Hello St. John’s Family,
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ’s victory over sin and death was joyously proclaimed on a beautiful Easter morning full of worship, song, and celebration! It felt so good to worship together; to gather in a full Sanctuary, to sing loudly, and to proclaim the hope we have in our resurrected Lord. Easter was a powerful culmination of meaningful worship services offered throughout Lent and Holy Week. I want to express my deep appreciation for all those who served God by offering their gifts throughout our Lent and Holy Week services: to all the Choir members (children, youth, and adult!), Bell Choir members, and musicians; to the ushers and readers; to the audio and video team (who navigated a sound card that failed on Easter morning, yet were still able to allow our 10:30 service to be recorded); and to our dedicated staff who give so much of themselves to lead us each and every week. Your efforts paint a beautiful picture of what it means to be the living Body of Christ, here in the world. Thank you for your commitment to Christ’s work! And to anyone who would like to serve God in any of the capacities I mentioned… please let me know! There are many opportunities to serve God here at St. John’s!
This Sunday, we’ll be blessed with another powerful morning of worship as 11 youth will be Confirmed into full membership in Christ’s Church at our 10:30 worship service. I’ve had the privilege to get to know these young people over the past several months and am eager to see how God continues to work through their lives. You’ll learn more about this impressive group and their Confirmation experience in next week’s note; in the meantime, I ask you to come and support them as they profess their faith before their Church family.
So here we are, only a few days removed from a joy-filled Easter celebration, yet it seems as if the pressures and challenges of life return so quickly. The images of war and conflict in Ukraine and elsewhere resumed immediately; economic pressures and inflation; local violence and crime; illness and struggles of family and friends; deadlines and demands at work or school – the list of challenges we face goes on and on. Even our sports inspirations aren’t immune, as Jay Wright – a hallmark of integrity and grace in the cutthroat world of collegiate athletics – has retired, seemingly out of nowhere (you’ll likely see a reflection from me about that in the future!). Why can’t the joy and goodness of Christ’s victory last just a little longer?
Friends, I believe that joy can – and does – last. Christ was very clear: Easter’s victory over the grave is final and complete. While it’s a victory that will be fully consummated when Christ returns, we have the assurance that Christ’s peace will sustain us through the troubles of this world:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
We can take heart in the fact that Christ has overcome the world. We will experience peace, even in conflict and difficulty. All of which points to joy: joy that, through the power of resurrection, will remain even as the pressures of the world swirl around us. Christ has overcome all things… and nothing can diminish the joy of that reality!
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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Come Worship with us,
April 24, 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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Opportunities to Fellowship Together |
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Come celebrate our Confirmands at a reception in Fellowship Hall following the 10:30 service. We'll have cake! |
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Easter Sunday
Flowering Cross
The flowering of the Easter Cross is a celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. It transforms a symbol of death, darkness, hopelessness and pain into something beautiful, new and alive. Thank you to all who participated. He is Risen!
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We are pleased to announce that the Grace Café
will reopen on May 22, 2022.
Plan on joining us for coffee/tea and snacks and a wonderful time of fellowship after the 9 am worship service.
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Children's Activities This Week
at 10:30 AM
- Parents, children will check-in at the mobile cart
in the Education wing
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A Reminder . . .
The hallway for Classrooms A – E IS CLOSED to general traffic on Sunday mornings. Only children and their parent/guardian(s) will be permitted in this hallway. If you enter the church through the back door and do not need to check in children for Sunday School, please turn right down the hallway past Fellowship Hall and around to the Sanctuary. If you are checking in your child for Sunday School, please proceed to the mobile check-in cart outside Classroom A in the Education Wing.
St. John’s has an “absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and youth” and your assistance is greatly appreciated!
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Children's Sunday School
10:30 AM
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Life can sometimes feel like a giant puzzle. All we can see is the piece we’re experiencing right now, and we’re not sure where it fits into the greater picture that is forming. We can’t always understand why some things happen to us or those we love. Yet, despite our confusion, we can have HOPE. Join Mrs. Scarlett as we talk about how even in the toughest times, we can have hope because we know God is always working and can make something good out of something bad. |
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Youth Activities This Week
Youth Sunday School
at 10:30 AM
Confirmation Sunday
Youth Night 7:15 PM
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Youth Night
This Sunday, April 24th
7:15 to 8:30 PM
Game Night!
Bring a friend
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Confirmation Class
April 24th 10:30 AM
Confirmation Sunday
Family & friends, please join our Confirmands at a reception in Fellowship Hall following the 10:30 service.
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Did you find the Easter music uplifting? Inspiring? A glory to God? Now is the perfect time to join the choir. No auditions - all voice parts welcomed! |
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United Methodist Neighborhood Services
Ingathering 2022
NEW clothing & undergarments and personal care items for infant to toddler, teen to adult
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Final Sunday,
UMW will be collecting donations of NEW ITEMS
Some Suggested Items:
Underwear: Men, Women, Children, Infants
Pajamas, socks, clothing: Men, Women, Children, Infants
Diapers: (all sizes)
Adult Sanitary Underwear (all sizes)
Women's Sanitary Items
Personal Hygiene and Dental Supplies
School Supplies, Backpacks
Infant Blankets and Sleepers (all sizes)
Bath towels and Washcloths
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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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Spiritual Discipline Workshop
April 30th 10 AM to 3 PM
Registration 9:30 AM
Sign-up in the Narthex
Cost $15.00 includes materials, beverage & lunch
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What are Spiritual Disciplines and how can they be used to strengthen my faith? Join us and discover more about these life-changing practices. |
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The Upper Room
Devotionals
for
May/June
Will be available
in the Narthex,
beginning this
Sunday, April 24.
Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend.
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Six Mondays starting April 18th at 6:30 in the Parlor. There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Cost of the Study Guide is $9.00, payable the first session. Books will be available that night. Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell. Any questions, please call Carol
at 215-364-0942.
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A six-week Bible Study starting Monday, April 18th at 6:30 PM
The concept of Jesus' human and heavenly nature is difficult to wrap our minds around. He's the God who formed the universe and, at the same time, knows your personal struggles...because he went through the same things. For thirty-three years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. Weakness. Weariness. Sadness. Rejection. His feet got tired. His head ached. He was tempted and his strength was tested.
The purpose of this study is simple: by journeying through these six lessons you will get to know Jesus--and, therefore, God--like you never have before. And by learning more about the person Jesus was and is, we come to understand more clearly the people we were created to be.
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Anxious People is about a group of people held hostage after a bank robbery who get to know each other, and they end up helping each other and helping the bank robber to find her way out of the mess. It's quintessential Backman: quirky, heartwarming and uplifting.
We will meet on Wednesday, May 11, at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Grace Cafe. Please join us; all are welcome. Facilitators Barb Schneider and Carol Campbell
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Wednesday nights
at 7 PM in the parlor
Our next study starting April 27th at 7 PM will be a relatively short-term one on the writings of the
Apostle Peter.
Please join us for our informal discussions. All are welcome!
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Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
- 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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We have a new name & a new logo!
Our new name is part of a refreshment of our organization that includes a
new look, new feel and new and improved programs designed to better nurture current members and welcome new women into our sisterhood to join us in putting our love into action.
A copy of the announcement from Response magazine is posted on the
“United Women in Faith” bulletin board.
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Sign Up Now - Wednesday, May 4th
Spring Banquet
"Women Justices of the Supreme Court"
presented by Trish Chambers
Sign up on UWiF bulletin board or contact Louise Henry
215-357-9398 or email louiseh605@verizon.net
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United Methodist Men
Saturday, May 21st
St. John's has talent!
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Thank you to our April speaker,
Brian Jackson. Info on May's
breakfast program to follow.
Please join us at
The Sycamore Grill,
255 North Sycamore Street, Newtown
on Saturday, May 21st
at 10 a.m.
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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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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 UMC
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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