The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples, “But who do YOU say that I am?"
So, I ask, “Who is Jesus for YOU?”
We come together each week – unique individuals – and we become the church. Just as St. Paul told us in Romans, “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.” How can we be the church Jesus had in mind? What does it demand of us?
Christians are called to follow Jesus, just like the disciples. Where are each of you on that path? Are you still on it? Have you veered off in a different direction? What does following Jesus look like? What would you say if someone asked you why you are on the Christian path? Do you have your elevator story ready?
Who do you say that I am? To answer this question, we need to be in relationship with Jesus – we need to find room in our hearts – allowing him to dwell there and then we need to listen. Many of us are using Facebook and other forms of social media in the hopes of making more friends and learning more about each other. But I maintain that we really need to be in personal relationships, where, in real time, we can have conversations that demand give and take. To listen. Our zoom morning prayer group has developed a deeper intimacy and trust with each other…enabling us all to grow. We also need to enter into a lifelong conversation with God – which is what prayer is all about, to immerse ourselves and inwardly digest the holy scriptures, and to attend Bible studies where together, we can further clarify our understanding of who Jesus is. This is how we begin to answer that “who” question.
The Church is made of individuals. We are made stronger, however, in coming together to support each other, to learn from each other, to challenge each other and then, collectively, with the help of the God and the Holy Spirit, to go out into the world and be Jesus’ voice, hands, feet to our hurting world.
We often hear criticisms of today’s church – our numbers are declining. We are no longer relevant. Our world is bursting with individualism – “I can find fulfillment by following my own path.” Religion is relegated to our own private sphere of personal values. People say, “I am not religious, I am spiritual.” We have become more isolated, fragmented, and polarized. We hide behind social media and voice our extreme positions when it comes to religion, politics, race, or our environment and then avoid considering the responses. We are not willing to engage in meaningful and heartfelt conversations with each other, where listening may be more important than speaking.
But, people of St. Johns, we are the Church. God is a living God, not frozen in the past. God doesn’t just exist in the memories of the good old days or the way things used to be. How is this living God moving and working in our world today?
On this rock – we shall not build a nation where millions of children are homeless and hungry. On this rock – we shall not build churches (communities of faith) that oppress the poor and women. On this rock – we shall not turn a blind eye to the racial injustices and violence towards our black brothers and sisters. Thank God that Paul reminds us that, “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8) What we each do on earth matters.
We are a strong church – when God’s heart becomes one with our own. To be Christlike, we must know Christ. We need to come together to recharge and then go back out into the world to be Christ in every encounter we have. As we widen our circle, all are enriched. I dare say, “We are NOT irrelevant.”
In Christ’s Love,
Claire Mis, Seminarian
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8:00 am - Rite II Morning Prayer in the Garden of Blessings. We have a new tent and the garden has received some much appreciated TLC. Please note, there will be no outside services on August 23rd and 30th, and on September 6th. Registration is required and limited to 25 parishioners. Please use the follow link to complete the registration form:
8:00 am - Rite II Morning Prayer
10:00 am – Rite II Holy Eucharist with music
Both online services can be viewed on Facebook Live at 8:00 am and 10:00 am:
https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745/live/
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Please join us for a ZOOM coffee hour this Sunday at 11:00 am. Grab a cup of your own coffee and a snack, share some time with your friends at St. Johns. This will be an informal remote gathering where we can enjoy each other's company. Join Zoom Coffee Hour:
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Pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona, Scotland
October 1 - 11, 2021
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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The Thrift Shop is having a yard sale in the Garden of Blessings on Saturday, August 22nd from 10:30am to 1:30pm.
GREAT BARGAINS! New items brought out each week. Men's, Women's, Shoes, Bags, Designer Items! Stop by and see us. Please wear a mask.
VOLUNTEER! Volunteers are needed to help set up beginning at 9:30 am on Saturday and to help breakdown. Please contact Nancy Feustel (n.feustel@verizon.net) if you are able to help.
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Join us at 9:00 am for Morning Prayer, Monday - Friday, via Zoom (New Meeting #):
Please follow along with Mission St. Clare
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For those who prefer an evening Bible Study, we have added a session on Mondays at 6:30 pm. The Monday sessions will cover what was discussed the Tuesday before. Join us via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83527491169.
We are studying the New Testament, referencing N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird's The New Testament in Its World. Please join Rev. Duncan Burns and Rev. John Morrison "on a 'magic carpet ride' through the New Testament, on a breathtaking sojourn from the base of a mountain to the highest heavens and on the way unfolds new glories in the course of the ascent, on a dizzying pilgrimage that will transform your mind and nourish your spirit."
The New Testament in Its World is available at Amazon.com:
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St. Hilda’s Guild will begin to meet again on Tuesdays at 12:00 noon via Zoom. Join us using the link below, and make sure to bring your latest project and a snack:
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St. John's Spirituality Group has some upcoming events that all are welcome to attend. Save the dates!
Thursday, August 27th at 4:00 pm via Zoom - We will discuss and reflect on the word "Gifts."
Saturday, September 26th, 9:30-11:30 am - Tom Petriano will discuss Julian of Norwich and how she survived 3 plagues.
If you are interested in exploring your spirituality and deepening your connection to others, consider joining us. To find out more about SJSG, contact Patti Aliperti (silverymoon33@yahoo.com).
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In September 2019 St John's began a new ministry, Laundry Love. Working together with Family Service League and YAM Community Resources Inc. we helped a number of families each month do their own laundry. From September to February approximately 5 volunteers from our St. John's met up monthly at the Laundry Basket in Greenlawn. With detergent and funds provided by generous individuals of our church, grant money from the EMLI,and the ECW we funded 186 loads of laundry in that time.
When COVID 19 shut down most activities in March St. John's managed to keep the program running at arms length. Given the relationships we had built with Penny Antonio of Manor Field Family Center, the local Family Service League Branch and with Ginette Rows of YAM Community Resources we were able to provide the funds and detergent ensuring those families most in need received funds to do their own laundry. For the past 6 months (March to August) Manor Field Family Center received $200 each month while YAM Community Resources received $100.
As we move forward we realize there is limited funding.... not only for this ministry.... but for so many other needs. We are asking, if you are able, would you like to support this ministry? Perhaps you are able to sponsor one load of laundry each month? The cost of one average load of laundry is $7.00 ($5.50 for washer, $1.50 for the drier).
Donations of money or laundry detergent in the form of laundry pods would be gratefully accepted. Thank you to all who have supported Laundry Love over the past year.
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Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 6:00 pm.
Rural & Migrant Ministries invites you to attend "Cultivating Justice: Knowing Your Neighbor." This virtual event will feature Special Video Updates from Farmworkers, Messages of Hope from our Honorees, Exciting Musical Guests and a Visual Kaleidoscope of Photos and Artwork from the RMM family.
Change the world from the comfort of your own home! Eat your own food! Still get to meet a lot of interesting people!
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We are beginning a new Sacred Ground series on Saturday, September 19th at 9:00 am.
Sacred Ground is a film-based dialogue series on race and faith led by Billy 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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"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:4-7).
During this time, we ask that if you are financially able to keep making your Stewardship Pledge payments. We have set up online giving. 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.
Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
To text your contribution (standard text message rates do apply):
Text SJEC1745 STEWARDSHIP $[Amount] to 73256.
Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward. Thank you for your continuing support!
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You have not pledged but would still like to give? Make a Plate Offering.
We have set up online giving. 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 the below form, you can choose the types of contributions you would like to make a Plate Offering online:
Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
To text your contribution (standard text message rates do apply):
Text SJEC1745 PLATE $[Amount] to 73256.
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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, Kelly, Anna, Margaret, Martha, Juana, Carmen, Joel, Peter, Joan, Kathy, Scott, Sue, Kim, Janine, Jody, David, Danica, Linda, Bette Lee, Irene, Leslie, Roger, Tom, Patrick, Jim, Irene, Nelly, Colleen, Rick, Shannon, Kelsey, Patti, Hagai, Justin, Tom, Amy, Bill, Kate, Fern, Flor, Patricia, Bill, Lynn, Cory, Frank, Pat, Christopher, Richard, Christian, Gladys, Anthony, Betty, Joseph, John, Carol, Terry, Carol, Roelie, James, Peter, Don, Richard, Barbara, Crystal, Fred, Manuel, Ollie, Don, Aaron, Carlos, Nichole
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
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