Hello St. John’s Family,
One of the hallmarks of the late spring season is the celebration of graduations. Today, high school seniors in the Council Rock and Centennial School Districts will experience this rite that recognizes their significant growth and achievements; seniors at other local high schools have graduated or will do so shortly. Recalling the college and university graduations that have been occurring since mid-May, this is truly a season of celebration. At least 17 persons associated with our St. John’s Family are graduating this spring – I give thanks to God for the good things that each graduate has been able to accomplish.
As we celebrate achievements and successful completion at graduation, we also recognize how this rite is a moment of transition. Completion inherently means a season of life is ending, with a new season beginning. This transition often spurns reflection: remembering the good things experienced, the tough times and the lessons that accompanied them, and the growth and maturity that have developed over time. I sense it’s important for each one of us to periodically pause and reflect on those things; doing so provides an opportunity to recall and see how God is with us in all times. It also helps us understand where God is directing us moving forward. In his letters, the apostle Paul frequently reflected on the good works – and challenges experienced – of both he and the congregations he guided such that growth and maturity in Christ could be gained. One of the most powerful summaries of this is in his letter to the Philippian church, when he writes: I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13). I pray our graduates, and each one of us, will see and experience Christ’s presence in a way that grows into this foundation of maturity and peace in our lives.
It is with a heavy heart that I share how the St. John’s family will soon experience another transition: after 13 years of service to St. John’s, Carolyn Mooney will be leaving the position of Office Technology Coordinator. Carolyn would like to thank the congregation for their kindness and support, and will always cherish the special moments and people she has met during her time here at St. John’s. Carolyn’s last day serving us will be Thursday, June 17.
Carolyn's 13 years of dedicated service to the St. John's congregation and staff has been marked by excellence and delivered with a smile. Her attention to detail, strong work ethic, and willingness to do whatever is necessary to get the job done is greatly appreciated. Her efforts have had a great impact in enabling St. John's to effectively serve Christ. In addition, she has been a tremendous help to me in my arrival and pastoral transition here.
I want to thank Carolyn for all she has given of herself to God - and to us - over many years of excellent service at St. John's!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
|
|
WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS |
|
Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: |
|
Worship this Sunday, June 13, 2021
2 in-person services offered: One at 9 AM in the Sanctuary and
one at 10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall
The 9 AM service can be viewed LIVE through St. John's Youtube Channel
or on our homepage:
www.stjohnsivyland.com
Past worship service videos can also be found:
|
|
GRADUATE RECOGNITION
Congratulations to our St. John's Class of 2021!
|
|
 |
High School
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH
Matt Haas
Alex Herman
Kari Johnson
Gavin Leight
Kellsey Robinson
Tristan Roosevelt
Amy Taylor Zesinger
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY
Grace Ann Hill
LOWER MORELAND
Amy Taylor Zesinger
|
|
|
|
College/Graduate School
DREXEL UNIVERSITY
Shannon Elaine Hill
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
William Scarlett, MD
T.H. Chan School of Public Health
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
Anna Lehman
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
Olivia Falcone
Amanda Rose Hill
Jennifer Ladzenski
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Elizabeth Gutsch
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Brianna Burke
Callum Harding
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to
our St. John's Confirmands!
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
READ TO FEED
Please see Susan Seamans,
Director of Children's Ministry,
for more information!
|
|
Next Wednesday, Weekly Campfire Meet Up, weather permitting. This is an informal gathering that is open to youth and friends of youth. It will be a chance for youth, parents, potential future volunteers, or anyone wanting to meet me and show support to come on by. Bring a chair and stop by anytime between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM each Wednesday this summer starting June 16. I will provide marshmallows and hot dogs to roast each week. We will be behind the church by the shed.
|
|
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!
|
|
SEWING GROUP
Our Mission Sewing Group will meet on
Monday, June 14 at
6 pm in the Church Parlor.
We will have fabric and patterns/instructions ready for pick up to take home and cut out for our project of Sani-Panis for young girls in Africa.
215-357-6998, ex 306.
Thank you for your Heart for Missions
Pastor Ruth
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
MOBILE GIVING
- Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
-
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,
|
|
When your flowers are in full bloom, take a picture and share it with us!
|
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!
|
|
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
|
|
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!
|
|
CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 |
|
|
|
St. John's Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
