Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE
Join us for worship
Calendar
Prayer List
Snow Policy
Daylight Saving Time - Sunday
Pastor's Reflection
Scout Sunday
St. John's Kids
Youth Group
Diaper Drive
Book Club
Music
GriefShare
Chicken BBQ
Red Bird Trailers Update
Eastwick Food Bank
UMM Breakfast
Women's Communion Breakfast
Ingathering Collections
   
JOIN US FOR
WORSHIP  
  
Worship Services:
8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Traditional
  9:15 a.m.
Praise  and Worship
   
THIS SUNDAY  
March 1, 2020
Holy Communion 
 
"Facing Up to Temptation"
Pastor Janice
Matthew 4:1-11   

215-357-6998
 
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM -2:00 PM   
 
   
NURSERY
Available at both  
9:15 and 10:30. 
We welcome all children birth through 4 years old.  The nursery is equipped with a calling system and will alert you in worship if your child needs you.
 
For more information about our Children or Youth Ministries, please contact Director,
David Bigam, dbigam@gmail.com   
THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

Thursday, March 5
6:45pm
  Ring of Faith
 
7:30pm
  NA
 
7:30pm
  Al-Anon
 
8:00pm
  Adult Choir
 
Sunday, March 8
9:00am
  Adult Sunday School
 
10:30am
  Children & Youth Sunday School
 
10:30am  
Scout Sunday  
 
11:30am
Joyful Voices  
 
5:30pm
  Youth Choir
 
Monday, March 9
6:30pm
  GriefShare
 
6:45pm
  Simon Peter Bible Study
 
Tuesday, March 10
10:00am
  Prayer Shawl Ministry
 
10:00am
The History of the Christian  
Church, Part III
 
5:45pm
  GENesis Bells
 
6:00pm
Divorce Care  
 
6:30pm
  Girl Scout Troop 2395 Meeting
 
7:00pm
  Naomi Circle
 
7:00pm
  Praise Band
 
7:30pm
  The History of the Christian Church, Part III
 
7:30pm
  AA
 
Wednesday, March 11
10:00am
  Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name
 
10:00am
  Rebekah Circle
 
1:00pm
  Joanna Circle
 
6:30pm
Youth Group  
 
7:00pm
  Gospel of Matthew
 
Thursday, March 12
6:45pm
  Ring of Faith
 
7:30pm
  NA
 
7:30pm
  Al-Anon
 
8:00pm
  Adult Choir


If your contact information changes: 
address, phone, email, etc.
please notify the church office at 215-357-6998 or stjumc@aol.com.
You may also indicate any changes on
the sign-in sheet during worship and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.
Thank you!
PRAYERS

 

PRAYER LIST

Please click to view

 

All "Ongoing Prayer Concerns"  
will be listed for 
2 weeks.  
Please submit a new prayer request card if you desire to renew the listing for 2 additional weeks.
THANK YOU

I want to thank everyone for their prayers, cards and condolences the past two years for my daughter, Cordie Janzen.  She passed away on February 3, 2020 from cancer. 
Carol Messina and Family
 
St. John's Snow Policy
 
In case of a major snowstorm or other severe weather that would require cancellation of one or more Sunday services, we will attempt to notify everyone by:
-  A special e-news sent out
-  A message on the church answering machine and website. 
 
If possible, a decision regarding cancellation will be made the night before.  Please also be aware that, in the event of a power outage, it is impossible to utilize internet or phone services.

Lenten Devotionals
are available in the Narthex!
Lenten offerings can be placed in the designated basket in the Narthex. 
GIVING
MOBILE GIVING
  • Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
  • Click on the donate now button and register.
Once you've registered, you can either make donations by debit or credit.  
OR try  
TEXT GIVING 
 All you have to do is 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!

It's quick and secure.
The same vendor that handles electronic giving for us, Vanco Services, has state of the art encryption, so you can rest easy that your transaction is 100% safe and confidenti
al. 
 
If you have any questions about mobile or text giving,
email Lou Lescas at  stjohns820@gmail.com

DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Looking for a little inspiration during the week?  
Try an online devotional.    
(has many devotionals to choose from)
(Devotional for Women)
(Devotional for Men) 
   
Prayer Shawl Ministry
 
New members of the ministry group are always welcome; lessons and guidance can be provided for beginners and those with rusty skills.


The group meets mon thly on the second Tuesday to knit or crochet together and to pray over the completed items. For more information, contact Carol Rice at 215-357-1203.

 
Pictured are the latest group of hats which went to World Vision (4 child size) and The Baby Bureau in Warminste r (14 baby size)  
   
 
The Grace Cafe is open Sunday mornings for fellowship and refreshments. 
Thank you for
"Fighting for What's Right  
One Cup at a Time."
 
(Click for more information)
Log in to smile.amazon.com each time you shop and help make
St. John's smile!
UMC LINKS umc logo
 
  
  
March 6, 2020

  Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8th.
Please remember to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour.
PASTOR'S REFLECTION
            I was fascinated by my trip to Costco today. At first, I thought the greeter was making sure everyone had a dry shopping cart (it was raining and for some reason, all the carts were outside in the rain). But when I told her my cart was okay (I found one of the dry ones), she told me she wasn't drying carts but she was disinfecting them as each person walked into the store.
 
            A few weeks ago, I would have thought, "well isn't that ODD?" But today I simply thought, "what a good idea! Thank you!"
           
            On the one hand, I'm concerned that that fear of Coronavirus has practically reached the point of hysteria. It's still highly unlikely that any of us would contract it as we go through our daily routines. And yet, there is hardly a facemask left for purchase in the entire country (even Amazon is out of them except for a small box that is selling for $129.99!). On the other hand, over 10,000 people in the U.S. alone have died from influenza this year and disinfecting shopping carts is one small thing that can be done to combat those numbers (and to protect from other illnesses, maybe even Coronavirus).
 
            Amidst all this concern, we will not be passing the peace in worship this Sunday. I hope , however, that you will take the time to greet your fellow worshippers verbally before and after worship! There is also hand sanitizer available for your use if desired - it is located on the Welcome table outside of the sanctuary as well as in the restrooms.
 
            Of course, we all have some work to do now. As always, we should be diligent about washing our hands and staying away from people when we are sick and coughing. We can even add some "extras" such as sanitizing the handles of our shopping carts. But as Christians, we want to remember to pray each day for the very young, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions for whom a viral infection such as the flu or Coronavirus could be especially dangerous. And we want to offer prayers for those working diligently to help contain the spread of this new virus and, hopefully, to eliminate it entirely. What we know is that God always listens and responds to the prayers of His people. So let's get busy!
                                      Pastor Janice
Due to concerns about flu and coronavirus,  
we will not be passing the peace during worship.   
Please take the time to greet one another verbally before and after worship.  As always, hand sanitizer is on the Welcome Table for your use, if you desire.   
A special e-news related to additional precautions  
will be sent this afternoon.  
Scout Recognition Sunday  
Sunday, March 8th at the 10:30 Service 
All Scouts Welcome! 
ST. JOHN'S KIDS
 
St. John's Kids News
Sunday School This Sunday
All children and youth please go directly to classrooms for Sunday school   10:30 AM only
 

Leaders and Co-Leaders are always needed for our classrooms as well as Nursery.  If you feel called to help in these areas, please let me know!  Clearances are required!  
Please contact me anytime and we can talk.  
Thank you for your consideration...David Bigam  
dbigam@gmail.com or cell 215-206-6779;  
Church 215-357-6998  
 
We need a volunteer for our 9:15 Nursery.  
Please consider 1 week a month. 
_____________________________________

Vacation Bible School 2020
July 20-24, 2020
"Rocky Railway"
Hey kids, we're headed to the great Rocky Mountains this year! Join us as we hop the train to discover what plans  
God has in store for us! 
 _____________________________
Attention:  
  Do you like to work hands on with decorating sets for stage and hallways? Are you a visionary?   
Do you like to use your brain?
If you are any, none or all the above, we would love for you to join our Decorating Committee.  Share your ideas and your time in helping us to make this year's Vacation Bible School another memorable time for our kids and neighbors who attend every year!   
 
We are planning a decorating meeting soon and would like to add your name on our list!!   
Those interested, please contact David Bigam.
Cell - 215-206-6779  Church - 215-357-6998 dbigam@gmail.com
YOUTH GROUP
 
Fellowship and fun for youth grades 6 thru 12.

YOUTH GROUP
Wednesday Nights!
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Join us for light snacks, a devo and fun.
___________________________________________
 
MORRISVILLE FOOD BANK MONDAY
Monday, March 9th
Please contact David Bigam.
Do Not Miss This Opportunity! 
Come and experience great Fellowship
on the 2nd Monday of every month! 
Morrisville is open to EVERYONE interested in going to help make 220 grocery bags full of food. 
Families are always welcome! 
Following this event we always head to Chick-fil-a for Milkshakes!!!!
________________________________________________

And as always
Bring a Friend and Bring a Can!

Have you HELPED anyone today?
Have you SAID SOMETHING NICE to anyone today?

David Bigam, Director of Children and Youth Ministries
dbigam@gmail.com

Our diaper drive will be ending soon.
Please consider bringing in diapers of any size and drop off at any of our 4 locations throughout the church. 
We are collecting all the way up to and including our
Movie/Mission Night, March 13, 6:00 PM
Don't forget to sign up on the table in between the youth room and Room E and designate if you want pizza!

BOOK CLUB
 
St. John's Book Club

The Library of Lost and Found
by:  Phaedra Patrick

We will meet on Tuesday, April 7th, at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Parlor.   
All are welcome.   
 
Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell.
MUSIC
VOCAL & HANDBELL CHOIRS for ALL
St. John's Vocal Choirs provide opportunities for EVERYONE to be involved in music. From young children through adults, we have a place for you in our music program. Beginning musicians and experienced singers are welcome in our Vocal Choirs.
 
For more information on our Vocal and Handbell Choirs, please contact:  
Roy Nelson, Director
215-962-8928
roynel@aol.com  
Music at St. John's
OUTREACH

  
 
GriefShare 13 week Sessions  
Mondays from 6:30-8:30  
 
2020 GriefShare Schedule:
  • January 6-April 20, 2020 ( no class on January 27. Class WILL meet on Presidents' Day, February 17th): 13 Week Session
  • May 4-August 3, 2020 (no class Memorial Day):      13 Week Session
You may register online at griefshare.org
There is a $15 fee for materials.  For further information, contact Ruth Portzline or Chaplain Erin Maurer or go to griefshare.org.

SAVE THE DATE!

SATURDAY, MAY 16TH 11 AM - 7 PM
St. John's Ivyland
36th Annual Chicken BBQ

Think Spring - Think Fellowship - Think Fun

If you want to be part of all this fun, keep an eye out for the Sign-Up sheets for Volunteering that will be coming out soon.

Questions?  Please feel free to call, text or email:
David Bigam - 215-206-6779 Cell; 215-357-6998 Church or Email at dbigam@gmail.com
MISSIONS
The Red Bird Trailers
are CLOSED for the winter.  
RED BIRD TRAILER MISSION UPDATE
 
Many of us were saddened by the passing of our friend and fellow member Dick Paulus; and those of us, actively involved with the RedBird Trailer Mission, certainly miss him and all that he did to make the mission successful. In Dick's memory and spirit, we hope to continue the mission and keep it vibrant. At present, we have two full trailers of furniture, housewares, bedding, toys, etc. which we are looking to ship soon to the Red Bird mission in Beverly, Kentucky. Further, we hope to reopen the trailers for material donations tentatively on April 15th, and we graciously accept financial support at any time.

I've been blessed to have been selected as one of the new leaders of the mission, and I look forward to working with the members of St Johns UMC as we continue the mission's activities. In that regard, please feel free to contact me at (215) 779-9464 (cell) or jr1snarr@verizon.net with your thoughts and ideas in support of the mission.

                                   Thank you,  Bob Snarr 


DONATIONS NEEDED 
Donations of non-perishable food for the Eastwick Food Pantry are needed now and throughout the year. Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex and fellowship hall lobby. 
 
Also, please contact  
 Lou Lescas,
 if you are available to help deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank  
 
Thank you for your support.


RONALD McDONALD HOUSE TABS COLLECTION
Naomi Circle is collecting tabs from beverage cans for Ronald McDonald House.  You will find a container under the sign hanging on the UMW bulletin board. Please place them in a plastic bag and put it in the container. This is an ongoing collection, so keep bringing them in as you collect them.   Thank you.  
UMM/UMW
United Methodist Men's Breakfast
Saturday, March 21st
8 AM
Fellowship Hall

All Men Welcome!

Sign-up in the Narthex or email edcampbell at edcampbell6@aol.com
WOMEN'S COMMUNION BREAKFAST
"First Century Christian Love Supper"
with Rev. Paul Henry
Saturday, March 28th
9:30 AM
 
All Women of St. John's Invited!
Feel free to bring friends, neighbors and relatives.
Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex  

UNITED  METHODIST WOMEN INGATHERING COLLECTIONS
                                                    
Sock It To Me Sundays
March 15th through April 12th 
Please support the UMW as we collect new items of basic clothing for less fortunate men, women and children. Items needed: men, women and children's underwear, socks, infant sleepers, children's pajamas, diapers, nonperishable baby formula, adult disposable underwear for men and women. Please place your items in the laundry basket below the UMW Bulletin Board.
Thank you