"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . "
The Chalice
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church 
July 23, 2023

Let Them Grow Together: Living in a World of Ambiguity 

We have spent the last several weeks with Fr. Dan, pondering the words of Paul to the Romans. Just last week, we were given the deep assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God. That indeed is comforting and grounding – especially as we move forward into a message that takes us out of our safe haven, compelling us to face the gray areas of our lives.  This week we are being called to occupy in-between places – places that may be mixed, messy, confusing. A message that challenges our comfort zones and moves us into God’s field to live among the wheat and the tares.

The parable of the seeds and the weeds is an allegory particularly appropriate for a July message as we move into the season of harvest. Jesus describes the Kingdom of God like a person who sows good seed in a field, yet in the night – or one might even say – in the dark, an enemy comes and plants weeds. If you are a gardener, you probably work feverishly plucking the dratted weeds so your vegetables or flowers will flourish. Isn’t the kingdom of God supposed to be a perfect and beautiful place – a place where sin is no more? But the kingdom described here is messy and confusing. This parable is about ambiguity and paradox. We have wheat and we also have weeds. It is about what is good in our world and it is also about the reality of evil. How do we sort it out? And, in fact, Is that even our job?

Why is it that the servants are deterred from removing the weeds to ensure a good harvest? Jesus tells us that in removing the weeds, we run the risk of uprooting some of the good crop – because indeed the wheat and the darnel look alike. So, we are told to wait – to have patience and restraint. It isn’t quite time for the harvest. And we are not the harvesters. It is God who will sort it out at the final judgment. In the meantime, we are called to live, grow, love and flourish together.

How can we even think about rooting out the bad weeds in the world, when each one of us can recognize our own inner conflict between good and bad. In truth we are all 'part weed, part wheat'. We must hope and pray that God works in us to make us more ‘wheat like.’


Oh, how we want to be among the wheat

at the last judgment, gathered and bundled off to heaven,

not separated out to be burned!

As If Jesus is talking about others—

you know, those bad people—and not you,

not what in you yourself is good and bad.

Maybe God lets you discern what is fruitful in you

and blesses it; and what is not fruitful,

if you are willing, God graciously, thankfully, removes.

Steve Garnaas-Holmes


Maybe during our lifetime, things do not turn out just fine. Sometimes we don’t make the best choices. Our Christian faith doesn’t necessarily prevent hardship. But as Paul reminds us, we are not justified by our right choices, but rather by grace, through faith. And knowing that we have God’s unconditional love in spite of our poor choices frees us up to live each day fully. And that gives us hope!


With patience and hope,             

Deacon Claire

SUNDAY WORSHIP THIS WEEK

The Readings

Isaiah 44:6-8

Psalm 86:11-17

Romans 8:12-25

Matthew 13:24-30,36-43


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

Guitar mass

Opening: 594 God of grace and god of glory

Gloria: PB4 To God be the Glory

Before Gospel: PB 5 Seek Ye First

Offertory hymn: PB 100 Abba, Father

Lord's Prayer: PB123

Communion anthem: PB17 Just a closer walk

Leslie Valentine, soloist

Closing: PB 47 Shine, Jesus, Shine

ECW MEETING

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


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

OPEN DOORS

Join us this Sunday, July 23rd when the church will be open for prayer and quiet contemplation from 2 to 4 pm with musical offerings at 3 pm.


This Sunday, will be our Young Artists Showcase.


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

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

BIBLE STUDY

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

 

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


We are finishing up A Postcard from the Volcano by Lucy Beckett on July 31st. In August we will discuss Michael O'Brien's By the Rivers of Babylon.

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.

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 possibly 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. 

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 - No August Meeting. Next meeting will be on Thursday, Septebmer 7th at 5pm 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, Lois


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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