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Hello St. John’s Family,
Over the past few weeks, much of the world has been captivated by – wait for it – soccer. Or football, as it’s known by most of the world. Some of the world’s finest athletes have gathered in Qatar for the FIFA Men’s World Cup, a month-long tournament to see who wins the most prestigious association football tournament in the world. And, I must confess, I don’t get it!
Mind you, I am well-aware of the popularity of soccer around the world. I know the men and women who compete in this sport are exceptional athletes, and the level of conditioning and strength required to play soccer is very high. I know there’s an incredible amount of strategy in how the game is played. I know there are billions of passionate fans around the world. FIFA, the sport’s governing body, stated the “average in home live audience” for the last World Cup Final in 2018 was 516.6 million, with more that 3.5 billion people watching some portion of the game (a high estimate for viewing the Super Bowl around the world is 141 million). I know and respect all of this, yet after multiple attempts, soccer cannot seem to hold my interest.
Recently, as one of the World Cup games was being televised, this topic came up in our family conversation. And for once, I was not in the minority, as others in the house were struggling to “get into” soccer. One attempt offered to describe watching and listening to a soccer match was a low, constant, barely intelligible hum that is only – and suddenly – interrupted if a goal is scored:
Hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm GOOOAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!
So much waiting. So much eager anticipation of something that (sorry soccer fans) never seems to come. Yet the hope remains, as billions of fans somehow cling to the idea their longing will be satisfied, and a goal will arrive. When that goal finally does come, the joy is palpable!
The more I thought about that, the more I saw how this (admittedly jaded) description of a soccer match is a powerful metaphor for the waiting and longing of Advent. Day after day we wade through the constant hum of the difficulty and brokenness of this world. Day after day we face challenges and pain. We know the Light of Christ is present in the darkness, yet we long for Christ to come anew. We long for the hope and peace of Christ to reign; for Him to bring God’s healing and redemption to the injustice and pain that is so prevalent in our world. We hold on to that hope, even as we wait… and wait… and wait.
Friends, our Advent waiting will soon give way to the joyous celebration of incarnation: the birth of Christ, Emmanuel, God-with-us. We know Christ came and can fully trust Christ will come again, breaking into our lives anew with the light and love of God. So, as we wait, do not lose hope! Christ is coming, and we too will be overcome by the experience of joyous celebration.
This Sunday we’ll be led in worship by our Bell Choirs and Vocal Choirs as we celebrate Music Sunday. I hope you’ll join us in worship, as this will be a beautiful and powerful offering that reflects the hope we await as Advent waiting gives way to the glory of incarnation-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS | |
Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: | | |
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Come Worship with us this fourth Sunday of Advent/Music Sunday
9:00 AM and 10:30 AM
Worship
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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.
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FELLOWSHIP & COMMUNITY OUTREACH | |
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We were blessed to have 223 cars drive through and experience the wonder of the Christmas Story!!!
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
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Come share the joy of offering beautiful music to the Glory of God.
A Service of Christmas Music will be presented by the Choirs of St. John's Ivyland!
December 18th at the 9 AM and 10:30 AM Worship Services
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Blue Christmas Worship Service | |
Christmas Eve Worship Services | |
Christmas Worship Services | |
Cookies for Community Outreach on Christmas Eve | |
On December 24th, members of St. John's will distribute cookie bags to the First Responders at the Northampton Police Department, Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad, Northampton Fire Department, Hatboro Fire Department, and the Wawa, Sunoco, and Exxon businesses. We appreciate their service to our community and this is our way of letting them know! | |
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If you are able to make one or two dozen cookies for this event please contact Tammy Coapman at twcoapman@gmail.com for more information.
Here's what you need to know:
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Bake 2 Dozen cookies by Thursday, December 22nd
- Please wrap them individually, or put each cookie in a snack-size Ziploc bag
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Mark your cookies with the following label: Community Outreach Project
- By December 22nd - Place cookies in the church freezer at your convenience, OR put cookies on the counter in the kitchen
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We will be putting a note on the tag that says: MAY CONTAIN NUTS, so feel free to put nuts in your recipe
Thank you for your help with this community outreach mission!
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EASTWICK MISSION FOOD BANK
Donations DESPERATELY Needed of
Non-perishable foods
Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex;
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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.
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"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.
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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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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.
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The kids will be decorating gingerbread houses this Sunday in Sunday School! Join us at 10:30 AM!
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This month we will talk about the Christmas story and celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever known.
The kids are also encouraged to help us bring the Christmas story to life at our traditional worship services during Advent. Click here to sign up or contact Susan Seamans for more details.
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Please arrive early to check your children in at the mobile check-in kiosk located in the hallway outside Classroom A in the Education wing. | |
December Youth Group Schedule | |
Youth Group this Sunday
7:15PM - 8:30PM
St. Johns Youth Room
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Gingerbread Home Building and Christmas Party | | |
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Food, Games, Silliness
Dec 29th, 2022
3:00PM - 6PM
Youth Room
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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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Communion Stewards are needed to help with the preparation of the Communion elements and with the clean-up following the 10:30 am service. If you would like to help with this ministry of St. John's, please contact Pastor Ruth.
| Thank you to everyone who has participated! | |
Youth Group Opportunities for Service | | |
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There are many ways that our Youth can serve during the month of December. We need ushers, greeters, and scripture readers for combined worship on Christmas Day! | |
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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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BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS | | |
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The Upper Room Devotionals
for
January/February
Will be available
in the Narthex,
beginning
Sunday, December 25.
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Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend. | |
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Our 2022 Advent Devotional is available in the Narthex following both services.
Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one to share with a family member or friend as well.
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St. John's Book Club
We will discuss
"Stranger in the Lifeboat"
by Mitch Albom
What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be “the Lord”. And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him.
Everyone welcome. Please join us.
We will meet on Wednesday, January 11, at 10:00 AM in the Grace Cafe
Facilitators Barbara Schneider and
Carol Campbell
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THE ANGELS OF CHRISTMAS
ADVENT BIBLE STUDY
November 28 -December 20
Monday Evening 7 pm &
Tuesday Morning 10 am
The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God's Voice in Advent, a four-week Advent study by Susan Robb, explores the four angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. In this study, the reader will explore the visits and dive deep into the history of the angel Gabriel-and other angels-in the Old Testament. The Angels of Christmas uses these four angelic appearances to discuss God's presence in history and our lives today. The messages of the angels hold meaning for listeners both then and now.
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Disciple III Fast Track
We'll conclude the first half of our study of The Prophets on 14 December and begin our second half 12 week study of the Letters of Paul on 4 January 2023.
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 | | |
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We will begin again on January 24th, 2023
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Christmas Pageant
Christmas Eve
5:30 PM
Worship Service
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Creche Presenters
Would your child like to bring the Christmas story to life at our traditional worship services during Advent? Participants carry one of the manger figurines up to the altar to recreate the birth of Jesus as depicted in the gospels of Luke and Matthew. Any child age 4 - 12 may participate. Our youth are also encouraged to participate. Youth walk with a banner and place it on the altar. Please sign up here, or contact Susan Seamans if you have questions.
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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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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.
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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,
email Lou Lescas at stjohns820@gmail.com
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ST.JOHN'S LINKS & 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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For Cornerstone announcement requests check the Communication Timelines & Procedures page in our website HERE.
Thank you! :)
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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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