Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE
Join us for worship
New Member Sunday
Calendar
Prayer List
Text Giving
Choir News
RISE Sunday Thank You
Warrior Coffee
Table Talk
Drive Thru Prayer
Amazon Smile
Snow Policy
Pastor's Reflection
Commitment Cards
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Advent/Christmas Schedule
Sunday School
Christmas Eve Pageant Signup
Youth Group
Bible Studies
Advent Study
Book Club
Hunterdon Hills Trip
Wednesday Walkers
Line Dancing
Angel Tree
UMM Breakfast
Turkey Drive
Drive Thru Living Nativity
Divorce Care
   
JOIN US FOR
WORSHIP  
  
Worship Services:
8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Traditional
 
  9:15 a.m.
Praise  and Worship
  
THIS SUNDAY, 
November 18, 2018
 Commitment Sunday
Baptism at 10:30  

"Time For A Party!"
Pastor Janice  
Mark 2:18-22 
          
215-357-6998
 
CHURCH HOURS
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM -2:00 PM  
 
Please Note: 
The church office will close at noon on Wednesday, 
November 21 and will be closed through Friday, November 23.
 
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!
 
 
Welcome to Our New Members!
November 11, 2018

Thomas & Angelique Balfe
Anthony & Elizabeth Dooley
Benjamin & Gaberiela Lopez-Heinzerling
Mary John
Jamie Kifferly
Emma Schobel
Jonathan & Susan Seamans
Gloria Swered
Ali Witt
 
THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

Thursday, November 15
6:45pm
 Ring of Faith

7:30pm
 Al-Anon

8:00pm
 Adult Choir

Saturday, November 17
8:00am
UMM Breakfast

Sunday, November 18
9:00am
 Sunday Morning Study

9:15am
 Children's Sunday School

10:30am
 Baptism - Nelson

10:30am
 Children & Youth Sunday School

11:30am
 Joyful Voices

12:15pm
 Holy Handbells

6:00pm
 Youth Choir

7:00pm
 Youth Group

Monday, November 19
11:00am
 The Gift of the Nutcracker - Advent Study

7:00pm
 The Gift of the Nutcracker - Advent Study

7:00pm
 Trustee Meeting

Tuesday, November 20
5:45pm
 GENesis Bells

7:00pm
 Deborah Circle

7:00pm
 No Table Talk - Will Resume
November 27

7:00pm
 Praise Band Rehearsal

7:30pm
 AA

Wednesday, November 21
7:00pm
 Bible Study

7:30pm
 Salome Circle

7:30pm
 Thanksgiving Eve Service

Thursday, November 22
Thanksgiving Day

 

 

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.
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  stjohns820@gmail.com

MUSIC
CHOIR NEWS
St. John's Vocal Choirs provide opportunities for EVERYONE to be involved in music. From young children through adults, we have a place for you in our music program. Beginning musicians and experienced singers are welcome in our Vocal Choirs.
 
MISSIONS
Red Bird Trailers  
Are Open Daily
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Drop off Donations of clothing and household items to the trailers located in the back of the church parking lot.  

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,  stjohns820@gmail.com
 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.                                         
RISE
Dear Lara,

It is with great pleasure that we announce the destination of the Rise Against Hunger meals you helped package on 10/7/2018. A shipping container, holding 285,120 meals, has been sent to Madagascar for our partner Adventist Development and Relief Agency. If you happen to receive more than one of these announcements, your meals have gone to impact multiple partners.

Adventist Development and Relief Agency is an organization that nourishes lives through food assistance and other services in Madagascar. To learn more, please visit our partner/country spotlight on the Impact Stories tab and click and drag on our World Aid Map at https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/world-aid/.

Ending hunger is only possible if we continue to grow the movement. We encourage you to share the news about this shipment. Since 2005, volunteers like you have helped us distribute over 310 million meals worldwide. We can end hunger by 2030, but we can't do it without you.

Please visit our website www.riseagainsthunger.org and continue your involvement. Consider making a donation, planning another meal packaging event (at your place of worship, school, company, civic club, etc), joining our advocacy efforts, or even inviting us to speak to a group.
 
R.I.S.E. SUNDAY

Thank you to Richard Smith for taking so many great pictures of this awesome day!
Blessing of the Animals
September 23, 2018 
What a wonderful day we shared here at  
St. John's giving thanks for God's creation and celebrating His gift of creatures,  
great and small!  
 

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) 

 
If you would like to purchase Warrior Coffee, 
  order forms are available in the Grace Café.
Thank you for helping to fight for what's right
  one cup at a time!
The Grace Cafe is open Sunday mornings for fellowship and refreshments. 
TABLE TALK WILL RESUME ON NOVEMBER 27TH 
 
St. John's    
Drive Thru Prayer 
will resume in the Spring! 
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!

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.
UMC LINKS umc logo
 
  
  
November 15, 2018
PASTOR'S REFLECTION
            Election day is a crazy day at church, so last week I decided I would stay home and do one of my least favorite jobs - clean out closets & drawers. I usually try to reserve a day every year or two to purge myself of all the various and sundry items I've somehow accumulated but haven't even looked at in years.
            There were actually a few cabinets in the parsonage office where I must have stashed lots of items of no particular interest when I first moved in 10 years ago and then never even opened the cabinet doors since then. You know the kinds of items I'm talking about - old vases and baskets, rolls of old wrapping paper, an ancient fondue pot (???), half-burnt jar candles, and a few old broken picture frames. The sad thing is that these are all things I should have purged myself of before I moved - and I suspect that some of them were items I brought with me when I moved to the associate parsonage in 2001. Yikes.
            Now, I don't want to call myself a "hoarder," but I apparently do accumulate lots of odds and ends I don't need, and then I pack them safely away just in case I ever decide I want to take them out and use them. Of course, if I haven't used them in at least 17 years, it's time to let them go - either to a new home (last Tuesday, I brought about a dozen bags of "stuff" to the Red Bird trailer) or to the trash dump.
            But it does make me think about all the "junk" I've accumulated over the years. It makes me reflect on the fact that I never once had to make a choice about whether I needed that silly $2.99 basket enough to worry about how I will pay that bill that is due tomorrow, or what I will have to give up at the grocery store this week.
            I suspect most of us are in that same boat. We lose perspective on the dilemmas that many people (if not most people) in the world face on a daily basis. And we forget how very privileged we are.
            Sometimes I need to be humbled a little. What about you?
 
                                    Pastor Janice

Financial Commitment Cards
  • please remember to bring your 2019 financial Commitment cards to worship this Sunday.  They will be received and dedicated at all three services
  • additional cards and envelopes are available in the pew racks and on the welcome table
  • if you are unable to be here this Sunday, we ask that you please mail your card to the office: 
  • (820 Almshouse Rd., Ivyland PA 18974), drop it off, pledge online (stjohnsivyland.com), or place in the offering plate in the next few weeks
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THANKS YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE MISSION & MINISTRY OF ST. JOHN'S!

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE
Wednesday, November 21st
7:30 PM
ADVENT

 
   
St. John's 2018 Advent Mission Project 
Join us next Sunday as Sarah Floyd shares the story of Pravaham, this year's Advent Mission Project.  Pravaham means "ever-flowing stream" and is a 12-month residential Christian training program in South India that prepares marginalized young women from the lowest caste - the poorest of the poor in India - to care for others as nursing assistants.  
 
Sarah and her 17-year-old daughter, Laura, traveled to Pravaham this summer to assist her elderly mother who has been a missionary and nurse-consultant to Pravaham for many years.  While there, they caught a vision of the life-changing work that's going on.  This program creates a self-sustaining well that changes lives and changes the entire community.
 
Sarah will be speaking at all three services next Sunday, November 25.



Our 2018 Advent Devotional will be available on Sunday, November 25, 2018.  Devotionals will be available in the Narthex after all three services.  Be sure to get one for yourself and one to share with a family member or friend, as well.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PLANTS 
We will be having our Poinsettia Garden on Sunday, December 16, December 23 and on Sunday, Christmas Eve.   
If you would like to order a plant, please fill out a flower envelope and place in the offering plate.  Please be sure to indicate if your poinsettia is in memory or honor of someone or to the glory of God. 
PAYMENT MUST BE ENCLOSED WITH YOUR ORDER.  The cost of each plant is $6.50.  Deadline for ordering is Sunday, December 9th. 
 
CHILDREN  MINISTRIES


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. 

KID'S CHURCH REGISTRATION 
  If you have registered your children last year, then all you need to do is fill out the "short " registration form.  Those who have not registered, will need the long form.
Please help us to help your children have a safe and exciting time here at St. John's.
 
 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, dbigam@gmail.com  

6th thru 8th Grade Sunday School
Class Project

The young people in our 6th - 8th grade Sunday School class are using their imagination and creativity to help kids who need school supplies.

Beginning December 2 - 9 the students will be collecting money to purchase supplies for school kits. A school kits consists of: 1 pair scissors, pack of 24 crayons, 3 one subject note books, 1 pack loose leaf paper, 1 pencil sharpener, 1 ruler, 6 pencils and 1 eraser.
As a group they are excited to be going out to shop for these items and then packaging them into kits that can be distributed to children in need across the U.S.
Our children have worked long and hard putting this project together and are very excited to see it through and to serve kids like them in this way. Thank you to everyone who is able to support them!

This project falls under UMCOR relief efforts and kits will distributed where needed.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS EVE PAGEANT

Rehearsal schedule:
November 18 (Sunday)   5-5:45 PM         
Speaking parts only
 
December 2 (Sunday)      4:30-5:45 PM     
Speaking parts only
 
December 8 (Saturday)    9-11 AM
All children 
            
December 15 (Saturday)   9-11 AM
All children (Dress rehearsal) 
            
December 22 (Saturday) IF NEEDED 9-11AM

YOUTH GROUP
 
Youth Group 
Sunday Nights from 7-8:30 PM
Fellowship and fun for youth grades 7 thru 12.
  
Youth Group Sunday Night!


TURKEY BOWLING
Bring your best game!!!
7 PM
____________________________________

It's that time of year again!!!
December 2nd at youth group we are making Gingerbread Houses!!!
6th graders you are invited as well!!!
Please help by bringing graham crackers, assorted candies and tell me what you will bring!
______________________________________

NO YOUTH GROUP ON THE  
FOLLOWING DATES:
 
NOVEMBER 25 - THANKSGIVING

DECEMBER 9 - FESTIVAL OF CAROLS

DECEMBER 16 - LIVE NATIVITY

DECEMBER 23 AND 30 - CHRISTMAS

WE WILL RESUME JANUARY 6, 2019
 
______________________________________________

Morrisville Food Bank Monday
Monday, December 10th
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
dbigam@gmail.com

BIBLE STUDIES

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
Church Library (by the Youth Room)
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, stjadultministries@gmail.com) if you are interested in joining an existing group.
ADVENT STUDY - BEGINNING 11/19
     The Gift of the Nutcracker

  • Last chance to sign up!
  • Monday nights (7 PM) AND Tuesday mornings (10 AM)
  • Location: Church Parlor
  • 4-week study:
    • Mondays: 11/19, 11/26, 12/10, & 12/17 (no class 12/3)
    • Tuesdays: 11/20, 11/27, 12/11, & 12/18 (no class 12/4)
  • Book cost: $10
  • Bring paper, pen, a Bible, and the book to each class
  • Sign-up sheet is on the yellow bulletin board by the Grace Café and online, or fill out the tear-off in bulletin and place it in the offering plate.
  • Sign up early so we can order your book!
  • Questions? Call Pastor Sue Czarnecki: 267-614-3603
BOOK CLUB
ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
The next book club meeting will be Tuesday, November 27  
at 10 AM and 7 PM in the Parlor.  
 
We will be reading Moloka'I, by Alan Brennert. This richly imagined novel, set in Hawaii more than a century ago, is an extraordinary epic of a little-known time and place - and a deeply moving testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. Moloka'I is the true-to-life chronicle of a people who embraced life in the face of death. Such is the warmth, humor, and compassion of this novel that few readers will remain unchanged by this story.

ADULT/FAMILY MINISTRY
HUNTERDON HILLS PLAYHOUSE TRIP!
  • Thursday, 11/29. Bus leaves St. John's at 9:30 AM
  • VERY limited space available
  • Matinee production of Christmas in the Air, a musical with songs, comedy sketches, dance numbers, and orchestra
  • $92 per person (includes deluxe motor coach transportation, full course meal, dessert buffet, tax & gratuity.
  • Sign-up sheet in the Narthex, or contact Lara Bolte (215-357-6998 or larabolte@gmail.com).
  • Payment due by 11/21/2018. Make checks out to St. John's and write "Hunterdon" in the memo line.
 
INTRODUCING:
WEDNESDAY WALKERS!
  • Weekly walking group!
  • Wednesdays at 10:00 AM
  • NO WALKING this week (due to Thanksgiving)
  • Meet in the Narthex.
  • We will walk outdoors on nice days, indoors on cold/inclement weather days
  • No need to sign up - just show up.
  • WALKERS OF ALL SPEEDS WELCOME!
  • Contact Lara Bolte with questions: 215-357-6998
 

1st Wednesday of each month -  6:45 PM
Fellowship Hall
Next Session - December 5th
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!

UMW/UMM
CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE 2018
 November 11th - December 9th
This giving season is fast approaching and once again the United Methodist Women are decorating our St. John's Angel Tree with names for needy families in our Philadelphia and Bucks County area. 

Please consider taking a tag from the tree and return it to the Narthex with your unwrapped gift and we will do the rest.  Should you have a gift receipt, please attach it to your gift with tape.  This is a big help for the parents, should they receive duplicates or if there is a change in size.

Thank you for sharing in this wonderful tradition and may you all have a truly blessed Holiday Season.  Any questions, please contact Kathy Keppol at 215-357-7404.
UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, November 17, 2018
8 AM
Fellowship Hall

ALL MEN WELCOME!

See sign-up sheet in the Narthex
TURKEY DRIVE
TURKEY & "FIXINS" DRIVE FOR EASTWICK FOOD BANK
 
SUNDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO BRING IN TURKEYS FOR THANKSGIVING 
It is that time of year again to start planning for St. John's Thanksgiving Turkey drive for the benefit of Eastwick Food Bank, and this year, we are seeking donations for shelf-stable side items as well (stuffing mix, canned chicken broth, canned cranberry sauce, etc.) We are praying that you again will be able to help!
  • Bring in your frozen turkey and place in the freezer.
  • Bring in your "fixins" and place in one of the grocery carts (one in the hallway by the Narthex, one by Fellowship Hall)
  • Place "Free Turkey" certificates in the collection bags on the Missions Bulletin Board near the Sanctuary
  • Use the Special Offering Envelopes in worship to make a contribution toward the purchase of a turkey. Please write "Eastwick" on the envelope.
  • Turkeys and other food will be delivered on Monday, November 19th.
 
Thank you for your support and generosity!
 
LIVING NATIVITY

 St John's Christmas gift to our community!   
December 16, 2018     5 PM- 8 PM  
"Drive-Thru Living Nativity"
Experience the complete Christmas story as you drive through the church grounds!
Your time and talents are needed to make this a huge success!!
Stay tuned for additional information!

OUTREACH
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 starting Tuesday, February 5th through April 30th from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Grace Café.
  • Just go to divorcecare.org and put in our church zip code 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 sarah@ifloyd.com or call the church office for more information.