Hello St. John’s Family,
A few years back, I joined an App-based program called Pulse. Pulse is a health and wellbeing platform that’s offered through my health insurance coverage and is designed to promote increased activity and healthier lifestyles for participants. Apparently, clergy in general are not a very healthy group… we need some prodding to get moving. Being that my physical fitness has, well, slipped in recent years (and that is being kind), I decided to join and try to re-prioritize a healthy lifestyle.
The results: so-so. Along the way, though, points have been accumulating. After not looking at my account in some time, I recently noticed how I had accumulated a significant number of points and could cash them in for some nice rewards. One such reward was an Apple watch. So, I cashed in, and recently received my brand-new Apple watch for only the cost of shipping. I must say I was feeling very proud of myself for “working” hard to earn this reward!
In the first few weeks with my new watch, I noticed a significant increase in my physical activity. Throughout the day it would periodically ding or buzz, reminding me to stand, or move around, or provide an update on the number of calories I had burned so far relative to my daily goal. This was helpful, as it guided me to remember my desire to prioritize my fitness goals.
The past couple weeks, though, have been quite hectic. Congregational responsibilities, family responsibilities, and unanticipated requests have prevented me from getting the exercise I desire. These have been important responsibilities that needed to be addressed. My new watch, though, couldn’t recognize that. More than once this week, my watch buzzed and said: “You’ve closed 0 rings (goals) today. Keep trying hard.” What I read was “You’re an underachieving, lazy slug… get off your butt!” This, of course, was not helpful, yet that’s exactly how it felt. The device that was designed to assist me in becoming healthier and lowering anxiety was instead increasing it. Have you been there?
As I looked down at the watch that was chastising me, I was reminded of how devices, material possessions, and personal goals are good things. They can aid and assist us; they can bring us benefits and enjoyment. Yet they cannot sustain us. A healthy relationship with Christ, strengthened through the Holy Spirit, is what sustains. Through our relationship with Christ, healthy relationships with our family, our St. John’s family, and dear friends strengthen and uplift us. We are uplifted and freed from the burdens; freed from the anxiety and (often) guilt that the best intentions – or the best devices – can unwittingly place on us. That is true freedom: a gift of God’s grace.
If you’ve been feeling burdened, I hope you’ll join us for worship this Sunday, as we explore the gifts (or to use the Apostle Paul’s word – “fruit”) that God’s Spirit cultivates in us as we live in the freedom that Christ has granted us. I hope to see you then-
Grace and peace,
Pastor Brad
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WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS |
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Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: |
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Come Worship with us this Sunday,
June 26, 2022
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
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or on our homepage:
www.stjohnsivyland.com
Past worship service videos can also be found:
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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This Saturday, June 25th at 2:00 PM
Admission $10
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This Sunday, June 26, 2022 we will welcome new members to our St. John's family. If you would like to become a member, please contact
the church office at 215-357-6998.
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Just two more Sundays to donate
Collection boxes are located in the narthex
We are partnering with the Family Service Association of Bucks County to collect school supplies needed to support local children. If you don’t have time to shop, we will gladly take cash or check donations made out to St. John’s United Methodist Church (memo: school supplies). Thank you so much for your support! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to
Amy Scarlett @ drandmrsscarlett@yahoo.com
or Lily Scarlett @ lilygscarlett@gmail.com
Supply List:
*TI-84 plus calculators
*Backpacks
Marble composition books
Spiral Notebooks
Pencil cases
2-pocket plastic folders
Binders (All sizes)
Lined paper
Zippered pencil case
Highlighters
Red pens
Black sharpies
Boxes of assorted colored pencils
Boxes of crayons
Washable Markers
Scissors
Packs of Post-It notes 3x3 (not accordion style)
Packs of white 3x5 index cards
Black Expo markers
Expo marker erasers
Glue Sticks
Earbuds and headphones
- These items are especially needed. (You may also make a cash donation or partner with another friend or family to purchase these items.)
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: WARRIOR COFFE - NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER!
Fighting for What’s Right - One Cup at a Time
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Sign Up Now to Donate or Volunteer to Help |
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On April 8, 2022, we partnered with the American Red Cross to help save lives. The blood drive had 40 open blood donation slots, with a goal of collecting 25 units of blood from 25 donors, and we CRUSHED it! We had 39 donors and collected 39 pints of blood! The 39 pints of blood helped as many as 120 people in need. Thank you to everyone who donated and volunteered their time to help at the drive!
On July 8, 2022, we will again roll up our sleeves and help save lives, partnering with the American Red Cross to hold our second blood drive. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. We are excited to be able to do this once again, and we hope you are too.
There are many ways you can help, but most importantly we hope you come out to donate. For more information on how to schedule an appointment to donate blood, click the link below.
Let’s show our community and the patients in need of blood just how much we can do! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Susan about joining the team.
The Red Cross has over 135 years of experience providing humanitarian aid including more than 75 years of supplying blood to those in need. It’s not every day that we have an opportunity to do something that has such a lifesaving impact! We look forward to seeing you at the blood drive.
Thank you for making a difference in lives!
Susan Seamans
215-357-6998 Ext. 305
“not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:4
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St. John's Chicken BBQ
Saturday,
September 17, 2022
food, fun, fireworks
(ok, no fireworks unless the grill flares up)
More info to follow
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Kids Church and Sunday School will be back in September with more great times and interesting Bible stories. Enjoy summer worship with your family. |
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Youth Activities Calendar
Youth Sunday School and regular Sunday night Youth Group will resume in the fall. Check back regularly for summer happenings including Community Campfire nights, which start July 6th
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Community Campfires in July and August
Starting July 6th
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All ages Community Campfires
Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring your family members. Bring a chair
and a soft drink!
Hot dogs and marshmallows provided.
7:30 - 9 PM
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We are so thankful for the wonderfully gifted people who are part of our Music Ministry here at St. John's. Please let our directors, musicians, singers and ringers know how much you appreciate their dedication to praising God through music.
And you can experience the joy of Music Sunday again and again on our website. Click "Home" tab and scroll down to "Worship Channel"
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Donations Needed of
Non-perishable foods
Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank.
Thank you for your support.
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BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS |
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The Upper Room
Devotionals
for
July/August
Will be available
in the Narthex,
beginning this
Sunday, June 26.
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Be sure to pick up one for yourself and one for a friend. |
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St. John's Book Club
Date changed to Wednesday, July 6th
10 AM and 7 PM
This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous, physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story - one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them - The Island of Sea Women introduces listeners to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.
Facilitators: Carol Campbell and
Barbara Schneider
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Starting in the Fall of 2022
Think you know all about the Old Testament prophets? And why should you care anyway?
You may be surprised!
Our next study on Wednesdays evenings will be Disciple III FastTrack. This is a 24-week comprehensive study with manageable daily scripture readings. The first half focuses on Old Testament prophets; the second half on the Letters of Paul.
Ken Lee, facilitator
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Disciple III FastTrack study guide on The Prophets available at Cokesbury or Christianbook.com or other online providers. |
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To view the video shown on UWF Sunday, please click
the link.
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Jeff D'Ardenne entered eternal life
on Thursday, June 16, 2022.
Jeff's Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at noon
on Friday, June 24 here at St. John's, with visitation preceding
from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Paul Cell entered eternal life
on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Paul's Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held here at St. John's on Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 at 11 AM. Friends may visit the family between 9:30 and 11 AM preceding the service.
Betty Kulju entered eternal life
earlier this week.
Betty's daughter wanted the St. John's Ivyland congregation to know. A private interment service will be held Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Oakland Cemetery in Philadelphia.
Please keep all of these families in prayer.
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Prayer requests can be submitted
Prayer requests are reviewed
Monday-Friday AM.
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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 stjumc@aol.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,
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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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CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 |
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St. John's Ivyland UMC
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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