June 24, 2021
A Reflection from the Director of Children's Ministry
In September 2020, I was called. The church was in a time of transition. We were in the middle of a pandemic, and Pastor Brad asked all the Sunday School volunteers to meet in Fellowship Hall to talk about how to provide online religious education to the youngest members of our congregation. He had a vision . . . new technology and curriculum would be purchased, and we would offer meaningful opportunities in the hopes of helping the children and their families develop a relationship with Jesus during a very difficult time. As I sat there and listened, I remember thinking, “I have to do something to make sure that religious education continues at St. John’s.” 
As much as I tried, I could not think about anything else. For several days, I thought “I have to help . . . what can I do to help” which then turned to “what do you know about anything . . . how are you possibly going to help.” And still, all I could think about was how could I make sure that religious education continued at St. John’s. Soon after, I sat down with Pastor Brad and said “whatever you need!” Wait . . . what? What did I just say? I know now that God was calling me to serve, to use my 30 years of professional experience as a Registered Paralegal to work with the other volunteers and help them organize and manage the new curriculum so that we could provide religious education every week on Zoom.
And that is exactly what our amazing and faithful volunteers did. Heidi Gutsch, Ashley Zesinger, Amy Scarlett, Lance Kenney, Bronwen McCrea, Sathana Semonsky, and Jen Hansel worked hard every week to prepare a lesson designed to teach the youngest members of our congregation about God’s love for us and help them build a relationship with Jesus. Each week, we had faithful and eager children join us on Zoom like it was Hollywood Squares. We even had someone from Delaware join us!
Throughout the entire school year, we made meaningful connections with families to engage, equip, and encourage parents to help their children grow in faith and it has been an absolute joy to see all the smiling faces and to share God’s love each week. I can’t wait to continue the journey with the children at St. John’s!
If you are willing and you want to serve, our amazing God will use you too . . . trust me!

Blessings,
Susan

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  Isaiah 6:8 
WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures:
Worship this Sunday, June 27, 2021

2 in-person services offered:
One at 9 AM in the Sanctuary and one at 10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall

The 9 AM 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:
beach_POV.jpg
Pastor Brad will be taking vacation from June 20 to July 3.
If pastoral support is needed during office hours, please contact the St. John’s Office at 215-357-6998. In the event of an after-hours emergency, contact Pastor Ruth at 215-343-4749.

Thank you, Carolyn. You will be missed!

After 13 years of service to St. John’s, Carolyn Mooney will be leaving the position of Office Technology Coordinator. Carolyn would like to thank the congregation for their kindness and support, and will always cherish the special moments and people she has met during her time here at St. John’s. Carolyn’s last day serving us was June 17.
 
 Carolyn's 13 years of dedicated service to the St. John's congregation and staff has been marked by excellence and delivered with a smile. Her attention to detail, strong work ethic, and willingness to do whatever is necessary to get the job done is greatly appreciated. Her efforts have had a great impact in enabling St. John's to effectively serve Christ. In addition, she has been a tremendous help to me in my arrival and pastoral transition here.
 
 I want to thank Carolyn for all she has given of herself to God - and to us - over many years of excellent service at St. John's! 
NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
New Member Sunday is being planned for later in the summer.

 If you are considering membership, please contact the church office (215-357-6998, stjumc@aol.com) or Pastor Ruth (outreachstjohns@yahoo.com) for further information.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
READ TO FEED®
A Heifer International Program

ENROLL NOW!
“Seize the day and join other children
who are changing the world.”

Please check our website for more information!

YOUTH GROUP
MISSIONS/OUTRACH
ALL AGES
COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE

Bring outdoor chair.

Hot dogs and marshmallows provided.

Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

June 23 to August 25, weather permitting

Questions? Contact: Sarah.sjumc@gmail.com

DONATIONS NEEDED 
Donations of non-perishable food for the Eastwick Food Pantry are needed throughout 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.
St. John’s Drive-thru Prayer Ministry is starting up again soon. We will be offering prayer on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 4:30-6 pm. Our prayer team is looking forward to praying with all 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 Pastor Ruth: 215-357-6998 ext. 306 or outreachstjohns@yahoo.com.

BIBLE STUDIES

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study
with Ken Lee
Wednesdays, 7 PM
Letters of John and Jude
using the William Barclay New Study Bible.

The group will meet each Wednesday at 7pm in the Parlor.
By studying this Gospel in Fellowship, the group aims to develop and grow our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Please contact Ken Lee or the office by phone or email if you plan to attend. 215-357-6998, stjumc@aol.com.
ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, July 13
10:00 AM in Grace Cafe' and 7 PM in Parlor.
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell

The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede
When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill.

We will follow St. John's guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. Please join us!
The Upper Room Devotionals
for
July/August
Will be available in the Narthex, outside of Fellowship Hall, and in a container on the front porch of the church beginning Sunday, June 27.
 Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend.
UMW/UMM
TOWELS FOR RED BIRD
June 27th is the last Sunday that Naomi Circle will be collecting new bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths. The towels will be sent to Red Bird and will be used in their Christmas boxes for area residents. Place your donations in the containers in the Narthex and outside of Fellowship Hall. Thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have any questions,
please contact Carol Campbell, 215-364-0942.
UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, August 21, 2021
8:00 AM

St John’s Fellowship Hall
(pending approval by Leadership Board)
 
Final Planning Meeting for the September 18th Chicken BBQ
All Men Welcome!

The following items were discussed at the June meeting: Sign-up sheets for Chicken BBQ will be posted outside Grace Café; Letters will go out to church organizations re extra activities during the BBQ (car wash, bake sales, etc); a decision on the proposed $2200 Red Bird Mission donation was tabled until after the September BBQ.
Calling all Golfers! Any men who are interested in a UMM Golf Outing, please contact Jack Donovan at Jdonovanco@comcast.net

Contact Jack Donovan or Paul Henry for additional information on UMM activities

PRAYERS


Prayer requests can be submitted
online (click here).or through the church email, stjumc@aol.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 

It has been a busy spring for the prayer shawl ministry team. A thank you letter was received on May 5 from The Baby Bureau of Warminster for a donation of baby hats and blankets. The Baby Bureau provides clothing bundles to local families in need. A dozen hats for older children were sent to Knit for Kids/World Vision in Sewickley, PA. Prayer shawls and lap robes, in excess of our congregation’s needs, were sent to Wesley Enhanced Living in Hatboro and the Eastwick United Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Two baby shawls were presented at the April 25 and May 16 baptisms. At present, a total of 417 shawls and lap robes have been given out by the St. John’s knitting and crocheting cadre. 

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 calling or emailing the church office. 
GIVING
MOBILE GIVING

  • Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
  • Click on the 'Give' button in red, Donate Any Amount and register.

Once you've registered, you can either make donations by debit or credit. Lenten Offerings may also be received through our website.

OR try TEXT GIVING 
All you have to do is text the amount you wish to give to 877-960-2396.
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. 

You may also send your tithes and offerings to the church office:
820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974

If you have any questions about mobile or text giving,
email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com
When your flowers are in full bloom, take a picture and share it with us!

 You can also go to our website and click More>Photos from dropdown menu www.stjohnsivyland.com/

If your contact information changes: 
address, phone, email, etc.
please notify the church office at 215-357-6998 or stjumc@aol.com and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.
Thank you!
WHAT'S HAPPENING!

The latest Devotionals, News and Worship Videos can be be accessed below, as well as, under the
"What's Happening"tab on our website.
www.stjohnsivyland.com
HELP NEEDED

Two significant needs and great opportunities to serve at St. John's!

A small team of dedicated audio-visual ministry volunteers enable us to offer meaningful online worship each week. We're in need of additional help, as there's very little flexibility within the team in the event someone needs to be away. While some aspects of this ministry requires technical expertise, other aspects are very straight-forward. If you have the ability to advance PowerPoint slides, you can help us offer online worship!
Please contact Sarah Floyd, Director of Video Ministries at
or sign up here!

Similarly, ushers are needed for in-person worship to greet worshippers, direct them to their seats, and assist with questions. This is a simple yet meaningful opportunity to serve God by serving our
St. John's family.
Please contact the church office if you are interested in serving as an usher.
(215) 357-6998.
Thank you for your faithful support of all we do in service to Christ at St. John's!
CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266


St. John's Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
215-357-6998/stjumc@aol.com
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor