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Hello St. John’s Family,
What does it mean to be a good neighbor? In all honesty, that’s not a question I often give much thought to. Though I frequently hear commercials advertise how trustworthy companies care for their customers like good neighbors, I don’t typically pause to reflect on exactly what a good neighbor is. Hearing the term “good neighbor” brings the late Fred Rogers to mind, as many of my early childhood afternoons included a visit to Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Concepts like kindness, compassion, respect, and helpfulness are what I remember from those shows. Yet one act that I’m certain is not neighborly is greeting someone with gunfire.
In separate incidents just this past week, two young people were shot for mistakenly finding themselves at a wrong address. Both incidents involved no verbal communication prior to the shootings, and one strongly implies racial bias. Similar circumstances resulted in the shooting of two other teens, after one had attempted to open a locked car door moments earlier that she mistakenly thought was hers. As updates on these tragedies dominate our news cycle, I find myself struggling to process what could possibly motivate such aggressive responses with such little information. Why has a civic responsibility to be a good neighbor morphed into “Get off my lawn” – not just by young people, but across all ages of our society? As I’ve thought about this, I can only come up with one answer: fear.
Only fear can rationalize the idea that someone not known is an immediate threat, is suspect, and cannot be trusted. Only fear can yield a response of “shoot first, ask questions later.” Only fear can lead to the conclusion that proactive force is the only pathway that will provide safety and security. Yet this fear only seems to prove the words Christ shared in the middle of his arrest at Gethsemane: “for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Jesus revealed a much different way.
As we are only days after Easter’s glorious resurrection, these recent examples of our society’s strong tendency toward fear-driven responses of violence have powerfully reinforced the impact of Christ’s acts of sacrificial love that originated from his unshakeable faith in God. Witnessing these acts transformed the lives of those who followed him, such that they heeded his teaching to go and do likewise. The apostle John, believed to be the author of 3 short letters to fledgling churches at the end of the New Testament, clearly understood how love is to shape the actions and responses of Christ followers, reminding those early followers how there is no fear in love, as perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). John saw how a deep, sacrificial love of Christ will lead us to a faith in God that is stronger than any fear we encounter.
I sense that level of faith and love formed the foundation of Jesus’ teaching on what it means to be a good neighbor. In one of his most famous parables, Jesus’ unexpected illustration of a “good” Samarian powerfully revealed a response driven by compassion and love, not fear (Luke 10:25-37). I pray that we may be strengthened to take this teaching to heart, such that steadfast faith in the resurrected Christ may enable God’s love to transform any and every fear in our hearts… revealing Christ’s very different way to a world that desperately needs a change in direction.
I hope you’ll join us in worship this Sunday as we gather in worship and praise to our resurrected Lord. We’ll be blessed to celebrate 3 baptisms at our 10:30 worship service! Please pray for the children who will be receiving this sacrament and for their families. During worship we’ll explore 1 Peter 1:3-9, seeing how nothing can diminish our new birth into the inheritance revealed through Christ’s resurrection. This living hope will more than sustain us in any trial we face. I look forward to worshipping together Sunday morning!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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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!
Third Sunday of Easter/Resurrection
April 23, 2023
Contemporary Praise Service
at 9:00 AM
Traditional Service
at 10:30 AM
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The Grace Cafe is Open!
Stop by between Services for a fresh cup of coffee, tea, a sweet treat and fellowship with your St. John’s family!
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THIS WEEK FROM ST. JOHN'S IVYLAND | |
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The Upper Room Devotionals
for
May/June
Will be available
in the Narthex beginning
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend!
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Be a part of a vibrant, growing ministry at St. John's UMC Ivyland as Director of Children's Ministries. Introduce and guide children from toddlers through 6th graders to the love of God through relationship with Jesus Christ. Provide programming leadership and direction to Sunday School teachers, coordinate the annual one-week Vacation Bible School, and work with families and their children to establish solid foundations to Christian life. | |
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This part-time, 20 to 25 hours/week staff position requires all background clearances and Safe Sanctuary Training be completed prior to employment. A heart for Jesus, a love of children, and effective communication and delegation skills are essential. A bachelor's degree or background in education and/or ministry is strongly desired.
Please send application or resume to Staff-Parish Relations Committee, St. John's United Methodist Church, 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland PA 18974 or email to office.stjumc@gmail.com
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UPCOMING MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES | |
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Great news! Roy Nelson, St John’s music director will be conducting the first spring concert of the tri-county band of Feasterville since 2019 at the Poquessing Middle School, 300 Heights Lane, Feasterville, PA. on Friday April 28th at 7:30 PM free concert.
Roy’s musical talent has been the cornerstone to strengthen the faith of our congregation for countless Years. It is magical! It would be right and good to support Roy and his music direction for a collection of compositions like "Les Miserables", "Spring Fever", and "Marches" Henry Fillmore, John Phillip Sousa and more!
For more information, go to Website www.tricountyband.org. This information was posted in the health section of the Northampton news. So see you there. It will be good for your health
This is from St John’s number one tone deaf Irishman who sings in the key of x.
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Spring Pot-Luck Luncheon
The Fellowship Committee will once again hold a Pot-Luck Luncheon on:
Sunday April 30th
to celebrate our congregation's faith and fellowship with some good conversation, food, warm weather and fun.
There will be a member of the Fellowship Committee in the Narthex with a sign up sheet for the next 4 Sundays. Please note that a dish is not required for attendance. Please bring your family and friends.
There will be one service that Sunday followed by the Luncheon.
Our September Get Back in the Swing Brunch was attended by over 70 people and a good time was had by all. Let's break that record!
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The women of St. John's are invited to the Spring Banquet in the fellowship hall on
Wednesday, May 3rd at 6:30.
Alisa Dupuy will give a first-person portrayal of "Elizabeth II". Alisa focuses on bringing her characters to life, allowing participants to feel "they really got to know the woman behind the portrait."
The sign-up sheet is on the United Women In Faith bulletin board or you may RSVP to Louise Henry at 212-357-9398.
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St. John’s UMC
Friday, May 5th, 2023
2:00-7:00 PM
Please consider donating a blood!
Ask your friends and family!
Be a LIFESAVER
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
| Please contact Joanne Lescas, if you have any questions. | |
redcrossblood.org | 1-800-RED CROSS | 1-800-733-2767 | Download the Blood Donor App
Ⓒ The American National Red Cross | 161501
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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.
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VBS 2023
Stellar
Launch! into an out-of-this-world adventure that will leave an impression that will last a lifetime!
Vacation Bible School is an amazing week for our entire St. John’s family. It is an opportunity to develop old and new friendships and to grow in Christ together.
Registration Now! For children age 4 (as of September 1, 2023) through 5th grade.
July 17 – 21, 2023
9 a.m. – noon
We are limiting the number of participants this year.
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WAYS TO SERVE AT ST. JOHN'S IVYLAND | |
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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.
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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
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MINISTRY & FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES | |
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month
10 AM in the Parlor.
The 500th prayer shawl was given out on March 7, 2023! This ministry began in 2009.
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.
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We did it with an outstanding April Men's Breakfast with blue berry pan cakes and "Bart's Eggs". The Holy Spirit abounded with fellowship and camaraderie. We opened with a prayer from Pastor Paul Henry. No Speaker, but Pastor Brad gave us an update on the come back nature of St. John's United Methodist Church. Lot of good thing's going on here at the church. Closed with a prayer from Pastor Brad! A great thing happened. The "Guy's" hung around to share in conversation and fellowship and clean up! My thought. I do not care how many men come to breakfast, my concern is a Lot of "Guy's are missing out on these Men's Breakfasts!
Now, an Announcement!
For the Summer, we are going to take a pause on Men's Breakfast. (No Breakfast May, June, and July ). There will be small group activity's to support St. John's physical plant where needed. Clean out attic, etc. There will be planning for the Chicken BBQ September 16th with an update at the August 19th Men's Breakfast. A Special Tanks for all the "Guy's" in the kitchen where all the action take place.
Hey guys, have a great summer!
- Jack Donovan, Church Member
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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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Tuesday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 11:00 AM
April 25th, 2023
Topic: Continuation of
"The Journeys, Travels and Writings of the Apostle Paul"
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Book Club
We will meet on
Wednesday, May 3, at 10:00 AM
in the Grace Cafe.
All are welcome!
"Sisters of the Resistance"
by: Christine Wells
Two sisters join the French Revolution in Paris in this page turning novel.
Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
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Disciple III Fast Track
The Letters of Paul Disciple III Fast Track Bible Study is on-going and will continue through the spring. It's not too late to join because each session is a stand-alone reading and lesson from Paul's Letters.
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
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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 | |
CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION | | |
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
215-357-6998/office.stjumc@gmail.com
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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