The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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Bishop Curry was recently asked what he would say to all the people that feel disconnected. Our Presiding Bishop replied, “I think we have got to figure out ways to be connected to each other. I mean, I have jokingly said, if you're high-tech, Zoom, if you're low-tech, text, if you're no-tech, call, send a note, stay in touch, socially distanced, following what the public health folk tell us, but stay in touch. Don't get disconnected. Don't get cut off. The psychologists tell us, cutoff is unhealthy. We actually need each other. So, if we can't touch each other physically, we can touch each other on the phone by writing, across the fence, but find a way to stay connected to other people, and to intentionally, if you're able, connect with other people. Sometimes, I experience love when I love myself, which is to say, when I step beyond Michael and reach out to somebody else, you know, like that song says, reach out and touch somebody's hand. When I do that, somehow, I begin to experience love myself in a very different way, when I give it away.
When Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River the heavens are torn apart, the spirit descends on him like a dove and a voice from heaven says to Jesus, “You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.” At that moment of Mark’s Gospel, at the age of thirty, Jesus' ministry begins. Jesus' baptism is a moment of literal divine intervention into the realm of this world. Jesus will come to challenge the status quo and centers of political and economic power. Isaiah and other prophets promised justice for the poor and disenfranchised and Jesus came from heaven to proclaim God’s justice and to show us what the peace of God feels like. Jesus comes out of the river, still wet from the waters of baptism and goes to the margins of society where people feel disconnected. Jesus then teaches how to give your life for the sake of others.
St. John’s has always been known for the hospitality of our coffee hours and breakfasts. In the pandemic world that that we live in, it is impossible for St. John’s to gather for service and breakfast. We offer live services at eight and eleven on Sunday mornings, but they cannot compare to the hospitality that our congregation offered in a pre-Covid world. There is no doubt that many Americans feel a disconnect because of the Covid restrictions that have been placed on us, so that we may stay safe and stop the spread of this terrible pandemic.
We will offer all types of connections in the months ahead. We offer live Eucharistic services, zoom Morning Prayer, and streamed services in the comfort of your home. We have daily Morning Prayer, Education for Ministry, Bible study in the evening or day, Hilda’s Guild, Thrift Shop, Laundry Love, and C.A.R.E. I also ask every member to connect with a few of the parishioners that you have not seen in the last few weeks. We must all reach out our hands to the lonely, the elderly, the disenfranchised, and the discouraged. Zoom, text, or call as our Presiding Bishop suggests. The darkness of our time is depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The light of Christ could be a text, note, or call to someone that need a little love right now to endure this time of separation. Please connect with one another as much as possible in the months ahead. At the Baptism of our Lord, the connection with God is established and Jesus heads out into ministry to restore all people with God and one another. We are called to do likewise.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist in the church
Face masks, social distancing, and registration required.
8:00 am - Rite II Morning Prayer
9:15 am – Rite II Morning Prayer with Music
10:15 am - Sunday School via Zoom
11:00 am - Rite II Holy Eucharist in the church & Facebook Live
Face masks, social distancing, and registration required.
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Please join us for a ZOOM coffee hour this Sunday at 10:00 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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Join us at 9:00 am for Morning Prayer, Monday - Friday, via Zoom:
Please follow along with Mission St. Clare
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275th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBIT VIDEO |
Huntington Historial Society helped us celebrate our 275th year in Huntington with their exhibit on display in the THE SOLDIERS & SAILORS MEMORIAL BUILDING. They produced a video of the exhibit which was largely about our church in Huntington. To view the video on Youtube, click on the link below
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We are studying the New Testament, referencing N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird's The New Testament in Its World.
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ANNUAL MEETING & VESTRY NOMINATIONS |
The Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 10:00 am via Zoom.
Nominations are open for 2021 Vestry Elections. At our Annual Meeting we will be voting on one Warden, three Vestry seats and one Clerk of the Vestry. If you would like to run for any of these open roles, please contact the nominating committee of either Fr. Duncan 845-271-9134 or Scott Cooley at 631- 896-1064.
All ministry chairs please submit your group’s annual report to the Church Office ([email protected]) no later than Monday, February 1, 2020 at 9am.
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SPIRITUALITY GROUP MEETING |
Thursday, January 14th at 4pm
via Zoom:
All are welcome to join St. John's Spirituality Group for our next meeting bi-weekly meeting.
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 ([email protected]).
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Please email or call Coral in the Parish Office if you will be wanting givng envelopes this year.
(631) 427-1752, Ext.
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HEARTS OFFERING PASSIONATE ENCOURAGEMENT
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St. John’s has been actively providing food staples to the many food pantries within our community – especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. There continues to be a significant food insecurity need, however, many of us may not realize that individuals who receive benefits, from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cannot use those benefits for a large list of items that most of us consider essential.
Take a look at the following list and you will see that all items are essential for daily living and for overall health benefits. As you continue to drop off other essential items in the bins outside the church office on Prospect Street, please consider including the following items. Of particular need are items found in #7:
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Tissues
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
- Soap
- Diapers
- Tampons, pads and incontinence products
- Deodorant
- Shampoos
- Cleaning products
- Lotion, powder, sunscreen, lip balm
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Thank you so much for your generous spirit and continued support of the ministry of St. John’s. 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.
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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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: Bob, Christian, Gladys, Lynn, Fred
The recently departed: Pepe D'Amico
We beginning the New Year with a new prayer list.
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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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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
STAY CONNECTED
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