The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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“Open my heart, O Lord that I may lay aside the preoccupations of my life and know that you are already here. Teach me your desire for steadfast closeness and swallow me in your love. Open my ears that I may know an intimacy that is already there. You have dwelled in me since my baptism. Let me deepen my desire for intimacy with you (Martin Smith).”
Martin Smith gave me this prayer at a retreat I was leading. I wrote it in my journal and share it with you because I think that the preoccupations of our lives are becoming overwhelming and the peace of Christ that passes all understanding is a treasure that we all need and desire. This pandemic seems to be with us for another fall and winter. Please take a moment away from the media and back to the one that loves you eternally. I pray that you will open your heart and your ears to the love of Christ and that St. John’s will continue to be a place of radical welcoming, hospitality, and God’s grace. May we crave the one whose steadfast love is eternal. May we share that love with our families, our congregation, and our neighbors. May we love one another as Christ loves us.
As you volunteer your time, talent, and treasure at St. John’s, it is my responsibility to keep you centered in Christ. One of my most important roles as pastor of this congregation is to lead each of you to a deeper spirituality. We are all very busy people and most of us can relate to “running” from one place to another in our life. It gets so crazy at times that I think people forget where they are running to.
Please take a few minutes from your busy life and enter into the peace that passes all understanding. God loves you deeply and wants you to live a meaningful life. When we draw close to the love of God, we begin to see the path of self-giving love that Jesus Christ has taught us through his life, death, and resurrection. At St. John’s, you will see many examples of those who give themselves to others.
There are saints among us that have such a deep love for Jesus Christ that the love of God exudes from their ministry. They often care for the sick, visit the lonely, feed the hungry, and provide Living Water to those who thirst. They provide this Living Water by living a Christian life that is rooted in their faith and love of Jesus Christ. They may work at the Thrift Shop, help with our Harvest Fair, visit shut ins, or serve on our St. Hilda’s Guild. You will not often see them taking credit for anything they do and may never even notice the wonderful ministry that they do, until you are in need yourself and they care for you and love you like family.
I ask you to join us on September 19th and 26th to celebrate the saints that serve at St. John’s. We will give thanks for the ministry of Rob Wheeler on September 19th at the 10:00 service. We will give thanks on September 26th at 10:00 for the ministry and service at St. John’s for Rev. John Morrison. At 11:30 on September 26th, we will have a service of remembrance for Robert Boise. Please join us in the church, on zoom, or on Facebook live.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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Join us for Sunday Worship at 8am and 10am in the church or remotely on Zoom and Facebook. Face masks and social distancing are required for all in person services.
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist
10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist
The Readings
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SAFE PRACTICES FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES |
We are so happy to welcome people into the church for in-person worship. As we increase the number of people allowed in the church, we can all do our part to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy:
- Masks are required. Disposable masks are available at the back of the church;
- Social distancing. Please maintain a 6ft distance between your group/family and others;
- Sanitize hands upon entrance. Dispensers are available at the back of the church;
- Prayer books are available;
- Service bulletins and reading inserts are available at the back of the church.
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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 occassionally 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.
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Bible Study meets Mondays at 6:30 pm and Tuesdays at 11:00 am on Zoom. Tuesday sessions will cover the material discussed on the Monday before.
We are extending our discussion of Father Elijah and the Apocalypse by Michael D. O’Brien through the 13th and 14th of September.
Beginning Monday, September 20th and Tuesday, September 21st, we will be reading and discussing the novel, Sophia House by Michael D. O'Brien. Copies are available in the Parish Office.
The unit on the Dead Sea Scrolls will follow completion of Sophia House.
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There will be a Harvest Fair planning meeting this Sunday, September 12th at 11:15am in the Guild Room.
Help us to Help Others! The Annual Harvest Fair plays such a vital part in St. John's outreach in the community. While we cannot expect to hold our usual crowds in the building, we are looking for new, creative ways to offer the community a fun, family event. Your time, talent and treasure are needed!
If you are unable to make this in-person meeting, please join us via Zoom:
This year's Harvest Fair will be on Saturday, October 23rd, 10 am to 4 pm. Ways you can donate/help:
- Make a craft, woodworking items, Christmas decorations, homemade soap, sachets and potpourri are just suggestions. Use your creativity!
- Offer your vacation home/timeshare week for the Silent Auction.
- Donate new, unused gifts you have received to the Silent Auction.
- Donate items for the White Elephant or Christmas Sale.
- Request a donation for Corporate Sponsorship from your place of work.
- Design a gift basket, give items or gift certificates for a gift basket, or donate $ to create one.
- Plan on spending the day working a table or helping before or after with set up/clean up.
- Invite your friends and families to shop and visit our beautiful, historic church.
- Purchase raffle tickets!
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TAIZE PRAYER SERVICE RESTREAM |
This Sunday, September 12th at noon, we will restream our Taize prayer service.Join us for this candlelit, contemplative prayer service using beautiful music and silence to find inner unity with God in the sanctuary of your own home via Facebook Live:
To prepare your own sacred space, find a quiet space where you can a comfortably sit on a chair or on the floor, light candles to create an atmosphere for contemplative prayer. Give yourself time and space to listen, meditate, sing and be silent.
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On Sunday, September 12th at 7:00pm, award-winning pianist Alex Pryrodny presents a thoughtfully-constructed program of piano improvisations on based on sacred or spiritual music from around the world, from Gregorian chants to African-American spirituals and music of the Indigenous people. Pay what you wish ($20 suggested donation). Join us in person in the church or remotely on Facebook.
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RACIAL RECONCILIATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY |
RR&SJM Monthly Meeting
Thursday, September 16th at 6:30 pm
on Zoom:
All are welcome! Please contact Heather Kress at for more information at hkress44@gmail.com.
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HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATIONS |
St. John's Celebrates Latino Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
Although designated Hispanic Heritage Month, Latino Heritage Month is a more accurate designation since it recognizes the many contributions and influence of peoples not from Spain but from Latin America. Another name controversy arose recently with the introduction of the term, Latinx, as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino/Latina. Used generally by younger, U.S.-born, bilingual or predominately English-speaking Latin Americans, this new term is yet to gain widespread acceptance among others. Not only is it a word that they don’t recognize as part of their language, but the majority of Latin Americans self-identify with their country of origin instead of Latino, let alone Latinx.
Latin America covers South America, Central America and the Caribbean islands. It includes countries like Mexico, Columbia, even Brazil (where Portuguese, not Spanish, is spoken), Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua and the island countries of Cuba and Puerto Rico. With a current combined population of some 55.6 million, Latin Americans are the largest non-European ethnic block in this country.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH |
We are looking forward to welcoming the children back to Sunday School this Sunday, September 12th at 9:45 am in the Guild Room.
Sunday School will meet in the Guild Room on Sundays at 9:45am for stories, crafts, fellowship and growing together in Christ. A Zoom option will be available for those who prefer it at this time. Please register for Sunday School to be included in the weekly "Little Chalice" email blast with important information and Zoom links.
First Holy Communion and Confirmation - Anyone interested in First Communion and Confirmation in the Spring of 2022 should register for Sunday School in the fall. Sunday School is a key part of our Christian Education program and helps to prepare the children for First Communion and Confirmation classes in the winter and spring. If you have any questions, please see Fr. Duncan, contact the Parish Office at 631-427-1752, or email info@stjohnshuntington.org.
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ST. FRANCIS, THE SULTAN, & RUMI |
On Saturday, September 18th, 9:30-11:30 am, St. John's Spirituality Group will welcome back, Tom Petriano for a quiet day of reflection on St. Francis, the Sultan, and Rumi.
One of the famous stories from the life of St. Francis of Assisi is his encounter with the Sultan al-Malik al- Kamil in the year1219. Al-Kamil seems to have been influenced by the Islamic mystics known as Sufis, and scholars have pointed out striking similarities between the teachings of St. Francis and the Sufis. This morning of reflection will explore those aspects of St. Francis’ teachings that suggest possible lines of influence between St. Francis and the Sufis, especially Jalāl ad-Dn Mohammad Rūmī, who would have been a contemporary of St. Francis. While it may be difficult to trace the exact nature of the influence of Sufism on Franciscanism, both of these traditions can be a valuable resource for all of us seeking a deeper and more authentic life. Join us as we explore these two beautiful spiritual traditions.
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ST. FRANCIS OF THE VALLEY |
All welcome to join in the ongoing dialogue as we continue to learn about our Christian response to the needs at the border and plan for a Mission Trip in 2022.
Local Group Meeting to plan for our Advent Series: September 10th at 4:00-5:00 pm
Meeting with St. Francis in the Valley: Friday, September 17th at 4:00-5:00 pm.
“While the border divides, the land unites.”
Pedacito de la Tierra/A Little Piece of Home film aims to amplify unity through the joy, resilience, belonging, and community experienced throughout life’s journey. Alight and Burners Without Borders are kicking off a global movement to create sustainable spaces of hope and refuge for migrant communities, beginning at the US/Mexico border.
Also, you might be interested in looking at the following website: “Cruzando Fronteras” which is hosted by Diocese of Arizona in partnership with the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA and the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ: https://fronteras.azdiocese.org/
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The Ingathering for United Thank Offering (UTO) will be on Sunday, September 19th. 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:
NOTICE the good things that happen each day.
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, September 19th.
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SACRED GROUND - NEW SERIES |
We are beginning a new Sacred Ground series on Saturday, September 23rd at 6:30 pm.
Sacred Ground is a film-based dialogue series on race and faith led by Bill Kiley presented by St. John's Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry.
Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect European American histories.
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ROBERT W. BOISE MEMORIAL SERVICE |
We will celebrate the life of Robert W. Boise on Sunday, September 26th at 11:30 am in the church. Bob was an integral part of our parish for many years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a contribution be made in Bob's name to the memorial fund at St. John's. |
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Welcome newcomers! Our Newcomers' Class will begin on Sunday, October 3rd. We will meet immediately following the 10:00 am service in the Guild Room. The group will meet once a month. We will discuss the schedule at our first meeting. If you are a newcomer to St. John's and would like to join us, please register for this class using the following link, or speak to Coral in the Parish Office at (631) 427-1752:
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St. John’s Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry presents "Anxious to Talk About It" with Rev. Dr. Carolyn B. Helsel on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm.
Carolyn B. Helsel, PhD, is a professor of preaching at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she has taught since 2015. Helsel grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and has moved across the country for education and work, and in every setting, she noticed that the white people in her communities (including herself) remained silent on racism. As she became more aware of racism, beginning in seminary in the early 2000's, she felt called to help white communities better understand racism and deepen their capacity to hear the painful stories of others, and join people of color to work against racism.
For more information on this and other RR&SJM initiatives, please contact RR&SJM chairperson, Heather Kress, at hkress44@gmail.com. |
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Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward. Thank you for supporting our work with your regular contribution.
Using your credit card or a direct payment from your checking account, you will be able to make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments using our secure payment platform Realm. Please click on the link below to make a payment:
Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
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ALTAR FLOWERS & 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."
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S |
We pray for all our doctors, nurses, and medical staff who put themselves at risk to care for us during this corona virus epidemic.
We pray for all our men and women serving in the armed services and all first responders who put themselves at risk every day, especially during this time. May God keep them safe and healthy, and return them home to their loved ones.
We pray for those who work for justice. May God give us all strength and wisdom to act for change when it is needed.
We pray for the sick: Tom, David & Irene, Linda, Danica, Lori, Leslie, Hope, Mike, Michael, Elizabeth, Patti, Bob, Christian, Gladys, Lynn, Fred, Jim & Irene, Debra, Alex, Michelle, Pauline, Richard, Barbara, Cory, Allassadra, Ellen, Frank, Theresa, Spencer, Sue, Wylie, Matt, Cheryl, Tom, Stephanie, Lisa, Gary, Maggie, Tyler, Ursula, Christine, Samantha, Edward, Tali, Bill, Kate, Amy, Jean, Pat, Joanie, Sueann, Dermot, Jill. Jenna, Walter, Evelyn, John, Liam, Charlie, John, Matthew, Gail, Frank, Gabriel, Karen, Deacon Jennifer, Shirley
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
STAY CONNECTED
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