Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you

(Matthew 28:19-20).

This is a very special Sunday for me. My granddaughter, Lucy will be baptized at the 10:00 AM service. This is the first of five baptisms in the Easter Season at St. John’s. We are the living community of faith that receives the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism for ministry. It is through our baptism that we are called to go forth, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teach and baptize.

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11).

The Baptism of Jesus helps us to understand the importance of the moment that Jesus came out of the water. In baptism, it is through water and in the Holy Spirit that we become fully initiated into Christ’s body, the Church. 

Do you know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).

Baptism is more than just grace bestowed upon us. While some claim that baptism cleanses a person from the stain of original sin, it is better understood as joining Christ in the death of our old self and walking in newness of life. In baptism we are fully initiated into the body of Christ by the pouring of the water and by the indwelling of the Spirit. Throughout history, water has played a role to convey God’s action in the world. Water is not just a symbol of life for human beings; Water is life. Without water we cannot live. In the stories of the Old Testament, water plays a crucial role. In the book of Exodus, Moses leads the people out of their bondage in Egypt and through water to the land of promise. John baptizes Jesus through water. Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit as Messiah to lead us out of death and into everlasting life. In the “Thanksgiving Over the Water” we pray,

“We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (BCP 306-307).

We find the symbol of water extremely important in the liturgy of baptism at this parish. We use a significant quantity of water at the baptism and will often slash the children who are watching after the baptism and ask them to remember their own baptism. The Spirit is the power of God that transforms our lives to the image of God revealed in Jesus Christ. While it was once thought that confirmation was the time when the Spirit completed the initiation process in the Episcopal Church, the 1979 BCP clarifies our understanding that baptism is full initiation. The Spirit also empowers the baptized for ministry.

Church has to be more than just a place we worship on Sunday morning. We need to be a vital part of the community. God is working in ways that we can’t even ask or imagine. Feel his presence in the breaking of the bread and in the water of the Baptism. Open your eyes to the presence of the Lord in our midst, not just on Sundays, but as you prepare meals for each other, hunger for peace and justice, visit those who cannot be with us, feed those who are hungry, cloth the naked, and most of all to show hospitality to all those who enter our church. 

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Duncan

The Taste of St. John's this year will be held on Friday, May 3rd at 6:00 pm. It's an evening of food, friendship, and fun. You can sign up using the link below, or at church over the next few weeks. Please bring an appetizer or dessert. Friends are welcome!

REGISTER ONLINE

For the 2nd concert of our inaugural season, the “Jazz Connections” series at St. John’s welcomes the Jazz Loft All Stars, a quintet of stellar musicians and bandleaders, teaming up for this special performance of selections from the Great American Songbook. A “Cinco de Mayo” style reception will follow. Discounted pre-sale tickets will be sold at Coffee Hour and online. JAZZ LOFT ALL STAR TICKETS

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.

Saturdays at 10:00 am in the Guild Room

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. 

Quarterly Stewardship Statements were sent out this week. Please review your giving and make sure your Stewarship pledge payments are up to date if possible.

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.

Please join us for a study of Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Every Monday evening and Tuesday morning starting the week of April 15 (through to the week of June 24), we will take a deep dive into arguably Paul’s best-known letter and what it tells us for today. Participants are encouraged to choose one books from the following as their guide: Timothy Keller’s Romans for You, John Stott’s Romans: God’s Good News for the World, or NT Wright’s Paul for Everyone: Romans. A short schedule will be at the first study on April 15. 

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.

Please reach out to Fr. Zach with any questions, (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.

On Wednesdays, the church is open from noon to 1 pm for noonday prayer which starts at 12:15 pm. All are welcome.

We prayer for: Kaye, Dylan, Milton, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, Jenni, Kenny, Barbara, Sue, Megan, Dennis

Altar Flowers are given in loving memory of Clara and Frank Elliot by Linda Elliot.

The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Judith Lanning by Sue Hockety.

Altar Flowers are given in loving memory of Susanne Burns and in thanksgiving for the Baptism of Lucy August Burns.

The Perpetual Light is a gift of Crystal Roberts given in loving memory of Bunny and Robby Roberts.

We have started a new prayer list in the Easter Season (April 7 - May 12). 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

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.