"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . "
The Chalice
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church 
July 16, 2023

Here are a few initial thoughts for my sermon on Sunday. This week we will look at Romans chapter 8 where St. Paul sums up the theological argument he has been presenting through the first half of the letter. We will focus our reflection on Romans 8:31-39:


What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son but gave him up for all of us, how will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ who died, or rather, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? As it is written,


“For your sake we are being killed all day long;

  we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”


No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


In 21st Century American Christianity there are two divergent, but equally dangerous theological takes on this Scripture profoundly departing from St. Paul's intention. The first sees the promises of God as being owned by the 'right kind" of people. Those trumpeting this belief make a loud and brittle proclamation of self assuredly accepting those promises for themselves while excluding everyone else. We can see this in the rising tide of white nationalism. The second is quite different but also dangerous for a person's spiritual welfare. It assumes an almost secular vision of God's promises -- a breezy pursuit of life, liberty and happiness for nice people. I think we Episcopalians are more tempted to this second vision.


St Paul is not talking about the stingy withholding of God's compassion, nor about an optimistic Christianity asking nothing of anyone promising only sunny days. What he is talking about is assurance. Paul knew the experience of powerful suffering. He teaches us that hardship is not God's turning away from us, but a sign of God's presence with us in life's difficulties. All of God's covenant promises with us are made incarnate in his gift of Jesus' redemptive suffering on the cross. God stands in solidarity with all those who experience anguish, pain and grief. This is the gift of our blessed assurance that God is with us. and this is the place where we find our hope.


Blessings,

Fr. Dan

SUNDAY WORSHIP THIS WEEK

The Readings

Isaiah 55:10-13

Psalm 65: 1-14

Romans 8:1-11

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23


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 After Pentecost


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: Rite II After Pentecost


Music

Opening: 440 Blessed Jesus, at thy word 

Before Gospel: L115 Spirit of the Living God

Offertory hymn: 291 We plow the fields and scatter

Communion: PB21 The Prayer of St. Francis

Closing: L151 One bread, one body

OPEN DOORS

Join us this Sunday, July 16th when the church will be open for prayer and quiet contemplation from 2 to 4 pm with musical offerings at 3 pm.


This Sunday, Christine Doré shares a few of her favorite classical, sacred, and contemporary piano pieces.


Check St. John’s website for the most current music schedule

WEDNESDAY NOONDAY PRAYER

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

STEWARDSHIP QUARTERLY STATEMENTS

Quarterly giving statements (Jan - Jun, 2023) went out last week.


We are grateful for your commitment to supporting St. John's through your stewardship pledge. You are the core of this Parish that makes the work we do possible.


Please take this opportunity to make sure your pledge payments are current. This is the perfect oppurtunity to set up recurring online payments or to make a single payment online using our secure online platform, onrealm.org:


MAKE YOUR STEWARDSHIP PAYMENT ONLINE


If you have any questions regarding your statement, please contact Coral in the Parish Offfice.

ECW MEETING

St. John's ECW will meet on Sunday, July 23rrd immediately following the 10 am service in the Guild Room.


Please contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President, with any questions.

THRIFT SHOP

The Thrift Shop is open regularly on Tuesday, Thursdays & Saturdays, 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.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL & CHOIR CAMP

Compassion Camp is coming and we are putting on a Musical!


Compassion Camp is a program where we explore what it means to have compassion for ourselves, others, and the world. Camp promises to be two awesome weeks full of fun activities, tons of arts and crafts projects, and musical excitement. St. John's, Cold Spring Harbor and St. John's, Huntington are collaborating to double the fun!


This year, camp is two weeks. You can participate in 1 or both, although it may influence which roles you can be cast in. Campers can also participate without being cast in a role if they don't want to perform.


Week 1: August 14 - 18

Week 2: August 21 - 25


Location: St. John's, Cold Spring Harbor

Hours: 10am-2pm

Ages: Open to grades K-6

Cost per week: $50/child, $100/family (scholarships available)

Food: Lunch provided

Register for VBS Choir Camp

UNCOVERING OUR PARISH HISTORY

Learn about what we have uncovered and help us discover more!


As one of the churches with a colonial past, St. John’s was invited to be part of the Diocesan project uncovering our history and its relation to slavery. The research spans the period from our founding circa 1745 to the end of the Civil War in the Spring of 1865. 


ADDITIONAL RESEARCHERS NEEDED NOW THROUGH DECEMBER: 

Whether you enjoy history or like playing detective or are just curious, those are the skills for the task at hand. This project was undertaken by the Racial Reconciliation and Social Justice Ministry but is open to the entire parish and some parishioners who are not members of our RR&SJM have joined the history project already. Please contact Heather Kress at hkress44@gmail.com or 631-549-5186 to learn more or to sign up. 

BIBLE STUDY

Bible Study meets regularly Mondays at 6:30 pm on Zoom.

 

Monday Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746


We are studying of A Postcard from the Volcano by Lucy Beckett

MORNING PRAYER

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

HOPE MINISTRY SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

HOPE Ministry at St. John’s Huntington

Hearts Offering Passionate Encouragement

 

Let us work together with Family Service League of Huntington.

 

School Supplies needed!


Join Family Service League and lead sponsor, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, along with other generous donors for our annual school supply drive which supports children's education and families who are struggling financially. Your gift helps children begin the school year ready to learn, develop as students, and fosters creativity in writing, reading, art, and other subjects. New school supplies and backpacks will be distributed at the end of August. Your donation makes a real difference to the children living in Suffolk County who depend on this program. 


AMAZON WISH LIST - Click here and don’t forget to chose Family Service League as the ship to address so your gift will be mailed directly to our office!


Please contact Deacon Claire Mis for more information.

REGULAR MINISTRY MEETINGS

Prayer Shawl Ministry - On summer break. Meetings will resume in September.


Racial Reconcilitation & Social Justice Minsitry - For more information contact Heather Kress.


Spirituality Group - 2nd Thursday of each month at 5 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Patti Aliperti.


St. Hilda's Guild (Sewing & Crafting) - Weekly on Tuesdays, 12:30 - 3 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Sue Hartman.

PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S

We pray for Patrick, Eric, Chaya, Valerie, Anna, Denise, Dan, Gladys, Richard, Barbara, Christine, Brooke, Cassandra, Valerie, Edith, Cole, Luke, Danielle, Steve, Amy, Kate, David, Irene, Leslie, Brandon, Shelley, Melissa, Caitlin, Patti, Sandra, Hal, Helga, Thomas, Marilyn, Dudley, Fred, Juanita, Cheryl, Rhys, Mike, Carmen, Iris, Lou, Mable, Nicole, Aubry, Matthew,


Recently departed: Mark Burnette, John Sterns, John Neuman


The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Bunny Roberts by Crystal Roberts.


Please send your prayers or updates to prayers@stjohns1745.org or call Coral in the Parish Office, 631-427-1752, ext. 101.

St. John's Episcopal Church

12 Prospect Street

Huntington, New York 11743

(631) 427-1752

stjohns1745.org


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