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Hello St. John’s Family,
After some time away to reflect and fulfill continuing education requirements, it feels so good to return home: a place that is welcoming and familiar and good. Not that my time away wasn’t good – it certainly was – filled with time in beautiful, welcoming, sacred places. I am very thankful for the opportunity to spend time at Duke Divinity School. I’m thankful to experience the tranquil beauty of the Sarah P. Duke Memorial Gardens; to walk out of the Gardens, up a hill, and see the Duke University Chapel stand majestically at the center of campus, open for me to reflect and pray there. I’m thankful for the gift of time learning with professors, and for dedicated research and reading in an amazing library. Throughout my time there, I was moved by the sacred beauty of that place. To have the opportunity to worship, pray, study, and reflect in a place that cultivated generations of influential pastors and scholars was a powerful and humbling experience.
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 |  | Yet it felt wonderful to return to this place – a place I know as home. Yes, being welcomed by my wife, attacked greeted by our dogs, and sleeping in my own bed felt very good after time away. The sacred sense of this place, though, is much deeper than that. I felt that strong sense as we gathered and worshipped together on Sunday, and throughout the meetings and responsibilities of this week. I felt that as I saw the many ministries and missions offered here during the week. Coming here to this set-apart, sacred place, I experienced God’s Spirit at work, and saw how I am a small part of something that is infinitely bigger than myself. While that is not limited to this place, it is centered and grounded here as God’s Spirit forms us into the living Body of Christ – an incredibly powerful and humbling experience. I am so, so thankful to be part of the beautiful congregational life that is anchored in this sacred place, and to have the privilege of welcoming new members into our congregation during our worship this Sunday.
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Interestingly, another event in North Carolina is about to convene. The gathering of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church begins April 23, where delegates from around the world will gather for 10 days to worship, pray, discern, and set the policy of the UMC for the next 4 years. This General Conference has been long anticipated and long delayed, as the Covid-19 pandemic forced a postponement in 2020 that has lingered until now. Legislation regarding many significant topics will be addressed, including human sexuality, denominational organization and division, financial challenges, and missional priorities – just to name a few. Many are hopeful the General Conference will begin to guide the UMC forward into the future path and work God desires; many also sense the heavy weight of uncertainty and complex questions. Occasionally I am asked what I think will transpire… to which I can only say I have no idea!
To some, that uncertainty may cause concern, even anxiety. While I deeply care about what transpires at General Conference, I am not overly anxious or concerned. Why? Because I have experienced, and firmly believe with all my heart that God has called this congregation – the St. John’s Ivyland Family – together, and God has significant work for us to accomplish in Christ’s name. The Apostle Paul’s message to the Philippian Church is true for us as well: I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). You are a sacred, set-apart people, called to and rooted in this sacred, set-apart place, to be Open Arms and Serving Hands. Keeping that as our focus, I have no doubt we’ll continue to see lives transformed through Christ.
This Sunday in worship we’ll listen to guidance given to members of a first-century church that grounds genuine love in the self-giving love that Christ revealed to us. Our lives, we’ll see, are to be marked by the same love. I hope you’ll read I John 3:16-24 and then join me in worship, ready to welcome the newest members into the St. John’s Family-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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Reorganization of Choirs for Children.
Beginning Sunday, April 14, our choirs for children will be reorganized to better serve all involved.
The JOYFUL VOICES will include children Grade 2 and above. Mr. Nelson will direct J. V.
The CHERUB CHOIR will include children Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade. Mrs. Nelson will direct C. C.
Both choirs will meet at the regular time in separate rooms.
This reorganization will allow the youngest children to learn easier songs/music at a more comfortable pace. It will also allow the older children to learn more difficult music more quickly.
We encourage NEW members to come and join our TWO choirs for Children this week.
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Thursday April 18 : NO REHEARSALS for Ring of Faith and Adult Choir | |
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When I became Chair of Missions in June, we were a committee in transition. Red Bird Ministries which had been a significant part of our Missions work for more than two decades was changing. We would continue to support Red Bird with specific requests for supplies, etc., but the Truck Ministry had ended.
The Committee wanted to continue with a large project that would involve a large number of members. We explored various possibilities and decided to sponsor another Rise Up Against Hunger. St. John’s had done this in the past prior to the pandemic, so we decided to plan another event. After much discussion we centered on the week after Easter with the hope it would give us maximum exposure to the congregation at large.
To accomplish this we needed at least 60 volunteers and $5,000.00 dollars to purchase the supplies. With a generous start by the Men’s Group, we were able to raise in excess of $8,000.00.
We also wanted this to be a fellowship event so from the beginning we planned on having lunch at the completion of the event to bring the volunteers together. Please note that none of the dollars raised to support RISE were used for the lunch at the conclusion of the event.
To accomplish this task we needed a lead person to take charge of the coordination of the event. Immediately, Joe and Linda Ayoub stepped forward to volunteer. Under their leadership we exceeded the number of volunteers needed and the funds we needed to raise. In addition, Giuseppe’s and Richboro Giant prepared the food for us at their cost. Please say thank you by supporting these businesses.
Most of all, thank Joe and Linda for their excellent leadership.
And thanks to all of you who helped us feed 12,000 children for a week
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The EPAUMC Laity Academy was begun as—and still is—a way to train church members to take part in the many ministries of the United Methodist Church.
This 40th year of EPA’s Laity Academy will offer two onsite sessions. One in April and one in August.
The first 2024 session will be a one day, in-person course April 27, titled “Creation, Evolution and Intelligent Design.” Cornwells United Methodist Church in Bensalem will host it in its chapel from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. The course costs $30 fee, which covers instructional materials, a light breakfast and lunch, and other expenses.
The second part of the 2024 Laity Academy will happen August 2-3 at Eastern University’s Palmer Theological Seminar in St. David’s. Courses will be announced and open for registration by May 21, in time for Annual Conference.
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All women are invited to the Spring Banquet on Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30. Trish Chambers will be presenting "Elizabeth Skylar Hamilton, " the wife of Alexander Hamilton. Trish will enlighten us with information that behind every great man is a strong woman.
Please sign up on the sheet located on the bulletin board in the narthex. For added information, call Louise Henry 215-357-9398.
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Thank you to all that donated blood, helped out with the canteen, set up Fellowship Hall and made home made cookies!
Our next blood drive will be on Monday, July 22nd from 2:00-7:00 PM.
If you are able, please consider a blood donation.
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This book is about why God lets bad things happen to us. However, it's also more than this. It teaches us about comfort, and what others need from us when they're faced with tragedy. It's short, simple and suitable for everyone. | |
MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES | |
CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION | | |
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If your contact information changes:
address, phone, email, etc.
please notify the church office at
215-357-6998 or office.stjumc@gmail.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 | | | | |
