"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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“Time is endless but goes too fast.
You long for the future, then yearn for the past.”
By Ebony Black
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Sermon preparation takes time. It is about allowing the scriptures to settle into my brain and heart – to whirl around a little – alas, in my case, a lot. I can’t even tell you how many hours it takes after I read the lectionary, do the appropriate research to be fully grounded in the intent of the passages for the whirling to stop so I can finally put pen to page.
Time is a funny thing. When we are children, time seems to go on forever: “When will I be old enough to stay up until 9:00? -- to stay out until 9:00?” Perhaps you have experienced a period in your life, or even in your career when you marked off each day on your calendar – thinking that it might help speed up time – to get to the end of something tedious. Can’t wait until this school year is over, says one teacher – me too, agrees the student. That seems rather sad. Trying to rush through a year without considering the joy in teaching – in learning – not to mention some of the fun activities school can offer both children and adults!
As we age, time sweeps by in the blink of an eye. We are reminded of the frailty and brevity of life. It isn’t comfortable to face what we cannot control and time is certainly one of those things. Have you ever noticed how our culture fights aging? More wrinkle creams or hair dyes line the shelves of our stores as we struggle with the natural signs of the passage of time. Our independence is so precious that it becomes traumatic to give up the car keys when age lessens our vision or judgment. How we struggle with letting go!
Our lectionary this week includes portions of Psalm 90 – a Psalm frequently used at funerals. It has been attributed to Moses. We are offered comfort from the very first line: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” God has been home to the Israelites, throughout their entire forty homeless years in the desert in search of the promised land. But alas, it is not to be for many on that journey, including Moses. He is left only to view the land of milk and honey from afar. And we learn that our time is not all there is to measure. We are being encouraged to reflect on God’s time – not just our own. “A thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes”
Most importantly, however, we are being encouraged to live each day – day by day – not dwelling on the past or fretting about the future. Moses’ prayer ends with a plea for God to teach us – help us to see and receive each of the days we are given as a gift from God. May we each strive to make each day count to the glory of God!
Let us make each day count!
Deacon Claire
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The Readings
Zephaniah 1:7,12-18
Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
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
Bulletin: Rite I After Pentecost
9:40 am Sunday School meets in the Canterbury Corner - 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
Bulletin: Rite II Holy Eucharist
Music
Processional: 680 O God, our help in ages past
Before Gospel: 490 I want to walk as a child of the light, vs 1-2
Communion: 617 Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round
Recessional: 551 Rise up, ye saints of God!
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INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE | |
This Sunday, November 19th at 7 pm, the annual Huntington Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will take place at the Unitarian Universalits Fellowship, 109 Browns Rd, Huntington.
Join us and our partners in faith in giving thank for our beautiful music by the choirs and musicians from our local houses of worship.
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All are welcome to make and take home an Advent wreath with Fr. Duncan on Sunday, November 26th after the 10 am service in the Great Hall. Candles, greens, and rings will be provided. If you have a ring from a prior year, please bring it with you to reuse or drop it off at church for another family. | |
YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS WREATH & FLOWER SALE | |
Support St. John's Youth Group and add that Christmas touch to your home with Christmas wreaths and flowers from the Youth Group's annual Christmas wreath and flower sale!
Order forms are available at back of the church and online:
CHRISTMAS WREATH ORDER FORM
Please give your order to a Youth Group member in the Great Hall or return it to the Parish Office by Tuesday, November 28th.
You can pick up your order in the Great Hall on Saturday, December 2nd from 10:30 am to 1 pm or on Sunday, December 3rd between or after the services until 12 noon.
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ALTAR GUILD CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS | |
This Christmas, help us to beautify our altar and remember your Loved Ones, or offer Special Thanksgivings, by making a donation for this year’s Christmas poinsettias.
Order forms can be found at the back of the church and on the St. John's website or by using the link below:
ALTAR GUILD CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA ORDER FORM
If you are unable to download and print the form, you may send an email with all the necessary information to Coral (cfreas@stjohnshuntington.org) in the Parish Office and send your check made payable to "St. John's Altar Guild" with "Poinsettia" written in the memo to:
St. John's Church
Attn: Altar Guild
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, NY 11743
Forms are due on Wednesday, December 13th
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Giving is at the heart of what we do at St. John’s
Sunday, November 12th – Sunday, December 3rd
Our adopted family of eight includes a three adults (M and F) including one senior (F). Five children, Cashmere (M) age 16, Heaven (F) age 16, Kareem (M) age 13, Kamira (F) age 13, and Messiah (M) age 7.
There will be a poster board available at coffee hour in the Great Hall for you to select a gift you’d like to offer. In addition to wrapped gifts, the family would accept and appreciate gift cards.
Please wrap each gift in holiday wrapping paper and label it with the first name of the child or adult from this household and place in the box in the Great Hall on Sundays, or in Deacon Claire’s office.
Any questions, please contact Carol Goldbaum or Deacon Claire.
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Bible Study meets regularly on Mondays at 6:30 pm on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746) and Tuesdays at 11:00 am in person in the Guild Room. The material covered each Monday evening will be covered on the following Tuesday morning.
Please reach out to Fr. Zach with any questions, (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.
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"Collects: a Spiritual Resource"
ADVENT SERIES
Tuesday, December 5th & Tuesday, December 12th
6:00 - Evening Prayer
6:30 pm - Dinner
7:00 - Program
8:00 - Closing Prayer
ADVENT RETREAT
Saturday, December 9th
9:00 am - Breakfast
9:30 am - Program with Bishop Wolfe
12:00 pm - Holy Eucharist
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The next meeting of St. John's ECW will be on Sunday, December 10th immediately following the 10:00 am service in the Guild Room.
Please reach out to Carol Goldbaum, ECW President, with any questions at ecw.st.johns.huntington@gmail.com.
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BLUE CHRISTMAS HEALING IN DECEMBER | |
Thursday, December 14th at 7 pm
Isaiah 40:1 says, “Comfort, comfort my people, says God.”
Christmas can be a time for many who need that reassurance and comfort. Perhaps we are grieving over the loss of a loved one, struggling with illness, or have experienced the loss of a job. We wonder how we will get through the holidays.
Blue Christmas, a service of wholeness and healing is a safe and loving time for those seeking comfort, hope and wholeness, shared in the good news of “God with us: Immanuel!”
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UPCOMING HOLIDAY CONCERTS | |
PEACE ON EARTH - A Holiday Journey around the World - Sunday, December 10th at 7 pm. We welcome back the Long Island Gay Men's Chorus for their annual holiday concert. Tickets are $25 and available at the door or online at ligmc.org/concerts.
ST. JOHN'S CHRISTMAS CONCERT - Sunday, December 17th at 7:30 pm. Take a joyous break from the holiday rush and join us for our annual concert of Christmas songs, carols and stories featuring the musical talents of
Leslie McBride, soparano
Leslie Valentine, mezzo-soprano
Douglas Purcell, tenor
Larry Long, bass
Christine Doré, piano
Join us in the Great Hall afterwards to meet the artists and enjoy some Christmas cheer. Tickets are $20, $10 for children and available at the door or online: stjohns1745/christmasconcert.
Contact the Parish Office for more information at (631) 427-1752 or info@stjohns1745.org.
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STEWARDSHIP - ROOTED IN ABUNDANCE | |
Pledge cards have been coming in, and online pledging is growing. Thank you so much for your generous spirit and continued support of the ministry of St. John’s.
Please turn in your 2024 pledge card if you have not done so already, or
· PLEDGE ONLINE
It takes more that money to operate ministry in our church
· TIME & TALENT PLEDGE FORM
Please make sure your 2023 pledge is up to date
· STEWARDSHIP PAYMENT FORM
We will begin preparing our 2024 Budget, and pledges are vital in that process.
Please contact Coral is the Parish Office if you need help using online forms or would like to learn how to log in to you membership account to view your giving online.
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BECOME A GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE VOLUNTEER | |
At Good Shepherd Hospice, they pride themselves on providing their patients with a variety of services and programs which are geared not to simply maintain, but to greatly improve quality of life and independence. Good Shepherd Hospice is dedicated to supporting patients and their families in managing their conditions with dignity and ease.
Volunteers are essential to Good Shepherd Hospice in providing the best possible care to the patients and families we serve.
At this particular time, there is a need for Administrative volunteers at the Farmingdale office on Bi-County Boulevard. Administrative assistants help with mailings, phone support, managing supplies and data entry, etc.
Visit goodshepherdhospice.chsli.org or Call (631) 828-7611 to request application.
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Let Your Voice Bring Joy to the World!
Lift your voice and sing with St. John's Choir! We are preparing our Advent and Christmas music, and we are looking for singers of all vocal types and levels who want to enhance our worship experience through music. We meet on Sundays in the choir room at 9:15 am to robe and warm up for the 10 am service. Rehearsals are usually on Sunday afternoons and two Thursday evening each month. There are also opportunities to sing at our Healing and Evensong services.
If you are interested please reach out to our Music Director, Alex Pryrodny, or feel free to join us on Sunday morning at 9:15 am in the choir room.
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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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On Wednesdays, the church is open from noon to 1 pm for noonday prayer which starts at 12:15 pm. All are welcome. | |
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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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HOPE MINISTRY COLLECTIONS | |
HOPE Ministry at St. John’s Huntington
Hearts Offering Passionate Encouragement
Outreach for Our Community Friends in Need
Please join me (Deacon Claire) in collecting personal care and toiletry items for those in need in our community.
There is a box in the back of the church for your donations.
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REGULAR MINISTRY MEETINGS | |
Prayer Shawl Ministry - Monthly meetings are on the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Guild Room. Please contact Lynn Hansen for more information.
Racial Reconcilitation & Social Justice Minsitry - For more information contact Heather Kress.
Spirituality Group - Meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm in the Canterbury Corner. Contact Patti Aliperti.
St. Hilda's Guild (Sewing & Crafting) - Weekly on Tuesdays, 12:30 - 3 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Sue Hartman.
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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."
ALTAR FLOWER ORDER FORM
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
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We pray for: Sean, Richard, Barbara, Christine, Amy, Kim, Suzanne, Cole, Luke, Leslie, Edith, Jane, Sandra, Eileen, Donna, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, Caitlin, Patti, Gladys, Anthony, Christian, Richard, Jim, Irene, Jenni, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, David, Suzy, Charlie, Kim
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Janet Campbell by Sylvia Stratton.
We will begin a new prayer list in Advent. Please send your prayers or updates to prayers@stjohns1745.org, call Coral in the Parish Office, 631-427-1752, option 1, or click on the link below and complete the online form:
PRAYER LIST FORM
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Thank you for volunteering to serve. | |
CHALICE UPDATES & PARISH CALENDAR
Notices for events to run in the Chalice, to post on the website and social media must be received by the Parish Administrator by 9:00 am on Tuesdays prior to publication.
All winter events (January - March, 2023) need to be submitted to the Parish Office by December 18, 2023.
All parish events and building use must be submitted to the Parish Office and approved by the rector.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ST. JOHN'S CALENDAR
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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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