Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE
Join us for worship
Calendar
Prayer List
Snow Policy
Sunday School
Bible Studies
Text Giving
Amazon Smile
Warrior Coffee
Red Bird Trailers
Eastwick Thank You
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Thank you
Pastor's Reflection
Ash Wednesday Service
Lenten Study
Youth Group
Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper
Sight & Sound Lunch Trip
Softball Team
Line Dancing
Book Club
GriefShare
Divorce Care
Family Promise
Helping Hands
Table Talk
Caring Ministries
Sock It To Me Sundays
UMM Breakfast
Music
   
JOIN US FOR
WORSHIP  
  
Worship Services:
8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Traditional
 
  9:15 a.m.
Praise  and Worship
  
THIS SUNDAY, 
March 3, 2019

"Changed"
Ruth Portzline, CLM will be preaching
Luke 9:28-36
 

215-357-6998
 
CHURCH HOURS
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM -2:00 PM  
 
 

THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

Thursday, February 28
6:45pm
 Ring of Faith

7:30pm
 Al-Anon

8:00pm
 Adult Choir

Sunday, March 3
9:00am
 Sunday Morning Study

9:15am
 Children's Sunday School

10:30am
 Children & Youth Sunday School

11:30am
 Joyful Voices

12:15pm
 Holy Handbells

6:00pm
 Youth Choir

6:45pm
 Fellowship, Fun and Study

7:00pm
 Youth Group

Monday, March 4
6:30pm
 Girl Scout Troop 2395 Meeting

6:45pm
 Bible Study

6:45pm
 Celebration Ringers

Tuesday, March 5
10:00am
 Book Club

5:30pm
 Fat Tuesday Pancake & Sausage Dinner

5:45pm
 GENesis Bells

6:00pm
 Divorce Care

7:00pm
 Book Club

7:00pm
 Praise Band Rehearsal

7:00pm
 Table Talk

7:30pm
 AA

Wednesday, March 6
 Ash Wednesday

7:00pm
 Bible Study

7:00pm
 Ash Wednesday Serivce

Thursday, March 7
6:45pm
 Ring of Faith

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.
St. John's Snow Policy
In case of a major snowstorm or other severe weather that would require cancellation of one or more Sunday services, we will attempt to notify everyone by:
-  A special e-news sent out
-  A message on the church answering machine and website. 
 
If possible, a decision regarding cancellation will be made the night before.  Please also be aware that, in the event of a power outage, it is impossible to utilize internet or phone services.
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!

SUNDAY SCHOOL

"Dig In"

St. John's Sunday School  
 9:15 
All Children Pre-K thru 6th grade go directly to Room D (Holywood) 
  
10:30  
All children go to Fellowship Hall
Youth grades 9-12 go to the Youth Room. 

Please click Kid's Church Registration  
or go to stjohnsivyland.com under Children's Ministry to register. 

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.
Help is needed in the Nursery at the 9:15 AM Service. 
Please contact David Bigam if you are available!
  
For more information about our Children or Youth Ministries, please contact Director,
David Bigam, [email protected]  


ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
 
Sunday Morning Study
led by Howard & Beppie Heinrich
Sunday mornings at 9 AM
Parlor
On-going study and drop-ins are welcome!

_________________________________________
 
 The Wired Word
led by Eileen Phillips
2nd and 4th Sundays
10:30 AM
Parlor
Focuses on current events and analyzes them in a Biblical context. 
On-going study and drop-ins are welcome.

Please see This Week's Calendar for current Bible study opportunities. Contact Lara Bolte (215-357-6998, [email protected]) if you are interested in joining an existing group.
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]

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT!
When you enroll in 'Amazon Smile', Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible "AmazonSmile' purchases to a charitable organization of your choice. St. John's United Methodist Church - Ivyland is a participating group!

'AmazonSmile' is the same Amazon you know - same products, same prices and same service. This is an easy way to contribute to St. John's without any extra cost to you!

To support, go to https://smile.amazon.com, fill in your Amazon account email and password, then choose -
St. John's United Methodist Church - Ivyland - as your preferred charitable organization.

Simply 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) 

  Thank you for supporting the Village of El Naranjito in the Dominican Republic and
 
"Fighting for What's Right One Cup at a Time

 
Order Forms available in the Grace Cafe.
The Grace Cafe is open Sunday mornings for fellowship and refreshments. 
MISSIONS
Red Bird Trailers are closed  
for the winter.  
Thank you for your support this year.   
We will re-open in the spring of 2019.

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.  


DONATIONS ALWAYS NEEDED 
Donations of non-perishable food for the Eastwick Food Pantry are always needed through-out 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.

   
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.                                         

click to view the thank you letter
NEW MEMBERS




  Invitation to Become a Member

If 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, May 19, 2019.  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 considering membership, please check off "wish to become a member" on the sign-in tablet and/or contact [email protected] for further information.

Prospective new members will have the opportunity to meet informally with the pastors on Wednesday, May 15 from 7-8 pm for coffee and dessert in the church parlor.

February 28, 2019
PASTOR'S REFLECTION

     As you know, the special General Conference held February 23-26 approved the "Traditional Plan" with some possible modifications after being reviewed in April by Judicial Council.  The Traditional Plan means that rulings related to clergy ordination and the performing of marriage remains unchanged and the wording in the Book of Discipline will not be changed.   
     Some of you have asked how this ruling might affect St. John's.  The short answer is that we have always been a church with open hearts, open minds and open doors and that will not change.  
   Please continue praying for the church, for the denomination, and for our ministry to all people everywhere.   
     Below you will find Bishop Johnson's repsonse to the ruling of the General Conference.   
Pastor Janice

_____________________________________________

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
MARCH 6, 2019
7:30 PM
Be sure to pick up your copy of this year's
Lenten Devotional - "This is Love"
in the Narthex Sunday morning.
LENTEN STUDY
LENTEN STUDY
 
Adam Hamilton's  
SIMON PETER:  
FLAWED BUT FAITHFUL DISCIPLE
Join us on this six-week journey through Adam Hamilton's examination of the life, faith, and character of Simon Peter.
  • 6-week small group study, 3/13 through 4/21
  • Offered on Wednesday mornings and Wednesday evenings
  • 10:00 a.m. OR 6:45 p.m.
  • Workbook cost: $15
  • Location: Parlor (most weeks)
Sign up using the tear-off in the bulletin or on the sign-up table in the Narthex.
YOUTH GROUP
 
Sunday Nights from 7-8:30 PM
Fellowship and fun for youth grades 7 thru 12.
 
Youth Group Sunday!
Welcome Back 6th Graders  
It must be the first Sunday of the month
9-Square! 
______________________________________________

Morrisville Food Bank Monday
Monday, March 11th
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!!!!
_____________________________________________

Coming soon... 
Escape Room - St. John's Youth 
Do you have what it takes to "Escape" my room?   
I don't think you do!
_____________________________________________
 
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

FAT TUESDAY 2019  
 
March 5 - 5:30-7:30 PM  
Pancake and Sausage Supper! 
Tickets are STILL just $8.00 for Adults  
and $5 for ages 5-12  Kids under 5 eat free!
 
Join us for Fun, Food, Fellowship
Live Music with the Jazz Sanctuary!!!
 
Proceeds benefit the Youth ASP Mission Trip 
 
St. John's Ivyland
Vacation Bible School 2019
July 22-26 9 AM til Noon
For children ages 4 years thru 6th grade
Registration begins May 1
$15 per child with a MAX of $30 per family.

For more information, please contact David Bigam
215-357-6998 or [email protected]
ADULT/FAMILY MINISTRY
Coming in May 
SIGHT & SOUND AND SHADY MAPLE!
Join us on Saturday, May 4 as we travel by luxury coach to Lancaster, PA. We will see the Sight & Sound Theatre's 11:00 showing of JESUS, then head to lunch at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, a Pennsylvania Dutch favorite!  
  • May 4, 2019
  • Bus will leave from St. John's at 8:45 AM and return by 4:30 PM
  • We will see the 11:00 showing of Sight & Sound's production of "Jesus"
  • Lunch at Shady Maple after the show
  • $130 per person; make checks out to St. John's
  • Payment due at sign-up
  • No refunds for cancellations after April 1
  • Bus is contingent up on us having at least 40 people signed up.
  • Sign up in the Narthex!

ST. JOHN'S CO-ED SOFTBALL TEAM!
We are looking into forming a softball team to play intramural games with other area church teams this Spring.
  • This is a slow-pitch, or "arc pitch," softball league.
  • Games will typically occur on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, April through June, with playoffs in July.
  • At this point, we are in the information-gathering stage, but we wanted to gauge our congregation's interest.
  • If this sounds like something you would participate in, please indicate your interest by signing up on the sheet in the Narthex!

1st Wednesday of each month -  6:45 PM
Fellowship Hall
Next Session - March 13th
No experience necessary - come out and have fun!
No Fee.
Bring water!
All ages are welcome, and feel free to bring a friend.
Call Carol Eberz (215-355-3572) or Jane Horton (215-630-6020) with questions!

BOOK CLUB

ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB  
Tuesday. March 5
10:00 AM and 7:00 PM
in the Church Parlor.

A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explore the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us.
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
OUTREACH

We are pleased to announce that St. John's will be sponsoring a GriefShare group for our church family as well as for our community facilitated by
Chaplain Erin Maurer, United Methodist Deacon. 

GriefShare is a twelve-week, faith-based program for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one.

The first session will be on Monday, March 25 at  
6:30 PM in the Grace Cafe.  You may register at the sign-up table in the narthex or online at griefshare.org. There is a $15 fee for the workbook payable at the first session.  For further information, contact Pastor Janice or  
Ruth Portzline or go to griefshare.org.
If you or someone you know has experienced separation or divorce, either recently or a long time ago, we want to invite them to a new group.

  • Weekly meetings are Tuesdays, from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Grace CafĂ©.
  • Just go to divorcecare.org and put in our church zip code (18974) to find our future group listed and then register.
  • The format is a light meal and viewing of expert information on DVD, followed by a time of sharing and discussion.
  •  There is a $25 fee for a workbook but scholarships are available.
  •  Each rotation lasts 13 weeks but you can miss anytime and make up the session during the next rotation if desired. 
  •  We are also looking for people to help welcome visitors, make coffee, and provide support to our facilitator.
  • Contact [email protected] or call the church office for more information.
  • Family Promise provides services to homeless families through a network of faith-based congregations and community volunteers.
  • Host congregations provide overnight lodging and meals for up to 14 individuals (typically 3 to 4 families) for one week about every 3 months on a rotating schedule.
  • The guests stay at the host congregation during the evening and overnight. Each morning, they are transported to a day center, where they prepare for and carry out their daily activities - caring for young children, looking for jobs or training, or going to school or work.
Our first Hosting week is April 7th - 14th
   Please let Sharon Byle
(610-888-1329 or [email protected])
know where you would like to help!

We need volunteers with Safe Sanctuary clearances for:
Overnight Hosts 7:30pm-6:00am - super easy job, come hang out for a few hours, then sleep. Responsibilities include making sure building is locked up and that the guests are safe, comfortable and have what they need.

Evening Host - 5:30pm-7:30pm - 2nd easiest job, eat and hang out for 2 hours. Some guests will interact, but many will spend time in their rooms. Responsibilities include making sure that the guests are comfortable and have what they need. Preparing an activity (movie, games, crafts) is encouraged but not required.

Meal preparers - Provide a meal for 10-16 people. Menu ideas are given, and flexibility is a must! These families, like yours, have busy lives and may not be "home for dinner" every night, so how many to cook for is variable each night. And of course, just like at home, we deal with picky eaters and allergies.
 
Volunteers who don't need clearances:
Set up team - Sunday after 10:30 service, set up classrooms as bedrooms for guests

Breakdown team - Sunday at 8:30, break down bedrooms and make them classrooms again

Shopper - Sunday afternoon, shop for breakfast and lunch items for the week. Wednesday evening check in and see if any other items are needed.

Laundry Team - Sunday morning after 9:00am pick up some laundry and return it next Sunday.
 
March 24th all volunteers are asked to meet in the library after the 9:15 service or after the 10:30 service. We will go over in detail the volunteer job details, make sure everyone has all their forms turned in and go over any questions.

Contact Jessica at
[email protected] (215-943-0402)
if you plan to attend either of these events:

Cleaning Day
Saturday 3/2/19 9am - 1pm at the FPLB Day Center (1700 Woodbourne Rd, Suite B Levittown, PA 19057. You can come for an hour or the whole time. Cleaning supplies appreciated. Refreshments served.
 
FPLB Volunteer Training 
Sunday 3/3/19 12:30-2:00pm at Yardley United Methodist Church (300 Yardley Langhorne Rd, Yardley, PA 19067) This is for any new volunteers that have never been trained or people wanting a refresher.
St. John's  
Helping Hands
If any member of  
St. John's has been ill and needs a meal, please contact Ruth Portzline, Pastor Janice or Carol Messina.  If you would like to help, call Carol Messina at 215-491-1461.
TABLE TALK - TUESDAY NIGHTS! 
Join the Conversation!  Bring a Friend! 
CARING MINISTRIES

St. John's Caring Ministries Visitation Team will meet on Monday, March 11 at 7 pm in the Church Parlor. 
Chaplain Erin Maurer will be speaking about  
"Walking with Those Who Grieve".
She will help the Caring Ministries Team to clarify popular misconceptions of grief and to learn what is helpful (and not helpful!) to say
   when offering care and support.
The Caring Ministries Visitation Team regularly  
visits our shut-ins.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this important
ministry of St. John's, please join us for this meeting.
UMW/UMM


Sock It To Me Sundays
Sunday March 17th thru April 7th

Please support the United Methodist Women as we collect new items of clothing for families in need in our area.
We will be collecting socks, underwear, baby and children's pajamas, diapers, disposable underwear for men and women as well as nonperishable baby formula. 
Please place your items in the laundry basket located close to the UMW bulletin board. Should you have any questions please contact Kathy Keppol at 215-357-7404 or speak to any UMW leader.
 
UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST

Saturday, March 16
8 AM
Fellowship Hall
 
All men invited. 
Please sign-up on the sign-up sheet in the Narthex or email Ed Campbell at [email protected]
 
MUSIC
MUSIC MINISTRY NOTES
All vocal and handbell choirs at  
St. John's are open to anyone, young and old(er) who loves music.  
There is no formal audition, and your participation in our Music Ministry is welcomed.
Please contact Roy Nelson, at 215-355-7596, [email protected] for more information or
Click here to view our web-site.  
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