"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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“May he whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love” (Advent Blessing).
Advent is a season of faithful action, as we wait in joyful expectation for the coming of Christ in the world. As we heard in last week’s Gospel, we can look for Jesus in the oppressed of the world. We see Christ through caring for the sick, feeding the poor, and welcoming the stranger. We give thanks for all who gave to our Thanksgiving Baskets. To some of us, this year has had its share of difficult times and we ask the Lord to come into our hearts and sustain us. Please join us for Blue Christmas Healing on December 14th at 7 PM. To others, like the persecuted church of the first century, we just hope that God will help us endure to the end. Regardless of where we are right now, we know that our redeemer will come one day and put things right. Since we do not know when, we want to always be alert and ready. We come to church each Sunday to thank and give praise to God. In this Advent season, let us with steadfast faith, open our eyes and hearts to the coming of Jesus.
This Advent, let us keep awake, to see what really matters. In the words of Isaiah, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…we are the clay and you are the potter; we are the work of your hand.” Let us be clay in the potters hand on that day when the sky darkens, so that we might not fear that day, but be ready for it. Isaiah tells us that we will all fade like a leaf and wither like the grass. While we are here, let’s focus on the eternal, the things that shall not pass. Let us give testimony to the Gospel. Advent is a time when we wait for the revealing of Christ. Advent is a time of waiting and preparing. Advent is a time when we align our lives with the will of God.
Last week in my sermon, I spoke of bringing friends, family, and our community to all the wonderful events we have at this time of year at St. John’s. Please keep a holy Advent and plan to come to church these next four Sundays. Worship and prayer are what we all need to do in these troubling times as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
Our Advent calendar is a little different this year because Advent IV happens on Christmas Eve. We will have our Christmas Pageant rehearsal and the greening of the church on December 16th. On December 17th we will have a Rite I service at 8 AM and our Christmas Pageant at 10:00 AM. On Sunday December 24th we will have our Advent IV service at 9:00 AM. We will have Christmas Eve services on Sunday, December 24th at 4 PM, 7 PM, and 10 PM. Christmas morning service will be at 9 AM. I am so thankful for the dedicated folks at St. John’s that will be giving a little extra this year to make this happen.
This weekend, our youth group will be selling Christmas wreaths and flowers. Please contact Fr. Zach or Ford ASAP to reserve your wreath. Please join us on Tuesday, December 5th and 12th at 6 PM for Evening Prayer, supper, and our Advent program. Bishop Wolf will join us on December 9th at 9:00 AM for an Advent Retreat.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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The Readings
Isaiah 64:1-9
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Join us for Sunday Worship at 8:00 am and 10:00 am in the church or remotely on Zoom and Facebook.
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83803451202
Facebook Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745
Bulletin: Rite I HE Advent
9:40 am Sunday School meets in the Canterbury Corner - Sunday School Calendar
10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86739553648
Facebook Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745
Bulletin: Rite II HE Advent
Music
Processional Hymn: H 56 vs 1-2 O come, o come Emmanuel
Gradual Hymn: 59 vs 1-2 Cast away the works of darkness
Offertory choir anthem: Wachet Auf by J.S.Bach
Communion Hymn: PraiseBook #143 “Wait for the Lord”
Recessional Hymn: 65 Prepare the way, o Zion
Thank you to our guest musician: Sarah Bersamin, violin
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YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS WREATH & FLOWER SALE | |
Pick up your Youth Group wreath and flower order in the Great Hall on Saturday, December 2nd from 10:30 am to 1 pm or on Sunday, December 3rd between or after the services until 12 noon.
Please contact Fr. Zach or Ford Spilbury with any questions.
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Giving is at the heart of what we do at St. John’s
Gifts due by this Sunday, December 3rd
Our adopted family of eight includes a three adults (M and F) including one senior (F). Five children, Cashmere (M) age 16, Heaven (F) age 16, Kareem (M) age 13, Kamira (F) age 13, and Messiah (M) age 7.
There will be a poster board available at coffee hour in the Great Hall for you to select a gift you’d like to offer. In addition to wrapped gifts, the family would accept and appreciate gift cards.
Please wrap each gift in holiday wrapping paper and label it with the first name of the child or adult from this household and place in the box in the Great Hall, or in Deacon Claire's office by this Sunday.
Any questions, please contact Carol Goldbaum or Deacon Claire.
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ALTAR GUILD CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS | |
This Christmas, help us to beautify our altar and remember your Loved Ones, or offer Special Thanksgivings, by making a donation for this year’s Christmas poinsettias.
Order forms can be found at the back of the church and on the St. John's website or by using the link below:
ALTAR GUILD CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA ORDER FORM
If you are unable to download and print the form, you may send an email with all the necessary information to Coral (cfreas@stjohnshuntington.org) in the Parish Office and send your check made payable to "St. John's Altar Guild" with "Poinsettia" written in the memo to:
St. John's Church
Attn: Altar Guild
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, NY 11743
Forms are due on Wednesday, December 13th
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Sunday, December 17th at 7:30 pm. Take a joyous break from the holiday rush and join us for our annual concert of Christmas songs, carols and stories featuring the musical talents of
Leslie McBride, soparano
Leslie Valentine, mezzo-soprano
Douglas Purcell, tenor
Larry Long, bass
Christine Doré, piano
Join us in the Great Hall afterwards to meet the artists and enjoy some Christmas cheer. Tickets are $20, $10 for children and available at the door or online: stjohns1745/christmasconcert.
Contact the Parish Office for more information at (631) 427-1752 or info@stjohns1745.org.
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The ECW really needs your help with providing the cheer for our annual Christmas concert, Sing Noël!
How to help:
- Volunteer to sell tickets at the door
- Sell Raffle tickets
- Bring Finger foods of all sorts
- Set up tables and chairs
- Clean up after the concert
- Please share the poster or pick up hard copies from the Parish Office to post around town.
SING NOEL POSTER
Please leave all food CLEARLY labeled for SING NOEL concert on tables in kitchen on Sunday December 17th, or if needed in the refrigerator.
We anticipate a BIG crowd. We really need your help!
Finger food suggestions:
- veggies and dip
- crackers and dip
- cheese and crackers
- cut fruit platters
- small finger foods like small meatballs etc
- mini sandwiches
- small finger deserts - like small brownies. Cupcakes etc.
- Christmas cookies
- wine or money towards wine in advance or food
- donations for raffle baskets.
Please contact Nicole DeVallee to let her know what you are bringing or with any questions:
Text - (631) 896-1069; email - ndevallee@yahoo.com.
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PEACE ON EARTH - A Holiday Journey around the World - Sunday, December 10th at 7 pm. We welcome back the Long Island Gay Men's Chorus for their annual holiday concert. Tickets are $25 and available at the door or online at ligmc.org/concerts. | |
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Bible Study meets regularly on Mondays at 6:30 pm on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746) and Tuesdays at 11:00 am in person in the Guild Room. The material covered each Monday evening will be covered on the following Tuesday morning.
Please reach out to Fr. Zach with any questions, (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.
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HIHI is the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative. St. John's partners with other local houses of worship to provide food, clothing and shelter during the winter months.
This winter, St. John's is supporting HIHI by collecting gift cards to local fast food restaurants of $5 or $10 amounts to distribute to homeless in Huntington. If you would like to contribute, you may drop your Dunkin Donut, Burger King, McDonalds, or other gift cards off at St. John's, 12 Propect St, Huntington.
We are also collecting men's jeans, sweatshirts, work boots, and winter coats which may be dropped off at St. John's.
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"Collects: a Spiritual Resource"
ADVENT SERIES
Tuesday, December 5th & Tuesday, December 12th
6:00 - Evening Prayer
6:30 pm - Dinner
7:00 - Program
8:00 - Closing Prayer
ADVENT RETREAT
Saturday, December 9th
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Program with Bishop Geralyn Wolf
12:00 pm - Holy Eucharist
Suggested Donation: $20
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The next meeting of St. John's ECW will be on Sunday, December 10th immediately following the 10:00 am service in the Guild Room.
Please reach out to Carol Goldbaum, ECW President, with any questions at ecw.st.johns.huntington@gmail.com.
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All winter events (January 1 - March 31, 2023) must be submitted to the Parish Office by Monday, December 18, 2023. All parish events and building use must be submitted to the Parish Office and approved by the rector.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ST. JOHN'S CALENDAR
Notices for events to run in the Chalice, to post on the website and social media must be received by the Parish Administrator by 9:00 am on Tuesdays prior to publication.
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Calling all shepherds, angels, wisemen, animals and more!
We have many parts to fill, and all children have a part to play, so invite your friends to participate in our annual Christmas Pageant.
To sign your child up and to offer your talents to help, please contact Christine Doré at doreivory@optonline.net, or come to Sunday School this Sunday at 9:40 am.
The Christmas pageant will be presented at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, December 17th. Invite your friends and family to celebrate with us!
There will be a Christmas Pageant rehearsal on Saturday, December 16th from 9:00 am to noon.
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BLUE CHRISTMAS HEALING IN DECEMBER | |
Thursday, December 14th at 7 pm
Isaiah 40:1 says, “Comfort, comfort my people, says God.”
Christmas can be a time for many who need that reassurance and comfort. Perhaps we are grieving over the loss of a loved one, struggling with illness, or have experienced the loss of a job. We wonder how we will get through the holidays.
Blue Christmas, a service of wholeness and healing is a safe and loving time for those seeking comfort, hope and wholeness, shared in the good news of “God with us: Immanuel!”
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CHRISTMASTIDE AT ST. JOHN'S | |
At Christmas time, our beautiful, historic church dons the green and red of the season. We celebrate with candlelight and beautiful music, performed by St. John’s Choir and an ensemble of world-class musicians.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Sunday, December 17th at 10 am
SING NOEL
Sunday, December 17th at 7:30 pm
4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 24th
9 am - Rite II Choral Eucharist
CHRISTMAS EVE
Sunday, December 24th
4 pm - Rite II Choral Eucharist
7 pm - Rite II Choral Eucharist
10 pm - Rite I Holy Eucharist
CHRISTMAS DAY
Monday, December 25th
9 am - Rite II Holy Eucharist
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Let Your Voice Bring Joy to the World!
Lift your voice and sing with St. John's Choir! We are preparing our Christmas music, and we are looking for singers of all vocal types and levels who want to enhance our worship experience through music. We meet on Sundays in the choir room at 9:15 am to robe and warm up for the 10 am service. Rehearsals are usually on Sunday afternoons and two Thursday evening each month. There are also opportunities to sing at our Healing and Evensong services.
If you are interested please reach out to our Music Director, Alex Pryrodny, or feel free to join us on Sunday morning at 9:15 am in the choir room.
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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 occasionally 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 connection with your friends at St. John's.
Join us via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86041146543
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On Wednesdays, the church is open from noon to 1 pm for noonday prayer which starts at 12:15 pm. All are welcome. | |
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The Thrift Shop is open regularly on Tuesday, Thursdays & Saturdays, 12 - 3 pm.
To volunteer or find our more, please contact Mary Beth Dieterle, (631) 427-1752, ext 106.
Donations welcome. We accept donations of new or gently used clothing, accessories, and household items. Please no books, furniture, out-dated electronics, or damaged items.
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HOPE MINISTRY COLLECTIONS | |
HOPE Ministry at St. John’s Huntington
Hearts Offering Passionate Encouragement
Outreach for Our Community Friends in Need
Please join me (Deacon Claire) in collecting personal care and toiletry items for those in need in our community.
There is a box in the back of the church for your donations.
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REGULAR MINISTRY MEETINGS | |
Prayer Shawl Ministry - Monthly meetings are on the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Guild Room. Please contact Lynn Hansen for more information.
Racial Reconcilitation & Social Justice Minsitry - For more information contact Heather Kress.
Spirituality Group - Meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm in the Canterbury Corner. Contact Patti Aliperti.
St. Hilda's Guild (Sewing & Crafting) - Weekly on Tuesdays, 12:30 - 3 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Sue Hartman.
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
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We pray for: Jim, Irene, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, Jenni, John, Sue, Nancy, Sue, Kim, Annetta, Charles
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Haydee Surillo by Dawn Molinaro.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Edith Seymour by her son, Tim Seymour.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Oswald Burnett by his wife, Janice Burnett and daughter, Andria Wetsell.
We have begun a new prayer list in Advent. Please send your prayers or updates to prayers@stjohns1745.org, call Coral in the Parish Office, 631-427-1752, option 1, or click on the link below and complete the online form:
PRAYER LIST FORM
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Thank you for volunteering to serve. | |
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
stjohns1745.org
STAY CONNECTED
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