Hello St. John’s Family,
One of the most often stated concerns of our increasingly hectic and isolated lives is the difficulty in making meaningful connections with others. The pandemic has certainly heightened those concerns, yet the increasing impact of technology and our routinely overbooked schedules were noted as issues in forming meaningful connections long before Covid. Which is interesting… as I was reminded this week of two people who significantly impacted my life. One is a person I never even met; the other is someone who I haven’t seen for years!
I’m guessing the name Eric Carle will be a familiar one to many. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a classic children’s book that I enjoyed as a child – and I greatly enjoyed sharing with my children. I was saddened as I heard of Carle’s death this week, as I felt like a piece of my childhood had changed. Perhaps that’s merely nostalgia, yet I was surprised by the connection I felt. A gifted and creative man, who experienced the horrors of World War II as a youth, emerged to share imagination and color and beauty with so many children. I’m thankful Carle shared his gifts with the world, and for the warm memories my family received from his work.
While Eric Carle is a familiar name, it’s unlikely you have heard of Bob Erskine. I met Bob when I was appointed as Pastor in Jim Thorpe, and quickly appreciated his considerable talents. A retired engineer and executive in his eighth decade, Bob had every right to sit back and take things easy. Which occasionally would happen at a golf course. Most of the time, though, Bob was serving someone. He served as a leader on the Church Board and as Treasurer. He served as the teacher for a Disciple Bible Study, and for numerous short-term studies. He served as a Postal Worker (and Postmaster) in Albrightsville, and as a census worker. He sang in the Choir. And on top of it all, he knew as many puns as the pun experts in our congregation (you know who you are!). When Bob and his wonderful wife fully retired and relocated to Florida in 2017, the entire community was impacted. Late this week, I received word that Bob is very close to joining Christ in glory, and I was reminded of the impact Bob had on me. It was an honor to serve as his Pastor… and I’m quite certain he impacted me more than I impacted him.
As I reflected on the impact of these two people on my life, I was initially surprised by how limited my personal connections were with each of them. One I never met; the other I only had the privilege of working with closely for 6 years. The more I thought about this, the more I sensed how God was at work: God brought many good things from talents and gifts offered to others for good purposes. These two people did exactly that, and many others benefitted. When we are able to do that – to offer the gifts and talents we have for the good of others – connections will inevitably occur. God will work through our humble efforts to bring forth good things! Remember that the next time you feel a bit isolated… and think how God might just be working through you to bless others in ways you don’t even realize.
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 measures: |
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Worship this Sunday, May 30, 2021
2 in-person services offered: One at 9 AM in the Sanctuary and
one at 10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall
Reservations via SignUp Genius required for this service.
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:
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Reservations are open until until capacity is reached or Noon on Friday, whichever comes first.
Please update the SignUp Genius or contact the church office if there's a need to cancel your reservation so another may have the opportunity to attend.
Thank you!
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Congratulations to our
St. John's Confirmands!
Congratulations to the students who professed their faith and were confirmed into full membership last 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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GRADUATE RECOGNITION
Sunday, June 6th
9 AM Worship Service
Please call or email the church office the name and school
of any St. John's graduate completing high school or college this spring.
Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
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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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Pre-K - Grade 6 will meet outside again this week weather permitting from 10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Our Youth will not meet this week, but will be back on June 6 (see below for more details). If it rains, everyone will resume Zoom Sunday School. The links are below! |
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Sunday, June 6, will be our last Sunday School class for everyone. We will tell the kids 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 on June 6 at 10:45 a.m. to learn more about the summer events planned .
We hope you can join us this week and next as we wrap up the 2020-2021 school year! Sunday School classes will resume in September!
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Young Children (Pre-K - Grade 2)
What's In The Bible?
Sundays @ 10:45 am
Join Buck Denver and a group of hilarious friends as they journey through the Bible and discover what it means for us. Amy Scarlett will lead us as we discover What's In the Bible! Lesson length: 20-25 minutes.
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Older Elementary Children (Grades 3 - 6)
Orange 252 Kids Sundays @ 10:45 am
Growing in faith is not something that happens by merely cramming more information about the Bible into a child’s brain. That knowledge means nothing if we don’t help our kids experience what that knowledge can do in their hearts. This month, we will talk about how to experience faith, how to practice faith, and how important it is to stay committed to our faith.
Lesson length: 25-35 minutes
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Youth Study - Orange High School XP3
Youth Group will not meet this week, but we will get together again on June 6 for some fun and games outside! This will be our last class until September, and we hope you can join us!
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SEWING GROUP
St. John’s Mission Sewing Group is continuing our work on Sani-Panis for young girls in Africa.
We are in need of donations of flannel material and
sew-on Velcro. There will be a box in the Narthex as well as one outside of Fellowship Hall for donations.
215-357-6998, ex 306. Thank you for your Heart for Missions. Pastor Ruth
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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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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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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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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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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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Please Note: The church office will be closed on Monday, May 31
for Memorial Day.
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Have a Peaceful and Safe Memorial Day Weekend! |
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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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