Hello St. John’s Family,
As I walked and played with our dog in the field behind the parsonage late Monday afternoon, it seemed to be a pretty routine day. Yes, clouds were building, and rumbles of thunder could be heard in the distance, yet summer thunderstorms in our hot weather are not surprising. As a lightning strike caught the attention of both my dog and I, sending us inside, I recall thinking that maybe a storm would cool us off a bit.
A storm did come. Navigating some very large puddles while driving my daughter to an evening of basketball games in Plumsteadville was a bit interesting; still, I didn’t think much of it. The images on the late news, though, hit home quickly. Streets, cars, and ground floors of homes were now completely submerged in water. Torrential rain only a few miles from us wreaked havoc on so many lives.
As I sat and viewed the heartbreaking news updates, I was struck by how quickly many lives were changed. Most of the affected persons who were interviewed noted how nothing close to this ever happened before. In a matter of minutes, though, their lives were thrown into chaos. Nothing can prepare us for these kinds of surprises. In the shock of the moment, it’s difficult to process what is going on. Understandably, questions will follow. Why? Where is God in this?
I firmly believe that God is with every human in the best of times and in the most difficult moments. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence with us: a presence that will not leave or forsake us. God is right there, overjoyed by our successes, and God is right there, heartbroken and grieving with our hurts and losses. The Holy Spirit is the wind that helps us breathe when our breath has been knocked out of us and the strength to take one baby step forward when the ground has given way. Sometimes, I think the routine nature of our lives can deceive us. Routine and patterns are good; they help us to order and navigate our lives. Yet they can also lure us into a false sense of control. When circumstances beyond our control come along, we are vividly reminded how our only hope is to cling to the God who is with us in the storm.
Please keep our neighbors in prayer as they grasp for the strength to begin the process of putting their lives back together. Pray for strength, guidance, provision, endurance, and a strong sense of God’s presence with them. Also be mindful of ways we can offer tangible assistance to those affected. I have reached out to a couple of our sister UMC churches near the affected areas and, thankfully, the impact on their members and facilities were minimal. Further information regarding ways to provide assistance will be passed on as it becomes known (this will be our August Communion Offering).
After all, one of the most powerful ways the Holy Spirit reveals God’s presence is through us – the living Body of Christ in the world!
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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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Do you enjoy graphic design, developing PowerPoint presentations, writing and editing desktop publications, and updating websites and social media platforms? We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who is proficient in these areas to take on the role of Office Communications/Technology Coordinator. As part of the St. John's administrative team, you will work independently and collaboratively with the pastoral staff, the Clerical Coordinator, Directors of Children's, Youth and Music Ministries, and the congregants.
If you have a heart for Jesus, have a degree or equivalent experience in communications and graphic design, and would like to work 20 hours per week, please consider joining our St John's Administrative Staff.
Call 215-357-6998 for information or email your resume' to stjumc@aol.com
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Tech Team Volunteers Needed
There's always room for one more with our growing Tech Team! We are getting enough volunteers now that we are splitting the jobs into smaller, easier to handle responsibilities. It's no problem getting coverage when you can't make it, as long as you email Sarah Floyd in advance of Sunday. Tech Team members run camera, operate video switcher, scroll the projector slides, monitor audio, and run YouTube software. We use headsets now to aid communication within the team.
Click the box below to sign up for the YouTube LIVE traditional service or the non-broadcast contemporary service.
Sarah will partner with you until you are ready to solo.
This important ministry is bringing worship into the lives of many people, including the hearing impaired who can now enjoy worship through our
closed captioning services.
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Please contact
Sarah Floyd, Director of Video Ministry
at sarah.sjumc@gmail.com
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Worship this Sunday, July 18, 2021
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
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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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NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
AUGUST 8, 2021
If you are considering membership, please contact the church office
by phone 215-357-6998
for further information.
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READ TO FEED®
A Heifer International Program
ENROLL NOW!
“Seize the day and join other children
who are changing the world.”
Please check our website for more information!
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Summer Youth Nights
Every Friday
7 PM to 9 PM
July 9 to Sept 3
Plus upcoming trips . .
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ALL AGES
COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE
Bring your friends,
bring your neighbors!
Bring an outdoor chair.
Hot dogs and marshmallows provided.
Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
June 23 to August 25, weather permitting
Questions? Contact: Sarah.sjumc@gmail.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. Please contact Lou Lescas, stjohns820@gmail.com if you are available to help.
Thank you for your support.
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St John's Drive-Thru Prayer Ministry is back!
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If you cannot come to church but are in need of prayers, our prayer team will pray with you at our drive-thru prayer.
Join us the 3rd Wednesday of each month starting July 21st from 4:30-6:00 PM.
If you would like to join us and be a part of this ministry of St John's, please contact Pastor Ruth by calling the Church office.
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ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
10:00 AM in Grace Cafe' and 7 PM in Parlor.
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
The dramatic story of three young women searching for family amid the destruction of the post-Civil War South, and a modern-day teacher who learns of their story and its connection to her student's lives.
We will follow St. John's guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. Please join us!
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UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, August 21, 2021
8:00 AM
St John’s Fellowship Hall
(pending approval by Leadership Board)
Final Planning Meeting for the September 18th Chicken BBQ
All Men Are Welcome!
Contact Jack Donovan or Paul Henry for additional information on UMM activities
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Calling all Golfers!
UMM Golf Outing
For more information, please contact
Jack Donovan at Jdonovanco@comcast.net
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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
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.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Sends Fourteen Prayer Shawls to Florida
The collapse of Champlain Towers South, a twelve-story condominium in the Miami, Florida suburb of Surfside, has been in the news since June 24. The Disaster Recovery Ministry of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church has been coordinating our denominational response. St. John’s Prayer Shawl Ministry (PSM) contacted the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Trish Warren, and found out that shawls were needed. So, at the monthly meeting of our PSM team, a total of fourteen light weight shawls were selected and packed in a large box. The box was then dispatched to Pastor Cesar Vellafana, one of those working to support recovery in Surfside. Ms. Warren responded, “We would love to share your prayer shawls for those who have been impacted by the Surfside Disaster.”
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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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Ushers Needed
for in-person worship services to greet worshippers, direct them to available seats and assist with questions. This is a simple yet meaningful opportunity to serve God by sharing His love with others. Please contact the church office to sign up to serve as an usher.
215-357-6998
or
Thank you for your faithful support of all we do in service to Christ here at St. John's.
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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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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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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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