Hello St. John’s Family,
This weekend marks the official start of summer: a season when many look forward to the chance to get away for vacation. Opportunities to rest, relax, and spend uninterrupted time with family and close friends is always needed and appreciated. I sense that is especially true this year, after a prolonged period of isolation and uncertainty that weighed heavily on us. Vacation time is a wonderful chance to continue cherished traditions and experience new adventures, all while remembering the blessing and gift of the close relationships we share in our lives.
I’m thankful that over the next two weeks my family will have the opportunity to share vacation time together. Our plans this year are quite an eclectic mix: catching up on long-delayed tasks, preparing our son to head off to college in mid-August, sharing in some day trips together, and spending time on a beach in North Carolina are all on the agenda. One of the evenings I am especially looking forward to is a night at Citizens Bank Park to watch the Phillies with my son.
Summer baseball games are one of those special traditions our family has always enjoyed. This was part of my adolescence (though in full transparency, that happened in Baltimore, including attending the first night game at Camden Yards!), and the tradition has continued in my family. It never seems to fail… heading to a ballpark to sit, talk, and watch a game with people we care about enables the pressures and challenges of our lives to fade as we remember the simple goodness of time together with people we love. It’s an extra-special treat when the Phillies are playing well consistently (but we won’t go there in this note); yet that really doesn’t matter. Consistent, set-apart time to be present with the special people in our lives is a great blessing. We desire this blessing in our human relationships; our God desires special time together in relationship with us as well.
During this summer season, I encourage you to look for opportunities to spend focused time with the meaningful people in your lives. Take the opportunity to re-connect and share in the gift of being together. Enjoy the blessings of friendship and laughter. As you do that, look for opportunities to share special, intentional moments with God as well. The opening of worship is a great opportunity – come as often as you can! And as you do, know that the God you love is overjoyed by that intentional time together with you.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS |
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Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: |
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Worship this Sunday, June 20, 2021
Happy Father's Day!
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:
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Pastor Brad will be taking vacation time away June 20 – 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.
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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 is today - 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!
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GRADUATE RECOGNITION
Congratulations to our St. John's Class of 2021!
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High School
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH
Matt Haas
Alex Herman
Kari Johnson
Gavin Leight
Kellsey Robinson
Tristan Roosevelt
Amy Taylor Zesinger
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY
Grace Ann Hill
LOWER MORELAND
Amy Taylor Zesinger
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College/Graduate School
DREXEL UNIVERSITY
Shannon Elaine Hill
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
William Scarlett, MD
T.H. Chan School of Public Health
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
Anna Lehman
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
Olivia Falcone
Amanda Rose Hill
Jennifer Ladzenski
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Elizabeth Gutsch
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Brianna Burke
Callum Harding
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NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
New Member Sunday is being planned for later in the summer.
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READ TO FEED
Please see Susan Seamans,
Director of Children's Ministry,
for more information!
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Every Wednesday during the summer (weather permitting):
Weekly Campfire Meet Up, weather permitting. This is an informal gathering that is open to youth and friends of youth. It will be a chance for youth, parents, potential future volunteers, or anyone wanting to meet me and show support to come on by. Bring a chair and stop by anytime between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM each Wednesday this summer. I will provide marshmallows and hot dogs to roast each week. We will be behind the church by the shed.
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Join us as we grow together in faith.
If you would like to help us maintain two vegetable gardens to benefit the Jesus Focus Ministry Food Pantry at Bethana, please contact
Susan Seamans at the church office.
Or sign up below!
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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. Please contact Lou Lescas, stjohns820@gmail.com if you are available to help.
Thank you for your support.
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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.
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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!
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TOWELS FOR RED BIRD
Naomi Circle will be collecting new bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths, every Sunday in June. The towels will be sent to Red Bird, and will be used in their Christmas boxes for residents in the area. There will be 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.
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UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, June 19, 2021
10 AM
Sycamore Grill, Newtown, PA
All Men Welcome!
Contact Jack Donovan or Paul Henry for details.
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Prayer requests can be submitted
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.
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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.
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MOBILE GIVING
- Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
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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,
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When your flowers are in full bloom, take a picture and share it with us!
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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!
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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
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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!
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CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 |
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St. John's Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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