"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of
St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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This Sunday, joining the community at the 8 am service or with the youth at the 10 am service, we will enter into the Passion narrative as it is told in the Gospel of Mark. It is easy to see Palm Sunday as a semi-joyous day because of our palm swaying and Hosanna-crying. And yet, we often wish to quickly pass by the fact we, as the Crowd, exclaims, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Thus, it is Episcopal theologian William Stringfellow, in the chapter headed “The Scandal of Palm Sunday” in his first major work, Free in Obedience: The Radical Christian Life, who reminds that, “Palm Sunday is a day of dramatic temptation for Christ. It is a day of profound frustration for the disciples and one on which the apprehensions about Christ on the part of the ruling authorities of Israel and Rome are exposed.”
This chapter on Palm Sunday informed me better as to what Palm Sunday means and why this meaning is so important for us today. With all the palm-waving and Hosanna-crying, and even with the Passion narrative being said, we might lose focus of the fact that Palm Sunday is a somber day. Stringfellow calls it a scandal because in the meaning of Palm Sunday is the richness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which for many is hard to bear. We are, “shown that Christ is…the One he is declared to be in the Word of God and which he confessed himself to be. The substance of the consternation is the desire for the gospel to end in the political triumph of Palm Sunday. If the work of Christ would only end in that way, Christians would be spared the betrayal of Judas, the apathy and cowardice of the other disciples, the mystery of the Last Supper, and Gethsemane’s sweat and agony.” Jesus Christ is tempted on Palm Sunday just like he was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness. The crowd is anticipating a political, zealous revolt against the Roman and local authorities and they are looking to Jesus to lead it. Indeed, all the authorities are also thinking that’s what’s happening. And yet, for many of us today we are looking for Jesus Christ to do the same thing, to lead us to achieve worldly power and build an earthly kingdom. But that is not the way of Jesus Christ. We are tempted in our milieu today to believe that our faith and our political stances will have victory, when the only true victory is the one that Jesus completed upon the Cross.
Knowing this we are actually then invited to live our lives in complete freedom and that what we offer the world is our own lives and that we are “secure from any threats which death may make.” This is Christian life a radical life (radical in the traditional sense of “at the very root”); we come to live a life that is “both repentant and penitential”. Knowing Christ came to conquer sin and death, and did, we can start to acknowledge our fallenness as well as the world’s fallenness. Through intercession, we confess our sins and the sin of the world. In being penitential, which Stringfellow describes as “the authentication of true repentance”, we move forward sacramentally in hopes of discerning God’s loving and eternal forgiveness for His people.
The beauty of Palm Sunday is found within its glaring paradox. While many joyous words seem to be said, its somber reality is what we should be focusing our attention on. Are we looking for a king to smash our enemies and score our culture war points, or are we resting in the faith of our Lord, who takes away the burdens, heals and gives meaning to our wounds, and in whom we can know true peace?
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Yours in Christ,
Fr. Zach
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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
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83803451202
Facebook Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745
Bulletin: Rite I HE Palm Sunday
9:40 am - NO Sunday School this week - 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 HE Palm Sunday
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The Music
Processional Hymn: H 154 "O Glory, laud and honor"
Offertory Anthem: "God, My Father" from the Seven Last Words of Christ
by Theodore Dubois
Gary Lorentzson, soloist
Communion Hymn: H 158 "Ah, Holy Jesus, how has thou offended"
Recessional Hymn: H 473 "Lift high the cross"
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Saturdays at 10:00 am in the Great Hall
Gentle Mat Yoga Classes with Parishioner Alice Weiser (E-RYT-500) - We are offering gentle yoga classes to quiet the mind and stretch and strengthen the body. All are welcome; modifications will be offered for different levels. Please note: in addition to standing, students will explore poses while seated, on hands and knees, and laying down. Students should be able to comfortably lower to and rise from the mat. Please bring a yoga mat and any other props you like to use (yoga blocks, strap, blanket). Fee: $15 for parishioners, $20 for non-members. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. John’s. Questions: please contact Alice Weiser at aliceweiser@mac.com.
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Join us for our next Young Artist Showcase on Sunday, March 24th at 3pm in our beautiful sanctuary. St. John's Music Ministry in continuing its work in supporting young, upcoming musicians by giving them an opportunity perform. To find our more about our music programming, contact Alex Pryrodny our Music Director. No tickets needed. | |
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PALM SUNDAY
Sunday, March 24th
8 am - Rite I Eucharist & Passion
10 am - Rite II Choral Eucharist & Passion
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Thursday, March 28th
5:30 pm - Christian Seder
7:30 pm - Eucharist & Foot Washing
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, March 29th
7 pm - Stations of the Cross
7:30 pm - Good Friday Service
EASTER SUNDAY
Sunday, March 31st
7:30 am - Rite I Sunrise Eucharist
9 am - Rite II Choral Eucharist
10:30 am - Easter Egg Hunt
11 am - Rite II Choral Eucharist
>>>Read more
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Friday, March 29th, 4:00 - 6:00 in the kitchen
Fr. Zach invites any youth who feels called to minister to the unhoused in our community to join him in the kitchen to cook a hot meal to be delivered to those in need. Please reach out to him if you would like to help, zbaker@stjohnshuntingon.org or (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.
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ST. JOHN'S WADDLERS WALK ON WEDNESDAYS | |
Wednesdays at 4 pm & 6 pm
Meet us by the Heckscher Museum of Art in Heckscher Park in Huntington for a walk in the park. Movement is a key component of "Whole Health," a way of self-care, and a chance to take steps towards your personal sense of peace and well-being.
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Quarterly Stewardship Statements will be going out the 2nd week of April. Please log in to your OnRealm account to make sure your pledged giving is up to date by March 31st.
If you need help logging in or setting up your OnRealm account, please contact our Parish Administrator, Coral Freas, in the office, (631) 427-1752, ext. 101.
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HOPE Ministries is continuing to collect toiletries as well as other needed items for HIHI. Please place your items in the box in the rear of the church. Here is a list of what is most needed: | |
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Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Soap
Deodorant
Shampoo
Sanitary Wipes
Toilet Paper
Lotion
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Chapstick
Feminine Hygiene products
Socks
Underwear
Coats
Gloves
Bandages
Sunscreen
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To learn more about HOPE Ministries, please contact Deacon Claire, (631) 427-1752, ext 104, or cmis@hotmail.com. | |
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Morning Prayer meets at 9:00 am, Monday through Friday on 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.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8604114654
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Thursday, April 11th at 7:00 pm
Please join us for a safe and loving offering of prayer and healing.
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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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.
*Bible Study will not meet on the following days:
Monday - April 1st
Tuesdays - March 19, March 26th & April 2nd
Please reach out to Fr. Zach with any questions, (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.
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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 12 - 3 pm, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
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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St. John's Huntington Jazz Connections presents the Jazz Loft All Stars on Sunday, May 5th at 5 pm.
The Long Island Gay Men's Chorus presents their annual pride concert on Sunday, June 9th at 5:30 pm.
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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.
SPIRITUALITY GROUP - Monthly meetings are on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm in the Canterbury Corner. Contact Patti Aliperti for more information.
ST. HILDA'S GUILD - Weekly meetings are on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Sue Hartman for more information.
RACIAL RECONCILIATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY - For meeting days and times or more information contact Heather Kress.
VESTRY MEETING - Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 pm in the Guild Room and on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87350494837
ECW MEETING - Sunday, April 28th at 11:15 am in the Guild Room. Contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President for more information.
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
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We pray for: Sandra, Peter, Kay, Justin, Rick, Kelsey, Shannon, Patti, Kim, Cynthia, Bobbi, Richard, Barbara, Geralynn, Amy, Christine, Suzanne, Kim, Cole, Luke, Cassandra, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, Eric, Savannah, Mary, Walter, Janice, Walter, Tommy, Laura, Dennis, Kristin, Ken, Sue, Walter
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Judith Lanning by Sue Hockett.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Walter McCarthy by his wife, Evelyn McCarthy.
The Perpetual Light is a gift of Dave and Nelly Lasek in loving memory Bertha, Frank, and John Lasek, and Modesto and Natividad Roman.
Please send your prayers or updates to prayers@stjohns1745.org, call Coral in the Parish Office, 631-427-1752, est. 101, or click on the link below and complete the online form:
PRAYER LIST FORM
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Thank you for volunteering to serve. | |
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW ST. JOHN'S 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.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
stjohns1745.org
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