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Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
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JOIN US FOR
Worship Services:
8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Traditional
9:15 a.m.
Praise and Worship
THIS SUNDAY
December 22, 2019
4th Sunday of Advent
"The Story of Joseph"
Pastor Janice
Matthew 1:18-25
215-357-6998
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM -2:00 PM
Christmas and New Year's
Church Office Schedule:
Monday 12/23
11 AM - 2 PM
Tuesday 12/24
9 AM - 11 AM
Church office Closed
12/25 and 12/26
Friday 12/27
9 AM - 2 PM
Monday 12/30
9 AM - 2 PM
Tuesday 12/31
9 AM - 11 AM
Church office Closed 1/1
Thursday 1/2, Friday 1/3
9 AM - 2 PM
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NURSERY
Available at both
9:15 and 10:30.
We welcome all children birth through 4 years old. The nursery is equipped with a calling system and will alert you in worship if your child needs you.
For more information about our Children or Youth Ministries, please contact Director,
David Bigam, dbigam@gmail.com
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THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
Saturday, December 21
7:00pm
Blue Christmas Service
Sunday, December 22
9:00am
Adult Sunday School
10:30am
Children & Youth Sunday School
Sunday, December 29
9:00am
Adult Sunday School
10:30am
Children & Youth Sunday School
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Sunday, January 5, 2020
9:00am
Adult Sunday School
10:30am
Children & Youth Sunday School
Monday, January 6, 2020
6:30pm
Girl Scout Daisies Meeting
6:45pm
Celebration Ringers
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
The Next Cornerstone will be sent out on Thursday, January 9, 2020.
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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.
You may also indicate any changes on the
sign-in sheet during worship and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.
Thank you!
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|  PRAYER LIST Please click to view
All "Ongoing Prayer Concerns"
will be listed for
2 weeks.
Please submit a new prayer request card if you desire to renew the listing for 2 additional weeks.
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St. John's Snow Policy
In case of a major snowstorm or other severe weather that would require cancellation of one or more Sunday services, we will attempt to notify everyone by:
- A special e-news sent out
- A message on the church answering machine and website.
If possible, a decision regarding cancellation will be made the night before. Please also be aware that, in the event of a power outage, it is impossible to utilize internet or phone services.
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2020 ALTAR FLOWERS
Altar flower sign-ups for 2020 are now available on the bulletin board. If you would like to place flowers on the altar, please put your name next to the date you would like. The cost is $25.00
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MOBILE GIVING
- Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
- Click on the donate now button 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,
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DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Looking for a little inspiration during the week?
Try an online devotional.
(has many devotionals to choose from)
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New members of the ministry group are always welcome; lessons and guidance can be provided for beginners and those with rusty skills.
The group
meets mon
thly on the second Tuesday to knit or crochet together and to pray over the completed items. For more information, contact Carol Rice at 215-357-1203.
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This has been a busy year for the Prayer Shawl Ministry! Since January, 54 shawls or lap robes have been distributed, 8 baptismal shawls presented, 4 prayer hearts (for those who already have a shawl) created, and almost 50 baby and child hats delivered.
Pictured are the latest group of hats which went to World Vision (4 child size) and The Baby Bureau in Warminste
r (14 baby size)
Look for the nice thank you letter received from the The Baby Bureau on the prayer ministries bulletin board next to the Grace Café.
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The Grace Cafe is open Sunday mornings for fellowship
and refreshments.
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Thank you for
"Fighting for What's Right
One Cup at a Time."
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(Click for more information)
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UMC LINKS
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Hallelujah! I'm ALMOST - but not quite - finished my Christmas shopping. For some reason, the whole idea always seems like such an overwhelming task for me, but I really, really dislike making decisions about what to get for whom. There are always so MANY choices, and I never quite know for sure that I'm making the right one. So I agonize for far too long, and then I agonize some more.
You'd think it would be relatively easy to shop for the grandkids! Well, it was one thing back in the days when I could at least be confined to one store (it was always Toys R Us). There were STILL way too many choices to make, but it was actually kind of fun to look around at all the dolls and toys. Now that they are older, it's all about clothes and electronics - not quite so much fun and way more expensive (I don't ever remember being quite so picky about my sneakers, do you?)
At any rate, I just have a few more items to purchase. No big deal. I've made a list - I'm checking it twice - and I am determined that by the end of this week, I will have made my very last purchase. And I'm looking forward to that moment because I just KNOW that a giant weight will be lifted from my shoulders. Then, and only then, will I really be able to sit back and enjoy the season. And as soon as I have that last package in my hand, I have big plans: I'm going to really and truly focus my thoughts and prayers on the coming of Christ and what that means to my life personally, and to ALL of our lives collectively. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm longing to let go of all of the busyness of the season and instead, be able to enjoy the much quieter gifts God has for us - wonder, peace, joy, and hope.
My prayer is that we are ALL just about done with the busyness of these past weeks so we can ALL sit back and allow God to speak to us and to bless us. I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday as we light the 4th and final Advent candle!
Pastor Janice
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2019 ADVENT/CHRISTMAS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21st
Blue Christmas Service
7:00 p.m.
A time of worship and reflection, of healing and hope for those who are finding themselves in places of pain, loss, or discouragement during the holiday season
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22nd
8:00 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Worship
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24th
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
5:30 p.m.
Children's Christmas Pageant
Children's Choirs
7:30 p.m.
Youth Choir, Adult Choir and Handbell Choirs
9:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Communion Service
Music Meditations
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29th
8:00 A.M., 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Worship
REMEMBER TO SUPPORT OUR ADVENT MISSION OFFERING
YOUR ENVELOPE MAY BE PLACED IN THE MANGER IN THE NARTHEX
Please make checks payable to St. John's United Methodist Church
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St. John's 2019 Advent Mission Project
More than 40 million Americans sometimes go hungry, including women, children, the unemployed, the working poor, seniors, and those who are homeless.
Since 1979, Society of St. Andrew has helped bridge the gap between the good food going to waste and the millions of Americans in poverty. SoSA saves and distributes 25-30 million pounds of fresh produce each year.
How Can We Help? - When we give, we offer health and hope for a better tomorrow. . For $150 you will be able to provide fruits and vegetables for one family for a year; for $50 - you can provide fruits and vegetables for one family for 4 months. Any amount will make a difference.
Please give generously this Advent. There are envelopes on the Welcome Table as well as on the table with the display for the Advent Mission Project. Please place your offering into the manger provided by Christmas Eve.
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St. John's Kids News
This Week - Sunday School - 10:30 Service Only
All children go directly to Fellowship Hall.
December 22 and 29 for One Room Fun!!!
Youth please go directly to the Youth Room
for Sunday School.
Leaders and Co-Leaders are always needed for our classrooms as well as Nursery. If you feel called to help in these areas, please let me know! Clearances are required! Please contact me anytime and we can talk. Thank you for your consideration...David Bigam
dbigam@gmail.com or cell 215-206-6779;
Church 215-357-6998
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We are proud to be bringing you this year's pageant...
"The Not-So-Silent Night"
St. John's Ivyland Kids
Christmas Eve Service - 5:30 PM
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Fellowship and fun for youth grades 6 thru 12.
YOUTH GROUP
Wednesday Nights!
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Join us for light snacks, a devo and fun.
Youth Group will resume on January 8, 2020
Have a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!!!
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MORRISVILLE FOOD BANK MONDAY
Monday, January 13th
Please contact David Bigam.
Do Not Miss This Opportunity!
Come and experience great Fellowship
on the 2nd Monday of every month!
Morrisville is open to EVERYONE interested in going to help make 220 grocery bags full of food.
Families are always welcome!
Following this event we always head to Chick-fil-a for Milkshakes!!!!
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NO CONFIRMATION CLASS
Classes will resume January 5, 2020
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And as always
Bring a Friend and Bring a Can!
Have you HELPED anyone today?
Have you SAID SOMETHING NICE to anyone today?
David Bigam, Director of Children and Youth Ministries
dbigam@gmail.com
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GriefShare 13 week Sessions
Mondays from 6:30-8:30
Begins January 6
2020 GriefShare Schedule:
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January 6-April 6, 2020 (no class on January 27. Class WILL meet on Presidents' Day): 13 Week Session
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May 1-August 3, 2020 (no class Memorial Day): 13 Week Session
There is a $15 fee for materials. For further information, contact Ruth Portzline or Chaplain Erin Maurer or go to
griefshare.org.
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If you or someone you know has experienced separation or divorce, either recently or a long time ago, we want to invite them to this support group.
New Session Begins January 14
TUESDAYS, from 6pm to 7:30pm
in the Church Library
A complete schedule by topic, more details,
and sign-ups are at:
- Each rotation lasts 13 weeks but you can join or miss anytime and make up sessions during the next rotation if desired.
- There is a one-time $15 registration fee but scholarships are available. Payment is done in class, please sign up online so we can communicate with you. (Checks payable to: St. John's UMC)
- No Childcare offered.
- Our facilitators, Sarah Floyd and Donna Hartfeil can be contacted at:
Located at:
St. John's United Methodist Church
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
We meet in the church library classroom which is the first room on the left when you enter from the main parking lot which is on the left side of the church. Knock on the double doors on the side of the church. There are a few stairs up. If you cannot do stairs the leader will greet you and bring you to the handicap entrance.
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Dr. Andrew DeSaro will be offering an evening of CPR/First Aid/AED training
Tuesday, January 14th
6:30-9 PM
$35 per participant
Each participant will receive a book and will receive CPR certification.
Please sign up in the narthex ASAP!
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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
What a wonderful day it was giving thanks for all God's creation, and celebrating His gift of creatures, great and small!
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Anyone who needs Heifer gift cards can pick them up on the table under the United Methodist Women's bulletin board in the Narthex.
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The Red Bird Trailers
are CLOSED for the winter
and will reopen in the Spring.
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DONATIONS NEEDED
Donations of non-perishable food for the Eastwick Food Pantry are needed now and 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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RONALD McDONALD HOUSE TABS COLLECTION
Naomi Circle is collecting tabs from beverage cans for Ronald McDonald House. You will find a container under the sign hanging on the UMW bulletin board. Please place them in a plastic bag and put it in the container. This is an ongoing collection, so keep bringing them in as you collect them. Thank you.
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The Pastors and Staff of
St. John's wish you a joyous Christmas and
a Happy New Year!
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