The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
(Mark 4:41)
In last week’s sermon, Fr. Duncan spoke about the parable of the mustard seed, and how, although even the smallest of seeds may grow to be a very large bush. The seed represents the humble beginnings of the kingdom of God. We are God’s seeds. Have we nurtured our individual seeds through prayer – to become strong enough to advance God’s kingdom in our own world today? We cannot successfully go forward unless we know who Jesus is – and we learn through prayer, study, and being in communion with all of the faithful. This is how our faith, knowledge, and ability to be obedient grow, enabling us to be more effective in our various ministries.
This week, further on in Mark, the disciples find themselves in the midst of a storm. While they have been listening to Jesus preach and heal all day, when that storm surges and they believe they are all going to die, the fear that arises in them is palpable. It almost seems like an eternity before they turn to Jesus, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38) They clearly expected a response from Jesus, but after he calmed the storm, their fear did not abate. “Who then is his that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Who IS this Jesus?
Is our God big enough to calm the storms in our lives? Lately there have been many storms that we have been suffering through together, and perhaps some that you have had to endure on your own. Think about Job. In this week’s lesson, God actually speaks to Job from the whirlwind of a storm – chastising him for not really knowing him deeply enough:
“Who is this that obscures my plans
Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.” (Job 38: 1-3)
Job’s picture of his God was just not big enough, but ultimately, Job is forced to grow and to see God in a much grander way.
Like Job, the disciples too are now forced to take another look at this Jesus who calms the storm. Clearly, he is more than a teacher. His disciples at least got the question right, but the story is more than just about their lack of faith. “Who IS this Jesus?”
In both Job and Mark, the storm reveals something about God, the world, and faith. Ultimately, in the case of Job, he will begin to have hope and even risk starting a new family after his many great losses. In Mark, the disciples now take one more step toward recognizing Jesus as their Messiah.
As we navigate the storms in our lives, let us work together to grow our faith. Perhaps then, our tiny mustard seeds will grow into amazing bushes more visible and vibrant as we continue to live out our Mission in the community: “To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known.” Maybe our bush will even bloom into exciting new ministries!
Faithfully yours,
Claire Mis
Seminarian
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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 II Morning Prayer with Music
10:00 am – Rite II Morning Prayer with Music
The Readings
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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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INTRODUCING ST. FRANCIS OF THE VALLEY! |
We are excited to share a new outreach ministry. Several of us have been communicating on zoom with Fr. Warren Leibovitch and his parishioners at St. Francis in the Valley (Episcopal) in Green Valley, AZ. We have been learning about the humanitarian work they have been doing at Nogales, on the border of Mexico. It is our hope to find ways to support their ministries, which may include a future mission trip to Arizona. The attached link will give you some pictures and information about St. Francis and the good work they have been doing.
If you are interested in joining our monthly conversation, please get in touch with Coral, Fr. Duncan or Claire Mis.
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Parishioner Alice Weiser is delighted to offer in-person yoga at St. John’s again. In this “yoga of stillness”, students will enjoy passive stretches supported by yoga props. The result: deep relaxation and release! No experience necessary. We will meet in the Guild Room on Saturdays June 5, 12, 19, and 26 from
10 to 11 am. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat. $20 fee payable at the class. RSVP and questions: alicesyogazone@gmail.com.
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Soothe your soul and revive your spirit with 30-minute performances every Sunday at noon. Join us in our beautiful, historic church or in the sanctuary of your own home via Facebook Live:
This Sunday, Alex will present "Back to the Roaring Twenties - piano music of the forgotten age".
The last Sunday of each month will be a Taize prayer service.
Free or make an offering of $10 to support St. John's Music Ministry. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact the Parish Office for more information..
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PRIMARY ELECTION NEXT TUESDAY |
Next Tuesday, June 22nd, there will be a Democratic and Working Families Party primary election. The Republicans will not be holding a primary as their slate is already set.
If you are eligible, please get out and vote on June 22nd. Every vote counts!
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RACIAL RECONCILIATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY |
Tom Petriano will present "There is a Balm in Gilead: Prophets of Racial Reconiclaitaion" at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, 53 Prospect Rd, Centerport, on Monday, July 19 to Thursday, July 22nd, 9:30 - 11:30 am.
The struggle to achieve what Martin Luther King called “the beloved community” has been a long and arduous one. Religion has often had a mixed role in relationship to race. During this week we will explore what King meant by the beloved community and look at some of the faith-filled prophets of racial reconciliation whose life and message can be a helpful guide to all of us as Christians as we work toward the realization of the beloved community. Some of the voices we will consider are those of Thomas Merton, Sr. Thea Bowman, Howard Thurman, Martin Luther King, John Lewis, John Howard Griffin, and the writers of the African American Spirituals.
All are welcome. No registration necessary. Free will offering accepted.
The next meeting of the St. John's Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry will be on Thursday, July 15th at 6:30pm. Please contact Heather Kress at hkress44@gmail.com for more information about other RR&SJM initiatives. |
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The Spirituality Group meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be on July 8th at 4pm. Join us!
If you are interested in exploring your spirituality and deepening your connection to others, consider joining us. Please contact Patti Aliperti ( silverymoon33@yahoo.com) if you would like more information about St. John's Spirituality Group. |
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Thank you to St. John's and the congregation for your continued support! The prayer shawl ministry has been energized and we are grateful! As we are approaching summer, the group meetings will be on hiatus and we'll come together again in September.
Please consider donating to our ministry either financially or with yarn. We received several generous donations of yarn that really makes a difference! Thank you to all who donated!
Shawls will continue to be available during the summer months - please be sure to record your name with Fr. Duncan, Noelle, or Claire if you take a shawl directly from the church. You may email me if you've taken a shawl but do not see me in church.
Please contact Noelle DeLorenzo at ndelorenzo217@gmail.com with any inquiries on receiving a shawl, donations, or joining our ministry. |
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The Thrift shop is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 12 to 3 pm. We have an updated collection of seasonal clothing.
Come and Shop!
The Thrift Shop is accepting donations. If you wish to become a volunteer in the ministry of the Thrift Shop, please contact Nancy Feustel at n.feustel@verizon.net.
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If you have not already pledged, please consider making a Stewardship commitment in 2021 in support of the ministry of St. John’s. Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward.
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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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, Margaret, Jean, Pat, Joanie, Sueann, Karen, Dermot, Jill, Susan, Scott
Recently Departed: Emerson James "Jay" Dobbs, Jr.; Nathan, nephew of Susan Cronje
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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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