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Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
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PRAYER LIST
Please click to view
Prayer requests can be submitted
or through the church email, [email protected].
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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This Sunday
In-Person Worship
or
10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall
A video recording of the 9 AM service will also be available to view on our website following the
in-person service.
Sermon Series
What is Truth?
Crying Out From the Ground:
Truth is Unable to be Silenced
Pastor Brad
Genesis 4:1-10
Worship Assistant:
Ruth Portzline, CLM
Music: Amy Cons, Erin Maurer, Roy Nelson, Lynne Tomlinson
Piano: Brian Barber
Praise Band @ 10:30 am
The 9 AM Order of Worship
will be sent out on Friday.
You may print a copy
and bring with you to worship.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Hand made prayer shawls (or lap robes for men) are again available for those experiencing serious illness, bereavement, or other major life issue. Each comes in a sealed plastic bag. Recipients need not be members of St. John's. Requests can be made via the comments section of the prayer request form on the church website, by calling or emailing the church office, or by calling Carol Rice at 215-357-1203. Requesters will be notified of contactless pickup arrangements at the main entrance of church building.
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The Upper Room Devotional
for September/October is available.
Copies are in the Narthex
and also in a container on the front porch of the church.
Be sure to pick up your copy and take one for a friend as well.
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The Tuesday Devotionals and
under the "What's Happening"tab.
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MOBILE GIVING
- Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
- Click on the 'Give' button in red 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 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.
If you have any questions about mobile or text giving,
You may also send your tithes and offerings to the church office:
820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974 Thank you for your generosity!
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Dearest St John's UMC Family and Friends,
Thank you for your prayers, cards, flowers, texts and many kind words of support to us and our family after the sudden loss of my sweet dad James Payne. Both he and my mom June were members of St John's back in the 70's before moving out of the area. Almost every visit back to this area for them included Sunday service at St John's, and would often comment how much they enjoyed the music program and also folks being so welcoming. Truly this is a great church to be a part of!
Warm regards,
Joanne and Pete Yerkes
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VIDEOS
Our previously recorded worship videos can be accessed here or under the "What's Happening" tab on our website - See the "Videos" link.
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Last Sunday's Worship Service
October 4, 2020
Special Music:
Ring of Faith Bell Choir
Amy Cons, Alissa Nelson, Jack and Tammy Coapman
Accompanist: Brian Barber
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Red Bird trailers are open for donations on Saturdays and Sundays
Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
Please try to limit bag/box weight to 30 pounds or less.
Volunteer packers are still needed.
If interested, please contact
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Music at St. John's
We would like to thank the singers and Instrumentalists who have been providing music for our Worship Services. Your willingness to share your talents and Faith is appreciated by everyone.
Rehearsals are being held in the Sanctuary, where correct SOCIAL DISTANCING can be followed. All ringers are wearing masks for the protection of everyone. If you are interested in participating in one of our Handbell Choirs, please contact Roy Nelson or Alissa Nelson for details. Adults and Youth are welcome.
It has been a difficult 6 months for everyone involved with the Music Ministry at St. John's. Not having choirs participate in Worship is very difficult for almost everyone who participates in those groups. It is especially difficult for those of us who are in the music profession, both in Church or in School. We look forward to the time when it will be "safe" to resume singing as a group. We'll rely on the "experts" in the music field, and trust their judgement as it pertains to large vocal and instrumental performing groups.
Roy Nelson, Director of Music Ministries
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UMC LINKS
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As you may have heard at our worship services this weekend, St. John's has been blessed by an outstanding addition to our staff. It gives me great pleasure to (again!) share that Susan Seamans has accepted the position of Director of Children's Ministry! Susan officially began her position on Monday, October 5th.
Susan and her family have been active members at St. John's for over three years, joining not long after they relocated from New England. Upon her arrival, Susan jumped right into the Sunday school teaching rotation and has been a vital part of the elementary team. Working for many years as a Registered Paralegal, Susan has significant technology, administrative/organizational and team-building skills that will be tremendous assets for St. John's.
Above all, Susan deeply desires for young people to experience the love of Jesus, growing strong with a foundation in faith that will guide them through the challenges of adolescence and beyond. Her warm personality and enthusiasm for extending God's love will be a blessing to the children, parents and teaching team. I am thankful that God has guided Susan to us and am excited to see the great things God will accomplish through her! Please keep Susan in prayer as she takes on this new responsibility. May the Holy Spirit guide, strengthen and bless her as she serves Christ by serving our children, young families, and teachers.
I also ask you to keep our entire staff and congregation in prayer as we continue to press on in being open arms and serving hands, transforming Lives through Christ in the midst of a very difficult time. Much has changed for the better since March and April - for which we give God thanks! We also know there are still many difficulties, and those difficulties will continue to be around for the foreseeable future. May God grant us health and healing; strength and patience for the anxiety and weariness we encounter; wisdom for the many decisions to be made; and a strong assurance that the Holy Spirit is with us always.
Thank you for your faithfulness in serving Christ through the ministry and mission of His church here at St. John's. You are a beautiful example of the living Body of Christ, shining the hope and love of God into a dark and weary world!
Pastor Brad
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As a reminder, our ability to continue in-person worship is contingent on compliance with mandates and best practices, including wearing masks or face shields, maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet, use of hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing, and adjusting foot traffic to minimize close contact. The SignUpGenius reservation tool has enabled us to coordinate the reduced capacity and traffic flow patterns in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall and will continue to be used. Most importantly, if you registered for worship but do not feel like your normal, healthy self, please remain at home and worship along with the recording of the service.
Know that we recognize how difficult the past months have been. Thank you for your patience and consistent compliance with all aspects of our approach. Your commitment to Christ and heartfelt caring for each other are greatly appreciated.
Please read:
We've been blessed by a steady increase in attendance at our worship services! If you are planning to attend, it is critical to register via Sign Up Genius. This enables our ushers to promptly seat you while maintaining safe distancing necessitated by Covid. Thank you for your patience and compliance with these interim procedures as we all eagerly await the day when we can fill God's sanctuary again!
Sign-ups are accepted until Friday, 10/9 at Noon. |
Sunday School programming that will be offered for young people this Sunday. Note that each lesson will have a video component and will also include follow-up materials that guide parents in talking about the concepts throughout the week. Hope to see you on Zoom!
Young Children (Pre-K to Grade 2) What's In the Bible? Sundays at 11 am on Zoom Join Buck Denver and a group of hilarious friends as they journey through the Bible and discover what it means for us. Amy Scarlett will lead us for the opening weeks as we discover What's In the Bible! Lesson length: 20-25 minutes.
Older Elementary Children (Grades 3-5) Orange 252 Kids Sundays @ 11am on Zoom Our older elementary children will explore fun and engaging lessons from The Orange Group. Susan Seamans will lead off the year with a challenge to Drop the Act... and live with integrity! Children will see that integrity means choosing to be truthful in whatever we say and do - we can all drop the act and choose to be who God made us to be! Lesson length: 25-35 minutes. 
Youth Study - Faith in an Anxious World Sundays @ 11 am on Zoom If you've ever felt pressure or anxiety from school, friends, college applications, sports, parents... you are not alone! Hear young people share about the real pressure you face, and learn how our faith can guide and strengthen us in difficult times. Ashley Zesinger and Heidi Gutsch will be our leaders - you won't want to miss this 4-week study!
Please have a Bible, notebook/journal and pen with you.
Lesson length: 50-60 minutes. |
Paul Henry is offering a 14 week study course on Zoom, Tuesdays from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The course will provide a variety of short term topics for study and discussion so that you may join for subjects that interest you or participate in the entire series.
We began on September 22nd with a look at The Lord's Prayer. The words of this prayer are very familiar to all of us and we can recite it without thinking. But would you view the Lord's Prayer differently if you were an inhabitant of Galilee in 30 A.D.? Would you understand the prayer differently than a 21st century American Protestant? Join our virtual journey to a first century Jewish village and examine the differences in understanding.
There are no books to purchase, just register for the course and you will be provided with readings for each discussion topic.
If you would like to register for a week,
or by calling 215-962-6719.
10/13, 10/20, 10/27
Being Christian in a Pagan World
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BIBLE STUDY
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Wednesdays 7-8:30 PM
Fellowship Hall
Leader: Ken Lee
You are invited to join our Wednesday night Bible study in Fellowship Hall from 7 to 8:30PM. We're currently doing the Gospel of Matthew using the William Barclay New Daily Study Bible beginning with Chapter 14. This study is a continuation from last March but since each class is a standalone discussion of the Scriptures there is no need to catch up, just jump in. Take a deep dive into Matthew's Gospel to better understand what he wants you to know. Originally written to first century Jews, it is still relevant for us today! Barclay makes it easy to understand.
If anyone needs a book: either they can order it or we can and they can reimburse the church. We are social distancing and wearing masks in class but taking breaks for a breather.
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MISSION PROJECT
WRAPPING PLASTIC WARE FOR THE TRENTON AREA SOUP KITCHEN
Please join us on
Wednesday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m.
for a short meeting to be held in the Church Parlor.
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Please wear a mask -
safe distancing practices will be observed.
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At this meeting you may
pick up the supplies and take them with you
to complete the mission project from the
safety and comfort of your home.
We ask that you bring the wrapped plastic ware
back to the church by Sunday, October 25.
When completed, they will be delivered to
the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.
Thank you for your participation,
Pastor Ruth
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SEWING GROUP
St. John's Sewing Group will meet on
Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
in the Church Parlor
Please wear a mask...social distancing will be observed.
Please bring all fabric that has been cut out so that it may be distributed to those who will be sewing.
Additional fabric will be given to those who will be
doing more cutting.
I look forward to seeing all of our
"willing workers" then!
Thank you for your Heart for Missions.
Pastor Ruth
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CONTRIBUTE A DEVOTION!!
Don't forget that the devotions for our Advent Devotional are due by Sunday, October 11.
If you are interested in contributing a devotion,
please contact Pastor Ruth.
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 THE RECOVERY BREAKFAST
Hosted by the United Methodist Men
for All the Men at St. John's.
The Sycamore Grill, Newtown
Saturday, October 17th, 10 AM
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NOTE OF REMEMBRANCE
The United Methodist Men gathered in the church parking lot for a brief organizational meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, the death of Ed Campbell was very much on their minds and hearts as Ed had been their President for the past few years. Some time was taken to recognize the significant life-long commitment that Ed had to the Church of Jesus Christ.
As a youth, Ed was very involved in the youth group at his home church in Philadelphia. He had been the President of the youth fellowship and had shown his dedication to the church and his leadership abilities at an early age.
Ed was raised in the United Church of Christ, but he and Carol were married in the Methodist Church and he later became a Methodist when his children were of the age to attend Sunday School. Ed and Carol joined Johnson Memorial Church in Northeast Philadelphia. Their pastor was Denny Williams. Ed and Carol became active in the Church with Ed serving on numerous committees and activities within the church. Eventually they moved to Bucks County and joined St. John's where the pastor was Denny Williams.
Ed became involved in Red Bird Ministries from the start and led several mission trips to Red Bird. He was involved in the planning for the beginning of contemporary worship in the Fellowship Hall. He led the committee that planned the renovations to Fellowship Hall so that a service could be more appropriately held there.
Ed had many other activities in which he was involved at St. John's, but the men remember him best as their leader. Each month as we gathered for breakfast, Ed began the meeting with a devotional and prayer. His presence and his warm, friendly manner are greatly missed.
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UMW INGATHERING - 2020
Thank you for your generosity!
Tuesday, October 6, Kathy Keppol, Social Action chair,
Linda Barr, President and Vivian DiCristofaro delivered the new clothing and other items collected for the
2020 UMW Ingathering.
In 2016 United Methodist Neighborhood Services moved to Janes Memorial UMC.in Germantown. Janes Memorial and First UMC of Germantown play an important role in the efforts of UMNS to offer essential support to its community.
They offer food, clothing and a snack program.
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