St. John's United Methodist Church 

 Cornerstone
                          www.stjohnsivyland.com                      
Like us on Facebook                                                        July 7, 2016
  Click on the links below to go directly to that section of the newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE
Join us for worship
Sunday School
Calendar
Prayer List
Sermon Online
Pastor Janice's Reflection
Summer Bible Study
Children's Ministry
VBS Registration
Youth Group News
Book Club
Red Bird Mission
Academy for Laity
Daily Devotionals
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, 
July 10, 2016 

Commisssioning of 
ASP Mission Team 
at 9:15 a.m. service.


The sermon series 
"Half Truths" continues with Pastor Janice's sermon, 
"God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It" 

Scripture readings: 
Deuteronomy 23:14
Psalm 119:97-105

CHURCH OFFICE
215-357-6998
stjumc@aol.com
www.stjohnsivyland.com 
 
HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:30-4:00
 
Please Note:
The Church office will be closed on Monday, July 4th.

Sunday Worship FAQ's

Sunday School


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 Worship and 
Sunday School
For children 4 yrs through 6th grade at both the 9:15 and 10:30 services.  
Go directly to Classroom D during the summer. Parent must accompany children who are attending for the first time.
 
Youth Sunday School
10:30 AM for Youth who have completed 6th grade through-12th each Sunday.
Go directly to the Youth Room in the Education Wing.
Youth are encouraged to worship together at the 
9:15 service.
THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

Thursday, July 7
7:30pm
 Al-Anon

Sunday, July 10
 8:00, 9:15, 10:30 am Worship

9:15am
 Adult Sunday School Class

9:15am
 Children's Sunday School

10:30am
 Children Sunday School

10:30am
Youth Sunday School

Tuesday, July 12
10:00am
 Prayer Shawl Ministry

7:00pm
 VBS Decorating

7:30pm
 AA

Wednesday, July 13
10:30am
 VBS Decorating

4:30pm
 Drive Thru Prayer

7:00pm
 Bible Study

Thursday, July 14
7:30pm
 Al-Anon

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.

ST. JOHN'S 
KITCHEN USE
The congregation is reminded that groups using the kitchen should clean up and put away items used before they leave. Please do not leave any food in the refrigerator except condiments. Items unclaimed  will be disposed of. 
Thanks for your support. 
The Property Committee
Facebook Page
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
ST. JOHN'S COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
Across from the Hospitality Room is a bulletin board where the congregation is encouraged to post information about upcoming community events, leave business cards, list items for sale, etc. It's a great place share information with the rest of the congregation. Be sure to check it out!
GRACE CAFÉ
Join us in the Grace Café each Sunday before or after worship for goodies, coffee, tea and fellowship!
 
Free Will Offering 
Help after the 10:30 service  appreciated! 
Sick? Away on Vacation?
Did you know that you can hear the sermon online? 
Just go onto our Website. (stjohnsivyland.com), click on the "What's happening" tab and then click on "sermon audios"! 
Audios are ususally posted 
each Monday. 
UMC LINKSumc logo
 
  
  
PASTOR JANICE'S REFLECTION 
            We tend to think of "change" as something very distasteful - most of the time, we either avoid it if possible, or we complain to high heaven when we CAN'T avoid it.
            Well, I contend that there are times when change is a very, very good thing.  It can bring new life and new excitement to something we've become overly comfortable with.  There have actually been times when I've asked the staff to take a fresh look at programs that are actually doing WELL - I've asked them consider "change for change's sake".  Yes, I know that almost sounds counter-intuitive, but change really CAN bring a breath of fresh air.
            Now, all of those things I've just said are things that I truly believe - I really do.  But, you know, it's kind of interesting when you apply these beliefs to your own life.  I read Scripture every day, and I've always been a fan of the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) - that is the translation of the Bible that you will find in our pew racks.  I like it because, for one thing, it is very gender-inclusive.  Plus it's the Bible I've always used - I'm simply "used" to it.  The wording of the passages is very familiar and very comfortable. 
            A few weeks ago, for some reason, my Bible was not handy and instead, I reached for a small pocket Bible that someone had given me years ago - it just keeps floating around the house.  I guess I keep moving it from place to place instead of actually putting it away on a bookshelf.  Usually I just ignore it because, after all, it's not "my" Bible - it's a small NIV (New International Version) translation.  But I picked it up and began reading a very familiar passage from Romans and I literally gasped.  I had become so familiar with the words of the NRSV that I usually quickly skimmed over that passage.  And although the translation was not all that different, I read it in a fresh, new way.  I paged through that little pocket Bible and read a few other passages.
            I quickly went online and ordered myself an NIV Study Bible along with some bible highlighters and a new journal.  I decided to start over at the very beginning - I'm reading an Old Testament scripture & a New Testament Scripture every morning, along with the commentary and other study materials.  And so far, the experience has been refreshing and exciting.  I don't know why I didn't try this a long time ago.
            So change is often a GOOD thing.  And I'm sharing my experience with you in case you might be hoping that the Words of Scripture would bless YOU and speak to YOU in a fresh, new way too.  Have a great week!  I hope to see you Sunday morning!
                                                                                    Pastor Janice


MID-WEEK STUDY

Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say

Wednesday Evenings, June 22 - July 20 
7 pm Study for Adults in the Parlor
7 pm Study for College and Youth in the Grace Café.

They are simple phrases.  They sound Christian - like something you might find in the Bible.  They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways.  This study by Adam Hamilton compares some common sayings with the wisdom found in Scripture.
MOVIE NIGHT
MOVIE NIGHT: 
Do You Believe?
Monday, July 18th at 7 pm
When a pastor is shaken by the visible faith of a street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a journey that impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate. Don't forget to invite your friends!
 
 
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Kid Zone: When your family goes on vacation this summer, we'd like to keep you connected to what's happening in Sunday school.  So we created a website just for you and your kids.  It will have the video Bible lesson each week along with fun follow up activities you can do with your kids.  
Check it out here: KID ZONE
Vacation Bible School
July 25-29, 2016
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
 
For Children 4-12 Years of Age
Register Today! 

Forms are available on the Children's Ministry Table in the education wing or on the Children's page of the church website. 


Sign up to donate food for the kid's snacks!  Sign up sheets are located near the the Sanctuary and in the Education wing.

VBS DECORATING in Classrom E
Tuesday Evenings: 7:00-8:30 pm
Wednesday Mornings 10:30 am - Noon 
 Join us for easy projects that everyone can do!

For questions, contact Alison Beal, 215-357-6998     abeal4@aol.com
 

YOUTH
Youth Group 
Hey everyone!  
Keep an eye posted on your emails.  
On any given Sunday night we will have the grill open to do some barbequing and some 9 Square-in-the-Air!!!
___________________________________

College and Youth Mid-Week Study 
(Bring your parents too!)
Wednesday Nights
June 22- July 20,  7 PM

Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say 
_____________________________________

Morrisville Food Bank Monday
Sign up for July 11
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!  
Following this event we always head to Chick-fil-a for Milkshakes!
_________________________________________


ASP Commissioning of Mission Team 
This Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 9:15 a.m. service.

ASP - July 16-23
Our destination will be in Lincoln County, West Virginia in the town of Harts.  This year we have 12 adults, 5 college adults and 32 youth for a total of 49 volunteers for Christ. Out of the 49, there are 11 who will have their first time serving at ASP!
________________________________________

Summer Activity Scheduling
Summer schedule for youth group activities coming soon! 
If you have any ideas you would like to see hapen this summer, please let David Bigam know!!!
________________________________________
 
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
BOOK CLUB
St. John's Book Club: 
Gifted Hands, the Ben Carson Story

Tuesday, August 2 
at 7 PM in the Parlor

Discussion Leaders: 
Carol Campbell and Barbara Schneider
MISSIONS
RED BIRD MISSION TRAILERS ARE OPEN
DAILY FROM 9 to 5:30

PLEASE PLACE CLOTHING BAGS 
IN THE GREEN CONTAINER

WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT FLAT SCREEN
TELEVISIONS AND COMPUTER MONITORS 
(less than 3 years old)

(PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE OLD TELEVISIONS AND 
MONITORS WITH US.)

Thank you for your continued support of the Red Bird Trailer Mission and your cooperation with the changes we are making with regard to donations. 
Sheets for Red Bird
Thank you so much for your generosity. We will send 94 sets of sheets, 22 bath towels, 4 hand towels and 18 wash clothes. Some of the sheets are there already. Thanks so much.
OUTREACH
33
rd ACADEMY FOR LAITY
FOLLOW THAT STAR...make it happen!
   August 13-14, 2016

 The annual Academy for Laity provides training and fellowship for those interested in furthering their knowledge of the United Methodist Church and activities for the laity. It provides basic and advanced courses for Christ Servant Ministers, Certified Lay Ministers, and those who just want to expand their knowledge and explore new ways to serve God in the local church. This year's Academy offers the basic course as well as eight advanced courses taught by some of the best instructors in our denomination.
Registration Deadline is July 22, 2016
Please contact Ruth Portzline if you are interested in attending
Our prayer team offers prayer to those who for various reasons don't feel that they can come to church but do realize their need for prayer. If you would like to join us and be part of this ministry of St. John's, please contact Ruth Portzline.
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) 

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY  
Tuesday, July 12, 
10:00 a.m. Parlor
Come help knit or crochet lap shawls for those in need of comfort. All knitters and crocheters welcome!If you would like to request a Prayer Shawl, please contact Roberta Nelson @ robertahsn577@verizon.net
(215-364-0919