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Hello St. John’s Family,
I suspect there are some tired eyes today after another exciting Phillies win and celebration last night. Red October is in full swing, and watching a team that is fully committed to each other play with passion and joy is energizing – making it tough to settle down and sleep! Even those who are not big baseball (or sports) fans sense something special about this team. How do I know? My wife has been the first to turn on the TV this week… and last evening she received a text from our daughter at college that said …STOTT!!!!!
When I watched the Phils celebrate the win that clinched their playoff spot, I was struck by something that Manager Rob Thomson said just before the team showered him in champagne. After affirming their accomplishment and telling them to savor the moment, he pointed them to the future. In his typical calm and steady yet direct demeanor he said: “This team is built for where we’re going.”
This team is built for where we’re going. Purpose, intention, and focus went into every step up to that point, and those attributes will carry them forward. Everything from the players on the roster, to pitching rotation adjustments to get starters some rest late in the season, to having a young player bunt 3 times in a closing game of the regular season were to prepare the team for a singular objective: winning the world series. The players not only see this, they trust and believe in this approach. After last night’s victory, catcher JT Realmuto said “We feel like this is what this team is built for. We’re built for postseason success.”
A clear, collective vision that guides every action. When challenges came, necessary adjustments were made to ensure the vision would not be compromised. All understood that; all committed fully to achieving postseason success – even when personal sacrifices are necessary. And that vision is now coming to fruition with more October victories! All of which leads me to ask: What is St. John’s built for? What is our vision?
Developing a clear, collective answer to those questions is the focus of our small group meetings that begin tomorrow. During these meetings we’ll pray and reflect on the good ministry occurring at St. John’s, name the challenges we face, and work on discerning God’s vision for us now, so that we can focus and prioritize our efforts. I ask you to join me and our leaders in prayer for these meetings, sign up, and participate.
This Sunday, our sermon series Plans for My People: God’s Faithfulness in Uncertain Times will continue as we explore the challenges and uncertainty the Hebrew people quickly encountered in the wilderness after being delivered from Egypt… and how God responds. Our message will focus on Exodus 16:1-6; check out Exodus 15:20-16:12 for background, then join me in worship on Sunday!
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Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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NEW MEMBERS are welcome to come and participate in this wonderful Ministry!
If you are interested, please contact Roy Nelson or Alissa Nelson for details, or, speak to a choir member or parent.
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December is a busy month for the St. John's Congregation and Choirs. Below is the schedule for choir members and parents, so that you can be sure everything is on your schedule. We appreciate your dedication and commitment to our Music Ministry.
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December 17, 2023
- Music Sunday - Morning
- 9:00 service
- Adult Choir
- Youth Choir
- GENesis Bells
- Ring of Faith Bells
- 10:30 service
- Joyful Voices
- Adult Choir
- Youth Choir
- GENesis Bells
- Ring of Faith Bells
- Festival of Carols - Evening
- ALL BELL CHOIRS AND VOCAL CHOIRS
- 6:00 Start
- Orchestra rehearsal at 4:30
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December 24, 2023
Morning Worship - 10:30 only
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Children present the annual Christmas Pageant (based on Home Alone)
- Youth & Adult Choirs sing
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Possible anthem is "Somewhere In My Memory" from Home Alone
Afternoon "Vesper" Service - 3:00
- Celebration Ringers play (we have done this the last few years)
Night Worship Service - 7:00 - Please note the time change from previous years
- Handbells - ALL THREE BELL CHOIRS COMBINED
- Youth and Adult Choirs sing
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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
October 08, 2023
10:30 AM
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HARVEST WELCOME BRUNCH
Saturday, October 7th, 2023
10:00 - 11:30am - Fellowship Hall
Come and join the women of St. John’s
in welcoming the Fall.
A light brunch of coffee, tea, muffins and scones will be available while we get to catch up with each other. We will discuss upcoming events at St. John’s and United Women in Faith, which will be followed by our guest speaker, Denise Clark.
Denise’s presentation is called:
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“True Love: Understanding Abuse”
Rather than focusing on the ugliness of abuse, this presentation is based on 1 John 4. It focuses on God’s love in such a way as to help us understand what abuse is, how it affects a person’s ability to love and be loved and the
overwhelming need for us to be able to share God’s love with those around us who are trying to cope with situations in their lives.
A sign-up sheet is on the United Women in Faith bulletin board. Please come & join in a morning of good fellowship and hear how you may be able to help others.
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CONTRIBUTE A DEVOTION!!
Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. This should be a time for families to come together in prayer and devotion.
Please consider writing a devotion for our Advent Devotional.
As always we will have paper copies of the devotional available and, in addition we will be posting each day’s devotion online.
The Devotions are due by October 29, 2023.
If you are interested in contributing a devotion, please contact
Pastor Ruth.
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Hi Blood Donors,
Due to a change with the Red Cross, St John's has had to shift days so we can be open for people who can only be here after work hours. Therefore, the Blood Drive has been moved from Friday November 3 to Monday November 20, from 2:00-7:00 PM.
You will need to make a reservation again (sorry!) Click the button below to book a time on the 20th, which should be easy, since it's wide open now.
There will be, of course, our cookies, cakes, and other goodies, post donation, and pre-Thanksgiving.
Thank you for your understanding.
Joanne Lescas
Blood Program Leader
St John's UMC
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Book Club
We will meet on
Wednesday, November 01, at 10:00 AM
in the Grace Cafe. All are welcome!
Please join us as we discuss:
"Once We We're Brothers"
by: Ronald H. Balson
"The gripping tale of two buys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust."
Leaders are Barbara Schneider and Carol Campbell
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Help and hope as you navigate the Christmas season
Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated?
Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. You’ll learn:
· How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays
· What to do about traditions and other coming changes
· Helpful tips for surviving social events
· How to discover hope for your future
St. John’s Ivyland
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
(Church Library)
November 15 – 6:30 pm
Book -- $5.00
Sign up online at GriefShare.org
Or Contact Carol Cambell
Email: eccampbell@aol.com
Phone: 215-431-7452
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MINISTRY & FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES | |
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Our class objectives are to build our trust, faith and belief in God and continue to build our loving, personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Class time is spent discussing the Scriptural readings for the weekly lessons and what they mean to each of us and their impacts on our lives and relationships. We also strive to build a loving fellowship with all the class members and support one another and help each other to answer Christ's call to go out into the world to love, serve, obey and witness to God.
Title: Disciple IV Under the Tree of Life
Where: Church Parlor
When: Wednesday evenings 7-9 pm beginning 13 September 2023 to June 2024
Facilitator: Ken Lee
Course Description: Disciple 4 Under the Tree of Life is a study of the Old Testament Books called the Writings (Book not including the Torah and Prophets), the Gospel of John, the Letters of John, and Revelation. The Study Manual gives instructions for daily readings and provides space for note taking. Videos of commentary from Biblical Scholars will accompany each weekly lesson.
Point of Contact for those interested in participating: notify the Church Office by email; office.stjumc@gmail.com
The Church office can also assist in ordering the Study Manual.
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Be a part of a vibrant, growing ministry at St. John's UMC Ivyland as Director of Children's Ministries. Introduce and guide children from toddlers through 6th graders to the love of God through relationship with Jesus Christ. Provide programming leadership and direction to Sunday School teachers, coordinate the annual one-week Vacation Bible School, and work with families and their children to establish solid foundations to Christian life.
This part-time, 20 to 25 hours/week staff position requires all background clearances and Safe Sanctuary Training be completed prior to employment. A heart for Jesus, a love of children, and effective communication and delegation skills are essential. A bachelor's degree or background in education and/or ministry is strongly desired.
Please send application or resume to Staff-Parish Relations Committee, St. John's United Methodist Church, 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland PA 18974 or email to office.stjumc@gmail.com
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month
10 AM in the Parlor.
The 500th prayer shawl was given out on March 7, 2023! This ministry began in 2009.
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 office.stjumc@gmail.com.
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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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MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES | |
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Members of Naomi Circle, delivered lots and lots of aluminum tabs to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). The tabs are sold to a recycling center.
The proceeds are then used to support families staying at one of two Ronald McDonald Houses located in Philadelphia near CHOP and St. Christopher’s Hospitals.
Thanks St. John’s family for being such a thirsty bunch. Ronald was pleased!
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Recycling Event
to benefit Bright Futures Academy
(and our Planet Earth)
Through a program with the Trex Corporation, we are collecting clean and dry soft plastic bags (examples in flyer). Bags should be brought to St. John's and placed in the large white container in the Narthex. Upon collecting 500 lbs of material, Trex will provide us with a brand-new bench (can receive 1 bench every six months). Our first bench was delivered to Bright Futures Academy for their new playground. This project is organized by, Nicole & Melissa McDevitt. Click below for acceptable plastics to be recycled.
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CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION | | |
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
215-357-6998/office.stjumc@gmail.com
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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