JANUARY 12, 2023

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PASTOR'S REFLECTION

Hello St. John’s Family,

 

I find it hard to fathom that we are now 2 weeks into the new year! The opportunities for celebration, relaxation and rest during the Christmas season are wonderful, yet we ultimately must resume our normal responsibilities and obligations. I hope you are now settling into meaningful and sustainable rhythms and routines of life as you resume your daily obligations.

 

The recent seasons of Advent and Christmas have signaled the beginning of our Christian year. For me, one of the most powerful aspects of the Christian year is how remembering and re-experiencing God’s works of salvation and love in history strengthen and form us to engage in the work God calls us to carry out today. This Sunday in worship, we recall a foundational aspect in Christ Jesus’ life: his baptism as recorded in Matthew 3:13-17. Before he engaged in any work of ministry, Christ was baptized and affirmed as God’s beloved Son. For us, this is a powerful and needed reminder of how our primary identity is founded in our relationship with God as God’s children.

 

Remembering our identity as children of God presents the perfect opportunity to affirm the calling to serve Christ faithfully that God extends on all our lives. During Sunday’s worship service, we will affirm and consecrate those in our St. John’s family who have responded to this call by serving us as leaders, teachers, and staff members for the upcoming year. Included with this week’s Cornerstone is a listing of our committees and leaders that were elected at Charge Conference; know they are available if you have specific questions regarding the work of our congregation. I encourage you to keep these leaders in prayer, that God may direct and strengthen them as they serve and lead St. John’s forward. Also keep our faithful teachers, assistants, and staff in prayer as they continue to do excellent work in very challenging times. And to all our leaders, teachers, and staff: thank you for all you do in service to Christ! I am so thankful for the engaged and dedicated people who serve God by serving as leaders and teachers here – you are a tremendous blessing.

 

Before I close, I want to share a prayer that I found a few years back and have been praying in my devotions this week. I hope you will join me in offering his prayer, with the intention of strengthening and supporting our leaders, teachers, staff, and pastors at St. John’s for carrying out the work Christ is calling us to in the upcoming year – and beyond.

 

O God, you are the fountain of all truth; we ask you to protect your Church from all false teaching.

Protect the Church

From all teaching and preaching which would destroy men’s faith;

From all that removes the old foundations without putting anything in their place;

From all that confuses the simple, that perplexes the seeker, that bewilders the

   way-faring man.

And yet at the same time protect the Church

From failure to face new truth;

From devotion to words and ideas which the passing of the years has rendered unintelligible;

From all intellectual cowardice and from all mental lethargy and sloth.

  O God, send to your Church teachers and leaders,

Whose minds are wise with wisdom,

Whose hearts are warm with love,

Whose lips are eloquent with truth.

Send to your Church teachers and leaders

Whose desire is to build and not to destroy;

Who are adventurous with the wise, and yet gentle with the simple,

Who strenuously exercise the intellect, and who yet remember that the heart has reasons of its own.


Give to your Church they know him themselves; and give to your Church hearers, who, being freed from prejudice, will follow truth as blind men long for light. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



From Prayers for the Christian Year by William Barclay


 Grace and Peace

 Pastor Brad

NOMINATIONS REPORT FOR 2023

WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures:

St. John's Policy Update

WORSHIP

Come Worship with us this Sunday,

January 15, 2023


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:

https://www.stjohnsivyland.com/videoarchive


Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.

FELLOWSHIP & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

EASTWICK MISSION FOOD BANK


Donations DESPERATELY Needed of

Non-perishable foods


 Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex;

Basically, they are out of food. If you have any questions, let me know at once. Thanks!


Also, this was sent on 2 emails- please note preference for future correspondence.

"Say YES!" to delivering food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank. 


Please contact Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com if you are available to help. 

 

Thank you for your support.

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.

Recyclable Plastic Bags

The Grace Cafe is Open!

Stop by between services for a freshly brewed cup of Warrior Coffee, a sweet treat, and fellowship with your St. John's family.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Pre-K - Grade 6

Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.



God is the author of knowledge. Everything we know to be true about the world is because of God. And while we may never know all there is to know ABOUT God, there are lots of ways we can get to KNOW God. This month the kids will learn why knowledge is so important.

YOUTH GROUP MINISTRIES

UWF/UMM

Men’s Breakfast, for the New Year!


January 21st at 9AM in Fellowship Hall


Start the New Year with Fellowship, a short business meeting, review of the New Camera’s and 2023 Agenda.


If you want to Cook, show up at 8AM. Fun Time !!! See you there.


- Jack Donovan

UPCOMING EVENTS

Hi Christian Church Neighbor,


Any interest in joining an inter-church Ping Pong league?


I'm a member of Advent Lutheran church in Richboro. Last year we started playing Ping Pong regularly at our church. The activity was a success, so we thought we would take the next step and extend an invitation to play other churches in our area.

League play will begin in February (when its cold and miserable and nothing else to do) and end in Spring. Each team has 4 to 8 players. A match between churches consists of 4 single games and 2 doubles games.


An activity like this is good for all our churches. It opens up communication between congregations so that we can better serve our communities as Christ wants us to do.


Please call if there is interest in starting a Ping Pong league.

Ray Heiss

215-530-1647

MUSIC MINISTRY


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.




Rehearsals will begin this coming Sunday, January 15

BELL CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED


We are in need of at least TWO members/ringers for our Celebration Ringers Bell Choir. The choir rehearses once or twice a month, and performs several times a year. They do NOT rehearse every week. At present, we have suspended rehearsals until positions can be filled. If you are interested, or know someone who would be interested in participating, please contact me. Reading music is a plus, but beginners are welcome.


Roy Nelson - 215-962-8928

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

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

BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS

Disciple III Fast Track


The Letters of Paul Disciple III Fast Track Bible Study will begin on 21 January and continue for 12 weeks.


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

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

Order Study Guides


Tuesday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 11:00 AM


January 31, 2023


Join us for our Zoom Class which will study Rediscovering Jonah: - We will use the book about Jonah written by Tim Keller to explore the message of Jonah and his reluctance to respond to God’s Request. Note it is not necessary to purchase the book to participate as we will be using the Book of Jonah as a primary resource.


Discussion Topic: Running from God

Discussion Sources: Jonah

PRAYERS & PRAISE

Prayer List


Prayer requests can be submitted

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

prayer.stjumc@gmail.com

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.



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


GIVING

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,

email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com

ST.JOHN'S LINKS & INFORMATION

St. John's Staff

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!

View St John's Budget 2022

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

Devotionals
Announcements/WeeklyNewsletter
Worship Videos
St. John's Bell Choir Videos
Click here to share your favorite St. John's photos with us!
Flowering Cross Photos

CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266

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



Thank you to everyone who has followed us on Instagram! If you haven't yet, please do so! 


@stjohnsivyland



www.instagram.com/stjohnsivyland

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