JANUARY 19, 2023

PASTOR'S REFLECTION

Hello St. John’s Family,

On Tuesday morning, Pastor Ruth, JT Crockett and I had the great privilege of traveling to the Bright Future Academy in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and deliver a carload of blessings and love to this amazing ministry. As Pastor Ruth and I loaded up my SUV prior to leaving, we noted the varied assortment of items: the new Trex bench that came from our plastic recycling efforts and was consecrated in our Sunday worship services; a gently used table and chair set for children; a Fisher-Price “Little Peoples” playset; a bag full of crib sheets; 3 newly knitted baby wraps, with a beautiful heart in the middle of each. Each of these items represented a heartfelt offering of love, in response to articulated needs from our partners in ministry at Bright Future and El Mesias UMC, which hosts Bright Future. As we shared these offerings with Jennifer Harmon, the Director at Bright Future, she was clearly moved by the love and care contained in each of the offerings. She wanted you – the St. John’s Family who has opened your hearts in partnership with this ministry – to know how much your offerings are appreciated.

As we shared these offerings, we also had the great blessing of delivering the Advent Mission Offering of over $15,300 to Jennifer, which will go toward the installation of a safe, rubberized outdoor play surface for the children. As I spoke with Jennifer, I wanted her to know how thankful we are to be able to walk with her and her staff at Bright Future in service and ministry, as they extend the light and love of Christ to children and families in an area with little resources and even less hope. I shared how we are truly thankful of God’s presence and grace in our lives, and we humbly want God’s grace to extend through us to others. That is our calling – a calling you embrace and take very seriously, which I am thankful for. I saw that anew through a powerful example in our Advent Offering this year; I shared that with Jennifer, and I want to share it with you.

Late last week, I noticed a small note in the mail slot outside my office. It was pushed down to the bottom, and I almost missed it. This short, handwritten note was included with one of our Advent Offering contributions and shared how the contribution was made in recognition and honor of 5 dear friends who the family contributing had the blessing of playing with on city playgrounds throughout their childhood. As I read those names, I sensed the deep gratitude and blessing these friendships have brought over a lifetime; friendships that remain today. Recognizing the great blessing that God orchestrated through the simple gift of safe childhood play, an offering was given, with the prayer that other children may experience this blessing also. What an amazing example of giving thanks for the blessings we receive and working to extend those blessings in the lives of others! So much more than “paying it forward,” this offering honored and worshiped God by working to extend God’s goodness and love to all.

That is a simple, yet beautiful example of the heartfelt desire to live out your faith that I see every day. Thank you for your heart to worship and serve God by serving others! I hope you’ll join us as we continue to worship God this Sunday. We’ll explore Matthew 4:12-23 and hear how Jesus’ arrival signals a new age; one that invites us all to see the gifts and purpose God sees in each of us. I hope to see you then-

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

NOMINATIONS REPORT FOR 2023

WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures:

St. John's Policy Update

WORSHIP

Come Worship with us this Sunday,

January 22, 2023

Contemporary Praise Service

at 9:00 AM

Traditional Service

at 10:30 AM

This service can be viewed LIVE through

St. John's YouTube Channel

or on our homepage:

www.stjohnsivyland.com

Past worship service videos can also be found:

https://www.stjohnsivyland.com/videoarchive

Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.

FELLOWSHIP & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Recycling Event

to benefit Bright Futures Academy

(and our Planet Earth)

Through a program with the Trex Corporation, we are collecting clean and dry soft plastic bags (examples in flyer). Bags should be brought to St. John's and placed in the large white container in the Narthex. Upon collecting 500 lbs of material, Trex will provide us with a brand-new bench (can receive 1 bench every six months). Our first bench will be sent to the Bright Futures Academy for their new playground. This project is organized by two of our Youth Stars, Nicole & Melissa McDevitt. Click below for acceptable plastics to be recycled.

Recyclable Plastic Bags

The Grace Cafe is Open!

Stop by between services for a freshly brewed cup of Warrior Coffee, a sweet treat, and fellowship with your St. John's family.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Pre-K - Grade 6

Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

God is the author of knowledge. Everything we know to be true about the world is because of God. And while we may never know all there is to know ABOUT God, there are lots of ways we can get to KNOW God. This month the kids will learn why knowledge is so important.

YOUTH GROUP MINISTRIES

UWF/UMM

Men’s Breakfast, for the New Year!

Heads up, Men’s Breakfast!

January 21st, Saturday 9AM at Fellowship Hall

Lot of information to go over, great fellowship that support the Holy Spirt within us. Looking forward to see you all!

- Jack Donovan

A special thanks to all the guy’s that helped take down and store the Christmas decorations!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Hi Christian Church Neighbor,

Any interest in joining an inter-church Ping Pong league?

I'm a member of Advent Lutheran church in Richboro. Last year we started playing Ping Pong regularly at our church. The activity was a success, so we thought we would take the next step and extend an invitation to play other churches in our area.

League play will begin in February (when its cold and miserable and nothing else to do) and end in Spring. Each team has 4 to 8 players. A match between churches consists of 4 single games and 2 doubles games.

An activity like this is good for all our churches. It opens up communication between congregations so that we can better serve our communities as Christ wants us to do.

Please call if there is interest in starting a Ping Pong league.

Ray Heiss

215-530-1647

MUSIC MINISTRY

St. John’s Ivyland offers a wide variety of Musical opportunities. Children and adults are invited to participate in musical groups of varying styles and skill levels, or provide support to help and serve the Music Ministry.

For more information about our Music Ministries, or to get involved, visit our website or send an email to Roy Nelson.

Email Roy Nelson

BELL CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED

We are in need of at least TWO members/ringers for our Celebration Ringers Bell Choir. The choir rehearses once or twice a month, and performs several times a year. They do NOT rehearse every week. At present, we have suspended rehearsals until positions can be filled. If you are interested, or know someone who would be interested in participating, please contact me. Reading music is a plus, but beginners are welcome.

Roy Nelson - 215-962-8928

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Join our

Volunteer Tech Team

and see just how "Techie" you can be!

All ages welcome - youth, young adults, elder statesmen and stateswomen.

Amaze your family with your AV skills!

Skills taught weekly.

Contact church office

at 215-357-6998

BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS

St. John's Book Club

"West With Giraffes"

By: Lynda Rutledge

We will meet Wed., Feb. 1 at 10:00 AM in the Grace Cafe.

An emotional rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.

Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell.

Please join us.

Disciple III Fast Track

The Letters of Paul Disciple III Fast Track Bible Study will begin on 18 January and continue for 12 weeks.

Our sessions are on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 PM. This is a comprehensive study with daily scripture readings.

This is a wonderful opportunity to study God's Word, strengthen your faith, and form lasting friendships with fellow Disciples.

Ken Lee, facilitator

Disciple III FastTrack study guides on The Prophets and Letters of Paul can be purchased online from The Well Bookstore, UM Church of the Resurrection

Order Study Guides

Tuesday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 11:00 AM

January 31, 2023

Join us for our Zoom Class which will study Rediscovering Jonah: - We will use the book about Jonah written by Tim Keller to explore the message of Jonah and his reluctance to respond to God’s Request. Note it is not necessary to purchase the book to participate as we will be using the Book of Jonah as a primary resource.

Discussion Topic: Running from God

Discussion Sources: Jonah

PRAYERS & PRAISE

Prayer List

Prayer requests can be submitted

online (click here).or through the church email at

prayer.stjumc@gmail.com.

Prayer requests are reviewed

Monday-Friday AM.

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.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month

10 AM in the Parlor.

Come join us in knitting/crocheting various items for those in need.

Contact Carol Rice for more information.

Requests for prayer shawls or lap robes to comfort those experiencing serious illness, bereavement, or other major life issues may be made through the prayer request form on the church website, or by contacting the church office

at 215-357-6998 or office.stjumc@gmail.com.