Hello St. John’s Family,

 One week ago, the world received news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. While I have no personal ties to the UK – and am by no means a royal follower – I felt a sense of loss at this news. In the 70 years Elizabeth served as monarch, the world went through monumental shifts and changes, including to her role as monarch. Commentary and analysis of her legacy yield a varied picture; some feel she was an exemplary leader, while others suggest she could have done more to stop the negative impacts of the British Empire, especially early in her reign. What stands out for me, though, is the integrity with which Elizabeth approached her responsibilities. She saw herself as a servant of the people; every act and effort went toward upholding and honoring that responsibility with the utmost respect and integrity. This attitude of dedicated service is rare, and I strongly sense that grounding is what enabled her to walk with her people through so much turmoil and change.  

 Yesterday, I saw a very brief clip of Queen Elizabeth’s coffin being carried into Westminster Hall while Psalm 139 was sung. This fascinated me, as Psalm 139 famously speaks to God’s presence with us every moment of our existence. Before we are born, God knows us. Throughout our life, whatever we experience, God is with us. God knows us as we are accompanied to the way everlasting (Ps. 139:24). The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, preached on this psalm at Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday; I don’t think it was an accident that it was included at her death. The God who has “searched me and known me” (Ps. 139:1) accompanied and strengthened Elizabeth always; that same God accompanies each one of us always. Hold on to that, whatever you may be facing today.

 I hope you’ll join us in worship this Sunday, as we’ll explore a biblical queen facing turmoil and a dire situation. After receiving some sound guidance to reassure her, we’ll see Queen Esther respond to that dire situation in hope and faith. Check out chapters 3 and 4 of Esther prior to Sunday, and then join us in worship as we seek to follow her example and Say Yes in Hope and Faith. Then immediately following worship, you’ll have the opportunity to say yes in hope and faith by serving Christ at St. John’s. Many opportunities exist; I encourage you to prayerfully consider what God may be nudging you towards, explore the opportunities on Sunday… and say yes! 

        Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

Come Worship with us this Sunday,

September 18, 2022

Contemporary Praise Service

at 9:00 AM

Traditional Service

at 10:30 AM

THIS SUNDAY,

September 18th

is

Yes Day at St. John's

 - an opportunity to step forward in faith and make a commitment to serve God in ministry and mission. Join us to learn of exciting possibilities to enrich your life and the lives of others!

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.

St John's UMC Ivyland

World-Famous Chicken Barbeque!

THIS Saturday, September 17th 11 AM to 4 PM

We hope to see you all there!

EAT DESSERT FIRST!

A tempting array of baked goods and desserts will be available for purchase at the Chicken BBQ on Saturday. Proceeds will benefit UWF mission projects, locally and globally.

Kids Church and Sunday School is BACK with more great times and interesting Bible stories. Parents, please use the mobile check-in kiosk in the Education Wing before dropping your children off for Sunday School.

Youth Activities Calendar

Youth Sunday School is BACK!

Don't forget, 10:30 AM in the Youth room!

Music at St. John's

Our Music Ministry will be resuming rehearsals in the next several weeks.  We have opportunities for all ages in our Vocal and Handbell Choirs.  Please look at the schedule for starting dates and times.  If you have any questions, please contact:

• Director of Music Ministries, Roy Nelson
• 215-962-8928
• roynel@aol.com

JOYFUL VOICES CHOIR

The Joyful Voices Choir is for children in grades K-5.  The Choir meets every Sunday following the 10:30 Worship Service.  Rehearsals usually run about 45 minutes.  The Joyful Voices sing twice a month at the 10:30 service.  Singing Sundays are the FIRST and THIRD Sundays of the month.

The Joyful Voices will resume rehearsals on Sunday, September 11 following the Worship Service.  We hope that parents will encourage their children to participate in the choir.

YOUTH CHOIR (singing)

The Youth Choir is for children / youth in grades 6-12.  The Choir meets every Sunday at 6:15 and the rehearsal lasts one hour.  The Youth Choir sings twice a month at the 10:30 Worship Service.  Singing Sundays are the SECOND and FOURTH Sundays of the month.  Occasionally the choir will sing at the 9:00 Contemporary Worship.  New members are welcome.  Previous participation in a choir is not a requirement.  The Youth Choir will resume rehearsals on Sunday, September 11 at 6:15.

ADULT CHOIR (singing)

Our Adult Choir presents music every week at the 10;30 Worship Service.  The Adult Choir rehearses every Thursday night at 8:00.  Rehearsals usually last until 9:30.  Our first rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 8th.  New members who have had some singing experience are always welcome to join us for rehearsal. Please contact Roy Nelson for additional information.

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP PRAISE BAND

The Praise Band sings each week at the 9:00 Worship Service.  Singers and instrumentalists (guitar / percussion) are invited to join us.  Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at 7:00.  Our next Praise Band rehearsal will be on Tuesday, September 13.  Adults and youth are invited to participate.

HOLY HANDBELLS (Handbell Choir)

We are hoping to re-start our Holy Handbell Choir.  This Handbell Choir is for children grades 3-6.  Rehearsals will be announced pending participation interest.  

GENesis Bells  (Handbell Choir)

The GENesis Bells is a Handbell choir that includes both Youth and Adults.  GENesis Bells rehearse on Sunday nights at 5:15 (before Youth Choir).  The choir plays each month on the SECOND Sunday.  There are several "vacancies" in our choir, due to members graduating.  No previous experience with Handbells is necessary.  Basic music knowledge is a plus for membership, but not required.  Youth grades 6 - 12 are invited to participate.  The first GENesis Bell rehearsal will be September 18 at 5:15.

CELEBRATION RINGERS (Handbell Choir)

The Celebration Ringers rehearse once or twice a month, usually on Monday night.  Previous Handbell experience is not necessary to join the choir.  We have several spots open in the Celebration Ringers (Bass Bells and Middle Bells).  Basic music knowledge is a plus for membership, but not required.  Celebration Ringers play several times a year at "special events" and at some Sunday Worship Services.   The first Celebration Ringers rehearsl will be Monday, September 19 at 7:00.  Please contact Roy Nelson for additional information.

RING OF FAITH (Handbell Choir)

The Ring of Faith Handbell Choir meets on Thursday night at 6:45.  Our first rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 8th.  The choir plays each month on the FOURTH  Sunday.  Presently, there are no opening in Ring of Faith, but experienced "subs" are needed.  Please let Roy know if you are interested.

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

St. John’s Caring Ministries Team will meet on Tuesday, September 20 at 7 pm in the Grace Cafe.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this important ministry of St. John’s, please join us for this meeting.

CONTRIBUTE A DEVOTION!!

Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. This should be a time for families to come together in prayer and devotion.

This has been another really difficult year for all of us. 

We look forward to a more normal Advent/Christmas season this year.

So, please consider writing a devotion for our Advent Devotional. As always we will have paper copies of the devotional available and, in addition we will be posting each day’s devotion online

If you are interested in contributing a devotion, please contact

Pastor Ruth.

Tuesday Morning Zoom Bible Study

Starting Tuesday, September 20th

at 10:30 A

For more than three years many of us have been meeting on Zoom to learn and discuss Christian topics. The topics are all short term, allowing you to pick and choose areas of interest for you. The topics include Bible themes, sermons of great interest, topical Christian issues, and an occasional guest speaker. CLICK HERE for Fall Schedule. If you are interested in joining us contact Paul Henry (phenry605@verizon.net) for the pass codes to enter Zoom.

Red Bird Mission would like to include sports balls in the Christmas boxes for kids in the Beverly, KY area. The Communion offering on Sunday, October 2nd will go to Red Bird. Monetary donations will also be accepted on two Sundays in September, the 18th and 25th, and added to the Communion Offering amount. The Naomi Circle will have a table in the Narthex area those two Sundays in September to talk to you about this project and to accept any additional donations.

Please contact Carol Campbell 215-431-7452 or Linda Barr 215-773-9865 with any questions.

Thank you in advance for your generosity! 

Please plan to contribute a baked item for the bake sale at the St John's chicken barbecue on

Saturday, September 17.  

Each item should be individually wrapped. If you bring them unwrapped we will be happy to wrap it for you.

Items can be placed in the kitchen on Friday clearly marked for the Bake Sale. 

For questions contact Kathy Keppol 

215-920-5862

United Methodist Men

Final planning meeting for the Chicken BBQ was held at our August Breakfast meeting, A big Thank You goes out to all who attended and especially to those who helped in the kitchen

Chicken BBQ Sept 17th, volunteer now!

Next meeting is on October 15th, 2022- breakfast meeting.

Agenda: Chicken BBQ Recap

and a Guest Speaker.

George and Joan Schok are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

Congratulations and God bless!

Prayer requests can be submitted

online (click here).or through the church email at

office.stjumc@gmail.com. 

Prayer requests are reviewed

Monday-Friday AM.



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.