"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . "
The Chalice
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church 
“What does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
 
Today’s collect asks God to increase in us true religion. To me, true region is accepting Jesus Christ as our savior, who died on a cross for our sins that we might have life everlasting. True religion offers abundant life, a purpose driven life that provides meaning to this temporal existence. The collect continues, “Nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works.” When we believe in Jesus Christ, our lives are forever changed. The whole point of coming to church is to worship God, be drawn closer to Christ, and be sent out into the world to do God’s work with the power of the Holy Spirit. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is calling for a radical restructuring of society.

Martin Luther King, Jr. noted that, for peace and equity to be realized, individuals and nations would have to look beyond their own interest and work for what is best for all of humankind. He called for a revolution of values, for the formation of “a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one’s tribe, race, class and nation.” In reality, he said, this is a call “for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all people,” in contrast to the self-defeating path of hatred and retaliation.

In his conclusion, King wrote, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. The "tide in the affairs of men" does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residue of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: "Too late." There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. We still have a choice today; nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to action…If we do not act we shall surely be dragged down the long dark and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter -- but beautiful -- struggle for a new world. This is the calling of the sons of God, and our brothers wait eagerly for our response. Shall we say the odds are too great? Shall we tell them the struggle is too hard? Will our message be that the forces of American life militate against their arrival as full men, and we send our deepest regrets? Or will there be another message, of longing, of hope, of solidarity with their yearnings, of commitment to their cause, whatever the cost? The choice is ours, and though we might prefer it otherwise we must choose in this crucial moment of human history” (Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Riverside Church in New York City, April 1967).

King wrote those words more than fifty five years ago. And while it may be true that nothing resembling expertise exists in the Christian life, if we aren’t yet convinced that tomorrow is today, if we aren’t feeling confronted – every time we read the news – with the fierce urgency of now, then we have more practicing to do We all have a lot more practicing to do. Fortunately, God’s invitation to us is always open. It is always now that we are invited to experience God’s grace and love, to sit at God’s table with all of God’s children. And it is an invitation we are empowered not just to answer but to extend to others, especially to those children of God who desperately need to know – NOW – that they, too, are worthy, they too are loved, they too, just like us, are the recipients of the totally undeserved mercy of God, every day. Remember that we serve humbly because of the commandment of God and not necessarily the goodness of other people. 

I ask for you to join together NOW to be the church that God calls us to be. Please think of ways that you can take better care of God’s creation and all of God’s children.

In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
SUNDAY WORSHIP THIS WEEK
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

Sunday School will not meet in the summer

10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist

The Music
Opening: 437 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
Before Gospel: 637 How firm a foundation, vs 1-2
Offertory anthem 
Communion: L201 I've Got Peace like a River
Closing: L 148 I'm gonna eat at the welcome table

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Do you love kids? Do you love St. John’s? Are you looking for a(nother) way to volunteer? If so, the St. John’s Sunday School needs you! 

We are looking for a few more adults to help out in the Sunday School classes. Christian education is a vital component of any parish. The pandemic affected almost every aspect of life, and Sunday Schools are no exception. But now it’s time to get back to reaching our full potential. We have a wonderful group of students and a great program planned, but we cannot achieve our goals unless we have enough help. All that is necessary is a willingness to be an adult presence on an occasional Sunday morning between 9:40 and 10:30am. The more helpers we have, the easier it will be. Many hands make light work. Please contact Christine Doré at doreivory@optonline.net if you would like to have a conversation about possibly joining our awesome team. If you have already reached out, please confirm that you are on our list.

Thank-you!


First Holy Communion - Anyone interested in First Holy Communion in the Spring of 2023 must attend Sunday School beginning in the fall.
YOUTH GROUP
Youth Group (7th - 12th grades) is now joined by our Curate to be a part of our Youth Ministry team. In addition to Ford Spilsbury, Fr. James will be helping organize activities, events, service opportunities, and mission trips for our youth. St. John's is also partnering with the youth groups of Trinity Episcopal, Northport and St. John's, Cold Spring Harbor, to do monthly joint activities starting on September 25th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Please send Fr. James an email if you're interested in learning more at jreiss@stjohnshuntington.org.


Confirmation - Anyone interested in Confirmation in the Spring of 2023 must attend Youth Group meetings and activities.
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
This joint ministry with St. John's, Cold Spring Harbor and Trinity, Northport, of fostering relationships amongst young adults within our community is not a simple project, but one we’re willing to take on. We plan on starting slow this Fall with monthly brunches, the first Sunday of the month. This is geared towards young adults who are 21 and older. This will later be accompanied by Spirituality on Tap/Pub Theology events to be released at a later date.

For the Fall, the brunches will be:
  • September 4th
  • October 2nd
  • November 6th

They will all start at 12:00pm, at different brunch locations throughout the township. 

Contact Fr. James at jreiss@stjohnshuntington.org to learn more and sign up for notifications.
PARISH PICNIC
All are welcome to the Annual Parish Picnic on Sunday, September 18th 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, please bring a salad, last names beginning N thru Z, please bring a 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!
QI GONG & MEDITATIVE DRUMMING
The Spirituality Group is sponsoring a special program called "Expanding Our Worship Experience". The second of 3 programs will be on August 27, 2022 from 1-3 in the Garden of Blessings (indoors in case of rain or extreme heat).

Qi Gong with Leslie Martin & Meditative Drumming with Dr. Ric Statler

ALL ARE WELCOME. A free will offering of $20 is suggested to support our Mission trip to Arizona.

Please see attached flyer for more details. CLICK HERE FOR FLYER
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 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.

BIBLE STUDY
Bible Study will pause for the rest of summer. We will begin a new unit on Tuesday, September 13th at 11:00 am.

Knowing God in the Created World - For hundreds of years, people have wondered what we can know about God based on the evidence of the world in which we live. Prof. N.T. Wright asserts that to answer this question with fidelity requires putting Jesus back in the middle of the question. The line of thought explored in this course seeks to do just that.

To preview to the course go to:
Login: dbu632@gmail.com
Password: GodsLove12
BOOK CLUB
Beginning September 12th, on Mondays at 6:30 pm, Fr. John will lead a study of the novel, Elijah in Jerusalem by Michael D. O'Brien.
HEALING SERVICES AT ST. JOHN'S
We believe that not only does Jesus still heal today, but that healing is one of the most powerful ministries of evangelization. Jesus never preached the Gospel of the kingdom of God without demonstrating the kingdom through signs, wonders, and miracles, with healing as the most frequent demonstration of God’s love.

Healing services at St. John’s will include a time of worship and praise, proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, corporate prayer for healing ending with individual prayer teams for healing. Come prepared for breakthrough!

Please join us for a safe and loving offering of prayer and healing on the following dates. All Services will begin at 7:00 p.m.
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8: Special Blue Christmas Healing Liturgy
OPERATION: OPEN DOORS
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 12 - 1pm

To continue to be welcoming neighbors in the village, St. John's Church opens its doors to Huntington during the week!

On Wednesdays - Noonday Prayer will start at 12:15 for any who are interested in attending this brief in person service.

On Thursdays - The sanctuary will be open for individual prayer and quiet contemplation. Our Music Director and Artist-in-Residence, Alex Pryrondy, will offer a brief interlude of contemplative music.

If any one feels called to join in this ministry and help expand it, please reach out to Fr. James at jreiss@stjohnshuntington.org . All are welcome!
SACRED GROUND SESSION ELEVEN
The Diocese of Long Island is asking that those who have completed at least one 10-session Sacred Ground series, to paricipate in Session 11: Walk On: The Journey after Sacred Ground. This session will meet on Monday, September 19th at 7:30 pm at the Mercer School in Garden City and on Zoom.

If are interested or have any questions please contact Fr. Duncan.
CREATION CARE
Passed by the House of Bishops during the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, July 11, 2022: House of Bishops on Creation Care 2022.

Dear God, Creator of the earth, this sacred home we share;
Give us new eyes to see the beauty all around and to protect the wonders of creation.
Give us new arms to embrace the strangers among us and to know them as family.
Give us new ears to hear and understand those who live off the land and sea,
and to hear and understand those who extract its resources.
Give us new hearts to recognize the brokenness in our communities
and to heal the wounds we have inflicted.
Give us new hands to serve the earth and its people and to shape beloved community.
For you are the One who seeks the lost, binds our wounds and sets us free,
And it is in the name of Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen.
(Prayer from the 2017 meeting of the House of Bishops, Fairbanks, Alaska)
PILGRIMAGE TO IONA 2023
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

Registration in limited and will fill up quickly, so please respond as soon as possible to secure your place.


UTO INGATHERING
The Ingathering for United Thank Offering (UTO) will be on Sunday, October 2.

Please be generous in supporting this great ECW mission. UTO is entrusted to receive the offerings, and to distribute the 100% of what is collected to support innovative mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion:

GRATITUDE

“In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”
–Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gratitude is a Christian virtue. It helps us love more deeply and be more present to the Holy Spirit at work in the world.
 
GIVE thanks to God for your blessings.
MAKE an offering for each blessing.
YOUR BLESSING becomes a blessing for others.

 
Please make checks payable to “St. John's Church" with "UTO" written in memo. Envelopes for UTO can be found on the table at the back of the church or in your bulletins on Sunday, October 2nd.
THRIFT SHOP
Come & Shop Sales in August!

30% OFF SELECT CLOTHES

$2 ONE-OF-A-KIND DISHES & TABLEWARE

St. John's Thrift Shop is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays, 12-3pm.

HELP! Volunteers continue to be needed - If you wish to become a volunteer, 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.
PARISH CALENDAR
Just a reminder that all parish events and building use must be submitted to the Parish Office. 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.



TAKE HOME COVID TEST AVAILABLE
Free at home COVID tests are available for pick up at the back of the church on Sundays before and after services and Wednesdays during Operatio Open Doors while supplies last.
STEWARDSHIP - Thank You for Every Perfect Gift!
We are so grateful for your continued support and commitment to St. John's Episcopal Church in 2022. Your contributions help with the day-to-day operations and maintenance of our beautiful church. 
Thank you!
Prayerfully consider setting up recurring automatic payments directly from your bank account or using your credit card. Our secure online system, OnRealm, is an easy way to help to sustain us through the summer. Use the button below to make a regular payment or to set up recurring payements.
If you have not yet pledged, pledge cards are available in the pews and at the back of the church. You may also submit your pledge online using our secucre, online pledge form. You may send your regular stewardship payments in the mail, leave them in the collection plate on Sundays, or set up automatic, recurring payments online.
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."
 
PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S
We pray for Susan, Jack, Charise, Spencer, Matt, Ernest, Sue, Wylie, Tom, Debra, Christina, Ursula, Victor, Melissa, Olivia, Annie, Tom, Allison, Chyah, Mary, James, Dylan, Jake, Jeff, Shannon, Kelsey, Justin, Patti, Richard, Barbara, Cole, Edward, Christine, Fred, Patricia, Hal, Carmen, Ignacio, Anita, Amy, Katherine, Briton, Cheryl, Edith, George, Patty, Gabriel, Siobhan, Danielle, Matt, Jane, Harry, Denise

Recently Departed: William P. Hinton, beloved husband of Barbara Hinton

The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Janet Campbell by Ken and Heather Kress

Please send your prayers to prayers@stjohns1745.org or call Coral in the Parish Office,
631-427-1752, ext. 101.