The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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This Sunday’s gospel is a challenging passage for me, as I do not like confrontation. As a Christian, I see part of my mission as to try and create peace wherever I go, in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus. In the gospel this Sunday, we witness that same Jesus actually stating that He came to earth to cause division. This boggles my mind; how I’ve built up my ministry around one way of acting is now challenged by the same God who calls for division at some points.
While studying this scripture at length, I cannot help but recognize that we live in a broken and divided world. We all have different views and stances on topics. In some arguments, I also see scripture used to defend these points of view, as the Gospel’s effect on people can spawn derision among our ranks. The existence of different Christian sects illustrate these divisions amongst Christ’s followers. It seems to be difficult to find hope at some points based on these facts. Where is the good news in this?
I hope we can find the good news in the fact that there are still conversations happening with Christians around the world, looking to bridge the chasms that divide us. There are continued dialogues with multiple denominations. In recent years, The Episcopal Church has bridged a gap between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which is one of the three major groups of the Lutheran Church here in the U.S. Our bishops from both denominations have established relationships and we agree in creed and in doctrine about our beliefs: to the extent that an Episcopal priest could cover in Sunday services for a Lutheran pastor of the ELCA and vice-versa.
Frank Sinatra sang a song called “That’s What God Looks Like to Me.” In the song, Sinatra sings to his son what he believes God looks like to him. One of the lyrics he sings about God is that “His heart is like a mountain: so vast and so strong. That's why all of his children have room to belong.” I believe that God is big enough to be on both sides of an argument, given that the argument is not morally against the unconditional love of God.
When typing the word broken before, I was reminded of the communion wafer on Sunday mornings that Fr. Duncan and I break in half at both the 8:00am and 10:00am services. This happens immediately following the Lord’s Prayer. In the Prayer Book, it’s called The Fraction. The fraction is the breaking of one bread for the many. As a church that believes in full presence, we believe Jesus is present in each and every piece that is broken off, as we share in the meal together. We will be receiving communion in the church with people who differ from us across the aisle and across the world. This broken bread is symbolic of how we come together. Although we have different views, the good news is that we still strive for wholeness, despite the brokenness.
We still pray for peace in the world. We pray for those whose theology may differ from ours. We hope that through our differences, we may understand each other better. Jesus came to challenge the status quo and to bring awareness to issues that need to be brought to the light: we are charged with doing the same. We are attempting in the church to worship the Almighty, the author of peace and lover of concord, who’s heart is like a mountain - so vast and so strong. May we acknowledge the occasional need for division amongst us and when we come back together, be stronger than before. Amen.
Your sibling in Christ,
Fr. James
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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
Music
Opening: 546 Awake my soul, stretch every nerve
Before Gospel: S218 Canticle 10 (the 2nd Song of Isaiah)
Communion: PB 5A Seek Ye First
Closing: 594 God of Grace and God of Glory
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The next meeting of St. John's ECW will be on Sunday, August 14th at 11:15 am in the Guild Room.
Upcoming ECW Events:
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Family Picnic - Sunday, September 18th, 12-4pm, Centerport Beach House
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United Thank Offering Ingathering - Sunday, October 2nd
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Harvest Fair - October 22nd, 10am - 4pm - We need everyone at St. John’s to pitch and help this year. The Harvest Fair is our major fundraiser for the year and supports many local charities.
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All Youth are welcome to join St. John's Youth Group for Movie Night on Sunday, August 14th at 6pm in the Guild Room. We are looking forward to one last get together before summer ends and our graduated youth head off to college. We'll supply the popcorn, cotton candy, and soft drinks. Bring a friend!
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 regular joint activities starting in September.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Wednesdays & Thursdays at 12 - 1pm
To continue to be welcoming neighbors in the village, St. John's Church will open 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!
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"What are some ways that you are connecting to
and feeling a part of creation this summer?"
Email me, Deacon Claire, your answer to the question by Aug. 21st. Only a few sentences are needed.
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LONG ISLAND EPISCOPAL CURSILLO |
Cursillo will begin with the Holy Eucharist at 11am, followed by a BBQ lunch, workshops, activities, and family fun. Family and friends are invited, and you don't need to be a Cursillista to attend. All are encouraged to wear Cursillo weekend nametags and crosses.
Please bring non-perishable, canned food item or school supplies to donate to the local pantry.
Zoom Info
Meeting ID: 893 5256 8411
Passcode: 343199
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Ministries and Groups, please submit your fall programs to the Parish Office on or before August 21st.
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.
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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.
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SJCSH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL |
This program is open to grades K-6. Lunch will be provided. Camp participants will present special music on Sunday, August 28th at 10am at St. John's Cold Spring Harbor. $25/child, $50/family with scholarships available. Contact bryce@stjcsh.org with questions.
PLEASE NOTE: This program will not take place at St. John's Huntington. It will take place at St. John's in Cold Spring Harbor, 1670 NY-25A, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724.
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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.
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Summer Bible Study - Mondays at 6:30 pm on Zoom. Fr. John Morrision will lead a summer book club. We will be reading and discussing Michael D. O'Brien's novel, Island of the World. Copies are available in the Parish Office.
Tuesday Bible Study will pause for the summer. We will begin a new unit the second Monday & Tuesday in September.
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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.
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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. |
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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
631-427-1752, ext. 101.
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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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