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Hello St. John’s Family,

  One of the most meaningful aspects of serving as a Pastor is the opportunity to see how the grace and goodness of Christ impacts and transforms lives. We as the Church – the living Body of Christ in the world – play a central role in extending the love of Christ to others. As we do that, the impact is powerful! Recently, a moving and uplifting example of this was shared with me, and I wanted to share that with you.

 On Sunday, November 20^th, elementary school-age children at St. John’s were presented with Bibles during our 10:30 worship service. During the Children’s Sermon, the children present talked about what the Bible is and how its message reveals God’s love to all people. As the children were presented their Bibles, they were encouraged to use them – to read, and then talk about the stories in their Bible.

 I soon heard how that message was taken to heart! The next day Liam, one of those children, went to school and participated in an activity where he was to draw a picture that depicted something he did over the weekend. In a detailed drawing, Liam showed how he received a Bible at his Church, which was presented to him as a gift from the congregation. Liam was clearly impacted by this gift – so much so, that his teacher recorded a short video of him talking about this experience. I was moved as Liam’s Mom showed me this video; his excitement, and sincere, growing faith left a powerful impact. In full disclosure, I must note how there was some “artistic liberty” taken in Liam’s description, as he stated that “Pastor Brad, the president of our church, gave him his Bible!” Minor details aside, it is very clear that Liam has been greatly impacted by the gift of a Bible from his Church – a gift that is possible through your ongoing commitment and faithfulness in supporting the work of St. John’s Ivyland through your prayers, presence, and giving.

 Recently, our stewardship letter and commitment card were mailed to our members. Your faithfulness enables us to provide not only Bibles, but also excellent Christian education opportunities in a beautiful facility for all ages, meaningful opportunities to praise God in worship, in-person and online, and support for mission and outreach to our community and world. I ask you to prayerfully consider what God is leading you to commit to God’s work here at St. John’s, and then make that commitment on Sunday, December 11.

 I also hope you’ll plan to join us in worship this Sunday, as we continue our Advent exploration of readings from the prophet Isaiah. This week we’ll see how, even in the middle of difficulty, and struggle, God gives us images of the redemption, restoration, and goodness that God will bring forth in Christ’s reign. Check out Isaiah 11:1-10, and come out to worship with us on Sunday-

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brad

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

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.

Communion Offering will go to Bucks County Meals on Wheels

Join us this Sunday December 04, 2022

at 6:00 PM

for our 23rd Annual Festival of Carols

St. John's Gift to the Community

4th Annual Drive-thru Living Nativity

Join us Sunday, December 11, 2022

5 PM - 8 PM

MUSIC SUNDAY

Blue Sunday

Christmas Eve Worship Services

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!

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:

• Bake 2 Dozen cookies by Thursday, December 22nd
• Please wrap them individually, or put each cookie in a snack-size Ziploc bag
• 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
• 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

We hope you’re enjoying our Journey Kids Newsletter!

To view the recent issue of the Journey Kids Newsletter, click herel

 If you would like to sign up to receive our weekly Journey Kids Newsletter email Susan Seamans.

What an AWESOME God we serve! Thank you St. John’s Ivyland Youth and all who supported them during a successful inaugural Harvest Bag Drive and praise a God who has blessed us to be able to bless others. We delivered 12 bags and 6 boxes of non-perishable food and hygienic supplies to Eastwick Mission Food Bank in time for everything to go out to families they support for Thanksgiving! I am both humbled and proud of what we have been able to do in Jesus’ holy name! Thanks again, sisters and brothers - may God continue to share Harvest blessings with you in this Season of Gratitude!

In Gratitude,

~jt

        --

John-Thomas Crockett (he/him/his)

Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Sunday School Resumes 

Our Teen Sunday School resumes at

10:30 am on Sunday, December 4th

with Part 2 of our “Calling” series - “God is calling…us to good Spiritual Habits.” All young people in middle school and above are invited to attend and explore with us!

Grades 7 - 12

Sunday 7:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

NO YOUTH GROUP THIS WEEK!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT THE FESTIVAL OF CAROLS ON SUNDAY EVENING AT 6 P.M.

With so many other wonderful things happening at St. John's during December, it has been difficult to gather with our youth for fun and fellowship. We will be adding some fellowship activity for our youth in the coming weeks. Please watch for updates!

The Adult Choir will sing on Sunday, December 4, at the 10:30 a.m. service! 

Rehearsals this Sunday!

Joyful Voices Choir and Christmas Pageant Rehearsal - after the 10:30 a.m. service! 

There are no Sunday evening rehearsals this week! Hope to see you at the 23rd Annual Festival of Carols!!

New members are always welcome!

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

This past Sunday we were blessed to be able to receive Holy Communion around the altar rail just as we did pre-COVID.

We hope to continue this but we are in need of Communion Stewards 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.

YES, VIRGINIA THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS . . .

Only this Christmas, his name is not Saint Nick but Saint John's. Once again the Lord has presented us with the opportunity to share his love and abundant blessings with others. We had such success last year with our virtual Angel Tree that we are planning to use the same system again.

Click below to sign up.

(Nov - Dec 2022)

• Worship
• Ushers/ Hospitality Ministry
• Scripture readers for combined worship Christmas Day
• Food collection on Music Festival Sunday
• Living Nativity
• Participants
• Set-up crew
• Clean-up crew
• Angel Tree Ministry 
• Organizers
• Toy collectors

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

Our 2022 Advent Devotional is available beginning

Sunday, November 27

 Devotionals will be available in the Narthex after both services.

Be sure to get one for yourself and one to share with a family member or friend as well.

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. 

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

Tuesday Morning Zoom Bible Study at 11:00 AM

Join us for our Zoom Class which will study the

"The Major Themes Continuation"

To join contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net to obtain the pass codes for the Zoom session.

CLICK HERE for Fall Schedule.

Christmas Pageant

Help us continue the tradition!

We are very excited to announce that this year we are doing

"A Shepherd's Story"

an easy-to-sing Christmas musical for children created by Pam Andrews.

Sign up for a part in the the play or volunteer to help rehearse parts and imagine costumes. We need at least 3 volunteers. Youth are encourage to to participate with our children. Beginning Sunday, November 13, children will rehearse every Sunday immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service in the choir room.  There will be 2 dress rehearsals - December 10 and 17 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.  All cast members and volunteers must attend all rehearsals.  Thank you!

Time to dust off your Christmas Spirit and sign-up for the Living Nativity!

Sign-ups sheets are available on Sunday, November 13 in the Narthex.

This year's Living Nativity is on December 11, from 5-8pm

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. 

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

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

For Cornerstone announcement requests check the Communication Timelines & Procedures page in our website HERE.

Thank you! :) 

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