Hello St. John’s Family,
For many years, a hallmark of mission and community ministry at St. John’s has been our Red Bird Trailer Ministry. The premise is simple: no-longer-needed items (big and small!) are collected from congregants and community members, then sent in our trailers down to the Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky. There, the items are refurbished as necessary and sold at reasonable prices to local residents. The benefits go all around: our extra items are repurposed, much needed goods are provided to many with little means, and jobs are sustained at the warehouse and store in an area with few job opportunities.
While the premise is simple, the logistics and work needed to carry out the ministry is not. Integral to the ministry is the countless volunteer hours offered by a dedicated group of “packers”, who gather to make sure the load doesn’t shift and that every last inch of trailer space is utilized. This group works hard… and enjoys good fellowship along the way. I am very thankful for all those who give of their time, energy, and often, sweat, to pack our trailers.
Yet physical logistics are not the only challenges this ministry faces. The availability of CDL-certified drivers is a challenge. The ever-increasing costs of fuel, trip expenses, and maintenance is another. Recently, insurance has been a significant challenge, as many insurance carriers have stopped insuring semi-trailers not associated with professional shipping companies (think of the horrific accident scene this week on I-81 in Schuylkill County, with many trucks involved in the 80-vehicle accident that killed 6 persons). High insurance payouts for truck accidents have caused almost all insurers to stop issuing coverage to operations like ours. And then there is the difficulty of renting a tractor cab. Due to shipping and supply chain issues, major companies like Amazon are contracting all rental tractors. For a small entity like us, procuring a tractor is virtually impossible. Just this week, we were notified that the only vendor we can find who rents tractors and offers insurance has extended their national hold on renting tractors outside of large contracts.
What does all this mean for the Red Bird Trailer Ministry? Quite honestly, we do not know. We currently have one full trailer, and another that’s very close; our number one priority is to find a way to get those down to Red Bird. From there, leaders are trying to discern where God is leading us in this important mission. The decision has been made to not open the trailers this spring, until we are confident we can transport items collected down to Red Bird in a timely manner.
For many, this update will be a disappointing one. Do not be disheartened! Follow the example of leaders like Stew Horton and Rick Poll, who, despite all these challenges, have continued to work hard to get the two trailers we have ready down to Kentucky. You may wonder, how can I help? That answer isn’t complicated: pray. Pray daily for God to provide the pathway and resources necessary to send those 2 trailers down to Kentucky. Pray for clear guidance and direction for continued, fruitful ministry with Red Bird. And pray for opportunities for us to strengthen and expand mission opportunities with our community moving forward. With faithful prayer and hearts ready to respond when God nudges us, I am very confident that meaningful mission work will continue to be a hallmark of St. John’s.
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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Worship this Sunday,
April 03, 2022
Contemporary 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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Lenten & Holy Week - Opportunities to Worship & Serve |
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St. John's Women's Communion Breakfast
Saturday, April 2nd at 10:00 AM
Fellowship Hall
Please join us as Rev. Paul Henry presents
"An Early Christian Love Feast", a 1st century Christian celebration of communion & the foods they served.
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Holy Week Worship Services
- April 10 - Palm Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM
- April 14 - Maundy Thursday 7:30 PM
- April 15 - Good Friday Community Service 7 PM
at St. Andrew's UMC,
999 York Rd, Warminster 18974
- April 17 - Easter Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM
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Easter Sunday
Flowering Cross
The flowering of the Easter Cross is a celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. It transforms a symbol of death, darkness, hopelessness and pain into something beautiful, new and alive. We will once again erect a cross on the front lawn and invite you to place a flower on it, before or after each service on Easter Sunday. Volunteers are needed to assist with the flower placement. More details coming soon. Call Susan Seamans 215-357-6998, Ext 305 to volunteer.
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Children's Activities This Week
- Children's Sunday School at 10:30 AM
Parents, children will check-in at the mobile cart
in the Education wing
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sunday 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Life can sometimes feel like a giant puzzle. All we can see is the piece we’re experiencing right now, and we’re not sure where it fits into the greater picture that is forming. We can’t always understand why some things happen to us or those we love. Yet, despite our confusion, we can have HOPE. God has kept promises throughout history. We can believe that God will continue to be with us through what we face now. Join Mrs. Scarlett as we talk about how even in the toughest times, we can have hope because we know God is always working and can make something good out of something bad.
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Youth Activities This Week
Youth Sunday School
at 10:30 AM
Youth Night
This Sunday the 3rd
7:15 - 8:30 PM
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Sunday, April 03, 2022
Grades 7 - 12
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL at 10:30 AM
in the Youth Lounge
This Sunday, we will visit our old friends from Veggie Tales to see how they stood up for their Faith when pressured by the king. Discussions will focus on how our faith in God can help us handle peer pressure. We will then join the congregation in the Sanctuary for Communion.
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Youth Night
This Sunday, April 3rd
7:15 - 8:30 PM
Classic Movie Night
Come join us!
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Disney Films "Dumbo"
Made in 1941, "Dumbo" is considered to be one of the greatest animated films of all
time. But, there are several lessons we can learn from Dumbo about confidence and the courage to use the gift's God has given us. Come join us for a fun night.
And wear your pajamas!
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Confirmation Class
Wednesday,
April 20th
7:30 - 8:15 PM
Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
for Confirmation Sunday
April 24th 10:30 AM
Conformation Sunday
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All God's Children Have a Place in the Choir!
Join the choir - you'll be glad you did.
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Staffing volunteers needed for one-hour shifts between 2 and 7 PM
at April 8th St. John's Blood Drive
Donor Screening, Hospitality, Check-in
and Calling Stations
Call Susan Seamans at 215-357-6998, Ext 305
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There are still a few time slots available for the April 8th Blood Drive. Please use the link below or call Susan Seamans
at 215-357-6998, ext 305 if you have any problems getting an appointment.
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The Red Bird Trailers will not be open to accept donations this year. Hopefully, this ministry can resume in the future.
Thank You,
Red Bird Committee
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United Methodist Neighborhood Services
Ingathering 2022
NEW clothing & undergarments for infant to toddler, teen to adult
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During the 4 Sundays of April,
UMW will be collecting donations of
NEW clothing items and personal care products for the annual Ingathering. For a complete list of needed items, see the UMW bulletin board off the Narthex.
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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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St John's Book Club
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
10 AM and 7 PM
Grace Cafe'
NY TIMES BESTSELLER • Martha Hall Kelly’s million-copy bestseller Lilac Girls introduced readers to Caroline Ferriday. Now, in Sunflower Sisters, Kelly tells the story of Ferriday’s ancestor Georgeanna Woolsey, a Union nurse during the Civil War whose calling leads her to cross paths with Jemma, a young enslaved girl who is sold off and conscripted into the army, and Anne-May Wilson, a Southern plantation mistress whose husband enlists.
No sign up necessary. All are welcome, please join us.
Carol Campbell & Barbara Schneider, facilitators
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Spiritual Discipline Workshop
Please join Sue Czarnecki on Saturday, April 9th to learn more about increasing your faith through Spiritual Discipline. For more info, call Sue at
267-614-3603.
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Six Mondays starting April 18th at 6:30 in the Parlor. There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Cost of the Study Guide is $9.00, payable the first session. Books will be available that night. Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell. Any questions, please call Carol
at 215-364-0942.
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A six-week Bible Study starting Monday, April 18th at 6:30 PM
The concept of Jesus' human and heavenly nature is difficult to wrap our minds around. He's the God who formed the universe and, at the same time, knows your personal struggles...because he went through the same things. For thirty-three years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. Weakness. Weariness. Sadness. Rejection. His feet got tired. His head ached. He was tempted and his strength was tested.
The purpose of this study is simple: by journeying through these six lessons you will get to know Jesus--and, therefore, God--like you never have before. And by learning more about the person Jesus was and is, we come to understand more clearly the people we were created to be.
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Wednesday nights
at 7 PM in the parlor
Our next study (starting soon) will be a relatively short-term one on the writings of the
Apostle Peter.
Please join us for our informal discussions. All are welcome!
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Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
- Old Testament Heroes and Heroines
- C. S. Lewis - The Great "Apologist"
of the 20th Century
Contact Paul Henry at phenry605@verizon.net for Zoom info
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Save the Date - Wednesday, May 4th
UMW Spring Banquet
"Women Justices of the Supreme Court"
presented by Trish Chambers
more info to follow
Sign up on UMW bulletin board or contact Louise Henry
215-357-9398 or email louiseh605@verizon.net
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United Methodist Men
April Breakfast Meeting
Saturday, April 16th
St. John's has talent!
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The April speaker is Brian Jackson, shown here on Mount Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in Ecuador. Brian's wife is from Peru, and he has traveled throughout South America, including a year he spent in Ecuador. The tales of his experiences hiking and traveling are sure to be interesting!
Please join us at
The Sycamore Grill,
255 North Sycamore Street, Newtown
on Saturday, April 16th
at 10 a.m.
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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
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
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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