Hello St. John’s Family,
I want to start this note by letting you know that you are in my daily prayers. These past days have been very difficult for us all; days filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and concern. I’ve heard that in your voices and seen that in your faces as you’ve pressed on. Continue to draw strength from your Lord. My prayer for you comes from Paul’s letter to the Philippian church: may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (4:7). May it be so!
One of the concerns many have shared is the rapidly rising number of cases of Covid-19 in our area. We have concerns for our health and the health of loved ones, as well as concerns that increased restrictions or shutdowns may return. We’re all weary – including me. Yet we must continue to love God by loving our neighbor, with a focus on the most vulnerable among us. I recognize the inconvenience and sacrifices you have made by limiting the number of attendees in each service, reserving a slot for worship, wearing masks, keeping distance, and forgoing fellowship with food. Thank you for making those sacrifices! Our faithfulness and diligence with these precautions have kept us safe as we resumed in-person ministry. My prayer is that in-person ministry will continue. I, along with St. John’s leadership, will continue to closely monitor the best guidance available as we prayerfully discern our approach for whatever may come. Please keep our congregation, as well as all who are struggling physically and emotionally with Covid-19, in your prayers.
I’m confident all will agree that 2020 has been a long and difficult year. I feel it’s very important to also remember that, through it all, God has been incredibly faithful. God has been with us every second of every day: strengthening, guiding, encouraging and uplifting us. God has provided exactly what we need at the precise moment needed. God’s abundant provision shouldn’t come as a surprise, as all good things – all provision – comes from God. God is our source and strength; our call is to trust completely in God such that our Lord’s glory is revealed through our very lives. Complete trust in God includes our prayers, our time given to God in service, our witness, and our offerings.
Friends, over the next two Sundays we’ll explore the truth of God’s abundant provision more deeply in worship as we prepare to offer commitments toward God’s work at St. John’s in 2021. I encourage you to join us – in-person or virtually – and prayerfully reflect on the service, financial, and prayer commitments that God is placing on your heart.
Thank you for your faithfulness, for your commitment to God’s work at St. John’s, and for the way that, each and every day, you seek to extend open arms and serving hands as lives are transformed through Christ!
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:
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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 church 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!
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A RECORDING OF THE SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE FOLLOWING WORSHIP.
The Sign-Up Reservation for Next Sunday, 11/22,
will be emailed and posted to the website by Noon, Monday.
Please update the SignUp Genius or contact the church office if there's a need to cancel/update your reservation.
Thank you!
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This Sunday, November 15, 2020
In-Person Worship
(Registration Needed for both services - see above)
9 AM (in the Sanctuary)
10:30 AM (in Fellowship Hall)
More Than Enough, Pastor Brad
Mark 8:14-21
Accompanist: Brian Barber
9 AM: Rebecca Carey, Jeff Cartwright, Amy Cons, Ron Oedemann
10:30 AM: Praise Band
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This Sunday (November 15) 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!
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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.
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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
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Youth Study - Orange High School XP 3: Sundays
11::30 am to 1:00
Church Parking Lot;
Bring Your Own Chair!
Join Heidi Gutsch and Ashley Zesinger this week for a mystery lesson! It is going to be a great message for the kids, even if it leaves more questions than answers!
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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.
11/17- Healings? Does God Still Act in the Present Age?
11/24 - Thanksgiving Break
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Prayer requests can be submitted
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 latest Devotionals, News and Worship Videos can be be found below, as well as, under the "What's Happening"tab
on our website.
www.stjohnsivyland.com
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UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL
for November/December
is now available.
Copies are in the Narthex
and also in a container on the front porch of the church.Be sure to pick up your copy and take one for a friend as well.
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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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The Red Bird Mission will be closing for the winter November 15th 2020.
Thanks to everyone who has donated to this program, helping the people in Red Bird Kentucky. They are grateful for all items that have been sent. The Red bird committee would also like to thank all the volunteers who gave their time packing trailers.
Your effort’s have been greatly appreciated.
Red Bird Committee
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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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UNITED METHODIST MEN
The Recovery Breakfast II
Saturday, November 28th
10 AM
Hosted by the United Methodist Men
for All Men of St John's at the Sycamore Grill, Newtown
The Recovery Breakfast II is to bring back the Fellowship that supports our faith in God and to provide an engaging spirit to do good works.
Red Bird Mission Chicken BBQ Church Maintenance
The meeting is a general discussion of our mission and gathering volunteers to decorate the church for Christmas on Friday, November 27th, 9 AM. (Men or women interested in helping to decorate can contact Jack Donovan or the church office).
The October Breakfast confirmed a safe environment by the 22 men that attended. There is a lot of room for safe distancing. Breakfast is paid for by the UMM.
Directions: 255 North Sycamore St.
Richboro/Newtown Rd. to Newtown at Sycamore (532) make left at light, after second light make first right... left into parking lot. If you have a problem with stairs, park out front.
Have Courage, Keep the Faith....
Jack Donovan
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DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS
Anyone interested in helping the United Methodist Men decorate the church for Christmas on Friday, November 27th , should please contact the church office or Jack Donovan at 917-856-1425 or jdonovanco@comcast.net.
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We will not have BELL CHOIR rehearsal for the following choirs this week:
- Ring of Faith - Thursday night - cancelled this week
- GENesis Bells - Sunday night - cancelled this week
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MOBILE GIVING
- Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
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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.
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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St. John's Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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