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Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
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PRAYER LIST
Please click to view
Prayer requests can be submitted
or through the church email, stjumc@aol.com.
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.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Hand made prayer shawls (or lap robes for men) are again available for those experiencing serious illness, bereavement, or other major life issue. Each comes in a sealed plastic bag. Recipients need not be members of St. John's. Requests can be made via the comments section of the prayer request form on the church website, by calling or emailing the church office, or by calling Carol Rice at 215-357-1203. Requesters will be notified of contactless pickup arrangements at the main entrance of church building.
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The Tuesday Devotionals and
under the "What's Happening"tab.
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MOBILE GIVING
- Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
- Click on the 'Give' button in red 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 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.
If you have any questions about mobile or text giving,
You may also send your tithes and offerings to the church office:
820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974 Thank you for your generosity!
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VIDEOS
Our previously recorded worship videos can be accessed here or under the "What's Happening" tab on our website - See the "Videos" link.
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Last Sunday's Worship Service
October 25, 2020
Accompanist: Brian Barber
Quartet:
Peter Nelson, Roy Nelson, Jack Coapman, Garry Warlow
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A/V Help Needed!
Help is needed to ensure our audio-visual ministry can continue to offer meaningful online worship. We currently have 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!
Will you prayerfully consider serving God by assisting with this crucial ministry? Our team will get you trained and comfortable as you join a rotation of volunteers. In that process, you will be helping St. John's offer meaningful worship to our friends who must remain at home as well as a powerful witness to our neighbors! Those interested in serving can contact the office at stjumc@aol.com or (215) 357-6998.
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Red Bird trailers are open for donations on Saturdays and Sundays
Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
Please try to limit bag/box weight to 30 pounds or less.
Volunteer packers are still needed.
If interested, please contact
Rick Poll l.poll@verizon.net) or the church office (stjumc@aol.com).
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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.
if you are available to help.
Thank you for your support.
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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
October 4. 2020
What a wonderful day it was giving thanks for all God's creation, and celebrating His gift of creatures, great and small!
Blessing of the Animals 2020 Photos
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SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS
Dealing with the loss of loved ones during the holidays and need some encouragement?
Join Pastor Erin on Tuesday,
November 10th, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
in the church Library for GriefShare's Surviving the Holidays, a Christ-centered video-based program designed for those who are struggling with sadness during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Please register by Sunday, November 1; there is a $5 material charge payable at the session. Please note that masks and social distancing practices will be observed. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Erin at 267.265.3515 or at emaurer@wel.org
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UMW HEIFER PROJECT
The International Living Animal Gift Market is now open. All manner of wonderful creatures can be purchased throughout the Month of November online this year!
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 $76,000 to Heifer. Thank you for your support!
Please contact Rosemarie Malizia at 215-598-8567 home or 856-364-0238 cell for more information.
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UPPER ROOMS FOR RED BIRD
The UMW is collecting used Upper Room magazines to send to
Red Bird.
There is a collection box on the UMW table.
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Next Breakfast
November 21st, 2020
More News to Come!!
Great Christian Fellowship!!
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UMC LINKS
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When you hear the word Christian, who do you picture? Other than Jesus, of course! Who is it that pops into your mind as someone who embodies what it means to follow Jesus faithfully? Over the years I've been blessed to have many people in my life exemplify what it means to love and serve Christ. One of the first -and one whose impression remains to this day - is Ben Wineka.
I remember Ben as one of the "old farmers" in the church I grew up in. He was short and stout, and walked with a bit of a limp, yet always had a smile on his face. He'd lean down, say "good morning" with a smile, and shake my hand every Sunday. As I got a little older, I'd look forward to Ben's greetings outside of his farmhouse on cold winter nights. Half of the church - and many kids who lived nearby - would gather on his pond for an evening of ice-skating and fun. More often than not, Ben would wander out to make a bonfire to keep us all warm. He'd be dipping ice-cream at the church picnic and ready to help with any task at hand. Ben loved God, and he loved people; he'd do anything he could to make others smile and brighten their day.
When Ben died in 1999, I wasn't surprised that the sanctuary was overflowing for his funeral. That service was full of amazing and powerful accounts sharing how Ben impacted so many people. At the local Grange. At the feed mill. At the greasy-spoon diner in town. Beside bonfires on his frozen pond. Everywhere he went, Ben extended the warmth and love of the Lord he loved.
This Sunday is All Saints' Day: a day when we remember and give thanks to God for the amazing people God has placed in our lives that have shown us what it means to follow Jesus. I hope you'll pause, reflect on the special people God has placed in your life, and give thanks to God for the blessings you experienced through them. As you do that, ask God to use your special gifts - whatever they may be - to extend the love of Christ to others. After all, we all have the opportunity to be saints, as we generously share the love of Christ to those in our lives!
Pastor Brad
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As a reminder, our ability to continue in-person worship is contingent on compliance with mandates and best practices, including wearing masks or face shields, maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet, use of hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing, and adjusting foot traffic to minimize close contact. The SignUpGenius reservation tool has enabled us to coordinate the reduced capacity and traffic flow patterns in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall and will continue to be used. Most importantly, if you registered for worship but do not feel like your normal, healthy self, please remain at home and worship along with the recording of the service.
Know that we recognize how difficult the past months have been. Thank you for your patience and consistent compliance with all aspects of our approach. Your commitment to Christ and heartfelt caring for each other are greatly appreciated.
Please read:
We've been blessed by a steady increase in attendance at our worship services! If you are planning to attend, it is critical to register each week, via Sign Up Genius or by calling the office.
This enables our ushers to promptly seat you while maintaining safe distancing necessitated by Covid.
Thank you for your sacrifice, patience and compliance with these interim procedures, as we all eagerly await the day when we can fill God's sanctuary again!
WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY FOR THIS SUNDAY
A RECORDING OF THE SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE
ON OUR WEBSITE FOLLOWING WORSHIP. THE SIGN-UP FOR NEXT SUNDAY, 11/8, WILL BE SENT OUT BY NOON, MONDAY. |
This Sunday,
November 1, 2020
All Saints' Day
In-Person Worship
Registration is needed for both services
Capacity has been reached for this Sunday.
Please join us on-line.
www.stjohnsivyland.com
9 AM (in the Sanctuary)
10:30 AM (in Fellowship Hall)
* Holy Communion
Sermon Series - What is Truth?
Eternal: Truth Never Ends
John 14:1-7, 15-20
Pastor Brad
Ruth Portzline, CLM
Accompanist: Brian Barber
9 AM Special Music: Amy Cons, Jackie Jusino,
Roy Nelson, Ron Oedemann
GENesis Bell Choir
10:30 am
Singers: David & Valerie Sharper,
Jackie Jusino
Praise Band Instrumentalists
_____________________
The 9 AM Order of Worship will be sent out on Friday.
You may print a copy to follow along during worship.
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REMEMBERING OUR SAINTS
Marjorie Schrenk
Catherine Cornell
Norma McClintock Richard Paulus Allyn Lehman Margaret Kunkel Ethel White Jack Barr Joan Minderjahn Ed Campbell Sally Snowden Harry Verdier Catherine Mayson Glenn Fleming |
*Communion Note: Sunday, November 1, 2020
The Covid pandemic has altered many of the meaningful rhythms in our lives. One of the greatest longings many of us have experienced is the desire to commune with our Lord at His table. This Sunday, November 1, the Sacrament of Communion will be offered in worship and to all in a drive-through format. During our 9AM and 10:30 AM worship services, individual, prepackaged elements will be consecrated and offered to in-person worshippers. For anyone who cannot attend worship and would like to receive the Communion elements, please arrive at the church at 11:30 a.m. to participate via drive-through. You will be asked to please remain in your car. We look forward to seeing you and sharing in Christ's love together through the Sacrament of Holy Communion! Holy Communion Offering: St. John's Living Nativity
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This Sunday (November 1st) the Youth Group will gather outside from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the church parking lot for class.
Classes for Pre-K through grade 5 will continue on Zoom this Sunday. Note that each lesson will have a video component and will also include follow-up materials that guide parents in talking about the concepts throughout the week. Hope to see you on Zoom!
Young Children (Pre-K to Grade 2)
What's In the Bible?
Sundays at 11 am on Zoom
Join Buck Denver and a group of hilarious friends as they journey through the Bible and discover what it means for us. Amy Scarlett will lead us for the opening weeks as we discover What's In the Bible!
Lesson length: 20-25 minutes.
Older Elementary Children (Grades 3-5) Orange 252 Kids Sundays @ 11am on Zoom Our older elementary children will explore fun and engaging lessons from The Orange Group. This month Lance Kenney will talk about gratitude and inspire the children to share their gratitude by letting others know that they are thankful.
Lesson length: 25-35 minutes
Youth Study - Like Me Sunday, November 1st from 11:30 am - 1 pm
Church Parking Lot; Bring Your Own Chair!
So often we compare ourselves to others. We are focused on the friends we have, the clothes we wear, the number of "Likes" we get on our social media pages-it all feels like one long list of what others have and what we don't! In our next series, Like Me, we'll help our youth discover that comparison not only keeps them from liking others, it holds them back from being able to like themselves! And the further they move away from comparison toward contentment, the more they'll be able to love who they are just as they are. They will talk about comparisons and how those comparisons not only keep them from liking others, they hold them back from being able to like themselves!
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Paul Henry is offering a 14 week study course on Zoom, Tuesdays from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The course will provide a variety of short term topics for study and discussion so that you may join for subjects that interest you or participate in the entire series.
We began on September 22nd with a look at The Lord's Prayer. The words of this prayer are very familiar to all of us and we can recite it without thinking. But would you view the Lord's Prayer differently if you were an inhabitant of Galilee in 30 A.D.? Would you understand the prayer differently than a 21st century American Protestant? Join our virtual journey to a first century Jewish village and examine the differences in understanding.
There are no books to purchase, just register for the course and you will be provided with readings for each discussion topic.
If you would like to register for a week,
or by calling 215-962-6719.
11/3 All Saints Day 11/10 - Healings? Does God Still Act in the Present Age?
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BIBLE STUDY
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Wednesdays 7-8:30 PM
Fellowship Hall
Leader: Ken Lee
You are invited to join our Wednesday night Bible study in Fellowship Hall from 7 to 8:30PM. We're currently doing the Gospel of Matthew using the William Barclay New Daily Study Bible beginning with Chapter 14. This study is a continuation from last March but since each class is a standalone discussion of the Scriptures there is no need to catch up, just jump in. Take a deep dive into Matthew's Gospel to better understand what he wants you to know. Originally written to first century Jews, it is still relevant for us today! Barclay makes it easy to understand.
If anyone needs a book: either they can order it or we can and they can reimburse the church. We are social distancing and wearing masks in class but taking breaks for a breather.
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MUSIC NOTES
Our Hand Bell Choirs are rehearsing again. Our tables are spaced and everyone is wearing masks. It's great to have the Bell Choirs back in "full swing". We have room in out Celebration Ringers for a few new people. If you'd be interested in participating, please contact Roy Nelson. The Celebration Ringers meet once or twice a month and play several times a year. Right now we are working on some music for Christmas.
The "Ring of Faith" choir has already played and is scheduled to ring again on November 8th at the 9:00 service.
The "GENesis Bells" is a choir made up of Youth and Adults...... a multi-generational choir. We have several new members this year, which gives us a much fuller sound. GENesis bells are scheduled to play on November 1st at the 9:00 service.
Members of GENesis Bells are:
Izzy Alfonzo
Andrew Baldridge
Sophia Conover
Amy Cons
Juliet Cons
Brian File
Jane File
Kari File
Matt Floyd
Jennifer Haas
Matt Haas
Lauren Haenn
Valerie Haenn
Cav Hansel
Caylee Hansel
Kiki Hansel
Kyle Hansel
Gaven Leight
Melissa McDevitt
Caelyn Semonski
Thank you for sharing your talents with our St. John's Congregation.
Roy Nelson, Director of Music Ministries
roynel@aol.com, 215-962-8928
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We want to thank all of our musicians, especially
Brian Barber, for their continued participation in our Worship Services. You are helping with our ministry in the two Sunday Morning Worship Services. We are blessed to have your talent shared with the St. John's Congregation.
Having singers, bell ringers, accompanists and the Praise Band is fantastic. Thank You all.
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