St. John's United Methodist Church 

 Cornerstone

January 28, 2016
  Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE
Join us for worship
Snow Policy
Prayer List
Calendar
Sunday School
Invitation to Membership
Grace Cafe
Daily Devotionals
Pastor Janice's Reflection
Ash Wednesday Service
New Adult Small Group
St. John's Book Club
Lenten Bible Study
Family Fun Mission Night
Youth Group News
Pancake & Sausage Supper
Family Promise
Red Bird Trailer Ministry
Souper Bowl Sunday
E-Circle
Partners in Prayer
Open arms and serving hands transforming lives through Christ
   
JOIN US FOR
WORSHIP 
     
Worship Services:
8:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Traditional
  9:15 a.m.
Praise  and Worship
 
This Sunday,
January 31, 2016

Sermon Series:
Priorities for the New Year
"Being Loyal to Christ Through...Our Gifts"
2 Corinthians 12:4-11
2 Corinthians 9:6-15

CHURCH OFFICE
215-357-6998
stjumc@aol.com
www.stjohnsivyland.com 
 
HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:30-4:00


Sunday Worship FAQ's


ST. JOHN'S SNOW POLICY

In case of a major snowstorm or other severe weather that would require cancellation of one or more Sunday services, we will attempt to notify everyone by:
- a special e-news sent out
- a message on the church answering machine
If possible, a decision regarding cancellation will be made the night before.  Please also be aware that in the event of a power outage, it is impossible to utilize internet or phone services. 

PRAYER LIST

Please click to view

 

All "Ongoing Prayer Concerns" will be listed for 2 weeks.  Please submit a new prayer request card if you desire to renew the listing for 2 additional weeks.

DRIVE THRU PRAYER WILL RESUME 
IN THE SPRING
THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

Thursday, January 28
6:45pm
 Ring of Faith

7:30pm
 Al-Anon

8:00pm
 Adult Choir

Sunday, January 31
 8:00, 9:15, 10:30 am Worship

9:15am
 Adult Sunday School Class

9:15am & 10:30am
 Children's Sunday School

10:30am
 Confirmation Class

11:30am
UMW Mission Team Mtg

11:30am
Adult Small Group

11:30am
 Joyful Voices Choir

6:00pm
 Youth Choir

7:00pm
 Youth Group

Monday, February 1
7:00pm
 Bible study

7:00pm
 Celebration Ringers

7:00pm 
Leadership Board

Tuesday, February 2
5:45pm
 Grace Notes

7:00pm
 Book Club

7:00pm
 Praise Band Rehearsal

7:30pm
 AA

Thursday, February 4
6:45pm
 Ring of Faith

7:00pm
 Youth/Adult Council

7:30pm
 Al-Anon

8:00pm
 Adult Choir



 

Nursery and Children's

Sunday School

 

Children and Youth Registration 

 

Nursery

Available at both  

9:15 and 10:30. 

We welcome all children birth through 3 years old. 

The nursery is equipped with a calling system and will alert you in worship if your child needs you.  

                   

Children's Sunday School
For children 4 yrs - 6th grade at both the 9:15 and 10:30 services. 
 Parent must accompany children who are attending for the first time.
 
Youth Sunday School
10:30 AM for Grades 7-12. 
Go directly to the Youth Room each Sunday.

HOSTS NEEDED FOR  
10:30 AM SERVICE
If you are interested or need more information, please call 
Janet Snarr (215-343-8052)
or email her at jr1snarr@verizon.net
 
Please click link above or contact the church office 
215 357-6998
for more information
The new Hospitality Room is open on Sundays before and after worship for coffee, tea, and snacks. 
UMC LINKSumc logo
 
  
  
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Looking for a little inspiration during the week?  
Try an online devotional.  Below are several really good sites (a few of the many that are available) that you could try.  Most are only a few minutes of reading.  Try picking one and "subscribing" so you receive it every day in your email.  Connecting with God each day is a wonderful way to keep your life focused on what is most important.
 


(has many devotionals to choose from)

(Devotional for Women)

(Devotional for Men) 
PASTOR JANICE'S REFLECTION 
        Granted, Easter (and therefore, Ash Wednesday & Lent) is early this year, but it still feels strange to be working on the Ash Wednesday service (Feb. 10) when we aren't even out of January yet.  Of course, I've been trying as hard as I can to work ahead because I am crazy enough to have scheduled myself for my second foot surgery on February 3rd. To be perfectly honest, it's now or never.  At the moment, I'm very familiar with the ins and outs of how to be functional when I'm not allowed to walk on one foot for six weeks.  Plus, the parsonage is still in relative disarray from last time - furniture is moved out of the way, temporary downstairs "bedroom" is still in place, clothing and other essentials downstairs, etc.  Of course, it's been a wonderful thing to be mostly back to normal over these last few weeks (okay, I'm still limping a little!) following the same surgery three months ago, but next week, it'll be back to square one.  Ugggggghhhhh.  So, once again, you can expect to see me 'scooting' around the church for a while.  I can hardly wait.  The GOOD news is that I should be at least standing upright by Holy Week & Easter.  God is good.
            But it's awfully funny, isn't it?  Time seems to be flying very quickly between Christmas and the beginning of Lent.  It's hard to believe it's almost here.  I'm also pretty certain that time will fly very quickly between Ash Wednesday and Easter.  Those six weeks will feel just like the snap of a finger. 
            But those six weeks of non-weight-bearing following surgery?  I can guarantee it will feel like the longest six weeks ever.  It will seem like six YEARS.
            So thanks for your thoughts and prayers again.  Please pray that I will have patience - something I readily admit I'm not so good at.
            And while you're at it, pray that we'll all prepare our hearts for the upcoming season of Lent.  And pray that we will ALL be given the gift of patience.  We want so very badly to forge ahead to the joyful celebration of the Resurrection.  It's hard for us to patiently and prayerfully make our way through Lent - we'd rather not focus on all the things Lent calls to mind - suffering, death, repentance, sacrifice, turning our lives toward God, and asking for forgiveness for all the ways we've failed in the past year.  But it's important.  And God is waiting very patiently for us to come back to Him.
                                                                                    Pastor Janice
Ash Wednesday Service
February 10, 2016 
   7:30 PM
ADULT MINISTRY
A NEW ADULT SMALL GROUP is held after the 10:30 worship service. We meet in the Hospitality Room. This is a great small group opportunity for parents whose children are in the children's choir! We will be discussing a variety of contemporary faith issues. For more information contact Heidi Gutsch at hgutsch@gmail.com

ST. JOHN'S BOOK CLUB: 
Tuesday, February 2 at 7PM in the Parlor. 
We will be reading The Boy on the Wooden Box 
by Leon Leyson. 
Discussion leaders: Carol Campbell and Barbara Schneider
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
The Renegade Gospel:  The Rebel Jesus
Monday Mornings at 10am in the Parlor beginning 2/15
Tuesday Nights at 7pm in the Parlor beginning 2/16
Leader:  Pastor Jim

This 6 week DVD study by pastor and author Mike Slaughter presents Jesus and his challenging message to inspire us. Central to the Christian faith is a man who denies all our pre-conceived notions about what God should look like. Joining his movement will mean coming to terms with the real Jesus, the rebel Jesus. Jesus didn't come to start a religion. The rebel Jesus came with a renegade gospel to start a revolution. You and I are invited to be a part. 


FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
Family Fun and Mission Night
Saturday, February 20      4-6 pm 
The children will be going on a scavenger hunt through the church looking for the items they need to fill Breakfast Bags for Aid For Friends.  They will also be making special greeting cards to go in the bags and place mats for the recipients. After the mission project, join us for pizza and ice cream sundaes.  Watch for more information.
YOUTH

Youth Group 
Sundays 7-8:30 PM
This week:
What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?
What's holding you back?
__________________________________________

Morrisville Food Bank Monday
Sign-up now for February 8. 
Confirmation Class Night
Contact David Bigam.  
Do Not Miss This Opportunity!!!
Morrisville is open to anyone interested in going to help make 220 grocery bags full of food.  Families are always welcome!
_________________________________________

Movie Marathon Lock-In 
Coming in March
Keep an eye out for more information!!!
_______________________________________

And as always
Bring a Friend and Bring a Can!
(All food collected goes to a local food bank)

Have you HELPED anyone today?
Have you SAID SOMETHING NICE to anyone today?

David Bigam, Director of Youth 
215-357-6998 ext. 306
 

Pancake and Sausage Supper
Coffee, Juice and Beignet's 
(Both regular and Sugar Free syrup will be provided, 
or bring your own topping.)
 
Fat Tuesday
Tuesday, February 9, 2016  5:30-7:30 PM

Get your tickets NOW!!!
$8.00 per Adult
$5.00 per Child ages 5-12
Children under 5 eat Free! (When accompanied by adult)

Bring your Family, Friends, and your Appetite!
All proceeds Benefit Youth ASP Mission Trip!

For questions, please contact David Bigam 
at 215-357-6998 or dbigam@gmail.com
Colleen Brownell, rcbrownell@comcast.net, 
Kim Smith, smithk22@verizon.net, 
Jim Baldridge, jimnteresa03@msn.com

Music is provided by: "The Jazz Sanctuary" 
 
MISSIONS
FAMILY PROMISE MISSION MINISTRY
It's finally here!  
We'll begin hosting homeless families in April!!
 
In order to provide a comfortable sleeping environment and to meet toiletry needs of these families, there are items we will need. All items should be new or gently used.
 
 
Watch for more information next week 
about planning meetings as we prepare for this exciting new ministry at St. John's
Red Bird Mission Work Camp
September 17-25th

The group that went last year were so spiritually moved by the overall experience of Red Bird and the the need for our help. They have decided to go again.  
Won't you become part of the team?  
It's a life changing event.  
For more information, please get in touch with 
Ed Campbell, edcampbell6@aol.com, 
Linda Barr, lsbarr2@verizon.net or Pat Mayrhofer. 


RED BIRD MISSION TRAILERS 
ARE CLOSED FOR THE WINTER MONTHS
 
The trailers will reopen March 1, 2016
(weather permitting).  

At that time, we will only be able to accept flat screen televisions and flat screen computer monitors. The larger, older models cannot be used by Red Bird. 


UMW/UMM
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
 
It's that time of year when we make New Year's resolutions to eat lighter and healthier. To exercise more and to become a more spiritual person. To show the light of Christ to all those around us.  Well here is your chance.  

The United Methodist Women are once again running our Souper Bowl Sundays to coincide with the big Super Bowl game.  We are collecting canned goods to benefit the Warminster and Morrisville Food Banks.  Please bring your canned goods or non perishable boxed items to church with you on Sundays through February 7th.  Just place your items in the barrel with the huge goal posts, located  in the church Narthex. Your donations may be the difference between a warm dinner and empty tummies. 

We wish to thank you and wish you a happy and safe New Year.
United Methodist Women

Six Deborah Circle members traveled to Aid for Friends on 1/13/16 where they sorted vegetables that were steamed and ready to be placed in meal containers, peeled lots of assorted peppers for future use and filled and labeled 75 containers with homemade chicken noodle soup.
St. John's Women are invited to join 
our new E-circle.  
Lydia Circle has started a Facebook Page because Mom's are so busy that we often can't make monthly meetings.    
Join us on Facebook @ Lydia Circle - St. John's UMC Ivyland to participate in prayer, inspirational messages and discussions. We do still meet on 2nd Thursdays @ Connie Whalen's @ 7:30, but attendance is optional. 
OUTREACH
PARTNERS in PRAYER
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

We are excited to initiate a prayer team before services here at St.  John's. Our goal is to reach anyone working in the church on Sunday mornings with prayer.  Specific prayers for each group of volunteers will be provided and should only take about a minute to share with each designated group.
Volunteers for this group will be asked to show up 30 minutes before service. Please consider joining our newest mission and become a Partner in Prayer with us.  Contact Connie Whalen for more information at conniewhalen4@gmail.com 
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