Hello St. John’s Family,
I believe one of the greatest gifts we experience as part of Christ’s Church is the amazing relationships that are formed as we worship, serve God and others, and navigate the challenges of life together. As we step out to worship and serve God, God has an amazing way of making deep connections among us. In seemingly random, yet unmistakably purposeful ways, God draws us toward others such that all involved are strengthened and blessed. Sometimes that’s through a kind word, caring smile, or warm hug when we’re down. Sometimes that’s by seeing someone else share their gifts, be it musical, artistically, through teaching or listening, or by serving in a multitude of ways; and sometimes that’s by offering a gift or talent we have, to help or pick up someone else. Sometimes it’s an impromptu conversation in the hallway that brings forth a new friendship. The ways that connections occur are endless. Over the years, I have come to realize how sacred these connections are.
In last week’s Cornerstone note, a beautiful picture of the sacredness of God’s ability to draw us together was shared, as Erin Maurer highlighted some of the blessings she has experienced through the St. John’s family. I suspect that, as you read her note, you were reminded of many interactions with Erin that blessed you. Perhaps it was the time that her musical talents led us in worship. Or when her bright, wide smile quickly brought forth a smile in return. Maybe it was her compassion and care that guided you through difficulty and grief, or one of the many times that her calm, centered, and wise words brought insight to a challenging situation. Personally, I have greatly appreciated her meaningful prayers, her laugh, her patience when I misspell her last name, and her heartfelt, genuine love for God that guides her life. We have been deeply blessed by Erin’s presence with us, and for that I am very thankful.
The God we love and serve is active and moving: both bringing together and leading onward. Erin has been led by God to her next mission: serving Christ by focusing her service at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, the St. Mark’s UMC congregation there, and the entire Elizabethtown community. While this is bittersweet news for us in that we won’t see her on a weekly basis, we also give thanks to God for the many blessings Erin has extended to us, for our continued – and eternal – connection we share in Christ, and for the many people in Elizabethtown that will be blessed through her faithful service. I am fully confident God will continue to bless Erin and the St. John’s family through our connection in and commitment to Christ’s work – thanks be to God!
This Sunday we’ll share in a brief time of prayer at each worship service, thanking God for Erin’s faithful service here and seeking God’s blessing on her new ministry in Elizabethtown. As we do that, I encourage you to do two things: first, give God praise for the many blessings that have been extended through Erin’s ministry. And second, open your heart to a new connection that God may be facilitating in your life here. The God that blessed us through Erin will continue to bless us through each other! And who knows what amazing new connections God may be cultivating in our midst-
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,
May 22, 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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Video of Good Friday Service
If you were unable to attend the community Good Friday service hosted by St Andrew's and St John's UMCs, please click on the link below. This was a very powerful service and the closing song by Gospel Road will move you to tears.
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Fellowship & Community Outreach |
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We are pleased to announce that the Grace Café
will reopen this Sunday May 22, 2022.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the coffee. We need folks to help start the coffee at 8:30 - great for people attending the 9:00 service. We also need people to help clean up any time after the 10:30 starts. Please contact Sharon Byle (smbyle@gmail.com/610-888-1329).
Plan on joining us for coffee/tea and snacks and a wonderful time of fellowship after the 9 am worship service.
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WARRIOR COFFE - NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER!
The ship is pulling in to port! Order your coffee by May 30th and your freshly roasted favorite will be ready within a week. Specify number of bags, regular or decaf, and whole bean or ground. Pay when you receive the order.
Fighting for What’s Right - One Cup at a Time
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Mark your calendars for two big events! |
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St. John's/American Red Cross Blood Drive
Friday, July 8th, 2022
More info to follow on donor sign-ups and volunteer opportunities
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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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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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A Reminder . . .
The hallway for Classrooms A – E IS 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 in the Education Wing.
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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Children's Sunday School
10:30 AM
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God is strong and faithful, always working in our lives. We might get knocked down from time to time, but when we put our trust in God, we find the strength we need to get back up again. Jesus showed us how to face life with resilience. No matter what happened, Jesus relied on God to help Him accomplish the mission set before Him. This month, we will learn that because of Jesus, we can trust God no matter what. We can bounce back from whatever knocks us down and complete the mission God has for us. |
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Youth Activities Calendar
Youth Sunday School
at 10:30 AM
Youth Night 2 to 5:10 PM
Note time change
Graduate Recognition Sunday
June 5th, 2022
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Register your graduate here to be included in our celebration of their success! |
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Graduate Recognition Sunday
June 5th, 2022
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10:30 AM in the Youth Room |
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Youth Sunday School
Grades 7 - 12
Sometimes it takes a song to express what we don't know how to say, or to remind us of what we have forgotten. Join us as we are reminded of the great love. importance and forgiveness we now have because of the great work Jesus finished long ago.
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Youth Night This Sunday
May 22nd
2 to 5:10 PM
Bowling!
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Bowling at Thunderbird Lanes
2 PM Leave from Church
Return by 5:10 PM
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Music Sunday is June 12, 2022 at 9 and 10:30 worship services.
Vocal choirs, bell choirs, musicians will all join together to praise God in music. Make a joyful noise!
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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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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.
We will meet on Wednesday, June 1, at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Grace Cafe. Please join us; all are welcome. Facilitators Barb Schneider and Carol Campbell
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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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United Methodist Men
Saturday, May 21st
St. John's has talent!
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Our May speaker Is Michael (Mike) Byle.
Mike has a family background and a lifelong interest in trains and railroading. It has been his pastime from his first train set as a young boy to influencing his career choice. Professionally he has worked in complex design projects in and under rail lines including Amtrak’s High Speed rail clearance improvement project and work with CSX on many bridge designs.
Please join us at
The Sycamore Grill,
255 North Sycamore Street, Newtown
on Saturday, May 21st
at 10 a.m.
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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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Happy Anniversary Blessings!
Jim & Denise (Dyson) Kauffeld
25th Wedding Anniversary on May 24th
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month
10 AM in the Parlor.
Pictured are four baby blankets and several baby hats destined for The Baby Bureau in Warminster, plus larger children’s hats for World Vision’s Knit for Kids program. Last month, children’s hats were donated to the Ukrainian Education and Cultural Center, Jenkintown, for dispatch to Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
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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