NOVEMBER 03, 2022

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PASTOR'S REFLECTION

Hello St. John’s Family,


  This past Sunday, I had a “new” experience. Well, not brand-new; yet I experienced something on Sunday that I hadn’t in a long time. After greeting and praying with our congregation at the 9AM service, I left and attended another local congregation to observe their pastor. Or, to put another way, I went to a congregation I had never been to before, walked in, sat down, and worshipped as a guest. 


  As I shared last week, my primary reason for making this visit was to observe the pastor, who is in the final stage of the ordination process. Yet, as I drove there, a whole host of questions struck me. Where do I park? What door should I go in? How do I give my offering? Where should I sit? After all, I don’t want to sit in someone’s seat! I chuckled to myself as I realized how intimidating it can be to walk into a new place and worship. For someone who has served as a pastor for years now, I was a bit embarrassed to admit I was nervous as I walked in. That thought also haunted me, as I realized how intimidating it can be for guests to come into a new place and worship.


  As I spent time reflecting, I saw how my experience on Sunday was a gift. This experience was a great opportunity to again see the importance of going out of our way to welcome guests with hospitality, and to be reminded of the necessity of providing clear directions, both virtually and here onsite, to guide and assist anyone attending St. John’s for the first time. These acts must be a foundational part of how we extend “Open Arms and Serving Hands” here at St. John’s. Welcoming others with our trademark warmth and love is a great way to serve God, and it is something we need your help with. Currently, we do not have persons at our front and back doors to welcome those coming to worship. If you are willing to serve in this way, please reach out to me.  


 I’m very happy to say I’ll be back at St. John’s this Sunday for the entire morning, as we celebrate All Saint’s Sunday. All Saint’s Sunday is such a powerful time of worship, as we remember and give thanks to God for the saints at St. John’s who entered into eternal life over the past year, then join around our Lord’s table and commune with the saints across the ages. I’m excited to share we’ll be coming forward to receive Communion, including the opportunity to kneel at the chancel rail at the 10:30 service. As you prepare for worship, I invite you to reflect on those who were instrumental in cultivating your faith. Consider writing a note of thanks, sharing how that person’s faith has impacted you. If that person is alive, pass it on as a note of encouragement. If not, offer your note as a prayer of thanksgiving to Christ for the blessing of an amazing example. Above all, give thanks to God for the blessing of saints throughout our lives.

  

 During the message, we’ll words first shared with the saints of the Ephesian church in Ephesians 1:11-19. Paul shares a prayer with the church, affirming the legacy of their faith in and love of Christ. Their faith was active and vibrant and known; we’ll see how we are called to the same faith – and to the glorious inheritance that awaits all the saints through the grace and love of our Lord! I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday-



Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures:

St. John's Policy Update

WORSHIP



Come Worship with us this Sunday,

November 06, 2022


Contemporary Praise Service

at 9:00 AM


Traditional Service

at 10:30 AM

This 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:

https://www.stjohnsivyland.com/videoarchive


Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.

FELLOWSHIP & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

As a result of the Communion Offering and Naomi Circle collection for Red Bird sports equipment, $2200 was collected and used to purchase sports balls and games for children aged toddler to youth.



Thank you for the generosity of the St John's family!

EASTWICK MISSION FOOD BANK


Donations DESPERATELY Needed of

Non-perishable foods


 Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex;

Basically, they are out of food. If you have any questions, let me know at once. Thanks!


Also, this was sent on 2 emails- please note preference for future correspondence.

"Say YES!" to delivering food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank. 


Please contact Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com if you are available to help. 

 

Thank you for your support.

Help and hope as you navigate the Christmas season


Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated?

Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. You’ll learn:


  • How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays
  • What to do about traditions and other coming changes
  • Helpful tips for surviving social events
  • How to discover hope for your future


St. John’s Ivyland

820 Almshouse Road

Ivyland, PA 18974

(Church Library)

Monday, November 14 – 6:30 pm

Book -- $5.00


Sign up online at GriefShare.org

Recycling Event

to benefit Bright Futures Academy

(and our Planet Earth)


Through a program with the Trex Corporation, we are collecting clean and dry soft plastic bags (examples in flyer). Bags should be brought to St. John's and placed in the large white container in the Narthex. Upon collecting 500 lbs of material, Trex will provide us with a brand-new bench (can receive 1 bench every six months). Our first bench will be sent to the Bright Futures Academy for their new playground. This project is organized by two of our Youth Stars, Nicole & Melissa McDevitt. Click below for acceptable plastics to be recycled.

Recyclable Plastic Bags

The Grace Cafe is Open!

Stop by between services for a freshly brewed cup of Warrior Coffee, a sweet treat, and fellowship with your St. John's family.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

All children in first through sixth grade will be presented with their new Bible on November 20. Invite your family and friends. This is a special day!

Pre-K - Grade 6

Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.


This month we will take a closer look at the lives of significant people in the Jewish Scriptures: Joshua and Caleb, David, Daniel, and Esther. Each of them trusted God and found courage to face difficult circumstances.


Please arrive early to check your children in at the mobile check-in kiosk located in the hallway outside Classroom A in the Education wing.

We hope you’re enjoying our Journey Kids Newsletter!

YOUTH GROUP MINISTRIES

Who: The St.John’s Ivyland Youth Group

With Sr. Pastor Rev. Brad Leight & Dir. of Youth & Family Ministries JT

Crockett

What: St John’s Ivyland Youth Group Open House

When: Sunday November 13th from 5:15 to 6:00 PM

Where: St John’s Youth Room (next to Classroom E)

at St. John’s Ivyland United Methodist Church 820 Almshouse Rd,

Ivyland, PA 18974

You’re invited to see where God is calling St. John Ivyland’s Youth Ministry in this new season! This Open House is open to all including families and friends. (We’ll have activities for little siblings, so don’t make childcare the reason you don’t make it out!) We would love to let you know more about the new thing God is doing in the lives of our youth. RSVP if you can - but please stop by and visit us, Sunday, November 13th from 5:15 - 6:00 PM in the St John’s Youth Room!


You can RSVP by email youth.stjumc@gmail.com or by texting JT Crockett (347)948-4996

Upcoming Youth Group Opportunities for Service

(Nov - Dec 2022)

  • Harvest Bags
  • Worship
  • Ushers/ Hospitality Ministry
  • Scripture readers for combined worship Christmas Day
  • Food collection on Music Festival Sunday
  • Living Nativity
  • Participants
  • Set-up crew
  • Clean-up crew
  • Angel Tree Ministry 
  • Organizers
  • Toy collectors


Teens in Grades 7 -12

St. John’s Ivyland Youth Room

10:30 AM (during Traditional Worship*)


Come join other teens in a special time to study and discuss the who, what, when, where, why and how’s of God! We’ll grow, we’ll laugh and we’ll learn to love Jesus because He first loved us. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday morning!

*Attendance is encouraged; all young people will have an opportunity to take Communion! 

MUSIC MINISTRY

St. John's 23rd Annual Festival of Carols

Sunday, December 04, 2022 at 6:00 PM


OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Join our

Volunteer Tech Team

and see just how "Techie" you can be!


All ages welcome - youth, young adults, elder statesmen and stateswomen.

Amaze your family with your AV skills!


Skills taught weekly.


Contact church office

at 215-357-6998

BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS


The Upper Room

Devotionals


for


November/December

Will be available

in the Narthex,

beginning


Sunday, October 30.


Be sure to pick up one for yourself

and one for a friend.


St. John's Book Club


In the spirit of Christmas we will read


"The Shepherd's Prayer"

by Richard M. Barry


and


"The Story of the Other Wise Man"


Everyone welcome. Please join us.


We will meet on Wednesday, December 7, at 10:00 AM in the Grace Cafe


Facilitators Barbara Schneider and

Carol Campbell

Disciple III Fast Track


We are about midway in our study of the Prophets.  You can still attend any of these sessions or you can join us for our study of the letters of the Apostle Paul starting in about six weeks.


Our sessions are on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 PM. This is a 24-week comprehensive study with daily scripture readings.

This is a wonderful opportunity to study God's Word, strengthen your faith, and form lasting friendships with fellow Disciples.


Ken Lee, facilitator

Disciple III FastTrack study guides on The Prophets and Letters of Paul can be purchased online from The Well Bookstore, UM Church of the Resurrection

Order Study Guides


Tuesday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 11:00 AM


Join us for our Zoom Class which will study the Passover, The Agape Meal & All Saints Day



To join contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net to obtain the pass codes for the Zoom session.


CLICK HERE for Fall Schedule.

UWF/UMM

More info coming soon!

UPCOMING EVENTS


Food Drive


Children's Ministry is collecting non-perishable food to help fill Harvest Bags for families in need. The children will decorate Harvest Bags, and we will talk about how we can thank God for all the ways that we have been blessed and how God can use us to be a blessing to others. We will be collecting non-perishable food through Sunday, November 20!

We will be collecting non-perishable food through Sunday, November 20! e will share the Harvest Bags with Diakon Child, Family & Community Ministries. For more information about this organization, click here.

Christmas Pageant



Help us continue the tradition!


We are very excited to announce that this year we are doing

"A Shepherd's Story"

an easy-to-sing Christmas musical for children created by Pam Andrews.

Sign up for a part in the the play or volunteer to help rehearse parts and imagine costumes. We need at least 3 volunteers. Youth are encourage to to participate with our children. Children will rehearse every Sunday immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service.  There will be 2 dress rehearsals - December 10 and 17 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.  All cast members and volunteers must attend all rehearsals.  Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

SIGN UP

Creche Presenters


Would your child like to bring the Christmas story to life at our traditional worship services during Advent? Any child age 4 - 12 may participate. Our youth are also encouraged to participate. More details to follow.

PRAYERS & PRAISE

Susan Butcavage, a long-time member of the St. John’s family, entered into eternal life with our Lord. Family and friends will gather at St. John’s.


Visitation - Mon., 11/7 10am-noon, with service at noon.

Interment - Tuesday, 11/8 @ Washington Crossing National Cemetery



Please keep Susan’s family in your prayers.

Prayer List


Prayer requests can be submitted

online (click here).or through the church email at

prayer.stjumc@gmail.com

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.



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 office.stjumc@gmail.com


GIVING

MOBILE GIVING

  • Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
  • 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,

email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com

ST.JOHN'S LINKS & INFORMATION

St. John's Staff

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!

View St John's Budget 2022

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

Devotionals
Announcements/WeeklyNewsletter
Worship Videos
St. John's Bell Choir Videos
Click here to share your favorite St. John's photos with us!
Flowering Cross Photos



For Cornerstone announcement requests check the Communication Timelines & Procedures page in our website HERE.


Thank you! :) 


CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266

St. John's Ivyland UMC

820 Almshouse Road

Ivyland, PA 18974


215-357-6998/office.stjumc@gmail.com

stjohnsivyland.com

Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor



Thank you to everyone who has followed us on Instagram! If you haven't yet, please do so! 


@stjohnsivyland



www.instagram.com/stjohnsivyland

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