"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . "
The Chalice
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church 
So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’ (John 6:67-69)

Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.  (Ephesians 6:13-20)

How can we find a way of life that will express an authentic expression of our love and willingness to serve God? Timothy Sedgwick, ethics scholar, says that “Welcoming the stranger, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting those in prison, forgiving those who have acted against us, and perhaps most prosaically, but fundamentally sharing meals together in table fellowship—in these actions Christians claim they experience the full presence of God in a way that orients, reorients, forms, and transforms the roles and relations of everyday life.” When we do these things we move closer to what God wants us to become. In other words, we move closer to the abundant life, which is what God created us for. In moral terms, vices are those things that corrupt our human powers and capacities and virtues are the perfection of human powers and capacities. The theological virtues are faith, hope and love. Faith is the knowledge of God and the act of knowing God and brings us to a trust in God. Hope is an expectation of new opportunities and joys. Love is the experience of being loved by God. We might think we are headed in the right direction, but our arrogance makes us vulnerable.

How we love our neighbors that are different from us indicates how we love the Lord. Jesus said that what counts is what’s inside. Our actions through the power of the Holy Spirit change people from the inside out. Sedgewick said, “The presence of God given in worship is inseparable from the call into the covenant of hospitality that is our daily life…only in the covenant of hospitality do we acknowledge that we share a common humanity. In this is the ground for justice.”

In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
SUNDAY WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Join us for Sunday Worship at 8am and 10am in the church or remotely on Zoom or Facebook. Face masks, social distancing, and contract tracing sign in are required for all in person services. Space is limited.
 
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist

10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist

The Readings
SAFE PRACTICES FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES
We are so happy to welcome people into the church for in-person worship. As we increase the number of people allowed in the church, we can all do our part to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy:

  1. Masks are required. Disposable masks are available at the back of the church;
  2. Social distancing. Please maintain a 6ft distance between your group/family and others;
  3. Sanitize hands upon entrance. Dispensers are available at the back of the church;
  4. Prayer books are available;
  5. Service bulletins and reading inserts are available at the back of the church.
MORNING PRAYER
All are welcome at Morning Prayer. We meet Monday through Friday at 9:00 am via Zoom. Our short prayer service is followed by some fellowship and discussion. Feel free to join us occassionallly to listen and pray, or come more often to participate as a leader or reader, and to start your day with your focus on Christ and a deeper connnection with your friends at St. John's.

DIOCESAN APPEAL FOR HAITI
If you would like to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti, the Bishop has sent out an appeal to for prayers and financial support. >>>Read the Bishop's letter

The Episcopal Diocese of Long Island will provide direct support in order to effectively keep the church’s critical pipeline of food and aid flowing to some of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. 

Please make all checks payable to “The Episcopal Diocese of Long Island” and send as follows: 

Office of Stewardship
The Episcopal Diocese of Long Island
36 Cathedral Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
Memo: “Haiti Relief”
BIBLE STUDY
Bible Study meets Mondays at 6:30 pm and Tuesdays at 11:00 am on Zoom.

Join Fr. John to discuss the book Father Elijah: An Apocalypse by Michael O'Brien on the following days in August:

Mondays - August 23rd and 30th at 6:30 pm

Tuesdays - August 24th and 31st at 11:00 am
(He will cover the material discussed on the prior Monday).
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Sunday School - We plan to welcome everyone BACK TO SUNDAY SCHOOL on September 12th, and we can’t wait to see you all! However, we would like your feedback to better prepare for your child's needs and your families level of comfort. If you haven't already done so, Please respond to the quick questionnaire to help us plan:


First Holy Communion and Confirmation - Anyone interested in First Communion and Confirmation in the Spring of 2022 should register for Sunday School in the fall. Sunday School is a key part of our Christian Education program and helps to prepare the children for First Communion and Confirmation classes in the winter and spring. If you have any questions, please see Fr. Duncan, contact the Parish Office at 631-427-1752, or email info@stjohnshuntington.org.

SACRED MUSIC CONCERT
On Sunday, September 12th at 7:00pm, award-winning pianist Alex Pryrodny presents a thoughtfully-constructed program of piano improvisations on based on sacred or spiritual music from around the world, from Gregorian chants to African-American spirituals and music of the Indigenous people. Pay what you wish ($20 suggested donation).
ST. FRANCIS, THE SULTAN, & RUMI
On Saturday, September 18th, 9:30-11:30 am, St. John's Spirituality Group will welcome back, Tom Petriano for a quiet day of reflection on St. Francis, the Sultan, and Rumi.

One of the famous stories from the life of St. Francis of Assisi is his encounter with the Sultan al-Malik al- Kamil in the year1219. Al-Kamil seems to have been influenced by the Islamic mystics known as Sufis, and scholars have pointed out striking similarities between the teachings of St. Francis and the Sufis. This morning of reflection will explore those aspects of St. Francis’ teachings that suggest possible lines of influence between St. Francis and the Sufis, especially Jalāl ad-Dn Mohammad Rūmī, who would have been a contemporary of St. Francis. While it may be difficult to trace the exact nature of the influence of Sufism on Franciscanism, both of these traditions can be a valuable resource for all of us seeking a deeper and more authentic life. Join us as we explore these two beautiful spiritual traditions.

Join us on Zoom. All are welcome. REGISTER FOR RETREAT
ANXIOUS TO TALK ABOUT IT
St. John’s Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry presents "Anxious to Talk About It" with Rev. Dr. Carolyn B. Helsel on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

Carolyn B. Helsel, PhD, is a professor of preaching at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she has taught since 2015. Helsel grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and has moved across the country for education and work, and in every setting, she noticed that the white people in her communities (including herself) remained silent on racism. As she became more aware of racism, beginning in seminary in the early 2000's, she felt called to help white communities better understand racism and deepen their capacity to hear the painful stories of others, and join people of color to work against racism.

For more information on this and other RR&SJM initiaves, please contact RR&SJM chairperson, Heather Kress, at hkress44@gmail.com.
ROBERT W. BOISE MEMORIAL SERVICE
We will celebrate the life of Robert W. Boise on Sunday, September 26th at 11:30 am in the church. Bob was an integral part of our parish for many years. In lieu of flowers, the familiy asks that a contribution be made in Bob's name to the memorial fund at St. John's.

To make a donation to the Memorial Fund, please send a check payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" with "Robert Boise Memorial Fund" written in the memo. To make a donation online using our secure online system, click on the following link:
Please be sure to write Bob's name in the memo.
SACRED GROUND - NEW SERIES
We are beginning a new Sacred Ground series on Saturday, September 23rd at 6:30 pm.
 
Sacred Ground is a film-based dialogue series on race and faith led by Billy Kiley presented by St. John's Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry.
 
Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect European American histories. 

Form more information contact: Heather Kress at hkress44@gmail.com

To register, contact the Parish Office at (631) 427-1752 or cfreas@stjohnshuntington.org, or online:
ST. FRANCIS OF THE VALLEY
All welcome to join in the ongoing dialogue as we continue to learn about humanitarian needs at the border and plan for a Mission Trip in 2022.

Local Group Meeting to plan for our Advent Series: Friday, August 20 and Friday, September 10th at 4:00 pm

Meeting with St. Francis in the Valley: Friday, September 17th at 4:00 pm.

All meetings are on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88256077481

Check out this link sent to us by Fr. David Chavez, the Arizona Diocesan Bishop’s border missioner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgxTBMG4rD4
 
“While the border divides, the land unites.”
 
Pedacito de la Tierra/A Little Piece of Home film aims to amplify unity through the joy, resilience, belonging, and community experienced throughout life’s journey. Alight and Burners Without Borders are kicking off a global movement to create sustainable spaces of hope and refuge for migrant communities, beginning at the US/Mexico border.
 
Also, you might be interested in looking at the following website: “Cruzando Fronteras” which is hosted by Diocese of Arizona in partnership with the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA and the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ: https://fronteras.azdiocese.org/
ANNUAL HARVEST FAIR
Save the date!
Saturday, October 23rd, 10 am to 4 pm

Your time, talent and treasure are needed! Annual Harvest Fair plays such a vital part in our outreach in the community.

Ways you can donate/help:
  • Make a craft, woodworking items, Christmas decorations, homemade soap, sachets and potpourri are just suggestions. Use your creativity!
  • Offer your vacation home/timeshare week for the Silent Auction.
  • Donate new, unused gifts you have received to the Silent Auction.
  • Donate items for the White Elephant or Christmas Sale.
  • Request a donation for Corporate Sponsorship from your place of work.
  • Design a gift basket, give items or gift certificates for a gift basket, or donate $ to create one.
  • Plan on spending the day working a table or helping before or after with set up/clean up.
  • Invite your friends and families to shop and visit our beautiful, historic church.
  • Purchase raffle tickets!
STEWARDSHIP
Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward. Thank you for supporting our work with your regular contribution.

Using your credit card or a direct payment from your checking account, you will be able to make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments using our secure payment platform Realm. Please click on the link below to make a payment:


Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
ALTAR FLOWERS & PERPETUAL LIGHT
If you would like to remember a loved one or give thanks for an imporant event with altar flowers or Perpetual Light, Please complete an Altar Flower Form and return it to the Parish Office with your check made payable to "St. John's Altar Guild."

PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S
We pray for all our doctors, nurses, and medical staff who put themselves at risk to care for us during this corona virus epidemic.

We pray for all our men and women serving in the armed services and all first responders who put themselves at risk every day, especially during this time. May God keep them safe and healthy, and return them home to their loved ones.

We pray for those who work for justice. May God give us all strength and wisdom to act for change when it is needed.

We pray for the sick: Tom, David & Irene, Linda, Danica, Lori, Leslie, Hope, Mike, Michael, Elizabeth, Patti, Bob, Christian, Gladys, Lynn, Fred, Jim & Irene, Debra, Alex, Michelle, Pauline, Richard, Barbara, Cory, Allassadra, Ellen, Lucille, Frank, Theresa, Spencer, Sue, Wylie, Matt, Cheryl, Tom, Stephanie, Lisa, Gary, Maggie, Tyler, Ursula, Christine, Samantha, Edward, Alan, Tali, Bill, Kate, Amy, Jean, Pat, Joanie, Sueann, Dermot, Jill. Jenna, Walter, Evelyn, John, Liam, Charlie, John, Matthew, Gail, Frank, Gabriel, Karen

Please send your prayers to Coral in the Parish Office, cfreas@stjohnshuntington.org.

For pastoral care and prayer, please contact Fr. Duncan or Claire Mis, directly.