Hello St. John’s Family,
Just before 5pm on Tuesday afternoon I walked over to the parsonage from my office. Upon walking in the door and checking on the dogs, Jen and I conferred on who would and who would not be present for dinner, and who was going where afterwards. Almost instinctually, I checked email on my phone (which I had checked less than 10 minutes prior); I then flipped to a news site to scan the headlines. At that moment, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas was etched into my memory.
Staggered, I needed to sit down. I suspect many of you experienced similar reactions. In a split second, a new name was added to a lengthy list that should never exist: the places where innocent lives were slaughtered as they simply attempted to live their life. Places like a supermarket in Buffalo; a movie theater in Aurora; a music festival in Las Vegas; a municipal building in Virginia Beach; Synagogues and Churches in Pittsburgh, Charleston, Sutherland Springs, and North Wales PA; schools from Newtown, CT to Parkland, FL to Columbine, Co… and now Uvalde, TX. That’s a very brief summary of an incredibly extensive list. After all, there have already been 27 school shootings in 2022, and 119 since 2018.
As I compiled that summary, I recalled how shocked I was in April, 1999, as Columbine unfolded. Only 3 years removed from college, I could not comprehend how a shooting rampage could occur at a school. Reflection shows me how my children, born in 2002 and 2005, have never known a time when school shootings weren’t a reality. The Fallout Shelter signs and air raid drills of my childhood were theoretical; the active shooter drills that today’s children and youth rehearse are in direct response to a threat that becomes reality on a regular basis. Our hearts cry out at how wrong this is. How can this carnage reflect God’s reign here? Lord, have mercy.
In this heartbreaking moment, there will be many calls and many cries; many perspectives on what is truly needed to address the sin of gun violence that plagues our nation. I urge all to stop. We must stop, pause, and grieve. The Apostle Paul’s call to bear one another’s burdens isn’t optional. We must pause, look at the pictures of each of God’s Beloved whose life has been taken. We must pause, sit down, and take in the grief on the faces of the siblings, parents and grandparents; the classmates and colleagues; the extended family and friends who have lost so much. We must pause and gather with our children and spouses, and family and friends, to bear the pain and grieve the brokenness before us, and then seek God’s healing and peace. On a long weekend when we set aside a day to remember the cost of freedom, this is a cost we all must bear if we truly want to see change that enables our children and neighbors to be free from this plague. We must pause, take in the grief and pain, seek God’s healing and direction, and respond exactly as the Holy Spirit leads.
May we all have the courage and strength to do that. Lord, hear our prayers.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Brad
|
|
WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS |
|
Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: |
|
Come Worship with us this Sunday,
May 29, 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:
Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.
|
|
Fellowship & Community Outreach |
|
Now through July 1st
Collection boxes are located in the narthex
We are partnering with the Family Service Association of Bucks County to collect school supplies needed to support local children. If you don’t have time to shop, we will gladly take cash or check donations made out to St. John’s United Methodist Church (memo: school supplies). Thank you so much for your support! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to
Amy Scarlett @ drandmrsscarlett@yahoo.com
or Lily Scarlett @ lilygscarlett@gmail.com
Supply List:
*TI-84 plus calculators
*Backpacks
Marble composition books
Spiral Notebooks
Pencil cases
2-pocket plastic folders
Binders (All sizes)
Lined paper
Zippered pencil case
Highlighters
Red pens
Black sharpies
Boxes of assorted colored pencils
Boxes of crayons
Washable Markers
Scissors
Packs of Post-It notes 3x3 (not accordion style)
Packs of white 3x5 index cards
Black Expo markers
Expo marker erasers
Glue Sticks
Earbuds and headphones
- These items are especially needed. (You may also make a cash donation or partner with another friend or family to purchase these items.)
|
|
We are pleased to announce that
the Grace Café is open!
We are looking for volunteers to help with the coffee. We need folks to help start the coffee at 8:30 - great for people attending the 9:00 service. We also need people to help clean up any time after the 10:30 starts. Please contact Sharon Byle (smbyle@gmail.com/610-888-1329).
Plan on joining us for coffee/tea and snacks and a wonderful time of fellowship after the 9 am worship service.
|
|
WARRIOR COFFE - NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER!
The ship is pulling in to port! Order your coffee by May 30th and your freshly roasted favorite will be ready within a week. Specify number of bags, regular or decaf, and whole bean or ground. Pay when you receive the order.
Fighting for What’s Right - One Cup at a Time
|
|
Mark your calendars for two big events! |
|
|
|
St. John's/American Red Cross Blood Drive
Friday, July 8th, 2022
More info to follow on donor sign-ups and volunteer opportunities
|
|
St. John's Chicken BBQ
Saturday,
September 17, 2022
food, fun, fireworks
(ok, no fireworks unless the grill flares up)
More info to follow
|
|
|
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
|
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!
|
|
Children's Sunday School
10:30 AM
|
|
God is strong and faithful, always working in our lives. We might get knocked down from time to time, but when we put our trust in God, we find the strength we need to get back up again. Jesus showed us how to face life with resilience. No matter what happened, Jesus relied on God to help Him accomplish the mission set before Him. This month, we will learn that because of Jesus, we can trust God no matter what. We can bounce back from whatever knocks us down and complete the mission God has for us. |
|
|
|
Youth Activities Calendar
Youth Sunday School
at 10:30 AM
Youth Night 6:15 to 8:30 PM
Graduate Recognition Sunday
June 5th, 2022
Youth Night on June 5th
Ice Cream Sundae Night!
|
|
Register your graduate here to be included in our celebration of their success! |
|
Graduate Recognition Sunday
June 5th, 2022
Register by May 30th
|
|
10:30 AM in the Youth Room |
|
Youth Sunday School
Grades 7 - 12
Sometimes it takes a song to express what we don't know how to say, or to remind us of what we have forgotten. Join us as we are reminded of the great love. importance and forgiveness we now have because of the great work Jesus finished long ago.
|
|
Youth Night This Sunday
May 29th
7:15 to 8:30 PM
Game
Win, Lose or Draw!
Check back for Community Campfire Info and
Small Group Meet-ups
|
|
|
Music Sunday is June 12, 2022 at 9 and 10:30 worship services.
Vocal choirs, bell choirs, musicians will all join together to praise God in music. Make a joyful noise!
|
|
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.
|
|
BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS |
|
|
|
This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous, physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story - one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them - The Island of Sea Women introduces listeners to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.
We will meet on Wednesday, June 1, at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Grace Cafe. Please join us; all are welcome. Facilitators Barb Schneider and Carol Campbell
|
|
Starting in the Fall of 2022
Think you know all about the Old Testament prophets? And why should you care anyway?
You may be surprised!
Our next study on Wednesdays evenings will be Disciple III FastTrack. This is a 24-week comprehensive study with manageable daily scripture readings. The first half focuses on Old Testament prophets; the second half on the Letters of Paul.
Ken Lee, facilitator
|
|
Disciple III FastTrack study guide on The Prophets available at Cokesbury or Christianbook.com or other online providers. |
|
|
|
To view the video shown on UWF Sunday, please click
the link.
|
|
Thank you to Mike Byle, our May speaker, who shared his railroad and engineering experiences.
UMM will meet again in the fall but stay tuned for Chicken BBQ announcements.
Have a blessed summer!
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Happy Anniversary Blessings!
Jim & Denise (Dyson) Kauffeld
25th Wedding Anniversary on May 24th
|
|
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month
10 AM in the Parlor.
Pictured are four baby blankets and several baby hats destined for The Baby Bureau in Warminster, plus larger children’s hats for World Vision’s Knit for Kids program. Last month, children’s hats were donated to the Ukrainian Education and Cultural Center, Jenkintown, for dispatch to Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
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.
|
|
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,
|
|
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!
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 |
|
St. John's Ivyland UMC
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
