"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God. (Psalm 84:1)
Last week I spoke of the Living God in our midst. I hope you know in your heart the deep satisfaction of resting in the Lord. Augustine said that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. I hope you yearn in your heart for the peace that passes all understanding and if you do, I pray you will light that lamp for others to see. Today’s Gospel tells of the faith of two elderly individuals at the Presentation of the Lord:
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:25-32).
Simeon yearned for this prophetic moment when he would recognize the redemptive work of God. My prayer for each of you is that you yearn for an experience of the Living God and walk in faith all the days of your life until you depart in peace. The true strength of church is the faith of its members. This is what undergirds all evangelism, mission work and outreach. We should all invite our friends, neighbors and family to visit St. John’s and welcome, get to know, and involve our newcomers in the life and ministry of St. John’s. We give of our time by witnessing our faith to each other and especially to our children. God also calls us to usher in the kingdom of God through transformative mission and outreach. God unites us together with the poor, the oppressed, the sick, the hungry, and the disenfranchised. God calls us to passionate worship that brings the life changing presence of God to others.
Let me end with the twelfth century writing from Guerric of Igny:
“Behold then, the candle alight in Simeon's hands. You must light your own candles by enkindling them at his, those lamps which the Lord commanded you to bear in your hands. So come to him and be enlightened that you do not so much bear lamps as become them, shining within yourself and radiating light to your neighbors. May there be a lamp in your heart, in your hand, and in your mouth: let the lamp in your heart shine for yourself, the lamp in your hand and mouth shine for your neighbors. The lamp in your heart is a reverence for God inspired by faith; the lamp in your hand is the example of a good life; and the lamp in your mouth are the words of consolation you speak.”
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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The Lessons
The Presentation of Our Lord
Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40
Psalm 84
Join us for 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
Bulletin: Rite I HE - After Epiphany
9:40 am - Sunday School
10:00 am - Rite II Choral Eucharist
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86739553648
Facebook Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745
Bulletin: Rite II HE - After Epiphany
The Music
Opening: 436 Lift up you heads, ye mighty gates, vs 1-3
Psalm 84 sung
Sequence: 324 Let all mortal flesh keep silence, vs 1-2
Offertory anthem: “People need the Lord” by Steve Green
Communion: Taize
Recessional: 657 Love Divine, all loves excelling
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The Annual Meeting of St. John's Church in Huntington will take place on Sunday, February 2nd at 11:15 am in the Great Hall.
VESTRY ELECTIONS - We will be electing 1 warden and 4 vestry members.
Reports will be presented in written form only in the Annual Report. The meeting will focus on the business of vestry elections and looking ahead to the future as we celebrate our 280th anniversary.
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES | |
Classes will begin on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, for children 2nd grade and above. First Communion classes will meet on Wednesdays at 5 pm in the Guild Room.
If you are interested in First Holy Communion for your child, please download the form using the link below. Forms are also available at the back of the church. If you have any questions about First Communion, please feel free to reach out to Fr. Duncan or the Parish Office.
FHC REGISTRATION FORM
FHC CLASS SCHEDULE
First Holy Communion will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at the 10:00 am service.
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A Souper Bowl Sunday collection will be taken up on Sunday, February 9th.
Each year on Super Bowl Sunday, we asks parishioners to make a donation to the "Souper Bowl of Caring" to help fight hunger here in the Huntington community. This year, All donations will go toward the cost of preparing HIHI meals.
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HIHI is the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative. St. John's partners with other local houses of worship to provide food, clothing and shelter during the winter months.
This winter, St. John's is preparing hot meals for those in the local shelter. Anyone who would like to help cook and serve, please meet in the kitchen on the following days:
Friday, February 7th at 3pm
Friday, February 21st at 3pm
Youth are welcome to help on any of these days for service credit.
We are also supporting HIHI by collecting gift cards to local fast food restaurants of $5 or $10 amounts to distribute to homeless in Huntington. If you would like to contribute, you may drop your Dunkin Donut, Burger King, McDonalds, or other gift cards off at St. John's, 12 Propect St, Huntington.
Please reach out to Fr. Duncan with any questions, dbu632@gmail.com, or (631) 427-1752, ext. 102.
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YEAR-END GIVING STATEMENTS | |
2024 Giving Statements were sent via email to those with active email addresses in our system. For those who did not pick up their printed statements from the back of the church, your statements were mailed last week.
If you did not receive an emailed or printed statement, please reach out to Coral in the Parish Office to have one sent to you.
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The vestry respectfully request that you follow the protocol they set for announcements during Sunday services. Announcements will be done by the vestry member assigned for that service. If you have an event to share or a special announcement to make, please send an email to Fr. Duncan and Fr. Zach by the Friday before.
This protocol was set to respect all parishioners' time and to keep the service length to as close to an hour as possible.
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SING OUT! A TOUR FOR HARMONY | |
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Sunday, February 9th at 3:00 pm
St. John's welcomes international soprano Brenda Marie Turner for a multi-genre concert in our beautiful sanctuary, creating unity through the perpetual gift on music.
This concert is made possible through the support of generous donors and is free to the public. Presented by Open the Music.
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Youth Group meets again on Sunday, February 2nd from 6-8:30 pm at St. John's Huntington. All Youth in the 7th to 12th grades are welcome to join us for food, faith, & fun!
Confirmation - Next Class, Sunday, February 9th at noon at St. John's Cold Spring Harbor. Any youth who feel they are ready for Confirmation is welcome to join our ongoing Confirmation classes. Confirmation will take place on Saturday, June 14th at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport. To join our current class, please reach out to Fr. Zach or join us at our next meeting this Sunday.
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LENT AT ST. JOHN'S - SAVE THE DATES | |
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner:
Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30 to 7:00 pm in the Great Hall
Ash Wednesday Services - March 5th:
8:00 am - Rite II Eucharist
12:00 pm - Rite II Eucharist
7:00 pm - Rite II Choral Eucharist
Lenten Series - Tuesdays in Lent beginning March 11th:
5:30 pm- Stations of the Cross in the Church
6:00 pm - Meal
6:30 pm - Alpha Program
Overnight Lenten Retreat:
Friday, March 14th to Saturday, March 15th at the Seminary of Immaculate Conception, 440 West Neck Rd, Lloyd Harbor. There is commuter option for a reduced rate, as well. For more information, please reach out to Patti Aliperti of St. John's Spirituality Group. Online registration will open soon.
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FOOD INSECURITY CONTINUES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY | |
Please bring a nonperishable food or toiletry item to church with you each Sunday, and place them in the basket at the back of the church. Your items will be received and blessed at the offertory.
Specific needs include:
• Canned tuna
• Canned chicken
• Canned Beef stews
• Canned salmon
• Bean soups
• Canned or dried beans
• Baked beans
• Canned chili
• Peanut Butter
• Canned nuts
• Personal Care items
Thank you to Gayle Brady and Paula Dodge who faithfully deliver to Helping Hands --- where the need is great!
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Monday Bible Study meets at 6:30 pm on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study at 11:00 am in person in the Guild Room. We read and discuss the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday.
Please reach out to Fr. Zach with any questions, (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.
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The Thrift Shop is regularly open 12 - 3 pm, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
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.
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Morning Prayer meets at 9:00 am, Monday through Friday on 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.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8604114654
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On Wednesdays, the church is open from noon to 1 pm for noonday prayer which starts at 12:15 pm. All are welcome. | |
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ECW MEETING - Help us to help others! Our next meeting will be on Sunday, February 9th at 11:15 am in the Guild Room. Contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President for more information.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - Learn how to crochet a prayer shawl in this loving, supportive group. We meet on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Guild Room. Please contact Lynn Hansen for more information.
RACIAL RECONCILIATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY - For meeting days and times or more information contact Heather Kress or Bill Kiley.
SPIRITUALITY GROUP - Next meeting, Thursday, February 13th at 5:00 pm in the Canterbury Corner. Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of every 2nd month. Contact Patti Aliperti for more information.
ST. HILDA'S GUILD - Join us for crafts, sewing, and friendship. Weekly meetings are on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Sue Hartman for more information.
VESTRY MEETING - Sunday, February 2nd immediately following the Annual Meeting in the Guild Room and on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87350494837.
YOUTH GROUP - For all who are those in 7 - 12th grade. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, February 2nd at 6:30 pm at St. John's Huntington. We meet every other Sunday at 6:30 - 8:30 rotating between St. John's Huntington, Trinity Northport, and St. John's Cold Spring Harbor. Contact Fr. Zach or Noelle DeLorenzo for more information. View Schedule.
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
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We prayer for: Sandy, Richard, Lynn, Amy, Kim, Christine, Cole, Luke, Geralynn, Lori, Noa, Jim, Irene, Debra, James, Linda, Ken, Larry, Mary, Cheryl, Amy, Kate, Nils, Betty, Gabby, Kaye, Coralis, Tony, Denise, Andrea, Gladys, Christian, Kaitlyn, Anthony, Richard, Lisa
Recently Departed: Hortense E. Afflick
Please send your prayers or updates to prayers@stjohns1745.org, call Coral in the Parish Office, 631-427-1752, ext. 101.
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Anyone interested in joining the Sunday service ministers' roster, please reach out to Fr. Zach or Fr. Duncan. | |
CHALICE UPDATES & PARISH 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.
All parish events and building use must be submitted to the Parish Office and approved by the rector.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ST. JOHN'S CALENDAR
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
stjohns1745.org
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