Then Jesus said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23
“Has your diet changed?” an 87-year-old woman was asked as she was being admitted into the hospital. “Yes,” she said, “For Lent, I gave up whipped cream on my Jell-O, hard candy and my two beers every night.” She then paused and said, “And look where it’s gotten me!”
As humans who like things comfortable, we really don’t like to sacrifice. We don’t want to deny ourselves even the smallest thing. And we certainly don’t like pain. We want convenience and an easy life. We deserve that, right? We are worth it, right? We read the words of Jesus in the verse above and we think…Deny yourself? Pick up your cross? No Thanks! We’d rather stay just as we are.
What did you give up for Lent this year? Over the years, I have given up coffee, chocolate and other things that give me pleasure. I have been tempted to give up Brussel sprouts and spinach (since I don’t like them) but I realized that giving up something I don’t really like would defeat the purpose.
So, maybe we should ask ourselves the question, “What exactly is the purpose of giving up something for Lent?” When I give up something that I really enjoy, do I constantly focus on how much I want that cup of coffee or that chocolate covered cherry or do I focus on the reason why I am making the sacrifice. When we give something up for Lent with the right motivation, we gain something much better – a closer relationship with Jesus.
So, I would like to suggest that this year you might want to consider giving up whatever is keeping you from that closer relationship with Jesus. Maybe there is someone you need to forgive, or someone you are harboring resentment toward. Maybe you need to work on controlling your temper or maybe you need to work on thinking before you speak.
Now, I know that these suggestions are not the kind of things we would want to “brag about” when the discussion comes up about what we have given up for Lent. But, remember – we aren’t sacrificing in order to seem more holy to our friends. We are doing this in order to draw closer to Christ. So, this Lent, remove whatever is keeping you from Jesus.
May God bless you during this Holy Season of Lent!
Pastor Ruth
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Sunday, February 21, 2021
In-person Worship!
Two services offered.
9:00 am in the Sanctuary
and 10:30 am in Fellowship Hall.
Reservations Required
A recording of the service will be available on our website upon completion.
We've been blessed by a steady increase in attendance at our worship services! If you are planning to attend, it is critical to register each week, via Sign Up Genius or by calling the church office.
This enables our ushers to promptly seat you while maintaining safe distancing necessitated by Covid.
Thank you for your sacrifice, patience and compliance with these interim procedures, as we all eagerly await the day when we can fill God's sanctuary again!
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The Sign-Up Reservation for next Sunday
will be emailed and posted to the website by Noon, Monday.
Please update the SignUp Genius or contact the church office if there's a need to cancel/update your reservation so another may have the opportunity to attend.
Thank you!
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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 website - www.stjohnsivyland.com
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.
NOTE: NO BELL CHOIR REHEARSAL TONIGHT, THURSDAY, 2/18.
Stay safe!
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For those interested in receiving Bucks County's latest vaccine information, please click on the link below: |
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Our Daily Lenten Devotionals
“Walk Humbly”
are now available in the
Narthex, outside of Fellowship Hall and
in a container on the front porch of the church.
Be sure to pick up your copy and
one for a friend as well.
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LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
Thursdays beginning February 18
8 weeks
10 AM and 7 PM
This brand new study for the Season of Lent 2021, Character Matters, flows from the language of Proverbs 6:16-19. Study participants will journey through the “seven things the Lord hates,” moving participants toward confession of the sinful practice/tendency... and challenging disciples toward a personal and corporate character which is far more holy!
Beginning the week of Ash Wednesday, this study in seven sessions addresses the “seven things the Lord hates.” Session eight of the curriculum is a post-Easter word of encouragement from Bishop Peggy Johnson.
Each Thursday in Lent, two sessions will be offered via Zoom: 10AM and 7PM.
Please contact the office and indicate which session you'd like to participate in, and a Zoom link will be forwarded to you.
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All Sunday School classes will continue on Zoom this Sunday. Note that Pre-K to Grade 6 will have a video component and will also include follow-up materials that guide parents in talking about the concepts throughout the week. Hope to see you on Zoom! Links to Zoom meetings will be emailed separately. For more information, please contact Susan Seamans, Director of Children's Ministry: childrensministry.stjumc@gmail.com
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Young Children (Pre-K to Grade 2)
What's In the Bible?
Sundays at 11 am on Zoom
Join Buck Denver and a group of hilarious friends as they journey through the Bible and discover what it means for us. Amy Scarlett will lead us for the opening weeks as we discover What's In the Bible!
Lesson length: 20-25 minutes.
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Older Elementary Children (Grades 3-6)
Orange 252 Kids
Sundays @ 11am on Zoom
Join us as we talk about encouraging others and cheering them on. Every day you can show others they are valuable by how you treat them. Yes! You can be a kindness “super fan!”
Lesson length: 25-35 minutes
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Youth Study - Orange High School XP 3:
Sundays @ 11:30 am on Zoom
Whether it’s the kid being bullied at school, the children in other countries without enough to eat, or someone in their neighborhood being judged by the color of their skin, chances are our youth have all seen or experienced injustice in the world. And it’s probably caused them to stop and think, “Someone should do something about that!” Join us as we try to answer questions like "why is this happening," "what should I do," and "where is God?" at the same time discovering how much Jesus cares about injustice and how we can see something, say something, and do something in response.
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Thinking About God
Paul Henry will be continuing his Zoom Class “Thinking About God” on Tuesday, January 19, at 10:30 am. If you are interested in joining these discussions please contact Paul at 215-962-6719 or phenry605@verizon.net so that he can get you set up on Zoom.
This presentation and discussion format is designed with a number of topical areas so that you can participate as topics interest you or you can be a part of the Zoom course through April.
On Tuesday, February 16, the Tuesday Zoom class Thinking about God will be joined by Walter Edmonds. He will be leading a presentation and discussion on the “Hymns of Charles Wesley”. Walt is a retired pastor and musician living in Monrovia, MD. He is a graduate of Lycoming College, Yale Divinity School and Temple University. He is an accomplished organist and choral director who has served in both musical and pastoral positions throughout his career. He is strongly committed to hymnody and liturgy and was responsible for the Constitutional Hall celebration of the Methodist Hymnal in November 1989. Walt will be leading the Zoom discussion on the hymns of Charles Wesley. If you are interested in joining this session, please contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net.
February 23 - No Zoom Class
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The Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is often considered the greatest Spiritual writing of who Jesus is as it reveals His mission to bring salvation to all of God's children by His life, ministry, death and resurrection. Beginning Wednesday, February 3, Ken Lee will be offering a weekly Bible study of John's Gospel utilizing Jesus in the Gospels curriculum. The group will meet each Wednesday at 7pm in the Parlor. By studying this Gospel in Fellowship, the group aims to develop and grow our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
If you are interested in participating, please contact the church office and indicate if you need a Study Manual. The cost of the Study Manual is $32; St. John's will provide assistance as needed to ensure the cost isn't prohibitive.
This is an excellent opportunity to grow in and strengthen your faith - hope to see you in February!
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SOUPER SUNDAYS
What a year! We've managed to press on through the Covid Virus, political tensions, loss of life, loss of jobs and of course the loss of incomes. Our congregation can help with one of these tragedies by bringing non-perishable food items to church and placing them in the barrel located at the front entrance. The United Methodist Women will be collecting food on all four Sundays in February.
Our donations this year will be going to the Jesus Focus Ministry located in Southampton. Following Jesus' example of feeding the many, we can do our small part to help feed families in need.
The United Methodist Women wish to thank our congregation for their continued support with all of our mission projects as well as the support, strength and love you give to communities far and wide.
Thank you,
The United Methodist Women
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UNITED METHODIST MEN'S RECOVERY BREAKFAST!!!!
At the same place:
Sycamore Grill, Newtown, Pa.
February 20th at 10 AM
Business meeting : Stripped Down BBQ Idea……..
Vaccine Info………New Business
Come, be a Guest of the UMM Recovery III Breakfast.
Fellowship over a Great Breakfast in the Light of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lots of Laughter too.
Masks and Safe Distancing - in practice. We have the Whole Dining Room.
RSPV is helpful.
Thank you
Jack Donovan
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Prayer requests can be submitted
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.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Hand made prayer shawls (or lap robes for men) are again available for those experiencing serious illness, bereavement, or other major life issue. Each comes in a sealed plastic bag. Recipients need not be members of St. John's. Requests can be made via the comments section of the prayer request form on the church website, by calling or emailing the church office, or by calling Carol Rice at 215-357-1203. Requesters will be notified of contactless pickup arrangements at the main entrance of church building.
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The Red Bird Mission are CLOSED for the winter.
Thanks to everyone who has donated to this program, helping the people in Red Bird Kentucky. They are grateful for all items that have been sent. The Red bird committee would also like to thank all the volunteers who gave their time packing trailers.
Your effort’s have been greatly appreciated.
Red Bird Committee
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DONATIONS NEEDED
Donations of non-perishable food for the Eastwick Food Pantry are needed throughout the year. Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex and fellowship hall lobby.
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank. Please contact Lou Lescas, stjohns820@gmail.com if you are available to help.
Thank you for your support.
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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.
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 confidential.
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,
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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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Gmail account users:
In addition to your inbox,
please check your "Promotions" file for any St. John's emails.
Bulk emails may appear there. Simply by moving the message from Promotions to your primary inbox or by adding
St. John's as a contact should allow our messages to go directly to your inbox.
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HELP NEEDED
Two significant needs and great opportunities to serve at St. John's!
A small team of dedicated audio-visual ministry volunteers enable us to offer meaningful online worship each week. We're in need of additional help, as there's very little flexibility within the team in the event someone needs to be away. While some aspects of this ministry requires technical expertise, other aspects are very straight-forward. If you have the ability to advance PowerPoint slides, you can help us offer online worship!
Similarly, ushers are needed for in-person worship to greet worshippers, direct them to their seats, and assist with questions. This is a simple yet meaningful opportunity to serve God by serving our St. John's family.
Please consider serving God by assisting with one of these this crucial ministries. Those interested in serving can contact the office at stjumc@aol.com or (215) 357-6998. Thank you for your faithful support of all we do in service to Christ at St. John's!
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CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 |
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St. John's Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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