"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us. Let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us, through Jesus Christ our Lord… (Collect 3 Advent)
When I was studying for my M-Div. degree my professor recommended that when we open a book for his class, we should first read the last chapter and then begin the book. In the case of the Gospel, we start every year knowing how the book ends. Our church year begins in Advent with lessons from the last chapter of Mark. In the second week, we start at the beginning of Mark with the prophet John the Baptist. This week we go to the first chapter of John. In verse five, John says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” We will now get to see the serum light enter into humanity.
The Gospel goes on with the story of John the Baptist on the river Jordon near Bethany. The first century historian Josephus wrote: "John, that was called the Baptist… who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness.” We begin Advent in the darkness of the world with the second coming of our Lord and then go back to the time and place in history when the prophet, John the Baptist pointed to the light. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8). Jesus enters our story in Mark as he begins his ministry. Our lectionary experts have given us a head start on the disciples. We will watch them struggle to understand who Jesus is. Mark points us backwards to what God has promised to us through the prophets. The prophet Isaiah says, ”The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified (Isaiah 61:1-2).
It is time to prepare some space in our heart for Jesus Christ. Last week, Deacon Claire promised that God is searching for us and we merely need to turn towards God to accept him in our life. This week we are asked to look for the light coming out of the darkness. Jesus came to bring the good news of the love of God. We have this hope in Jesus Christ that carries us through difficult times. God’s grace and mercy will surely come to those who wait.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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The Readings
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (8am, 10am)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (8am)
John 1:6-8,19-28 (8am)
Psalm 126 (8am)
or Canticle 15 (10am)
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 Advent
9:30 am Sunday School meets in the Canterbury Corner to prepare for Pageant
10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist & Christmas Pageant
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86739553648
Facebook Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745
Bulletin: Rite II HE - Advent 3 with Pageant
Music
Processional Hymn: 56 vs 5-6 O come, o come Emmanuel
Offertory Anthem
Communion Hymn: PraiseBook #142 "Come fill our hearts with your peace"
Recessional: PraiseBook #153 “Lord, you have come to the Lakeshore” (bi-lingual)
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Calling all shepherds, angels, wisemen, animals and more!
There will be a Christmas Pageant rehearsal THIS Saturday, December 16th. All children are welcome to participate. Please contact Christine Dore for the rehearsal schedule: doreivory@optonline.net.
We have many parts to fill, and all children have a part to play, so invite your friends to participate in our annual Christmas Pageant.
The Christmas pageant will be presented at the 10:00 am service on Sunday, December 17th. Invite your friends and family to celebrate with us!
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ST. HILDA'S MINI CHRISTMAS FAIR | |
Sunday, December 17th in the Great Hall
St. Hilda's Guild will be holding a Mini Christmas Fair during coffee hour after each service offering Christmas ornaments and crafts, hats and scarves, blankets and sweaters. Support St. Hilda's Guild and shop for some one-of-a-kind gifts.
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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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Thank you to all who signed up to help bring the Christmas cheer!
Please leave all food CLEARLY labeled for SING NOEL concert on tables in kitchen on Sunday December 17th, or if needed, in the refrigerator.
Please contact Nicole DeVallee to let her know what you are bringing or with any questions: Text - (631) 896-1069; email - ndevallee@yahoo.com.
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NEW DUE DATE - ALTAR GUILD MEMORIAL POINSETTIAS | |
Remember your loved ones this Christmas, and help us to beautify our altar, or offer Special Thanksgivings, by making a donation for this year’s Christmas poinsettias.
Order forms can be found in your program, 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 may download and print the form, or you may send an email with all the necessary information to Coral (cfreas@stjohnshuntington.org) in the Parish Office. 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 MONDAY, DECEMBER 18TH AT 9 AM
We will be unable to add any names
to the Christmas Memorials after this date.
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CHRISTMASTIDE AT ST. JOHN'S | |
At Christmas time, our beautiful, historic church dons the green and red of the season. We celebrate with candlelight and beautiful music, performed by St. John’s Choir and an ensemble of world-class musicians.
4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 24th
9 am - Rite II Choral Eucharist
CHRISTMAS EVE
Sunday, December 24th
4 pm - Rite II Choral Eucharist
7 pm - Rite II Choral Eucharist
10 pm - Rite I Holy Eucharist
CHRISTMAS DAY
Monday, December 25th
9 am - Rite II Holy Eucharist
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2023 STEWARDSHIP & YEAR-END GIVING | |
Please make sure your year-end giving and final Stewardship payments are received by December 31, 2023 to be included in your total 2023 giving.
Send your check payable to "St. John's Church" to:
St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, NY 11743
Please include in the memo whether your contribution is for stewardship, plate or for a specific ministry.
Or use our online giving form:
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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
Please note: Morning Prayer will continue to meet December 26th - 29th. We will not meet on Christmas Day anor on New Years' Day.
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Bible Study will be taking a break the weeks of December 25 and January 1. We will resume January 8 and 9 with a study on the Gospel of Mark. Participants are encouraged (but not required!) to select just one of the supplemental books for this study: Tim Keller's Jesus is King, N.T. Wright's Mark for Everyone, or Donald English's The Message of Mark. All can be found inexpensively on Amazon or Thriftbooks.
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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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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HIHI is the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative. St. John's partners with other local houses of worship to provide food, clothing and shelter during the winter months.
This winter, St. John's is supporting HIHI by collecting gift cards to local fast food restaurants of $5 or $10 amounts to distribute to homeless in Huntington. If you would like to contribute, you may drop your Dunkin Donut, Burger King, McDonalds, or other gift cards off at St. John's, 12 Propect St, Huntington.
We are also collecting men's jeans, sweatshirts, work boots, and winter coats which may be dropped off at St. John's.
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First Holy Communion will take place on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at the 10:00 am service. Classes will begin on January 31, 2024 for children 2nd grade and above. First Communion classes will meet on Wednesdays at 5 pm in the Guild Room.
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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Confirmation and Reception will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11:00 am at. St. John's Church in Cold Spring Harbor.
Any youth (7th grade or above) wishing to be Confirmed or adult wishing to be Received is welcome to attend classes on Sundays beginning January 7th. Classes will begin with lunch at 12:15 pm and finish at 2:15 pm. Classes will rotate between St. John's Huntington, Trinity Northport, and St. John's Cold Spring Harbor.
Click on the link below to download the registration form and calendar:
CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION FORM & CALENDAR
For more information, please contact Fr. Zach, zbaker@stjohnshuntington.org, (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.
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All winter events (January 1 - March 31, 2023) must be submitted to the Parish Office by Monday, 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
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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The Thrift Shop will be closed for the holidays between Friday, December 22nd and Monday, Janaury 1st. We will open again on Tuesday, January 2nd, 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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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
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We pray for: Jim, Irene, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, Jenni, John, Sue, Nancy, Sue, Kim, Annetta, Suzy, Gladys, Richard, Anthony, Christian, Joanne, Betty, Johnny, Richard, Barbara, Christine, Amy, Kara, Kim, Geralynn, Diane, Melissa, Marie, Jonas, Sylvia
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Ann Vaccaro by Patti Aliperti.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Charles Butler and Walter McCarthy by the Butler Family.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Bertha, Frank & John Lasek, and Modesto & Natividad Roman by Dave and Nelly Lasek.
We have begun 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. | |
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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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