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Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
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JOIN US FOR
Worship Services:
8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Traditional
9:15 a.m.
Praise and Worship
THIS SUNDAY,
October 28, 2018
Finding Ourselves in Peter's Story
"Mercy and Grace"
Pastor Janice
John 21:15-17
215-357-6998
CHURCH HOURS
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM -2:00 PM
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Sunday, October 28
9:15am
Children's Sunday School
10:30am
Adult Sunday School
10:30am
Bible Sunday 10:30 Service
10:30am
Children & Youth Sunday School
Monday, October 29
6:45pm
Bible Study - Eternity is Now in Session
Tuesday, October 30
10:00am
History of Christianity
7:00pm
(No rehearsal today)
7:00pm
Table Talk
7:00pm
The Way Forward
Wednesday, October 31
10:00am
The Way Forward
Thursday, November 1
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|  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.
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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 confidential.
If you have any questions about mobile or text giving,
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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.
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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.
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On Monday, Leann and Bill Prince, Richard Smith, Joanne and I delivered 12 boxes of food and some clothes for Myrtle in the clothes bank at the Eastwick UMC Mission house,
8325 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia.
Annette and the other volunteers are always happy to see us, but their cupboard is a little more bare than usual due to some slower deliveries from some big suppliers, so our food was really needed.
Thank you all for your continued support of this mission!
Lou Lescas
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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.
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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.
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R.I.S.E. SUNDAY
Thank you to Richard Smith for taking so many great pictures of this awesome day!
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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!
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We received this very nice thank you note from a member of the Board of Directors at Family Service Association of Bucks County in response to our Backpack Mission Project. If you ever find yourself questioning the impact your mission efforts make on those in need, this is a great reminder that your generosity is appreciated!
Dear St. John's,
I'd like to personally thank you for your generous donation benefiting students in need in our area.
With your help, these children started their year prepared and set-up for success - just like other students.
It truly takes a village - and we appreciate your support!
Alice Gens, FSA
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DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Looking for a little inspiration during the week?
Try an online devotional.
(has many devotionals to choose from)
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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!
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The Grace Cafe is open Sunday mornings for fellowship
and refreshments.
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Join the Conversation! Bring a Friend!
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ST. JOHN'S
DRIVE-THRU PRAYER
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.
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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, November 11, 2018 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 are considering membership you are invited to meet informally with the pastors on Wednesday evening, November 7th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. for Coffee and Dessert.
If you feel God calling you to take this next step on your faith journey, we welcome you with open arms! Please check off "wish to join" on the sign-in tablet or contact the church office at 215-357-6998 or stjumc@aol.com.
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UMC LINKS
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All it took was an innocent conversation last week, and I was suddenly enticed to renew my membership at Ancestry.com. It's been about two years since I decided I had discovered all the information about my ancestors that I really needed to know (probably more than I needed to know). And that decision was most likely a good one, because here I am once again spending far too much time digging and scratching for information.
The good news is that when I went back onto the website for the first time, there were a few messages waiting there for me. One was from a woman in New Jersey who, along with her sister, are the granddaughters of my grandfather's brother (apparently that makes them my 1st cousins 2x removed lol), and the other was from an older gentleman from Denver who apparently is my grandfather's long-lost brother's son. Both of them wanted to connect and compare notes. So we've spoken and emailed, and my sister & I are planning to get together with our new-found "cousins" from New Jersey sometime soon.
But the bad news is that I am once again officially addicted to finding out about the joys, the sorrows, the griefs, and the celebrations of people I am intimately connected to yet have never known. In my opinion, there is a certain holiness that comes along with the ability to share some of the high points as well as the low points of their lives. And I am in awe at the way I feel some of these individuals are, perhaps, reaching out to me to help me understand what made them tick.
Of course, none of us will ever be able to fully understand the meaning and purpose of life, or the mystery that we call death - not until that day when we meet the Lord face-to-face. But I believe, and the Bible teaches us, that life is a continuum. The thing we call death is just a transition point on that continuum. And somehow, someway, we are all connected with one another - all children of God - regardless of which side of eternity we are on.
So maybe that's what my addiction is all about. Maybe it's about the wonder and mystery of life and the way God has designed us to be in community with one another. And I think that perhaps that sense of wonder and awe is something I need a whole lot more of - all of us do.
Pastor Janice
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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.
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COAT DRIVE
The Youth Choir and Joyful Voices are accepting donations for new and gently used coats, hats, gloves and hoodies.
We will be donating these to
A Woman's Place in Doylestown.
Donations will be accepted through November 4th in the Narthex.
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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.
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
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It's time to sign up for the
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS EVE PAGEANT
Any child age 5 years - 6th grade is invited to participate in the Christmas Eve Pageant at the 5:30 service. Sign up at the Children's Ministry table in the Education Wing. Sign up deadline for speaking parts is November 11. There are speaking and non-speaking options. Parents who are available to help out may sign up as well.
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
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Youth Group
Sunday Nights from 7-8:30 PM
Fellowship and fun for youth grades 7 thru 12.
NO Youth Group This Week!!!
Coming November 4
Bonfire with Smores and Hot Cocoa.
The whole family is invited!!!
So bring a stick to toast marshmallows.
Weather permitting, of course, and your help will be greatly appreciated.
We will need everything to make smores!
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Oh Yes We Did!
Tis the Season...Wreath Sale
Christmas shopping has begun!
Christmas will be here before you know it!
Taking orders now!
All proceeds fund our ASP Mission Trip in July 2019
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14th Annual Special Needs Bingo and
Dance Night!
Hosted by St. John's Youth
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
7:30-9:00 PM
We need your help. I have a signup posted on the bulletin board outside youth room!!!
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Morrisville Food Bank Monday
Monday, November 12th
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!!!!
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And as always
Bring a Friend and Bring a Can!
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Have you HELPED anyone today?
Have you SAID SOMETHING NICE to anyone today?
David Bigam, Director of Children and Youth Ministries
dbigam@gmail.com
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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!
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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.
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 ADVENT STUDY - BEGINNING 11/19
The Gift of the Nutcracker
Do you think of Jesus when you ponder this ballet? Probably not. But interestingly, the story resonates with strong parallels to Christianity. Stepping back, we can see that Clara represents humanity perpetually stuck in a stage of waiting. She is cherished by her godfather who gives her the gift of a toy who battles evil, only to be killed in the end and then brought back to life by the godfather himself. After his resurrection, the toy brings Clara to his kingdom, where his subjects have anxiously awaited his return. He greets them all for joy and cheer. Sound familiar?
The Gift of the Nutcracker
explores three themes throughout four chapters, each focusing on a particular character from the story. In turn, each chapter applies lessons learned from the story to help us understand our walk as Christians and our relationship with Christ.
Come, join with other members of the group as we await the coming of the King of kings this Advent season.
- Monday mornings AND evenings: 11 AM (bring lunch if desired) and 7 PM
- Location: Church Parlor
- 4-week study: 11/19, 11/26, 12/10, & 12/17 (no class 12/3)
- 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 below and place it in the offering plate.
- Sign up early so we can order your book!
- Questions? Call Pastor Sue Czarnecki: 267-614-3603
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HUMAN SEXUALITY:
"THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH"
- On February 23-26, 2019, a special session of General Conference will meet in St. Louis, Missouri.
- 864 elected delegates (1/2 clergy and ½ lay) from all over the world will gather to vote on our denomination's stance on human sexuality.
- Decisions will be made regarding the current wording regarding homosexuality in the Book of Discipline as well as the ordination of gay clergy and same sex marriage.
You are invited to join Pastor Janice for an information session on "The Way Forward" based on Bishop Peggy Johnson's District presentations.
Two Sessions:
Tuesday, October 30 at 7 PM
Wednesday, October 31 at 10 AM
Sign up sheet is available in the Narthex!
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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.
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HUNTERDON HILLS PLAYHOUSE TRIP!
We have reserved a block of tickets for Hunterdon Hills Playhouse Dinner Theatre's matinee production of
Christmas in the Air!
This luncheon show is
Thursday, November 29, 2018 and is an original, holiday musical with songs, comedy sketches, dance numbers, and a live on-stage orchestra.
The cost is $92 per person and includes deluxe motor coach transportation, full course meal, dessert buffet, tax & gratuity.
Bus leaves from St. John's at 9:30 AM.
We had a great time when we visited the playhouse last Spring and are excited to return! You can sign up for the trip in Narthex after church, or contact Lara Bolte (
stjadultministries@gmail.com or 215-357-6998).
Checks should be made payable to
St. John's UMC and can be placed in Lara's Bolte's Mailbox near the church office or given directly to her.
Payment due by 11/21/18.
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1st Wednesday of each month - 6:45 PM
Fellowship Hall
Next Session - November 7th
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!
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 ELECTION DAY BAKE SALE
BAKERS NEEDED
The United Methodist Women are having an Election Day Bake Sale to raise money for the many missions we sponsor throughout the year. Baked goods are needed to keep our table going for the entire day. If you like to bake and are willing to help, please place your baked goods in the kitchen prior to Tuesday, November 6th, or you may place your items in the frig or freezer marked UMW Bake Sale. If the stove is not your best friend or you are short on time, you can help by manning the bake sale table for two hours on Election Day. There is a sign up sheet on the UMW bulletin board. The United Methodist Women appreciate the congregation's support and we would not be able to continue the work that we do without you. Thank you. For more information, please contact Kathy Keppol at 215-357-7404.
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UMW HEIFER PROJECT SUNDAYS
November 4th & 11th
Narthex
The International Living Animal Gift Market is now open. All manner of wonderful creatures can be purchased in the narthex November 4th and November 11th. These gifts of animals provide an entire new way of life for the people who receive them. They provide food, income, health care & educational opportunities for poor families worldwide. Since 2001, St. John's through UMW has donated over $66,000 to Heifer. Thank you for your support!
If more information is needed, please call Rosemarie Malizia at 215 598 8567.
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CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE 2018 
Sunday November 11th - Sunday 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.
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Time to dust off your Christmas spirit!
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!
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LIVING NATIVITY PAINTING
GROUP
10/20/2018
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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 starting, Tuesday, January 8th at 6pm in the Grace Cafe. Just go to divorcecare.organd 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. All sessions are on Tuesdays in the Grace Cafe from 6pm-7:30pm. 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.
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