The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).
Do you remember going to church when you were young? What I remember is the mystery and transcendence of God back in the sixties. It was a different age in the life of the church. Churches regularly filled the pews and needed to set up extra chairs in the isles to accommodate the crowd at holiday services. I love to hear the stories of when St. John’s was packed on holidays, stories of youth group trips, Sunday school, Harvest Fairs, St. Hilda’s guild projects, and other fond memories that so many of our parishioners have. If there is one constant that I always hear at St. John’s, it is the family atmosphere, welcome, and friendships that people experience when they come here.
But in 2021, in the madness of this pandemic, we tend to lose focus on why coming to church on Sunday (or watching on zoom) is important. Many people see church as an option when it is convenient. God offers something far more precious than most people can ask or even imagine. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” This means that everything eternal will be just fine. Although our times may be difficult, Jesus has taken care of our worst fear. This used to be known by a majority of people, but a majority of folks now face uncertainty. Without faith in the resurrection, we are forced to live in anxiety and fear.
When I was young, I remember the words of the Eucharistic prayer and the sound of the clergy’s voice is forever etched in my memory, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you.” I then witnessed the transcendence of the bread at the table turned into the body of Christ. We were offered the real and tangible Body of Christ, who died on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins. At the end of the service, after singing hymns like Onward Christian soldiers; we strode out of the church with Christ like purpose to bring the kingdom of God closer and to make God real to a hurting world. TH Episcopal Church was at the forefront of civil unrest because the life of Jesus Christ stood in opposition to the practice of racial bias and we choose to follow his path and not the path of the “real world.” Martin Luther King Jr. and others preached a Gospel that changed the way we behaved as a country and brought Good News and hope to those who were oppressed. We were a church that heard the Gospel and demanded justice in the world. I remember leaving the church building with the purpose of God, through the self-giving love of Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. I think of my memories of my childhood as the passing of an age. But I believe with all my heart that St. John’s is doing the work of Christ. We preach the saving grace of Jesus Christ through our faith and through our actions. Please join us.
In Christ’s love,
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
The Hymns
Opening Hymn 690 "Guide me thou, o great Jehovah"
Sequence Hymn 343 "Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless"
Closing Hymn PB 23 "I am the Bread of Life"
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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 required. 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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Join us for the final concerts in our Sanctuary Music at Noon series! Soothe your soul and revive your spirit with 30-minute performances on Sundays at noon:
- Sunday August 1st, Alex will play a special program called "Sound of Silence."
- Music has a unique power to help us process our darker emotions like sadness, fear and loss and turn them into something beautiful. For his last solo concert of the summer “Sanctuary Music” series, Alex will present his creative takes on rock and pop songs dealing with the inner struggles, emotions and hopes.
- Sunday, August 8th, will be our 2nd Young Musicians concert.
Please support us in person, in our beautiful, historic church or in the sanctuary of your own home via Facebook Live:
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SPIRITUALITY GROUP MEETING |
The Spirituality Group meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be on August 12th at 4pm. Join us as we focus our minds and hearts on...
"Broadway Re-imagined" with Fr. John
If you are interested in exploring your spirituality and deepening your connection to others, consider joining us. Please contact Patti Aliperti ([email protected]) if you would like more information about St. John's Spirituality Group.
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ELIJAH BOOK STUDY WITH FR. JOHN |
Mondays - August 16th, 23rd, and 30th at 6:30 pm &
Tuesdays - August 17th, 24th, and 31st at 11:00 am
via Zoom:
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COOKING FOR RURAL & MIGRANT MINISTRY |
Volunteers are needed to cook and deliver food for Rural & Migrant Ministry on Thursday, August 5th!
We will meet in St. John's kitchen at 1:30pm to cook rice, beans and chicken. We will depart St. John's at 3:30pm to deliver the food to Rural & Migrant Ministry in Riverhead.
Please contact Fr. Duncan with any questions and to volunteer at (631) 427-1752, ext. 102. |
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SACRED GROUND - NEW SERIES |
We are beginning a new Sacred Ground series on Saturday, September 23rd at 6:30 pm.
Sacred Ground is a film-based dialogue series on race and faith led by Billy Kiley presented by St. John's Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry.
Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect European American histories.
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ST. FRANCIS OF THE VALLEY |
We continue in conversation with members of St. Francis in the Valley in Green Valley, Arizona, (https://www.stfrancisgvaz.org/) and our awareness of the acute human need is growing. Our own Rev. Marie Tatro, Vicar for Community Justice Ministry has joined the conversation.
We also contacted Fr. David Chavez, the Arizona Diocesan Bishop’s border missioner, who will assist us, both before, during and after our mission trip. As part of our pre-trip planning, he has offered to facilitate a five part program that will serve to strengthen our understanding of border issues. It will be offered to all – to St. John’s and friends. We know there are “borders” everywhere – and especially right here on Long Island.
“While the border divides, the land unites.”
Pedacito de la Tierra / A Little Piece of Home film aims to amplify unity through the joy, resilience, belonging, and community experienced throughout life’s journey. Alight and Burners Without Borders are kicking off a global movement to create sustainable spaces of hope and refuge for migrant communities, beginning at the US/Mexico border.
Also, you might be interested in looking at the following website: “Cruzando Fronteras” which is hosted by Diocese of Arizona in partnership with the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA and the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ: https://fronteras.azdiocese.org/
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Quarterly Stewardship statements went out via email recently. If you did not receive your statement, please contact the Parish Office to have it resent or to receive a printed copy.
Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward. Thank you for supporting our work with your regular contribution.
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, John, Liam, Charlie, John, Matthew, Gale
Recently Departed: Bob, cousin of Laurie Wickey; Lois Bush, mother of Fr. Rick Simpson; and
Barney Hedberg, uncle of Fr. Duncan.
Altar flowers are a given in loving memory of Beverly Heckelmann on her birthday with love by the Seymour and Haggerty families.
Altar flowers are given in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. William Slade by Mary Simon and Family.
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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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