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Read the latest news for our church.
May 22, 2025
Inaugural Meeting of the St. John’s UCC Youth Group, May 18, 2025
Jesus said, “Let those kids come!” Okay, according to the gospel writers, he really said “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” Mark 10:14, Luke 18:6. (It’s also possible he actually said something closer to “Yo! Let those kids come!”)
One of the things I am most excited about as I settle in at St. John’s (it’s only been a little over two months!) is connecting with our children and youth. I love sitting with the kids on the steps each Sunday, was fortunate to spend a session with our Confirmands, and have relished my conversations with our youth. The big news is this: St. John’s UCC now has a Youth Group!
On May 18, a handful of young folks (middle school and up) generously shared their time, thoughts, and feelings during our Listening Session. Over pizza, we talked about what we each like about church, what we would like to see more of, and what we would change if we could (getting up early on Sunday was a shared struggle). They are eager to engage big questions, offer their gifts, and be service to the St. John’s community as well those beyond our doors. We’re planning a fun summer outing – stay tuned for details. By the time we finished our meeting, they had decided they wanted to start a Youth Group!
I’ve come away with some good notes. I take their input seriously, and look forward to finding ways to continue to not only celebrate our young folks, but have them as conversation partners as we together discern God’s dreams for St. John’s UCC.
In Christ,
Pastor Linda
May 21, 2025
May 25
Sixth Sunday of Easter
9:30 am – Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 am – Fellowship
10:45 am – Confirmation Class
June 1
Seventh Sunday of Easter
New Member Sunday
8:30 am – Praying Hands Stitchers
9:30 am – Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 am – Congregational Meeting
12:00 pm – Church Picnic
May 21, 2025
St. John’s will be recognizing graduates from high school, college, grad school, etc, on June 8th, during the 9:30 am worship service. If you would like your graduate’s name to be included, please call or email the church office by Wednesday, June 4th with information about your grad. Thanks!
May 07, 2025
May 11
Mother’s Day
Fourth Sunday of Easter
10:15 am – Sunday Morning Worship
10:45 am – Connect3
11:30 am – Fellowship
May 14
Last Wednesday Night Live! of the Season
5:45 pm – Community Meal
6:15 pm – Adult Education Class
7:00 pm – Holden Evening Prayer
7:30 pm – Chancel Choir w/ Trinity Lutheran
May 18
Fifth Sunday of Easter
10:15 am – Sunday Morning Worship
11:30 am – Fellowship
12:00 pm – Listening Session – Teens & Young Adults
5:00 pm – New Member Dinner
May 01, 2025
We are currently seeking St. John’s members interested in mentoring individuals who wish to join our church family.
Mentors will aid in the acclimation process and participate in the “new member” dinner on Sunday, May 18th at 5PM. Additionally, mentors are invited to join us on “new member” Sunday, June 1st.
To express interest in becoming a mentor, please contact one of the Pastors or Chriss Bodde.
Chriss Bodde
Elder Chair
Apr 24, 2025
Palestinian children in Massafer Yatta, West Bank, Palestine. October 2023. (Photo by Rev. Linda Noonan)
On April 29, I will be traveling to Israel and Palestine to represent the United Church of Christ and St. John’s UCC on a delegation of bishops and denominational leaders. I will return on May 10.
I am not going to walk where Jesus walked as much as I am going to stand where I believe Jesus would be standing right now – with those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes and ancestral lands, denied basic human rights, and are daily witnessing the genocide of their people.
And yet, the faith of the Palestinians is astonishing. We have so much to learn from them about trust in God and the power of community. They are begging us to not avert our eyes and inviting us to be in solidarity with those who suffer. Throughout our scriptures, we are told that God stands with the oppressed, and God’s people are called to defend those who are crushed by the powerful, whoever they may be. We can do that by praying, and also by taking action for an end to the war in Gaza, an end to illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, and a just peace for all people in the Holy Land.
This will be my second trip. I was there last in September and October of 2023, and we were in the West Bank when the war on Gaza began on October 7. This is a story I sent to the United Church of Christ News about our experience – (Link found below)
I feel proud to represent St. John’s on this delegation and am so grateful for your support and care. I will do my best to send back some brief reports, which Grace Marchione, our Communications Coordinator, will share with the congregation. I welcome your prayers for those who are traveling, the ones we leave behind (like some of you, my family would have preferred that I sit this trip out!), and those that we meet.
In the words of the prophet Isaiah, let us “learn to do right; seek justice; defend the oppressed.” (Isaiah 1:17.)
Pastor Linda
Apr 23, 2025
April 27
Second Sunday of Easter
9:00 am – Confirmation Class
10:15 am – Sunday Morning Worship
10:45 am – Connect3
11:30 am – Fellowship
12:00 pm – Listening Session: 8 AM Service
April 30
Wednesday Night Live!
5:45 pm – Community Meal
6:15 pm – Adult Education Class
– Children’s Choir
– United Ringers
7:00 pm – Holden Evening Prayer
7:30 pm – Chancel Choir
May 4
Third Sunday of Easter
9:00 am – Praying Hands Stitchers
– Confirmation Class
10:15 am – Sunday Morning Worship
10:45 am – Connect3
11:30 am – Fellowship
– Stewardship
May 7
Wednesday Night Live!
5:45 pm – Community Meal
6:15 pm – Adult Education Class
– Children’s Choir
– United Ringers
7:00 pm – Holden Evening Prayer
7:30 pm – Chancel Choir
Apr 22, 2025
Plan on participating? Please notify one of the deacons ASAP and let us know the theme of your basket. Baskets are due in the office the week of May 5th – 10th.
Basket display and ticket sales will take place Sundays starting May 11th in the Fireside Room. The baskets will also be featured at the church picnic on June 1st and at Lansdale Day June 7th. The winners will be drawn at social hour on June 8th.
This has been a wonderful fundraiser over the years, and this year’s earnings will be donated to the exterior renovation fund. Thanks for participating… we can’t wait to see your creations!
Apr 09, 2025
Maundy Thursday is the day in Holy Week when we remember Jesus’ last supper in the Upper Room with his disciples on the night before he was crucified.
This is a ritual remembrance of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. It is meant to not simply reenact the biblical story, but to enter into it with our own lives, loves, losses, and hopes. Questions focus on things like: sharing our thanksgivings, remembering a time when someone offered their life or sacrificed for someone else, our covenant with God’s larger family, etc. Dinner will include the breaking of bread and sharing of the cup (what we now call “communion”).
We will offer hand washing or foot washing for anyone who would like to do this – it is completely optional. We recall the ways in which the washing of feet before a meal was usually done by servants. But Jesus broke that convention by washing the feet of the ones he loved. In doing this, he modeled servant leadership.
So we can prepare the space, please sign up in advance.
Apr 09, 2025
April 13
Palm Sunday
10:15 am – Sunday Morning Worship
10:45 am – Connect3
11:30 am – Fellowship
4:00 pm – Artist Series at St. John’s Presents:
Ein deutsches Requiem
April 16
No Wednesday Night Live
April 17
Maundy Thursday
12:00 pm – Prayer Vigil Begins
7:00 pm – Worship Potluck Dinner
April 29
Good Friday
12:00 pm – Prayer Vigil Ends
7:00 pm – Worship Service
April 20
Easter Sunday
7:00 am – Sunrise Service at White’s Road Park
10:15 am – Celebration Service
April 21
Office Closed
April 23
No Wednesday Night Live
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