Hello St. John’s Family,
This week, Sarah Floyd, Pastor Ruth, and I had the privilege of traveling to Bright Future Academy at El Mesias UMC in North Philadelphia to deliver your generous Advent Mission Offering. Thank you for your heart for God’s work and generous giving!
On our trip down, the challenges and difficulties faced by the Bright Future Academy and El Mesias were readily apparent. They’re located in a blighted and often dangerous section of the city. Limited space, limited resources, and abundant needs are immediately observed. On the surface, the lengthy list of challenges appears unending. One could easily imagine there would be a heavy burden weighing on those tasked with caring for the children of the Academy.
The moment one enters the doors of Bright Future Academy, a very different picture emerges. Love permeates the building, as children in every classroom are cared for. Preschoolers are surrounded by music, encouraged to draw (including one boy who drew an incredibly accurate picture of the coronavirus with all its spikes!), and taught basic skills. Spanish and English are heard, often interchangeably, as young children are taught critical communication skills. Smiles, laughter, and joy are readily shared between the staff and children, who clearly have developed a strong bond. Above all, the dedicated, engaged staff are clearly thankful to be there, making the most of their opportunity to care for and teach the children.
In my short visit, I learned so much from the amazing people at Bright Future Academy and El Mesias UMC. This congregation does not focus on difficulty or setbacks; rather, they focus on the opportunity to extend the hope and love of Christ to whoever they encounter. To do that, they must be resourceful, cooperate well, work very hard, and be fully dependent on the abundant provision of God to accomplish God’s work. Which they do. Fully trusting that God will provide for their needs, they are joyful and thankful when God comes through for them. The strong, committed work ethic, trust in God, joy, and thanksgiving that grounds all they do is beautiful – and offers many lessons for us. God has orchestrated many good things at Bright Future Academy, and I’m excited to share more about that this Sunday.
I am thankful for the partnership that is forming with Bright Future Academy and El Mesias UMC. For that is what it is – a partnership. We have faithfully responded to God’s nudge to extend resources we have, and Bright Future Academy has taught us much about extending God’s love and trusting God’s faithfulness in the midst of significant challenges. It is my hope and prayer that we’ll both continue to grow and learn through this mutually fruitful partnership.
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,
January 23, 2022
Contemporary Service
at 9:00 AM
Traditional Service
at 10:30 AM
This service can be viewed LIVE through
St. John's Youtube Channel
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or on our homepage:
www.stjohnsivyland.com
Past worship service videos can also be found:
Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.
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NOMINATIONS REPORT FOR 2022
LEADERSHIP BOARD
Chairperson – Ira Hoffman ’21 (2)
Paul Hermann ’24 (2)
Ron Oedemann ’22 (1) (SPRC)
Sharon Prim ’22 (2) (Finance)
Steve Morrow ’22 (2)
Wendy Hartman ’24 (2)
Glenn Kavash ’24 (2)
Rick Gray ’22 (1)
NON-VOTING
Lead Pastor – Brad Leight
Administrator & Recording Secretary – Lou Lescas
Program staff when requested
FINANCE
Chairperson – Sharon Prim ’22 (2)
Debbie Bradt ’22 (2)
Terry O’Leary ’23 (2)
Robert Snarr ’23 (1)
Jeff Cartwright ’22 (1)
NON-VOTING
Lead Pastor – Brad Leight
Administrator – Lou Lescas
Assistant Treasurer – Sarah Leslie Hoffman
AUDITOR
Matt Fisher
PERSONNEL (SPRC)
Chairperson – Ron Oedemann ’22 (1)
Eileen Phillips ‘24 (1)
Colleen Peterson ‘24 (1)
Ken Lee ‘24 (2)
Lynne Tomlinson ’23 (1)
Steve Semonsky ’23 (1)
NON-VOTING
Lead Pastor – Brad Leight
PROPERTY (TRUSTEES)
Chairperson – Paul Hermann ‘24 (2)
Rebecca Carey ’22 (2)
Rich Prim ’22 (2)
Jon Nelson ’24 (1)
LAY MEMBER OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Denise Clark ’22 (1)
Alternate Lay Member of Annual Conference – Ron Oedemann
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Children's Activities This Week
Children's Sunday School at 10:30 AM
Parents, children will check-in at the mobile cart
in the Education Wing.
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sundays
10:30 - 11:30 AM
We trust God no matter what. Even when we face unexpected circumstances, we can respond to them with self-control. We can trust that we don't need to rush in or take matters into our own hands. We can trust that God is working. Please come and join us!
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Youth Activities This Week
Youth Sunday School -
January 23rd 10:30 AM
Confirmation Class Workshop - January 23rd 11:30 to 2 PM
Youth Night -
Sunday evening
January 23rd 7:15 - 8:30 PM
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Sunday,
January 23, 2022
Grades 7 - 12
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL at 10:30 AM in the Youth Lounge
From off-brand cereals to knock-off luxury items, we know that anything of value probably has a counterfeit version floating around out there. The same is true for our faith. Maybe copying the behaviors of other believers was a great place to start your faith journey (we all start somewhere), but how can we move beyond copying Christians to actually following Jesus? How do we make our faith our own? The difference between a counterfeit faith and an authentic faith is growth and heart change.
Join Mrs. Gutsch and Mrs. Zesinger and discover that God can use just about anything to help us grow a faith of our own.
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Youth Night
Grades 7 - 12
This Sunday,
January 23, 2022
7:15 - 8:30 pm
Youth Lounge
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Next Confirmation Class Workshop
#4
Sunday, January 23rd
11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Fellowship Hall
Sacraments of Baptism and Communion;
the Triune God;
Fruit of the Spirit
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All God's Children Have a Place in the Choir!
Join the choir - you'll be glad you did.
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Living Nativity Participants, please return your laundered costume to the church as soon as possible. We are still missing Angels A2, 10, 12 & 16; Gabriel G1, Shepherd SH 7, and Mary M1. Thank you for participating and thank you to all who have returned their costumes. |
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Donations Needed of
Non-perishable foods
Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank.
Thank you for your support.
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BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS |
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Wednesday nights
at 7 PM in the parlor
Throughout Scripture, the people who were moved by the Holy Spirit knew Him in a personal way. In this study, we will gain a better understanding of the role the Holy Spirit played in the lives of early believers, and how we too can personally know the Holy Spirit in our own life.
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Please contact Ken Lee to order a book, Cost is $20.00 |
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 at 10:30 AM
and continuing each Tuesday morning
Topics will include:
- Three-part series based on Dan Patterson's book "Questioning Christianity"
- Old Testament Heroes and Heroines
- C. S. Lewis - The Great "Apologist"
of the 20th Century
Contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net for Zoom info
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St. John's Book Club
When God Winks
by Squire Rushnell substantiates that every single one of us can constantly be guided by God. When you think about your own life, you realize just how important coincidences are. The question is are they really coincidences?
Join us Wednesday,
February 2, 2022 at 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM in the Grace Cafe'. Carol Campbell & Barbara Schneider, facilitators.
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We're back for another award-winning team effort!
UMW Souper Bowl Sundays
January 23rd thru
February 13th
Please place your donations of non-perishable food items in the big green barrel located just off the Narthex. This year, food donations will go to
Jesus Focus Ministry Food Pantry at Bethanna.
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Please save your aluminum tab tops for the UMW Naomi Circle collection for Ronald McDonald House. The collection bin is beneath the UMW bulletin board just off the Narthex.
Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.
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United Methodist Men
February Breakfast Meeting
St. John's has talent!
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St. John’s congregation has talented people with many wonderful and exciting experiences to share. United Methodist Men will be featuring this talent at their monthly meetings on the third Saturday of each month.
Our February speaker will be Wade (Sandy) Rice
Please join us at The Sycamore Grill, 255 North Sycamore Street, Newtown on
Saturday, January 19th at 10 a.m.
We will enjoy a great breakfast, good fellowship and camaraderie, as well as Sandy's inspiring words. Other talent who will be sharing with us in future months will include Jonathan Seamans.
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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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Praise!
We are pleased to announce the birth of Emma Margaret,
daughter of
Jesse & Meghan (Dyson) Gibson, and 12th grandchild of
Terry Dyson.
Congratulations and God's blessings!
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month
10 AM in the Parlor.
Come join us in knitting/crocheting various items for those in need.
Contact Carol Rice for more information.
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 contacting the church office
at 215-357-6998 or stjumc@aol.com.
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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.
TEXT GIVING
Simply 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!
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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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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Click on the button below to view the video about Bright Future Academy at El Mesias UMC, the recipient of our
2021 Advent Offering
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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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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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