"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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God’s Dream:
To Be a Welcoming World
Our lectionary for Sunday, August 20th, Proper 15, deeply reflects God’s dream – a dream for a world that is much greater than national identity, a dream that welcomes all young and old, poor and rich, Gentiles, Jews and all ethnicities. A beloved Community! It is a dream that doesn’t love the walls we create – walls that separate, isolate, categorize and make us think we are safe. Nevertheless, history has taught us – or at least we should have learned the lesson – that walls are a mere illusion and those who build walls end up locked inside them. Those who believe that by defining their own space against others end up in a space that is only bare and empty.
Robert Frost wrote a poem called “Mending Wall,” which casts a cold eye on the real and figurative walls that divide us. The first stanza goes like this:
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall.
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun;
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.
There is Someone who doesn’t love a wall and today’s extract from Isaiah introduces us to that Someone. Taking place when the Jews were released from Babylon to return to their homeland around 538 BCE, the prophet announces God’s salvation as a motive for maintaining justice and righteousness. This salvation will include non-Israelites – people from other nations to become worshippers of the Lord. God will bring those foreigners – all peoples - to his holy mountain.
Psalm 67 reminds us that we must be joyful – for God judges the peoples with equity and guides all the nations upon the earth.
In Romans, Paul is struggling to understand the disbelief of his own people – the Jews of Israel. Why do they reject the gospel of Jesus Christ? His argument reminds us that God’s gifts and call are irrevocable. God made an oath to Abraham and Sarah that he would always be their God and they would be his people. He dismantles the wall that divides Gentile and Jews as he reminds us that all are justified by his gift of grace.
Finally, in our Gospel – Jesus further removes the bricks from the wall of ethnic separation when he responds to the Canaanite woman and heals her daughter.
Please join us this Sunday as we embrace God’s dream – his yearning for us to break down our walls become his true beloved community.
In God’s Great Love,
Deacon Claire
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The Readings
Isaiah 56:1,6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
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 After Pentecost
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 after Pentecost
Music
Opening Hymn: 405 All things bright and beautiful
Before Gospel: Children's choir anthem
Offertory Anthem: Children's choir anthem
Communion Anthem: LEVAS 152 Let Us Break Bread Together
Recessional Hymn: LEVAS 217 He's got the whole world in his hands
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On Sundays this summer the church will be open for prayer and quiet contemplation from 2 to 4 pm with musical offerings at 3 pm.
This Sunday, August 20th is another Young Artists Showcase.
Check St. John’s website for the most current music schedule.
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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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Bible Study meets regularly Mondays at 6:30 pm on Zoom.
Monday Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746
In August we will discuss Michael O'Brien's By the Rivers of Babylon.
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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. | |
ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD | |
God willing and the People consenting
The Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano,
Bishop of Long Island,
will ordain
ZACHARY DANIEL BAKER
to the Sacred Order of Priests
in Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
Saturday, September 16, 2023
at eleven o'clock in the morning
The Cathedral of the Incarnation
50 Cathedral Avenue
Garden City, NY
Your prayers and presence are requested.
A livestream will be available at: www.dioceseli.org/2023ordination
Clergy: Cassock, Surplice, and Red Stole
A light reception will follow.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH | |
Online registration is now open for 2023-24 Christian Education for Children and Youth!
REGISTER HERE
On September 10th, we will begin the Christian Education School year with our annual Meet & Greet and in-person registration. Please join us in the Canterbury Corner at 9:40 am for group activities and a chance to reconnect after the summer break.
First Holy Communion will take place in April. Classes begin in January. Anyone with a 2nd graders or above interested in First Holy Communion fo their child should enroll in Sunday School in the fall.
Confirmation will take place in the late spring. Any youth, 7th through 12th grade, interested in Confirmation should enroll in Christian Education and begin attending Youth Group meetings in the fall.
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St. John's ECW will meet on Sunday, August 27th immediately following the 10 am service in the Guild Room. We will be discussing the Parish Picnic and the Harvest Fair.
SAVE THE DATE: 2023 Harvest Fair - Saturday, October 21st, 10am to 4pm.
Please contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President, with any questions.
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All are welcome to the Annual Parish Picnic on Sunday, September 17th from 12:00-3:00 pm at the Senior Beach House at Centerport Beach, 239 Little Neck Road, Centerport. This will be a wonderful chance for all of us to meet our newcomers. The Youth Group will organize fun activities for the children and families.
Please bring your food donations as follows:
· Last names beginning A thru M - salad
· Last names beginning N thru Z - dessert
There will be a sign up sheet available at the back of the church and in the Great Hall during coffee hour.
Hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks will be provided by the Breakfast Group and the ECW. Don’t forget to bring a beach chair and umbrella!
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HAWAI'I WILDFIRE RELIEF APPEAL | |
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The people and Diocese of Hawaii desperately need our help! Recent wildfires have brought significant devastation, especially to the island of Maui.
The Diocese of HawaI'i has a strong on-the-ground outreach effort underway, including a care-van ministry. I am writing to request that you join me in supporting this humanitarian effort. I am asking that every parish encourage members and worshippers to support this direct relief program via the weblink below.
https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/maui-relief.html
The Diocese of Hawaii is also providing updates as the situation and response unfold. In the interest of providing immediate assistance, online support is best.
Alternatively, checks may be sent as follows:
The Episcopal Church in Hawaii
229 Queen Emma Square
Honolulu, HI 96813
Attn: A Cup of Cold Water
Please direct all inquiries to the Rev. Canon Suzanne M. Coles at scoles@dioceseli.org.
Thank you for answering the call to relieve human suffering in Christ’s name. Please hold all the people of Hawaii in your prayers through the coming weeks and months of recovery. We will provide updated information as received.
The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano
Bishop of Long Island
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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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UNCOVERING OUR PARISH HISTORY | |
Learn about what we have uncovered and help us discover more!
As one of the churches with a colonial past, St. John’s was invited to be part of the Diocesan project uncovering our history and its relation to slavery. The research spans the period from our founding circa 1745 to possibly the end of the Civil War in the Spring of 1865.
ADDITIONAL RESEARCHERS NEEDED NOW THROUGH DECEMBER:
Whether you enjoy history or like playing detective or are just curious, those are the skills for the task at hand. This project was undertaken by the Racial Reconciliation and Social Justice Ministry but is open to the entire parish and some parishioners who are not members of our RR&SJM have joined the history project already. Please contact Heather Kress at hkress44@gmail.com or 631-549-5186 to learn more or to sign up.
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HOPE MINISTRY SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE | |
HOPE Ministry at St. John’s Huntington
Hearts Offering Passionate Encouragement
Let us work together with Family Service League of Huntington.
School Supplies needed!
Join Family Service League and lead sponsor, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, along with other generous donors for our annual school supply drive which supports children's education and families who are struggling financially. Your gift helps children begin the school year ready to learn, develop as students, and fosters creativity in writing, reading, art, and other subjects. New school supplies and backpacks will be distributed at the end of August. Your donation makes a real difference to the children living in Suffolk County who depend on this program.
AMAZON WISH LIST - Click here and don’t forget to chose Family Service League as the ship to address so your gift will be mailed directly to our office!
Please contact Deacon Claire Mis for more information.
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Just a reminder that all parish events and building use must be submitted to the Parish Office and be approved by the rector or the wardens in his absence.
Notices for events to run in the Chalice, to post on the website and social media must be received by the Parish Administrator by noon on Tuesdays.
We are looking to finalize the fall calendar to coordinated our many events and start to spread the word about all the great programs and ministries here at St. John's.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ST. JOHN'S CALENDAR
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REGULAR MINISTRY MEETINGS | |
Prayer Shawl Ministry - On summer break. Meetings will resume in September.
Racial Reconcilitation & Social Justice Minsitry - For more information contact Heather Kress.
Spirituality Group - Next meeting will be on Thursday, September 7th at 5pm in the Guild Room. 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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ALTAR FLOWERS & THE PERPETUAL LIGHT | |
If you would like to remember a loved one or give thanks for an important 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."
ALTAR FLOWER ORDER FORM
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
We pray for Patrick, Eric, Chaya, Valerie, Anna, Denise, Dan, Gladys, Richard, Barbara, Christine, Brooke, Cassandra, Valerie, Edith, Cole, Luke, Steve, Amy, Kate, David, Irene, Leslie, Brandon, Shelley, Melissa, Caitlin, Patti, Sandra, Hal, Helga, Thomas, Marilyn, Dudley, Fred, Juanita, Cheryl, Rhys, Mike, Carmen, Iris, Lou, Mable, Nicole, Aubry, Matthew, Lois, Joseph, Ryan, Joan, Belle, Sandra, Lumi
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Clara and Frank Elliot by Linda Elliot.
We will be beginning a new prayer list in September. 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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