Hello St. John’s Family,
Like so many others, I spent Sunday evening watching the Super Bowl. I’m glad the game was a competitive one, as that’s the reason I watch: for the game itself. I’m well-aware that some tune in for the halftime show, and others for the commercials. I sometimes pray for those misguided souls. For me, the Super Bowl broadcast is all about the game. The way it should be!
As I was intently watching the game, ready to take advantage of an upcoming commercial break for what they are intended for – a trip to the kitchen for a snack – I was surprised to find myself captivated by a commercial. It was a pretty cheesy one: an ad for Pringles potato chips, where someone gets a can stuck on their arm trying to reach the last chip. Lionel Ritchie’s song Stuck on You is playing in the background, as the can remains on the guy’s hand throughout the rest of his life. Very cheesy, yet good – at least I thought so. I must note that no one else in the Leight household shared that opinion.
That goofy commercial has “stuck” with me throughout the week. I began to wonder why… what was it about that ad that resonated so strongly? I’m not a big Lionel Ritchie fan, and I don’t eat that many Pringles. Why was there such a connection?
The more I thought, the more my mind went back to childhood trips to the beach at Chincoteague Island. We’d often take our lunch out to the actual beach (which was across the bridge on Assateague), and Pringles were a favorite snack. More than once I found a can stuck on my hand. I faintly recall using that as a weapon against my sister a time or two as well. We didn’t have Pringles around the house often; only on vacation, as a “special treat.” I still remember the simple goodness of those times and am pretty sure that’s why the commercial struck a chord.
Over the past few weeks, our children have focused on Acts of Love and Kindness. They’ve looked at simple acts that can brighten a person’s day and extend to others the kindness and love that God shows us. As I thought about my response to that silly commercial, I was reminded of the powerful impact that special acts of love and kindness have within our families and close friends. Sometimes, I think we forget the impact that small acts or silly traditions can have on those we care about. We (or at least I) think everything must be planned out and perfect to make an impact. Yet simple acts done with love will register, and will often remain for a long, long time.
Ultimately, that goofy commercial reminded me of the real power of an act done in love and kindness: God’s amazing way of amplifying the impact so much bigger than the act itself. I also suspect Pringles will get a few extra purchases from me over the next couple weeks…
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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Worship this Sunday,
February 20, 2022
Contemporary Service
at 9:00 AM
Traditional Service
at 10:30 AM
This 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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"Let all that you do be done in Love"
I Corinthians 16:14
Join our children and youth in practicing mindful acts of kindness for the next several weeks.
Show God's love to others and change the world!
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Children's Activities This Week
- Children's Sunday School at 10:30 AM
Parents, children will check-in at the mobile cart
in the Education wing
- 21 Days of Kindness Continues
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Pre-K to Grade 6 Sunday School |
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Youth Activities This Week
Sunday 10:30 AM
This Sunday
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Sunday,
February 20th, 2022
Grades 7 - 12
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL at 10:30 AM in the Youth Lounge
From off-brand cereals to knock-off luxury items, we know that anything of value probably has a counterfeit version floating around out there. The same is true for our faith. Maybe copying the behaviors of other believers was a great place to start your faith journey (we all start somewhere), but how can we move beyond copying Christians to actually following Jesus? How do we make our faith our own? The difference between a counterfeit faith and an authentic faith is growth and heart change.
Join Mrs. Gutsch and Mrs. Zesinger and discover that God can use just about anything to help us grow a faith of our own.
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Youth Super Bowl Party 2-13-2022
Great turnout, Kids Speak Out & Fun Times!
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No Youth Night
Grades 7 - 12
This Sunday,
February 20th, 2022
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Next Confirmation Class Workshop
#6
Sunday, February 27th
11:30 to 2:00
Fellowship Hall
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All God's Children Have a Place in the Choir!
Join the choir - you'll be glad you did.
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Starting Tuesday, March 1, 2022
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If you are suffering the loss of someone dear to you, GriefShare, a grief recovery seminar and support group, is available to offer you hope and healing for the journey. Seminar session topics include “Is This Normal?” “The Challenges of Grief, “Grief and Your Relationships,” “Why?” and “Guilt and Anger.” Videos, discussions, and a supportive workbook are the tools that are used by participants each meeting of the thirteen-week session. Classes will begin again at St. John’s on Tuesday, March 1, 6:30-8:30 PM in the Church Library. Class size is limited to 12.
For more information and to register for class, contact Erin Maurer, GriefShare Facilitator, at 267-265-3515 or erinamaurer@aol.com. You may also register for class by going directly to the GriefShare website.
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Donations Needed of
Non-perishable foods
Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank.
Thank you for your support.
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BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS |
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St John's Book Club
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
10 AM and 7 PM
Grace Cafe'
Award-winning author Francine Rivers opens a world full of vibrant characters with a powerful story of hope. In this stunning novel, Francine explores the new life that love can bring to a decaying garden of broken relationships. Through the lives of 84-year-old Leota, her granddaughter, and a college student with all the answers, Francine leads readers to ponder the value of life and truth in a way that only she can.
Carol Campbell & Barbara Schneider, facilitators
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Spiritual Discipline Workshop
Saturday, March 12, 2022
(more info to follow)
Sue Czarnecki (267-614-3603)
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Wednesday nights
at 7 PM in the parlor
Throughout Scripture, the people who were moved by the Holy Spirit knew Him in a personal way. In this study, we will gain a better understanding of the role the Holy Spirit played in the lives of early believers, and how we too can personally know the Holy Spirit in our own life.
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Please contact Ken Lee to order a book, Cost is $20.00 |
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Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Topics will include:
- Old Testament Heroes and Heroines
- C. S. Lewis - The Great "Apologist"
of the 20th Century
Contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net for Zoom info
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Please save your aluminum tab tops for the UMW Naomi Circle collection for Ronald McDonald House. The collection bin is beneath the UMW bulletin board just off the Narthex.
Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.
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United Methodist Men
February Breakfast Meeting
This Saturday, February 19th
St. John's has talent!
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St. John’s congregation has talented people with many wonderful and exciting experiences to share. United Methodist Men will be featuring this talent at their monthly meetings on the third Saturday of each month.
Our February speaker will be
Wade (Sandy) Rice.
Sandy is a retired military transportation specialist for the Department of Defense. He finished his Federal career as the Transportation Officer at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Sandy has been active for almost 40 years in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Historical Society, where he served on the Board of Directors, gave presentations at railroad history conferences, and authored articles published in its historical journal. Since moving to Bucks County, he has also become a member of the Reading Railroad Technical and Historical Society. Sandy's presentation will focus on The Baldwin Locomotive Works, which was a Philadelphia industrial giant from 1831 to 1951.
Please join us at The Sycamore Grill, 255 North Sycamore Street, Newtown on
Saturday, February 19th at 10 a.m.
We will enjoy a great breakfast and good fellowship, as well as Sandy's interesting presentation. Other talent who will be sharing with us in future months will include Jonathan Seamans.
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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.
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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.
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,
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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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Click on the button below to view the video about Bright Future Academy at El Mesias UMC, the recipient of our
2021 Advent Offering
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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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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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