"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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Advent conjures up lots of words, thoughts and questions. As I spent time pondering what to write for this week’s Chalice my mind was overrun with many questions Perhaps you have some also:
· What do we most need this Advent?
· What are we waiting for?
· Who are we waiting for?
· Where is our wilderness?
· In the busyness of our lives, are we able to hear the voice that cries out to our hearts?
· If God is coming to bring us peace, how and where can we find it?
· How do we prepare a home in our hearts for the one to come and come again?
So, we come to church – a place where we can worship God, to be inspired and grounded, to be part of a community, to be blessed and find support in the timelessness of Holy Scripture, maybe even to become better people. Church can also be for many of us a place of peace – a respite from our daily challenges – a place to retreat from the world and slow down as we search for answers that will endure.
As I looked at the word art that is at the top of this message, it took a long time for me to find the one word I was desperately looking for – something I need: Peace. I know I am not alone in this need. See if you can find it! It is barely noticeable. Yet, peace, comfort, patient waiting and even a call to turn our hearts to God, to seek forgiveness, are among the many themes found in our lectionary for this Sunday. Psalm 85 verse 8 tells us:
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Where is this peace to be found? Henri Nouwen tells us, “The answer is clear. In weakness. First of all, in our own weakness, in those places of our hearts where we feel most broken, most insecure, most in agony, most afraid. Why there? Because there, our familiar ways of controlling our world are being stripped away; there, we are called to let go from doing much, thinking much, and relying on our self-sufficiency. Right there where we are weakest, the peace which is not of this world is hidden.” (emphasis added)
I pray that you will all join us this Sunday – for a time of peace – perhaps to get some answers to the deeper questions that are challenging you. Maybe even to find peace.
Shalom,
Deacon Claire
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The Readings
Isaiah 40:1-11
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
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: 56 vs 3-4 O come, o come Emmanuel
Gradual: 67 vs 1-2 Comfort, comfort ye my people
Offertory anthem: 75 There is a voice in the wilderness crying
Communion Hymn: PraiseBook #141 “O Lord Hear My Prayer"
Recessional: 76 On Jordan's bank the baptist's cry
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"Collects: a Spiritual Resource"
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
ADVENT SERIES
Tuesday, December 12th
6:00 - Evening Prayer
6:30 pm - Dinner
7:00 - Program
8:00 - Closing Prayer
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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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The next meeting of St. John's ECW will be this 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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SPIRITUALITY GROUP MEETING | |
Thursday, December 14th at 5:00 pm
in the Canterbury Corner
All are welcome to join St. John's Spirituality Group for their next monthly meeting.
If you are interested in exploring your spirituality and deepening your connection to others, consider joining us. Please contact Patti Aliperti if you would like more information about St. John's Spirituality Group.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87441402327
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BLUE CHRISTMAS HEALING IN DECEMBER | |
Thursday, December 14th at 7 pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86739553648
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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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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ST. HILDA'S MINI CHRISTMAS FAIR | |
Sunday, December 17th in the Great Hall
St. Hilda's Guild will be holding a Mini Christmas Fair during coffee hour after each service offering Christmas ornaments and crafts, hats and scarves, blankets and sweaters. Support St. Hilda's Guild and shop for some one-of-a-kind gifts.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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, Suzy, Gladys, Richard, Anthony, Christian, Joanne, Betty, Johnny
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Frank and Clara Elliot by their daughter, Linda Elliot.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Carlotta Madhoo by her daughter, Nerissa Chin.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Bertha, Frank & John Lasek, and Modesto & Natividad Roman by Dave and Nelly Lasek.
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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