"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
This Sunday, our church celebrates The Baptism of our Lord. Lectionary-wise, this is kind of a strange jump for us; the last time we checked in with our infant Lord, we had just celebrated the eight days following his birth. So we had the infant birth, circumcision, the three wise men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And so, naturally (that was sarcasm), we jump over a quarter of a century later to Jesus, in his mid/late twenties. I must say, to me, this really makes no sense.
Many, if not most of us, were baptized as infants. A majority of us in church this Sunday will not remember the baptismal promises that were made, as they were made on our behalf by god parents. As some of you may know, my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl just days before Christmas and as a Christmas gift, I was gifted a Christmas ornament with a picture of the movie title screen from The Godfather. As I mentally pieced together my gift, I was moved to tears and in awe of my gift, as this brought me so much joy and bliss. As I look at my new niece Hazel, I am reminded of the importance of bringing this child into the faith.
Many of us take for granted the gift of baptism in our lives. Some view baptism as membership into the Christian club. It’s how we sign up for donation envelopes and get onto the Parish Register where we can receive weekly emails, like this one. Some are afraid of baptism for this reality - and I proclaim: this is not the meaning of baptism!
Baptism is one of two sacraments handed down to us through scripture, by Jesus. The other sacramental rites in our Book of Common Prayer are important: Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Ordination; but the two that Jesus teaches us firsthand by his actions are Holy Communion (which we celebrate each Sunday), and Baptism (that we hear in our scriptures this Sunday morning).
Jesus showed us by his example at the River Jordan with his cousin, John, that this was a new rite that in fact initiated Jesus’ public ministry. It was the proclamation in thought, and word, and deed, that Jesus belonged to God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. We may explain away the connection with baptism to Jesus’ birth narrative because of our modern-day practice of baptizing infants. Another way to look at baptism is within the parallel of how a child looks at the world with awe and openness, is in fact the way God wants to have a relationship with us - with the faith and openness of a child.
Children are quite remarkable in that way - they trust what is told to them. Why do they have any reason to doubt? I challenge us all this week, as we prepare to hear about baptism this Sunday, may we have the faith of the littlest members of our community, whom Deacon Claire gives our dismissal with on Sundays at our 10:00 am Eucharist. As adults, it is challenging to imagine the heavens opening up and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove. I believe children can see this much more clearly with their imaginations and unconditional trust in the Divine, as God has known them since God knit them together in their mothers’ womb.
God calls us to new life in Him, through Jesus Christ and through baptism. Do we have the same openness to relationship with Jesus as adults, that infants do for new life? How do we get back to having the faith of children? How do we dwell there? How can we proclaim in thought and word and deed that we belong to God?
Your sibling in Christ,
Fr. James
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The Baptism of Our Lord
Readings
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
Psalm 29
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 Epiphany
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 Epiphany
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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 and on Tuesdays at 11:00 am on Zoom.
Monday Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746
Tuesday Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82553627635
On Monday, January 2nd at 6:30 pm and Tuesday, Janaury 3rd at 11:00 am, we will begin a new unit referencing Means of Grace: A Year of Weekly Devotions by Fleming Rutledge.
This week we will study the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, John 2:1-11 (pp. 43-66).
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Please join us for a safe and loving offering of prayer and healing on Thursday, January 12th at 7:00 pm.
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!
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SPIRITUALITY GROUP MEETING |
Special Spiritual Meeting to Ring in the New Year!
Thursday January 12th@ 5:00 PM
All are welcome!
James 1:17 tells us that every gift is from God. We all have different talents and God-given gifts, but they are all important and can be used for God's kingdom.
Join Patti Aliperti, Deacon Claire and special guest artist Anna E Kravis for the first Spiritual Meeting of the New Year! Anna will lead us with original song, guided meditation and much more as we celebrate the unique gifts God has given each of us.
Surprises and fun are in store for all!
Anna E Kravis is a musician, performer, published writer, singer and songwriter who has been on a spiritual path for over 40 years. Anna has performed and lead nondenominational spiritual workshops at many churches and synagogues throughout Long Island and in California and Westchester.
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Our 2023 Puerto Rico mission trip will bring us to Ponce, Puerto Rico, from April 24th to April 29th.
The cost is $1200 which includes airfare, transportation, room and board:
- 1st payment due 2/15/2022 - $600
- 2nd payment due 4/15/2022 - $600
ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
Mission work will be determined by the the group. We hope to do children's ministry and outreach to students and young people. There is room for 10 to 12 folk.
Please contact Coral in the Parish Office or Fr. Duncan if you are interested.
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Confirmation is the sacrament when individuals choose to confirm the promises that were made for them at their baptism. The church recognizes one’s full membership and it is the day a bishop seals one with gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Rite of Confirmation will take place at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City on June 3, 2023 at 11:00 am. For information about Confirmation, please contact the Parish Office, info@stjohns1745.org or see Fr. James after services.
CONFIRMATION CLASS REGISTRATION FORM
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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 Wednesdays at 5 pm in the Guild Room beginning in February.
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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Tuesday, Thursdays & Saturdays
12 - 3 pm
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.
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The Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Great Hall.
Nominations are open for 2023 Vestry Elections. At our Annual Meeting we will be voting on one Warden, three Vestry seats including one Clerk of the Vestry. If you would like to run for any of these open roles, please contact the nominating committee of either Fr. Duncan 845-271-9134 or Rob Wheeler at 631-271-8286.
All ministry chairs please submit your group’s annual report to the Church Office (cfreas@stjohnshuntington.org) no later than Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 9am. Please sumbit as a Microsoft Word document, Google Doc, or as text in the body of an email.
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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, Sue, Pedro, Anita, Chaya, Valerie, Merrick, Hal, Sue, Bunny, Hortense
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
STAY CONNECTED
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