Hello St. John’s Family,
If you are like me, few things are more frustrating than being treated unfairly. Yes, I recognize that life isn’t always fair… yet when we do our best to act with honesty and integrity, and then systems or institutions which are supposed to help us leave us hanging, it is incredibly frustrating. For instance, my wife was recently in Philadelphia, driving our daughter to a basketball tournament, and was hit by another driver attempting to enter her lane. Thankfully, all were ok, with the moderate damage mostly being to our vehicle. The situation was handled respectfully, with the driver admitting fault and insurance information exchanged. Three weeks later, after multiple calls to both insurance companies, the story has apparently changed. The “disputed claim” is being denied by the other person’s insurer, and our insurer doesn’t seem very interested in contesting while stating it’s unlikely our deductible will be recovered at the end of the process. Without a police report (Philly police do not come out to “minor accidents”), we’re stuck.
The changing story of the other driver was certainly frustrating. Yet even more frustrating is the complete indifference, lack of service, and deceptive process of the insurer we’ve been with (and paid faithfully!) for decades. Time and again, when questioning the process and lack of service, the reply was “that’s not how insurance works.” The institution that is supposed to look out for my interests and support me seems interested in little more than collecting a premium. I’ve upheld my end of the contract; they should as well.
In the midst of my considerable anger and frustration this week, my attention was diverted to an evening news report on the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. As I viewed interviews with 3 survivors of the atrocities committed against an entire community over a very questionable – at best – “misunderstanding,” all I could think about was how unfair this was. How unjust it was that systems and structures which should have quelled the violence and killing turned the other way. How incredulous I would have been when insurance companies wouldn’t pay one cent to the hundreds of African American businesses and families whose lives were destroyed unjustly. And how, as is finally being acknowledged, the massacre at the Greenwood District of Tulsa was not a singular event. Terrible injustices have been perpetuated across our country that targeted, oppressed, and killed our Black Brothers and Sisters. It’s not fair, and it’s not right.
I’m slowly understanding that the only one who truly grasps the depths of an unfair and incredibly unjust world is God. See, the amazing and beautiful thing about our God is that God sees and is moved by the injustice and suffering of humankind. The minor unfairness I’ve waded through recently, the horrific injustices African Americans and other minorities have experienced, and everything in between matter to God. Our Thursday Bible Study has been exploring the life of Moses, which powerfully illustrates how God not only sees the suffering of God’s people; God is at work to bring about the redemption of those oppressed and suffering (Exodus 3:7-12). As we take comfort in this reality, we also must remember that the instruments God uses to name and address the injustice of this world is us: God’s faithful people. Just ask Moses, Aaron, Miriam and the Israelite people!
Dear friends, I pray we’ll all be strengthened to draw near to God in our struggles, and be open to God’s desire to work through us, such that the the justice and goodness that Christ ushered in is extended to all!
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, June 6, 2021
Holy Communion
2 in-person services offered: One at 9 AM in the Sanctuary and
one at 10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall
Pastor Brad's Sermon
"Spirit Poured Out: Presence and Peace"
John 20:19-22
A recording of the 9 AM service will be posted to our website upon completion
www.stjohnsivyland.com
Past worship service videos can also be found:
This month's communion offering will support the Children's Ministries Summer Programming.
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GRADUATE RECOGNITION
Sunday, June 6th
Graduates will be recognized at both the 9 AM & 10:30 AM worship services.
Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
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Congratulations to
our St. John's Confirmands!
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Congratulations to the students who professed their faith and were confirmed into full membership Sunday, May 23, 2021.
We pray God continues to bless them and walk with them in their life of faith.
𝙆𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙞 𝘼𝙗𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝, 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝘼𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙡 𝘾𝙯𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙞, 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙚, 𝘾𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙡, 𝙆𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙖 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙡, 𝙆𝙮𝙡𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙡, 𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙚𝙣𝙣, 𝙍𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜,
𝙍𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙩, 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙨,
𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙡𝙚𝙧
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NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
Due to a conflict occurring for those wanting to join as New Members, New Member Sunday will be postponed until later in the summer.
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This Sunday, June 6, is our last Sunday School class for everyone until September. We are all meeting outside, weather permitting! Pre-K - 6 will meet in the church parking lot from 10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Grades 7 - 12 (Youth) will meet in the church parking lot from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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Pre-K - Grade 6
Sunday @ 10:45
in the Church parking lot (weather permitting)
Because this is our last day together until September, we will not do a typical Sunday School lesson. Instead, we will tell the kids all about the events we have planned for the summer including Heifer International's Read to Feed program, The GivingGarden, Movie Night Under the Stars, and Family Experience. Parents are welcome to join us to learn more about the summer events planned at St. John's United Methodist Church.
If it rains, everyone will resume Zoom Sunday School.
Sunday School classes will resume in September!
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Youth Study (Grades 7-12)
Sunday @ 11:30 am
Church Parking Lot (weather permitting)
Bring your own chair!
Join us for fun and games outside as we wrap up a challenging but amazing year!
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Join us as we grow together in faith.
If you would like to help us maintain two vegetable gardens to benefit the Jesus Focus Ministry Food Pantry at Bethana, please contact
Susan Seamans at the church office.
Or sign up below!
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EAGLE SCOUT BOOK DRIVE
From Thursday, May 20th to Sunday, June 6th, Matthew Floyd will be collecting new and gently used books of any genre for his eagle scout project with Troop 147 in Holland, PA. The books will be going to people recovering from addictions and groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Books foster imagination, creativity and dreams for a better future.
The collection locations are:
St. John's United Methodist Church:
The Floyd's House:
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The Red Bird Mission Trailers are currently closed.
Please check the E-news and website for updates.
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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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The Wednesday Evening Bible Study
with Ken Lee
Wednesdays, 7 PM
Letters of John and Jude
using the William Barclay New Study Bible.
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. Please contact Ken Lee or the office by phone or email if you plan to attend. 215-357-6998, stjumc@aol.com.
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MOSES BIBLE STUDY
In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet
Thursdays
2 sessions offered at 10 AM and 7PM on ZOOM.
Book and Video components
Please contact the church office if interested in attending.
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ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, July 13
10:00 AM in Grace Cafe and 7 PM in Parlor.
Leaders: Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede
When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill.
We will follow St. John's guidelines regarding masks and social distancing. Please join us!
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TOWELS FOR RED BIRD
Naomi Circle will be collecting new bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths, every Sunday in June. The towels will be sent to Red Bird, and will be used in their Christmas boxes for residents in the area. There will be containers in the Narthex and outside of Fellowship Hall. Thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Campbell, 215-364-0942.
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UNITED METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST
Saturday, June 19, 2021
10 AM
Sycamore Grill, Newtown, PA
All Men Welcome!
Contact Jack Donovan or Paul Henry for details.
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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
It has been a busy spring for the prayer shawl ministry team. A thank you letter was received on May 5 from The Baby Bureau of Warminster for a donation of baby hats and blankets. The Baby Bureau provides clothing bundles to local families in need. A dozen hats for older children were sent to Knit for Kids/World Vision in Sewickley, PA. Prayer shawls and lap robes, in excess of our congregation’s needs, were sent to Wesley Enhanced Living in Hatboro and the Eastwick United Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Two baby shawls were presented at the April 25 and May 16 baptisms. At present, a total of 417 shawls and lap robes have been given out by the St. John’s knitting and crocheting cadre.
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 calling or emailing the church office.
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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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When your flowers are in full bloom, take a picture and share it with us!
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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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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!
Please contact Sarah Floyd, Director of Video Ministries at
or sign up here!
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 contact the church office if you are interested in serving as an usher.
(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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