 PM - Library 
St. John's Ivyland
 
You may register online at griefshare.org
There is a $5 fee for materials.  For further information, contact Ruth Portzline or Chaplain Erin Maurer or go to griefshare.org.


 
Weekly meetings will begin again in September.  
 
 
HEARTS FOR MISSIONS
Our Missions Team met and identified some hands-on mission projects you may want to be a part of.
  • Backpack Mission Project - later this summer.
  • Habitat for Humanity - working on construction/finishing of four homes in the Morrisville Area - this fall
  • Third annual R.I.S.E. Sunday, October 6, 2019.
  • Compassion Sunday - October 27
  • One Great Day of Service - Spring 2020
You are invited to join us as we work to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.

Questions?  Contact Pastor Ruth
215-357-6998, ext. 306

FAMILY PROMISE

Our next hostings are September 8-15  
and November 10-17.  
 
Currently there are 4 Families being served by Family Promise with a waiting list. This ministry is definitely needed. Please consider helping. Any questions contact Sharon Byle at [email protected].
 
In preparation we will have a training seminar on  
August 25th from noon-2pm in Fellowship Hall.
 
If you are a volunteer that has not attended a training seminar or a new volunteer, this is a requirement of volunteering. Those who have attended one in the past are welcome to attend again, it is led by our local director instead of a national one, so it will be more relevant to our procedures and shorter!
 
Please sign up on the bulletin board outside Grace CafĂ© or  
Sharon Byle is also looking for a co-leader to assist her with this ministry. Please let her know if you would like to help. [email protected]

Red Bird Trailers are Open! 
9 AM - 5 PM Daily 

Donations of clothing and household furnishings are accepted   See the trailers located in the back of the
St. John's parking lot.