"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. - Romans 5:19
Dear siblings in Christ, let me begin by naming I am happy to be back with you all here at St. John’s. I look forward to talking about my time with the Navy in the coming weeks through conversations and sermons.
The above excerpt from scripture highlights the paradoxical relationship of Adam in the garden of Eden to Jesus Christ: The First Man vs. The New Adam. This Sunday, we hear from the Book of Genesis, when Eve is tempted by the serpent (an allegorical reference to Satan) to eat the fruit from the tree Adam and her were forbidden to eat. This reading is paired with the Gospel from St. Matthew, when Satan tempts Jesus in the desert. St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans ties the two scenes from the Bible together; it’s here, where Paul calls us to recognize how disobedience pulls us away from God. This ranges from how sin has corrupted our personal lives, to how the corporate church has been corrupted by sin on the systematic level by the historic treatment of vulnerable persons and minorities.
I realize the enormity of this statement. The church does have a troubled past. Hypocrisy is a tense topic in the church and one for clergy as well, as we too are sinners. It’s when we, the universal Church, forget to mention that we have erred in our ways and judgements and do not hold ourselves accountable, that we are hypocrites and no better than the Pharisees and Sadducees who condemned Jesus to die on the cross. Let it be known that I am indeed pro-church. I am intending on focusing that the church hierarchy and leaders have not always been correct on everything. We are a human entity following our beliefs regarding the divine, but our own ego and intellect interfere. We are flawed; we must always continue to acknowledge that we have faults. This alleviates our being complicit - not that our responsibility ends there. The ultimate sin is when we do not recognize a need for change, growth, or vain enough to believe that God has finished growing us (humans or the institutional church) into the full stature of Christ.
Many of you are aware that I am pro-confession. At Deacon Claire’s monthly Healing Eucharists, I support by offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the back of the church from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP 447). It is a sacramental rite that invites the people of God to unburden themselves, by confessing their sins to a priest. A 19th century English nun, Maude Petre, said “True confession consists of telling our deed in such a way that our soul is changed in the telling it.” Releasing our deepest, darkest, secrets has shown in studies to alleviate stress and I would say, by extension, allows people to open up and believe God really does unconditionally love them.
What I truly love about the Rite of Reconciliation is how it closes out on page 448 in the BCP: the priest says “The Lord has put away all your sins,” the penitent (person confessing) says “Thanks be to God,” and the rite concludes with the priest having the last word: “Go in peace, and pray for me, a sinner.” WOW! The universal Church hasn’t been the poster child in history acknowledging our sinfulness, but here, in black and white, the church and the clergy attest to our humanity - being broken like Adam and Eve, and yet having hope in eternal life through the New Adam, Jesus Christ. It is in this spirit that the Episcopal Church continues to grow and learn from its past and attempt to be a better church for the future of Christianity.
Siblings in Christ, I acknowledge that as the Burial Rite (BCP 499) says: I am a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. God forgives us when we ask for forgiveness. Is there something on your heart that you would like to ask forgiveness for? The Seal of Confession is unbreakable - the rubrical instruction states that the secrecy of confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken. Feel safe and secure to seek one of your priests or a priest from a neighboring church and ask for forgiveness of your sins this Lenten season. Use this time of the year to deepen your relationship with God. Be released of your burdens and live into the full stature of Christ, the New Adam. As we approach Spring, I pray you have a spirit of resurrection and are reborn.
Your sibling in Christ,
Fr. James
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The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
Readings
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
Psalm 32
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/live_videos/
Bulletin: Rite I Lent
9:40 am - Sunday School meets in the Canterbury Corner
2022-23 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/live_videos
Bulletin: Rite II Lent with Great Litany
Music
Opening: The Great Litany
Sequence Hymn: 150 "Forty days and forty nights" vs 1-3
Communion Hymn: "Lord prepare me a sanctuary"
Recessional Hymn: LEVAS 188 "It is well with my soul"
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Saturday, February 25th at 4:00 pm
Come and enjoy an evening of uplifting African-American anthems and spirituals! Featuring Alex Pryrodny, soloists from St. Augustine’s Episcopal church, and others. Free will offering to benefit St. John's Concert Fund.
MAKE A DONATION TO ST. JOHN'S CONCERT FUND
Meet & Greet - All are welcome to join us and the artists for a reception in the Great Hall following the concert. Contributions of food, bevearages, and desserts are welcome, please email Heather Kress at hkress44@gmail.com to sign up.
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"A Lenten Journey: A Christian Pilgrimage toward New Life" - This small collection of Lenten meditations was composed by now Bishop Allen Shin when he was rector of St. Johns as an offering to the members of St. John’s. There are are several hard copies available at the back of the church.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD LENTEN DEVOTIONS
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Bible Study resumes on Monday, February 27th at 6:30 pm and Tuesday, February 28th at 11:00 am. We will begin a new unit referencing Were You There: Lenten Reflections on the Spirituals by Luke A. Powery.
Monday Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746
Tuesday Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82553627635
Bible Study meets regularly Mondays at 6:30 pm and on Tuesdays at 11:00 am on Zoom.
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THRIFT SHOP CLOTHING FILL-A-BAG SALE | |
Thursday, March 2nd, 12-3 pm
Saturday, March 4th, 12-4 pm
Come, shop, and fill-a-bag of clothing for $25
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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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES | |
First Holy Communion will take place on Sunday, April 16, 2023 for children 2nd grade and above. First Communion classes will meet on THURSDAYS at 5 pm in the Guild Room beginning on MARCH 2ND.
If you are interested in First Holy Communion for your child, please register using the link below. Forms are also available at the back of the church. If you have any questions about First Communion, please feel free to reach out to Fr. Duncan or the Parish Office.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION REGISTRATION FORM
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LENTEN RETREAT TO HOLY CROSS | |
Registration is now open for our 2023 Lenten Retreat to Holy Cross Monastery, March 7th to March 9th. The retreat will be led by one of the monks of the Order of the Holy Cross. There will also be quiet, reflective time on the beautful grounds which overlook the Hudson River in West Park, New York. We will meet at St. John's on the morning of March 7th and carpool. We will return in the afternoon of March 9th. The cost of the retreat is $230 per person. Space is limited.
REGISTER FOR LENTEN RETREAT AT HOLY CROSS
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LENTEN SERIES - LISTEN, LEARN, LOVE | |
On Tuesdays in Lent, all are welcome to join us in the Great Hall or on Zoom for 2023 Lenten Series, Listen, Love, Learn: How Being Present Changes Lives. Arizona missioners will share their mission experience at the borders of our world.
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March 14 - Listen: "Why We Leave" Presented by Fr. James Reiss and Judy Wohrle
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March 21 - Learn: "Here we Wait -- Walls and/or Gates" Presented by Jan Stebbins and Kailee Sievers
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March 28 - Love: "Where Love May Take Us -- Where Will Love Take Us" Presented by Ken Denker, Paula Dodge, Stephanie West
- 6:00 pm: Stations of the Cross in the Sanctuary (In person)
- 6:30 pm: Light Supper in the Great Hall (In person)
- 7:00 pm: Program (In person & on Zoom)
- 8:00 pm: Closing Prayer
Lenten Suppers - We are so excited to be able to come together again for supper before each program. Each week different St. John's groups will provide the meal. Click on the following link to see the schedule:
LENTEN SUPPER GROUP SCHEDULE
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Hope & Healing for a Broken World
The Rev. Canon David Ulloa Chavez, Canon for Border Ministries for the Diocese of Arizona, will lead discussion, reflection and prayer for St. John's Lenten Quiet Day. Suggested donation, $20.
Saturday, March 11, 2023
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Program
12:00 pm - Closing Prayer
REGISTER FOR THE LENTEN QUIET DAY
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2023 PILGRIMAGE TO IONA, SCOTLAND | |
Pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona, Scotland
September 29-October 8, 2023
IONA WELCOMES ALL! Come you of great faith and you who struggle with faith; you who believe and you who doubt; explorers and questioners, adventures and contemplatives! Experience Iona without expectation. Let the sacred isle uncover what you need to see and reveal what you need to hear!
For more information or questions please contact the Pilgrimage Leader, Leslie Valentine: Phone: (516) 815-1169; Email: leslieval@aol.com
Iona 2023 Brochure
Iona 2023 Registration Form
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APPEAL FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF IN TURKEY & SYRIA | |
Episcopal Relief & Development is mobilizing with long-term partners after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria on Monday, February 6, 2023. The earthquake killed over 11,000 people and caused widespread damage across the region.
Working through Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance), Episcopal Relief & Development will rapidly respond to the disaster through existing networks by providing supplies including winterization kits, hot meals and other food, medicine and emergency support. The organization is also in contact with other local partners as they assess the needs of their communities.
“The reports from Turkey and Syria are heart-wrenching,” said Abagail Nelson, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We have worked closely with ACT Alliance in our response to the crisis in Ukraine and we will continue to partner to meet the immediate needs of the affected communities in Turkey and Syria.”
Please continue to PRAY for those who have been affected by the earthquake. Donations to the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response Fund will help the organization to continue to respond to communities impacted by this disaster.
DONATE TO EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT
For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.
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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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REGULAR MINISTRY MEETINGS | |
Prayer Shawl Ministry - 1st Thursday of each month at 6 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Noelle DeLoreno or Lynn Hansen.
Spirituality Group - 2nd Thursday of each month at 5 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Patti Aliperti.
Racial Reconcilitation & Social Justice Minsitry - 4th Wednesday of each month on Zoom. Contact Heather Kress.
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 | |
We pray for Richard, Barbara, Edward, Christine, Fred, Ana, Patti, Luke, Cassandra, Valarie, Danielle, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, Anne, Carmen, Lou, Mary Beth, Daniel, Pedro, Anita, Chaya, Valerie, Hal, Sue, Hortense, Louise, Angela, Brooke, Caitlin, Chris
The Perpetual Light is a gift of Dave and Nelly Lasek in loving memory of Natividad and Modesto Roman, and Bertha, Frank and John Lasek.
Please send your prayers or updates to prayers@stjohns1745.org or call Coral in the Parish Office, 631-427-1752, ext. 101.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
stjohns1745.org
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