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
Prayer List
Calendar
Sunday School
Drive Thru Prayer
Pastor's Reflection
Lifetree Cafe
Kathy Troccoli Concert
Author Laura Schroff Visit
Youth Group News
Red Bird Trailers
Pancake Breakfast
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, 
July 30, 2017
 
The sermon series,
The Adventures of Jesus of Nazareth in the 
Gospel of Mark
continues with
Pastor Janice's sermon,
"The Rich Man"
Mark 10:7-11

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

 

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
THIS WEEK'S 
CALENDAR
 
Thursday, July 27
7:30pm
  Al-Anon
 
Sunday, July 30
  8:00, 9:15, 10:30 am Worship
 
9:15am
  Children's Sunday School
 
10:30am
 
Children & Youth Sunday School

Monday, July 31
Trustees
7:00pm 
 
Tuesday, August 1
7:00pm
  Lifetree Cafe
 
7:30pm
  AA
 
Wednesday, August 2
4:30pm
  Drive Thru Prayer
 
Thursday, August 3
7:30pm
  Al-Anon
 
 
 
Sunday School


Summer Sunday School
During the summer, children go directly to Sunday School (Classroom D) at both the 9:15 and 10:30 Service times. 
There is a One-Room format for children who will be entering Kindergarten in the fall up to children who will be in 6th grade in the fall. Parents must accompany children who are attending for the first time. 

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.  
                   
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) 

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.
Drive-Thru Prayer
St. John's Drive-Thru Prayer Ministry is held on
Wednesdays from 4:30-6pm.  
Our prayer team offers prayer to those who for various reasons don't feel that they can come to church but do realize their need for prayer.   If you would like to join us and be a part of this ministry of   St. John's, please contact  Ruth Portzline, outreachstjohns@yahoo.com.
UMC LINKS umc logo
 
  
  
PASTOR'S REFLECTION
PERSONAL OR PRIVATE?
 
Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy .  
1 Peter 3:15 (Message Bible)
 
A while back I was out running errands. I was wearing my     St. John's t-shirt -- the one that has St. John's UMC along with our logo on the pocket area on the front and on the back in big white letters it says "Ask me why I love my church".
 
As I pulled into a parking space at the grocery store, something inside said "You had better know what you are going to say in answer to the question on your shirt." So I stopped and thought for a few seconds and decided that I did know what I would say. I went into the grocery store and was busy looking for the items on my list when someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was a gentleman who said "So, why do you love your church?" To which I replied with the answer that I had formulated in my mind. He then made a point to read the name of my church and then he gave me a thumbs up and said "Amen."
 
So many folks today want to say that their Christianity is between them and God - it's private. They don't want to talk about it. To that I say "My relationship with my heavenly father IS personal, but I can't possibly keep it private."
 
When Mary encountered Jesus in the garden after his resurrection, He didn't tell her that this was really wonderful news and she should just hold on to it - keep it a secret. No, he told her to "go and tell". And before he ascended into heaven, he told his disciples, and us as well, to go and make disciples. Well, brothers and sisters, you can't make disciples by being silent.
 
I recently read a story about an encounter between a minister and a C & E member of his church (you know the ones I'm talking about -- the ones who only come at Christmas and Easter.)
 
The preacher was standing at the door after the service as he always did to shake hands. He grabbed this member by the hand and pulled him aside.

The Pastor said to him, "Friend, You need to join the Army of the Lord!" 

The member replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." 

The Pastor questioned, "Then how come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?" 

He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."
 
Folks, we don't need any more members of the secret service. We need Christians who aren't ashamed or afraid to speak up and tell anyone who asks why they're living the way they are.
 
Once I gave a children's sermon titled "A Rock Concert". I had a basket of rocks for my concert. We talked about whether or not rocks could talk and if they could what stories might they tell. For instance about the shepherd boy David who used a small rock to defeat the giant Goliath. Or about King Solomon who built a beautiful temple out of stone or rocks. Or about Elijah who built an altar out of rocks to sacrifice to the one true God. Then we remembered that Jesus told the story about the wise man who built his house upon the rock. We then read the Scripture from Luke where Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and the crowds are praising him:
 
Here is the way Luke relates what Jesus said.19:37-40
 
Luke 19:37-40: 37  As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen,   38  saying,
"Blessed is the king
    who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
    and glory in the highest heaven!"
39  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop."   40  He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
 We aren't hesitant to speak up about our favorite sports team, we are always ready and willing to brag on our children and grandchildren, And we don't hesitate to voice our political views...so then, why do we find it so hard to talk about our God and about all that he has done for us. This is the only way we are going to make disciples. But, let's just be sure that the things we SAY are completely in line with the things we DO in our daily lives. We must be gracious and kind. Our lives must reflect the love of the One we profess to love and serve.
 
So, while we all should have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father...we should never keep it private. Let's all "go and tell."

Ruth Portzline, CLM 
LIFETREE CAFE

Lifetree Cafe
Lifetree Caf é is an outreach ministry of St. John's where people gather to hear inspiring stories and engage in conversation on a different topic every week.  Lifetree offers a wonderful opportunity to form relationships and engage in faith conversations with those who do not sit in the pews with us.  

Please promote Lifetree Caf é to your friends and family who are not connected to a faith community!  It is a great place to explore life, meet new friends, and experience God in an informal community setting.  If you haven't had a chance to experience a Lifetree Caf é session, please come join us so you can spead the word!"

This Month's Lifetree Café Topics:

Be sure to Like and Share our Lifetree Caf é
 posts on Facebook  with your friends!
CONCERT
"Comfort By Candlelight"
Kathy Troccoli Concert

August 24, 2017
St. John's UMC
7:00 P.M.
Love Offering

Kathy Troccoli, a world renowned Christian artist, will be performing in concert at St. John's on August 24th.  Her accolades include 24 recordings, 19 Dove award nominations, 2 Dove Awards and 3 Grammy nominations.  She has ministered at Women of Faith Conferences and has served on the mission fields of Africa, India and Central America.

If you are interested in securing tickets for the Kathy Troccoli concert, you may print them from iTickets.com/KathyTroccoli. There will be a $1.00 handling fee for each ticket. 

Once you arrive at the site, iTickets.com/KathyTroccoli: 
   *Click on the search tab
   *Type in Kathy Troccoli
   *Click on search again
   *Choose August 24- Ivyland, PA
   *Full directions follow 

There is also a sign-up sheet located on the bulletin board in the narthex.  If you prefer you may also call the church office at 215-357-6998 and provide your full name, most accessible telephone number and number of tickets requested. Every seat is being counted so we hope you will be sure to provide tickets to friends and family who are certain to attend that evening. Seat choice will be determined by your time of arrival at the concert.  
We hope that you will take this opportunity to experience an evening of encouragement, hope, truth and love.

AUTHOR VISIT
Please join us for a return visit from 
author  Laura Schroff on 
Wednesday, August 9 at 6:00 p.m. 
Laura will discuss her most recent book,  Angels on Earth: Inspiring Stories of Fate, Friendship, and the Power of Connections.  
 

From the  #1 New York Times  and international bestselling author of  An Invisible Thread  comes a heartwarming and inspiring book about the incredible impact that acts of kindness from strangers can have on the world around us.
Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex.  We'll either meet in the parlor or fellowship hall, depending on the number of people who sign up.  Laura will have books available for purchase.  She's willing to sign any of her three books. Please indicate if you would like to make a purchase.  Prices to be determined.
                   
 
For more information, please contact Eileen Phillips at 
267-312-2500.

YOUTH GROUP
YOUTH NEWS
 
 
NO Youth Group This Sunday Night

Morrisville Food Bank Monday
August 14 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?

MISSIONS

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

3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast
Sponsoring
Red Bird Mission Trip 
Sunday, August 20th
8 AM - Noon 

Tickets on Sale in the Narthex
$6.00 Adults, $4.00 Children ages 6-12
Children under 5 - Free