St. John's United Methodist Church 

 Cornerstone
   Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE
Join us for worship
Calendar
Prayer List
Red Bird Trailers
AV Help Needed
Warrior Coffee
Pastor's Reflection
Club 56 Kick-off
Bible Sunday
Prayer Partners
Sunday School
Youth Group
ASP Wreath Sale
Table Talk
Music Ministry
UMM Breakfast
UMW Harvest Brunch
Invitation to Membership
Open arms and serving hands transforming lives through Christ
   
JOIN US FOR
WORSHIP 
       
Worship Services:
8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Traditional
  9:15 a.m.
Praise  and Worship
  
THIS SUNDAY, 
October 22, 2017

The sermon series, 
Daring Faith: The Key to Miracles, continues with Pastor Janice's sermon, 
"Daring to Give God My Best"
2 Timothy 2:1-10

215-357-6998
 
HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:30-3:00 p.m.
 

R.I.S.E. SUNDAY
THIS WEEK'S 
CALENDAR

Thursday, October 19
6:45pm
  Adult Bell Choir
 
7:30pm
  Al-Anon
 
8:00pm
  Adult Choir
 
Saturday, October 21
8:00am
  UMM Breakfast
 
Sunday, October 22
9:00am
Adult Sunday School

9:00am
  Children's Sunday School
 
10:30am
  Adult Sunday School
 
10:30am
  Children & Youth Sunday School
 
10:30am
  Confirmation Class
 
11:30am
  Joyful Voices
 
5:00pm
  Youth Choir
 
6:00pm
  Youth Group - Haunted Hayride
 
Monday, October 23
6:45pm
  Prodigal Son Bible Study

Tuesday, October 24
5:45pm
  Grace Notes
 
7:00pm
  Book Club
 
7:00pm
  Daring Faith Bible Study
 
7:00pm
  Praise Band Rehearsal
 
7:00pm
  Table Talk
 
7:30pm
  AA
 
Wednesday, October 25
7:00pm
  Bible Study
 
7:00pm
  Daring Faith Bible Study
 
Thursday, October 26
6:45pm
  Adult Bell Choir
   
7:30pm
  Al-Anon
 
8:00pm
  Adult Choir
 
 

 

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.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month 
in the parlor - 10 AM
Please come help knit or crochet various items for those in need.
Contact Roberta Nelson for more information or if you  w ould like to request a  Prayer Shawl. robertahsn577@verizon.net
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.
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) 


RED BIRD TRAILERS 
ARE OPEN  DAILY 
9:00a.m. - 5:30p.m.

AV HELP NEEDED!
Volunteers are needed to help run the PowerPoints at both the 8 AM and 10:30 AM services.  At 8 AM, it will be announcements only on most Sundays, but there could be an occasional special presentation during worship.  At 10:30 AM you would be responsible for both the announcements and the worship service.  You will be instructed in how to use the AV system.  It is very simple.  Please contact Peter Sheren if you are interested  peterandivonne@gmail.com.

 
We just received 105 bags of Warrior Blue coffee that our members purchased for their own use and for the Grace Café to support the farmers in the Naranjito Village, Dominican Republic.  In 2013, these villagers were being paid between $0.08 and $0.12 per pound for their coffee. Because of your support, through the initiative of Lycoming College, these villagers are being paid a fair price for their coffee ($2.40 per pound with the last crop), and their life is being improved through the implementation of better growing methods, clean water for the villagers, sustainable farming techniques for crops that enhance coffee quality and villager health and nutrition and the installation of solar power. For the first time, the villagers in this remote mountain top village have access to electric power to improve the quality of their life.

If you ordered Warrior brand coffee to support the village of El Naranjito in the Dominican Republic it is available to be picked up in the narthex following worship this Sunday. 
See Colleen Brownell.
If you missed ordering this time, we will again take your order in late November. Warrior brand coffee is an excellent Christmas gift suggestion.

Thank you for 
fighting for what's right, 
one cup at a time.

MOBILE GIVING
Have you ever arrived at church and forgot your giving envelope? Or you would like to make a Communion Offering and you have just 18 cents in your pocketbook? 
Well, help as arrived, as 
St John's now offers mobile giving! 

Just go to the  website 
click on the donate now button, and register. Once you're registered, you can either make donations by debit or credit. 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 giving, email Lou Lescas at  stjohns820@gmail.com

 
There will be two Christ Servant Ministries courses offered here at St. John's on December 1-2, 2017.
 
Introduction to Christ Servant Ministries for those wishing to begin the road toward becoming a 
Christ Servant Minister; and 
Christ Servant Ministries Speaking Course 1 for those who have already completed the Introduction to Christ Servant Ministries class and wish to be certified as a 
Christ Servant Minister.
If you are interested in either of these classes, please contact Ruth Portzline for registration forms.

UMC LINKS umc logo
 
  
  
PASTOR'S REFLECTION
umc logo
Pastor's State of the Church Report for 2017
      As lead pastor of St. John's, it is my great joy and privilege to report that we are continuing steady progress toward our missional mandate of being people with "open arms and serving hands, transforming lives for Christ."  We are a congregation who loves to share the joy of Christ, and we are actively engaged in doing so through worship, service, mission, and community outreach.
     Our members and regular attenders are an awesome group of generous, loving, talented, spirit-filled Christians who know that God has brought us together for a reason.  For 55 years, St. John's has been a beacon of light in Ivyland and the surrounding area.  But we believe that God is calling us to become an even GREATER blessing to this community.  We believe that God is calling us to embrace His vision of reaching out to the many people in our surrounding area who are searching for hope and meaning for themselves and for their families.  We believe that God is always doing a new thing, and so we believe he is guiding us find new ways to reach new people, younger people, and more diverse people.
     I share with you just a sampling of our work over this past year.
  Our very dedicated and committed program staff continues to work toward the goal of identifying, recruiting, and mentoring people into ministry and leadership.  This is our primary goal - we strive to be laser-focused on mentoring people into leadership and service, and on the formation of ministry teams and small groups for discipleship.  One example of this is our focus on the recruitment and the continuing education of our caring ministries team, which is a group of trained volunteers who regularly assist with visits (including Communion visits) to our shut-ins as well as our members who are hospitalized.  This ministry is a blessing to our sick and shut-in members as well as a blessing to those who wish to serve in this capacity.
     We give thanks for Alison Beal's ministry over these many years.  Alison has served as our Director of Lay Ministries and is retiring at the end of this month.  She will be missed in so many ways, but we give thanks that David Bigam will be taking on a second hat and will become our new Director of Children & Youth Ministries at the end of this month.  David has already developed a team of experienced, committed leaders and volunteers in both of those areas, and we look forward to seeing both our children's and our youth programs flourish under his leadership.  We are also pleased to welcome a new face into our staff.  Lara Bolte will be coming on board as our new Director of Adult Ministries.  She will be working in collaboration with Ruth Portzline who is primarily responsible for adult community outreach ministries.  Lara will be working primarily on adult studies, small discipleship groups, and our mission program.  However, Lara & Ruth will be working closely with one another in those areas as well as community outreach.  We give thanks for both Lara & Ruth's gifts and talents as they work to glorify God and enhance the ministry of St. John's.
     Our music program, as always, is one of our strengths as a congregation.  There are many opportunities for all age groups to become involved.  We give thanks to Roy Nelson for the leadership he provides, and we also give thanks for the ministry of Brian Barber, our organist, and Alissa Nelson, our keyboard accompanist. 
     Our Leadership Board continues to work relentlessly on the formation, updating, and implementation of our strategic plan.  We continue to do telephone consults with John Wimberly, a congregational consultant who has, in the past, led retreats with our Leadership Board as we began to develop our strategic plan and focus on our goals.
     At the current time, we are striving to "reinvent" our mission program at St. John's.  Our Mission Task Force recently planned and implemented am extremely well received and highly energized event called "R.I.S.E. Sunday" - a Sunday of worship and four different hands-on mission projects, including a large-scale food packaging event through the organization, "Rise Against Hunger."  We are currently brainstorming a new, out-of-the-box mission project that we hope would engage many people in both the congregation and the surrounding community.
     In closing, I believe that our future is as bright as the promises of God.  May God grant us the grace to continue to work together to reach our community and our world with the Good News of Jesus Christ!
                                                                                                Many blessings,
                                                                                                Pastor Janice

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
CLUB 56 KICK-OFF
Sunday, October 29 at7 pm in 
Classroom A
All 5th and 6th graders in invited to join this fun and fellowship group.  Sign up online or on the table in the Education Wing. Contact Heidi Gutsch for more information at hgutsch@gmail.com.   Sign-up Here
BIBLE SUNDAY:  NOVEMBER 19, 2017
All 3rd Graders will be receiving their Bibles on Bible Sunday during the 10:30 Worship Service.  
Sign up by November 5th
 

PRAYER PARTNERS FOR CHILDREN
Would you like your child to participate in a new Prayer Partner program in Children's Ministry?  We'd like to pair interested children with an adult in the congregation so they can pray for one another.  Partners will receive a picture of the person they are praying for along with specific requests for prayers.  Once we have a list of interested children, we'll begin matching them with members of the congregation.  Prayer partners will run from November 1 - February 1 at which time we will schedule a fun event for the children and their partners to attend together.


 
 
Please go to the Children's Ministry Page for forms.

Children's Sunday School
Children's Sunday School is held weekly at the 9:15 and 10:30 services f or children 4 years old through 6th Grade. A parent must accompany children who are attending for the first time. 

Volunteers are needed for both the 9:15 and 10:30 services in Children's Sunday School. Contact Alison Beal. 

Youth Sunday School
Sunday school takes place every Sunday at the 10:30 service.  Youth who have completed 6th grade through 12th grade go directly to the Youth Room in the Education Wing.  Youth are encouraged to worship together at the 9:15 service. 

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.  

YOUTH GROUP

  
Sunday nights
7:00-8:30 PM
Hmmm.  What are we doing at Youth Gr oup?

BONFIRE - October 29
Come out and enjoy the warmth of the fire and 
make some s'mores!!

Some up and coming events to keep an eye on:
Bizarre Food Night - November 19
Movie - "The Shack" - November 12
Minute to Win It - November 5

Please mark your calendars for November 15
13th Annual Special Needs Bingo and Dance Night
Wednesday, November 15 from 7:30-9PM
The Pug Wugs are our guests of honor.  
Please sign up on the bulletin board outside youth room to participate and bring "goodies" or prizes 
as we all love to eat and win!
____________________________________________________

Morrisville Food Bank Monday
November 13- Contact David Bigam
Do Not Miss This Opportunity! 
Come and experience great Fellowship! 
Morrisville is open to anyone 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!
(All food collected goes to Jesus Focus Food Pantry)

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

ASP NEWS
Thank you to all who supported the ASP Team at our Annual Stockholder's Luncheon
Sunday October 8th.
         
 
Oh yes it is!!!!!
ST. JOHN'S ANNUAL WREATH SALE
Christmas will be here before you know it!!!!
Start your Christmas shopping now and at the same time help support our Mission Trip in Appalachia.
Final orders end October 31
 
TABLE TALK
Tuesdays - 7 PM
Richboro Pub
 
Tuesday, October 24
Topic:
Judeo Christian Values and God as an Idol 
 
Join the Conversation and Bring a Friend!
MUSIC MINISTRY

St. John's Music
Happening This Week

Adult Choir Rehearsal - Thursday 8 PM
The Adult Choir is open to anyone post-High School who has an interest in singing.  There is no audition, but some singing experience is helpful.
 
Adult Bell Choir Rehearsal - Thursday 6:45  PM
There are currently no openings in the Adult Bell Choir
 
Joyful Voices Choir - Grade K- 5 (6)
The Joyful Voices Choir sings this Sunday, October 22, at the 10:30 Worship Service.  Children will wear robes, which were assigned last Sunday at rehearsal.  Regular rehearsal after Worship.  The children are working hard to receive their attendance pins.  Several will be awarded this Sunday.
 
"Try Us Out" Rehearsal & Pizza
On Sunday, October 29, the Joyful Voices will hold a special rehearsal designed to give children a chance to "try out" our great choir.  Following the rehearsal, we will have a PIZZA PARTY for all in attendance.  If your child will be coming to the rehearsal / party please contact Roy Nelson so that we can have enough food.    Roy Nelson - 215-355-7596      roynel@aol.com
 
Youth Choir Rehearsal - Sunday 5 PM
Our rehearsal on Sunday night will begin at 5 PM so that the
You th Group can leave for their event.  The YOUTH CHOIR sings on Sunday, October 29, at the 10:30 service.  We have begun to work on Christmas music.  Please attend ALL rehearsal so you can properly learn the music.
 
Youth Hand Bell  Rehearsal - Tuesday 5:45
Hand bell ringers are still needed in the Youth Hand Bell Choir.  Youth OR Adults are invited to join this choir.  We currently have THREE adults ringing in the choir, to assist the young people.  Please consider joining and helping out.
 
Praise Band - Tuesday- 7:00 PM
Singers and instrumentalists are welcome to join our Praise Band.  Speak to Roy Nelson if you are interested.
 
UMW/UMM
UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, October 21, 2017
8 AM Fellowship Hall
Guest Speaker: Bill Kuehl
Red Bird Truck Driver
All Men Welcome!
See sign-up sheets on the UMM bulletin board or 
email Ed Campbell, edcampbell6@aol.com
Please come to the 
UMW Harvest Brunch 
Saturday,  October 28
11:00 AM
Quiche and soup will be served.  
We will hear from women who went to  Red Bird Mission in September.  
Cost $5.00. 
Sign up on the bulletin board or email arlenew13@aol.com.  You can also call Rosemarie Malizia,  215-598-8567.
OUTREACH
AN INVITATION TO BECOME A MEMBER

I f you feel you have found a church home at St. John's, we invite you to become a member!  Our next "New Member Sunday" will be Sunday, November 12, 2017.

 Those wishing to become members of St. John's will be invited to take the vows of membership at any of our three worship services.  

The only "requirement" for membership is that you feel a commitment to Christ and a desire to make St. John's your church family.  If you feel God calling you to take this next step on your faith journey, we welcome you with open arms!  

If you are new to St. John's and considering membership you are invited to meet informally with the pastors on Thursday evening, November 9th at 6:30 pm for Coffee and Dessert.
Blessing of the Animals 
  I t was a wonderful day giving thanks for all God's creation, and celebrating His gift of creatures, great and small.