“With every fiber of my being I hope and pray this morning to convey this message and this hope: the Son of God is born of Mary. Listen: many of you, most of you this morning, are already believers. You have already heard and obeyed, like Mary. You know that God is really God, and not some vain and wish fulfilling projection of ourselves onto an abstract figure in the sky….But somewhere deep down in each one is a lost and frightened child who has lost its way, who has been rejected by its father, who has been shut out of the party. Who is truly afraid-deep down-that ashes are all we will get for Christmas. Help us you who believe-help us spread the word, in carols, in bells, in lights, in prayers, in presents, in words, deeds, and love, that the Father has come seeking for all his children, that he has a place set at his table with your name on it, that he will deliver us from numbness and from fear and from guilt so that we will be able to reach out with joy and gladness to those who have not heard.” (Fleming Rutledge)

The word Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus: "Coming." Advent is a time of preparation and awareness of the coming of Jesus Christ. We know this season best for getting ready for Christmas. We buy presents for those we love, decorate our houses, put up Christmas trees, bake cookies, send out Christmas cards, and get together with our friends and co-workers for food, drink and fellowship.

As we at St. John's prepare, we will have a rehearsal for our Christmas Pageant on Saturday, December 17th at 9:00 am. On Sunday December 18th at 10:00 am, our children will perform our Christmas Pageant. After the 8:00 am Sunday service, we will green the church during the coffee hour. Please join us! Christmas Eve Services will be at 4:00 pm (family service), 7:00 pm (candlelit service with beautiful music and the St. John’s choir) and 10:00 pm (Rite I HE with wonderful music and solos). Our Christmas Day service will be at 10:00 am and will also have beautiful music.

Advent is also the time of the year when we help those in need. We give not only to our loved ones, but also to those beyond those boundaries, those in our communities, and strangers. Thank you to the ECW and everyone who has helped out with our food drives, HIHI homeless ministry, and Adopt-a-Family. There is a meeting of the ECW this Sunday after the 10:00 service to determine outreach for 2023. With all of that we have to do at this time of year, sometimes we forget to quietly await the coming of Jesus Christ in our own hearts.

“Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (Collect for the 4th Sunday in Advent)

One of the greatest surprises in the story of God’s coming into our midst is that God did not choose a queen or a princess to be the mother of God’s Son. In fact, God chose a very unlikely person. Instead of choosing royalty from a high and mighty family, God chose a lowly maid. In a period of history that emphasized the importance of age, God chose a young virgin. In an empire where wealth was power, God chose a poor servant, betrothed to a Jewish carpenter. In a patriarchal society where men controlled everything, God comes to Mary. So it was in a small, unimportant town named Nazareth, in an insignificant province of the Roman Empire, that God sent an angel. The angel Gabriel comes and

The prophet says to Joseph, “Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel, which means God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

In Christ’s love, 

Fr. Duncan

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/live_videos/

Bulletin: Rite I Advent

Sunday School will present the Christmas Pageant at the 10 am service

10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86739553648

Facebook Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745/live_videos

Bulletin: Advent 4 - RIte II HE with Christmas Pageant



The Music

Processional: H 56 vs 7-8 O come, o come Emmanuel 

Offertory anthem: "Mary, when the angel's voice" lyrics by Carol Goodwin King

to the tune of "Good King Wenceslas"

Communion: Taize 45 Magnificat 

Recessional: PB18 The King of Glory comes, the nation rejoices

Wednesdays & Thursdays at 12 - 1pm

To continue to be welcoming neighbors in the village, St. John's Church opens its doors to Huntington during the week!

On Wednesdays - Noonday Prayer will start at 12:15 for any who are interested in attending this brief in person service.

On Thursdays - The sanctuary will be open for individual prayer and quiet contemplation. Alex Pryrodny, our Artist-in-Residence, will play "Christmas Songs from around the World" on December 22nd.

If any one feels called to join in this ministry and help expand it, please reach out to Fr. James at jreiss@stjohnshuntington.org . All are welcome!

As is the tradition here at St. John's, our Christmas services will feature the talented musicians of St. John's and an ensemble of professional instrumentalists.

Christmas Eve

4:00 pm - Family Holy Eucharist

7:00 pm - Candlelit Choral Eucharist

10:00 pm - Candlelit Choral Eucharist with Incense

Christmas Day

10:00 am - Holy Eucharist with Music

New Year's Day

10:00 am - Holy Eucharist with Music

Brunch to follow in the Great Hall

St. John's Thrift Shop is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays, 12-3pm.

We will be CLOSED December 23rd - January 2nd.

We will open again on Tuesday, January 3rd.

HELP! Volunteers continue to be needed - If you wish to become a volunteer, 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.

Confirmation is the sacrament when individuals choose to confirm the promises that were made for them at their baptism. The church recognizes one’s full membership and it is the day a bishop seals one with gift of the Holy Spirit. 

The Rite of Confirmation will take place at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City on June 3, 2023 at 11:00 am. For information about Confirmation, please contact the Parish Office, info@stjohns1745.org or see Fr. James after services.

CONFIRMATION CLASS REGISTRATION FORM