Hello St. John’s Family,
As the autumn season presses on, slowly yet surely the rhythms of life together here at St. John’s are returning to a more familiar cadence. In-person gatherings are much more frequent. Musical rehearsals dot our weekly schedule, and the amazing music of our Praise Band, Choirs and Bell Choirs is offered to Christ in our worship services. Christian education for children and youth take place each week, both Youth Group and Confirmation are in full swing, and adult Bible studies are meeting throughout the week. These are all good things! I’m incredibly thankful for God’s continued guidance and provision in an incredibly uncertain time.
Another hallmark of the fall season is spending some focused time reflecting on where we are and looking ahead to where God is leading us forward. One significant pathway for this reflection and planning is the annual Charge Conference meeting, where our District Superintendent joins the Leadership Board in reviewing the ministry of the past year and looking forward to the year ahead. This meeting will take place on Monday, November 1 at 6:45pm; I ask you to keep this important meeting in prayer as it approaches.
Since I arrived at St. John’s, one of the most consistent messages I have received is the desire and need to be in meaningful ministry with young people and young families. The past 18 months have reinforced the fact that our culture and world have changed. The demands and obligations we all face week in and week out present significant challenges; this is most pronounced for young families. To form meaningful relationships – the foundation of ministry – we need to understand and appreciate the difficulties our young people and parents face on a daily basis.
To help us better understand the challenges and work to cultivate meaningful opportunities for relationships together, we have recently started a 9-month, intensive training and coaching program. This program, called Growing Young in a Changing World, is facilitated by Fuller Youth Institute (part of Fuller Theological Seminary) and will guide us in developing meaningful, vibrant, relational ministry across all generations in our congregation. Today, I and a small group of staff and volunteer leaders will be participating in the first training summit of this program. I am eager and excited to see where God will lead us moving forward!
As we begin this critical endeavor, I have two important requests. First, please keep our children, youth, parents, and leaders in prayer. Pray for strength and guidance in a constantly shifting and incredibly challenging world. Pray for clear direction for our leaders, such that meaningful relationships will lead to vibrant ministry and mission. And pray for help: consistent, engaged volunteer assistance that will be a caring, positive presence in the lives of our young people.
Second, I ask you to please be ready to respond. As we see where God is seeking to lead us forward, be ready to join in and serve. In doing that, I am confident vibrant ministry across generations will continue to be a hallmark of life at St. John’s – regardless of any challenge this world throws our way.
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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NEW SAFETY PROCEDURE FOR KIDS SUNDAY SCHOOL CHECK-IN
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The hallway for Classrooms A – E will be closed to general traffic on Sunday mornings. Only children and their parent/guardian(s) will be permitted in this hallway. If you enter the church through the back door and do not need to check in children for Sunday School, please turn right down the hallway past Fellowship Hall and around to the Sanctuary. If you are checking in your child for Sunday School, please proceed to the mobile check-in cart outside Classroom A.
St. John’s has an “absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and youth” and your assistance is greatly appreciated!
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Worship this Sunday,
October 24, 2021
2 in-person services offered in the Sanctuary
Contemporary Worship
at 9 AM
and
Traditional Service
at 10:30 AM
The 10:30 AM 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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On Sunday, October 17th, we welcomed five new members into our St. John's family. Please be sure to extend a warm St. John's welcome to each of our new family members.
Emily & David Batezel
Rebecca John
Neil Taras
Tanner Witter
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Please contact the church office
215-357-6998 or
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Ushers & Greeters Needed
to offer members and visitors a warm welcome to God's House
Thank you for your faithful support of all we do in service to Christ here at St. John's.
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Children's Sunday School
10:30 am
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Parents, please bring your children
age 4 thru 6th grade to the mobile check-in
set up in the Education wing.
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Children's Message at 10:30 AM Worship Service
Beginning November 7th, the children will join their families in the Sanctuary for the Children's Message every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Children age 4 through Grade 6 will check in at the mobile check-in cart that will be located in the Narthex. Please remember to arrive early to check your child in. After the Children's Message, a Sunday School volunteer will take the children to their classroom for a Bible story and activities. At the end of the service, parents can check their children out from their classroom.
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sunday mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
We will talk about and discover who we're meant to be
and live out the individuality
God gave us.
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This Sunday,
October 24th
Grades 7 - 12
Sunday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
BYOC (bring your own chair)
and Bible!
October - Focus on Change
Change brings so many emotions which makes us ask all kinds of questions. Am I strong enough to face this? Is it even worth it to go through this? Can I handle this alone? Should I handle this alone? Our Youth will be challenged this month to rethink how they view change, and we'll explore how God's commitment to us doesn't change, even if everything else does.
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Meeting outside in the parking lot
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Youth Nights
Grades 7 - 12
Sunday 7:15 - 8:30 PM
Our Youth get together every Sunday to hang out, play games, and talk about everything from theology to current events.
Join us this Sunday at 7:15 PM in the Youth Room!
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Confirmation Experience
Second of six
Confirmation Workshops
Sunday,
October 24th
from 11:30am – 2:00pm
- Attend 6 Sunday workshops on various Sundays from 11:30am to 2:00pm. (make-up dates available)
- Student participation in worship as outlined in syllabus
- Retreat with Pastor Brad and Sarah Floyd
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The Youth Choir and the Celebration Ringers will be presenting music at the 10:30 AM service this Sunday. Support our Music Ministry with your presence and help us glorify God through music.
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LIVING NATIVITY WORK SESSION
It’s that time again!!! Time to get ready for our Living Nativity. A work session is scheduled for this Sunday, October 24 after both services to do some painting on the Nativity buildings.
After the early service, you can help Rebecca get everything out of the garage. After the second service, everyone will be served lunch around 11:30-11:45 and then we will begin painting. (You should probably come to the service in your work clothes or bring then to change into.)
The work shouldn't take more than 3 hours or so. (That obviously depends on how many workers come.) No special skills needed - just a willingness to work. We believe that this will be the only work session we will need until the day we set up.
Please let me know ONE WAY OR THE OTHER if you will be attending
so I can plan our lunch.
We all love the night of the Nativity, but it takes some work to make sure it is successful. Thank you for your willingness to serve.
Pastor Ruth
215-357-6998
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UMW Naomi Circle is still collecting aluminum tab tops for Ronald McDonald House. The collection container is located beneath the UMW bulletin board just off the Narthex. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.
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The Red Bird Mission trailers will be closing for this year at 5 pm October 31st
(no TVs or books please).
Thank you to our congregation and friends for your support.
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WARRIOR COFFEE
AT ST. JOHN’S WE ARE
FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S RIGHT -
ONE CUP AT A TIME
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ORDER NOW!
If you wish to order coffee, please contact me (text or voice) at 215-962-6719 or via email at phenry605@verizon.net.
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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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A Faith-based approach to Money Management
The CAP Money Course was devised by the award-
winning charity, Christians Against Poverty, in
2008, with over 10,000 people benefitting from it
each year. No obligations, no hidden fees.
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We are excited to offer a four-week Advent Study based on the book "Faithful, Christmas through the Eyes of Joseph" by Adam Hamilton. This study will begin November 10th and continue each Wednesday evening through December 8th (no class on November 24th).
Please contact the church office at 215-357-6998 or stjumc@aol.com to register and order your personal copy of the book.
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The Upper Room
Devotionals
for
November/December
will be available
in the Narthex beginning
Sunday, October 24, 2021
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Be sure to pick one up for yourself and for a friend! |
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The Zoom Class continues to meet online Tuesday mornings from 10:30-11:45 am to learn about and discuss various topics related to our Christian faith.
“What’s Up with Revelation” – a five week understanding of the Book of Revelation and what it means for us today
"Questioning Christianity" - Utilizing a book by Dan Patterson & Rian Roux, we will explore the nature and relevance of the Christian Gospel.
If you are interested in being a part of any of these discussion groups, please contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net
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Wednesday Night
Bible Study
Mysteries of the Messiah
by
Rabbi Jason Sobel
Facilitator: Ken Lee
Wednesday Evenings
7 - 9 PM in the Church Parlor
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ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, November 3rd
10 AM and 7 PM in Grace Cafe'
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
Touching Spirit Bear
by Ben Mikaelsen
After his anger erupts into violence, Cole, in order to avoid going to prison, agrees to participate in a sentencing alternative based on the native American Circle Justice, and is sent to a remote Alaskan island where an encounter with a huge Spirit Bear changes his life.
We will follow St John's policy on masking.
Please wear a mask or shield inside the church.
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A small group Bible Study will be meeting on Monday evenings
at 7:30 PM
in the Church Library
Coming Together Through God’s Word:
An Interactive Look at Sunday’s Scripture
This small group is open to anyone interested in furthering their understanding of Scripture . We will meet Monday evenings at 7:30 PM through November 22nd, 2021 to read and discuss the Scripture passages from Sunday's Worship Service. All are welcome!
Please sign up in the narthex at church or contact Denise Clark at dclark.prayer@gmail.com
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Thursday Bible Study
10 AM - Parlor
7 PM - Zoom
Breaking the Code:
Understanding the Book of Revelation
by
Bruce M. Metzger
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This six-week study will be led by Pastor Brad and begins in-person on Thursday, October 14th at 10 am in the Parlor and Thursday evening at 7 pm via Zoom. To register and order the book ($12 cost), contact the church office.
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United Methodist Women
All women of the church are invited to gather on Saturday,
November 6th at 10 AM
in Fellowship Hall
to explore “The Serenity Prayer “
We will also have a Trivia Contest, prizes, drinks and wrapped muffins.
Come and join the fun!
To sign up contact Arlene Williams arlenew13@aol.com or
call 215-355-0162 or contact
a circle leader.
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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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Bart & Bev Wilson
celebrated their
65th anniversary
on
October 13, 2021
Congratulations
& God Bless!
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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!
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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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
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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