The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
We profess our loyalty to God. God provides life and security. God is all we need! We shall lack nothing if we follow our shepherd. This is a way of being. Put your trust in God. Seek ye first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). The word shepherd in Hebrew can also mean friend or pal. Christianity is a relationship with our shepherd. The relationship that we have with Jesus Christ is passed on to others by the love that we show to those in need and by our burning desire for justice and righteousness.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Palestine is a desert and the sheep need to be led to green grass to eat and water to drink. This means that we will have sustenance (food and drink) from God. It means to be safe from harm. We wear our masks when necessary, stay a safe distance apart, and get our vaccines because we don’t want to spread this disease any longer. In fact we want to do what is necessary to end this pandemic, get our economy back on track, and care for those who have been affected by this past year financially, physically and mentally. The shepherd needed faith because there was not much sustenance in the desert. They needed to find food for that day. Tomorrow was always in God’s hands.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
God keeps me alive. Food, drink and shelter are provided. We depend solely on God. God draws us to the path of righteousness and justice . While some will be selfish and gather more than they need for themselves at the cost of others, Jesus teaches us to be self-giving. The environment is a great example of this. We need to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and we need to reduce our use of waste products like plastics that are filling our oceans and landfills. We need to stop using poisons and eating carcinogens. We need to eat healthy, exercise, rest, and give to others to maintain our good health. This pandemic has taught us that many folks don’t have enough access to healthy foods and have developed poor habits. As a parish, we need to accept our differences and work together.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
This puts God in charge of protecting us from walking in the shadows. God leads us home from exile. Jesus shows us the way from brokenness into wholeness and from death into life. We walk through the desert to higher ground. Jesus came out the other side of death to lead us to Beloved community. We don’t end up in the desert. Life doesn’t end in death. Death is always right there. But Shadows can’t hurt you. Angels are with you. He will send his angels (Mark 13:27). The shepherd is with us through the challenging times. The host of heaven is with you. 276 years of St. John’s folks are already through the desert and comfort us by their prayers for us.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
God is sovereign. God is in control, not us. In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus asks the disciples to come with him and rest. We can follow a path of a selfish, unhealthy lifestyle of the shepherds in this week’s lesson from Jeremiah or the self-sacrificing path to glory. God’s Kingdom is right here and we need to witness to others the love in our hearts that overflows to others.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The word mercy in Hebrew is hesed (God’s love or mercy) Death has been rendered harmless in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God offers every single one of us abundant life that is characterized by goodness and mercy.
In Christ’s goodness and mercy,
Fr. Duncan
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Join us for Sunday Worship at 8am and 10am in the church or remotely on Zoom or Facebook. Face masks, social distancing, and contract tracing sign in are required for all in person services. Space is limited.
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist
10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist
The Readings
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SAFE PRACTICES FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES |
We are so happy to welcome people into the church for in-person worship. As we increase the number of people allowed in the church, we can all do our part to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy:
- Masks are recommended for everyone and mandatory for unvaccinated individuals. Disposable masks are available at the back of the church;
- Social distancing. Please maintain a 6ft distance between your group/family and others;
- Sanitize hands upon entrance. Dispensers are available at the back of the church;
- Prayer books are available;
- Service bulletins and reading inserts and are available at the back of the church.
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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 occassionallly 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 connnection with your friends at St. John's.
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This summer we will be referencing the Sunday reading of Forward Day by Day. Copies are available in the back of the church or through the Parish Office.
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Soothe your soul and revive your spirit with 30-minute performances every Sunday at noon. Join us in our beautiful, historic church or in the sanctuary of your own home via Facebook Live:
The last Sunday of each month will be a Taize prayer service.
Free or make an offering of $10 to support St. John's Music Ministry. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact the Parish Office for more information.
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RACIAL RECONCILIATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY |
The Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry will meet in Thursday, July 22nd at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Please contact Heather Kress at hkress44@gmail.com for more information about other RR&SJM initiatives.
Tom Petriano will present "There is a Balm in Gilead: Prophets of Racial Reconiclaitaion" at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, 53 Prospect Rd, Centerport, on Monday, July 19 to Thursday, July 22nd, 9:30 - 11:30 am. All are welcome. No registration necessary. Free will offering accepted.
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KAY FISHER MEMORIAL SERVICE |
On Saturday, July 24th at 1pm there will be a memorial service for Katherine "Kay" Fisher at St. John's. Kay was an integral part of our Thrift Shop for many years. Please join her family in celebrating her life. A memorial fund has been set up in Kay's name at St. John's.
To make a donation to the Memorial Fund, please send a check payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" with the name of the person you wish to memorialize written in the memo. To make a donation online using our secure online system, click on the following link:
Please be sure to write the name of the person you are remembering with your gift in the memo.
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ST. FRANCIS OF THE VALLEY |
We are excited to share a new outreach ministry. Several of us have been communicating on zoom with Fr. Warren Leibovitch and his parishioners at St. Francis in the Valley (Episcopal) in Green Valley, AZ. We have been learning about the humanitarian work they have been doing at Nogales, on the border of Mexico. It is our hope to find ways to support their ministries, which may include a future mission trip to Arizona. The attached link will give you some pictures and information about St. Francis and the good work they have been doing.
If you are interested in joining our monthly conversation, please get in touch with Coral, Fr. Duncan or Claire Mis.
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If you have not already pledged, please consider making a Stewardship commitment in 2021 in support of the ministry of St. John’s. Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward.
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 our secure payment platform Realm. Please click on the link below to make a payment:
Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
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ALTAR FLOWERS & PERPETUAL LIGHT |
If you would like to remember a loved one or give thanks for an imporant 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."
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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, David & Irene, Linda, Danica, Lori, Leslie, Hope, Mike, Michael, Elizabeth, Patti, Bob, Christian, Gladys, Lynn, Fred, Jim & Irene, Debra, Alex, Michelle, Pauline, Richard, Barbara, Cory, Allassadra, Ellen, Lucille, Frank, Theresa, Spencer, Sue, Wylie, Matt, Cheryl, Tom, Stephanie, Lisa, Gary, Maggie, Tyler, Ursula, Christine, Samantha, Edward, Alan, Tali, Bill, Kate, Amy, Jean, Pat, Joanie, Sueann, Karen, Dermot, Jill. Jenna, Walter, Evelyn, Bob, John
Altar flowers are a gift of Rev. Duncan and Barbara Burns in thanksgiving for the birth of their first grandchild, Emma, and for their 39th wedding anniversary.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Don McInnes by Louise Spach.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
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