DECEMBER 29, 2022

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PASTOR'S REFLECTION

Hello St. John’s Family,

 

Merry Christmas! The joyous season celebrating Christ’s birth is in full swing! I hope you have had opportunities to worship our Lord, to pause and reflect on the amazing gift the world has received, and to share in the celebration of Christ’s birth with cherished family and friends. It was so good be together both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in worship, with opportunities to commune at our Lord’s table and to again witness the silent beauty of the Light of the world overtaking darkness. The candlelight Celebration of Light is one of my favorite moments of the year, as we are granted a powerful visual image of receiving God’s Good News that can save and transform all people. We cannot help but to rejoice and celebrate – our Lord has come!

 

For many of us, the season of Christmas is an opportunity for rest and reconnecting with family and friends. That is certainly the case for the Leight household, as we’re thankful for opportunities to rest and to share time together with family members we don’t see very often. If you often find yourself tired out by the frantic pace of our “normal” life, I pray this season will be a time of renewal for you.

 

I also recognize how recent days and weeks have been challenging for many in our St. John’s Family. Yes, we rejoice and are uplifted as Christ has come and met us in the coldness of this world. The difficulties of this world, though, do not automatically come to a halt. Even at Christmas, we experience difficulty and setbacks. As I reflected on this in my prayers this morning, the following verses came to mind:

 

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

Psalm 139:7-12, NIV

 

Friends, regardless of the circumstances at hand, know that you are never alone. God’s presence is with us always: at all times, in all situations. There is no place or time when we are not joined by God’s Spirit; there is no challenge where God’s right hand will not hold us fast. For the joyous and glad times, we give thanks; and for the challenging moments, we experience peace in the presence of our God who is right there with us. Always.

 

I pray those verses will bring you joy and peace today. And I hope you’ll join us in worship this Sunday, January 1st (REMINDER – We have one worship service at 10am!). Pastor Ruth will be preaching an uplifting message to start our new year, encouraging us to make each day count! Check out Revelation 21:1-6, and join us in worship at 10am-

 

 

 

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

January 01, 2023


Unified New Year's Worship Service

10:00 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

Bright Future Academy

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.

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

Pre-K - Grade 6

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



God is the author of knowledge. Everything we know to be true about the world is because of God. And while we may never know all there is to know ABOUT God, there are lots of ways we can get to KNOW God. This month the kids will learn why knowledge is so important.

YOUTH GROUP MINISTRIES


St. John's Ivyland Youth will attend

Combined New Year's Day Worship


10AM Sunday 1/1/23



NOTE: No Sunday School

UWF/UMM

The November Breakfast and business meeting was a giant of a program! The United Methodist Men committed to $4,000.00 toward the replacing of two cameras to advance the Internet Ministry. The presentation by Paul, Lou, and Pastor Brad was Outstanding. It pointed the way on how this Internet Ministry of our Faith, bring people closer to our God and accepting Christ as their personal savior shows a way forward for our church to do its job.


I also believe this cell phone picture catalog plan will be helpful too. Next, Pastor Brad gave us insight to the Baptismal service and his strong policy on getting a commitment from the parents.


January, 21, 2023 is the next breakfast, this is a new beginning, for those who are not in attendance, you are missing out... As a member of St. John’s, you are automatically a member of the United Methodist Men. We would like to have some of your talent and fellowship. If not, there is a Group of “Old Guy’s” for which we are grateful that are making a difference in the life of our church.


So!!!! Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.


Stay well... It is Old Jack.


MUSIC MINISTRY

Choir Music / Schedule

ADULT CHOIR schedule



NEW YEAR DAY

  • 10:00 Service
  • ROBES
  • "I Believe This Is Jesus"


THURSDAY JAN. 5

Rehearsals Resume

YOUTH CHOIR schedule


NEW YEAR DAY

  • 10:00 Service - Youth Do Not Sing
  • NO REHEARSALS



SUNDAY JAN. 8th

  • Rehearsals Resume

JOYFUL VOICES schedule


NEW YEAR DAY

  • 10:00 Service - Joyful Voices Do Not Sing
  • NO REHEARSAL


SUNDAY JAN. 8th

  • Rehearsals Resume



St. John’s Ivyland offers a wide variety of Musical opportunities. Children and adults are invited to participate in musical groups of varying styles and skill levels, or provide support to help and serve the Music Ministry.


For more information about our Music Ministries, or to get involved, visit our website or send an email to Roy Nelson.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Communion Stewards are needed to help with the preparation of the Communion elements and with the clean-up following the 10:30 am service. If you would like to help with this ministry of St. John's, please contact Pastor Ruth.

Opportunities for Service

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


January/February

are now available

in the Narthex,

Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend.

St. John's Book Club


We will discuss


"Stranger in the Lifeboat"

by Mitch Albom


What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be “the Lord”. And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him.


Everyone welcome. Please join us.


We will meet on Wednesday, January 11, at 10:00 AM in the Grace Cafe


Facilitators Barbara Schneider and

Carol Campbell


Disciple III Fast Track


We'll conclude the first half of our study of The Prophets on 14 December and begin our second half 12 week study of the Letters of Paul on 4 January 2023.


Our sessions are on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 PM. This is a 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


 





We will begin again on January 24th, 2023

PRAYERS & PRAISE

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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