The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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“The story of Jesus as he goes to the cross is the story we all know: the story of what happens when our vision of the world and of ourselves come crashing down. Jesus comes to the place, not where the signposts originally appear to be pointing, but where they have collapsed… we find that the God who we might have hoped would meet us in the place to which justice, love, freedom and truth had pointed has instead come to meet us in the place where justice, love, freedom and truth were denied and trampled upon. Our place. Our broken place. Our broken world” (NT Wright).
The Creator of the universe launches a new way of living (the Kingdom of God) in a tiny manger. Jesus is born as fully human and fully divine to show us the truth that God hears our cries and sends Jesus that we might have life and live it abundantly. Jesus eats with sinners, brings hope to the dispossessed, gives living water to the thirsty, feeds the hungry, and brings wholeness to those who are broken. Jesus is sentenced, tortured, and suffers a cruel and horrible death. Several women witness his resurrected body and he appears to a few folks on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appears to Doubting Thomas and the other disciples. Then he appears to several hundred others and God’s new order is launched. Later, Jesus appeared to Paul and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. We wake up this morning to a broken world to a God who still listens to our cries. God sends Jesus to us when we are hurting and to those places in the world where God’s love is needed.
When I interviewed in graduate school, the first question they asked me was, “who in the bible can you relate to and why?” I answered, “Peter.” There was a long pause. Dr. Akma opened his eyes wide, shook his head, and asked, “Why?” I stumbled and stuttered and said, “None of this makes any sense to me. My wife, three kids, and a dog are leaving great jobs, a beautiful home, good friends, and a happy life, but I feel in my heart that this is where Jesus is calling me. So here I am, even though I really don’t have a good answer for you.” Later I would learn the Gospel story of Peter. Peter was a fisherman, who lived with his wife in Capernaum. He shared a house with his mother-in-law and his brother, Andrew. They had their own boat and were friends with the Zebedee boys, James and John, Jesus called to them from the shore and said, “Would you like to change the world.” Jesus later asks Peter, "Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter said, “You’re the Christ," he said, "the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16: 15 -16). When Jesus spoke of being tortured and killed and on the third day raised again, Peter said, "God forbid, Lord. This shall never happen," and that's when Jesus said to him. "Get behind me, Satan" (Matthew 16:21-23). One day Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and tried to walk out on water, but he lost his nerve and began to sink. (Matthew 14:28-31). At their last supper, when Jesus started to wash the disciples' feet, it was Peter who protested--"You will never wash my feet!" "Listen, listen," Jesus said, "the cock won't crow till you've betrayed me three times" (John 13:36-38).
In today’s Gospel, Jesus goes to Peter’s favorite beach. He is a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, and Peter and his friends loved to cook some of their fish on a charcoal fire on the shore. Jesus stands at Peter’s happy place and calls out to him. When Peter figures out that it is his Risen Lord on the beach, he throws on his tunic, jumps off the boat, and swims to shore. Jesus asks him three times if he loves him and three times, Peter tells him that he loves him. Jesus then tells him to feed my sheep. If we are to launch the Kingdom of God here at St. John’s, let us begin with the words, “Here I am Lord” say the words, “You know that I love you, Lord” and let us end by following Jesus to the broken places in the world.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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CONFIRMATION & RECEPTION HOLY EUCHARIST
SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH AT ST. JOHN'S
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We are so pleased to welcome the Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, Bishop of Long Island, to St. John's on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 11:00 am for Confirmation and Reception.
All are welcome! Please join us in congratulating and celebrating those to be Confirmed and Received:
Sean Patrick Butler
John Thomas Furlong
Stephanie Leigh Goldbaum
Walter Denali Kusterbeck
Cole Monroe Lima
Akiko Anne Matrisciano
Violet Idalee Molinaro
Keiana Louise Wetsell
James Chilton Wylie
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Third Sunday of Easter
The Readings
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Join us for Easter 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
Sunday School will not meet this week
10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist
The Music
Opening: 535 Ye servants of God
Gospel Acclamation: Easter Alleluia, vs. 1, 3
Offertory anthem
Communion: 606 Where true charity
Closing: 182 Christ is alive
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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 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.
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Bible Study will not meet this week.
Please contact the Parish Office to get your copy.
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Saturday, April 30, 2022
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
In the Garden of Blessings
Have fun enjoying the benefits of ancient meditative self-care exercises while being part of the Global Wave to cultivate peace, wellness, and calm. No experience necessary, just follow along. All are welcome including people of all mobility levels. Benches and chairs will be available.
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ALEX PRYRODNY, St. John's Music Director and Artist-in-Residence, has organized UKRAINE FREEDOM! -- a 3-day celebration of Ukrainian music and culture, attempting to offer a fresh perspective informed by the current events as well as the deepening worldwide appreciation of Ukraine's musical roots and identity as this multi-faceted culture asserts its own place in the cultural tapestry of the world.
Dates and times:
Friday 4-29, 7-9pm
Saturday 4-30; 7-9pm
Venue address:
Soapbox Gallery, 636 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11238
516-559-5099
Livestream link:
DONATE TO RAZOM ("Together") IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE:
Your donation will be used to purchase urgently needed medical equipment and help for refugees in Ukraine and are 100% tax-deductible in the US.
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First Holy Communion will be celebrated today, Sunday, May 1st at the 10:00 am service.
As the First Communion students finish their studies, they have prepared for their first Eucharist. They studied the meaning of Eucharist as thanksgiving for the Last Supper and Christ's gift to us.
The children learned the Lord's Prayer and the Creed. They baked Communion bread in our kitchen for their First Communion. We reviewed the meaning of words like miracle and sacred, "hallowed be thy name" and the offertory. Fr. Duncan showed them his vestments and they helped prepare the communion chalice and patten. The children learned that we kneel to pray and show respect. We sit to listen to the sermon and stand to sing and praise God.
They are delighted to join the congregation at the communion rail. We invite these children and their parents to sit in the first row of the church on the piano side to pray and come forward for their first communion.
Our First Communion recipients are:
Desmond Christian Cunningham
Phillip Bradford Gibbs
Benjamin Bryce Gleason
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The Thrift Shop will be having an open house on Sunday, May 1st, from 11 am - 1:30 pm, for all St. John's parishioners and the general public. There will be Chanel Raffle Basket.
Donations Needed! We accept donations of new or gently used clothing, accessories, and household items. Please no books, furniture, out-dated electronics, or damaged items.
Volunteers continue to be needed - We are still bulding our Thursday and Saturday teams. If you wish to become a volunteer, please contact Lilly Welch.
St. John's Thrift Shop is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays, 12-3pm.
Thank you for your support!
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LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS' MEETING |
LEVs, please join Deacon Claire in the Canterbury Corner on Sunday, May 15th immediately following the 10 am service.
If you are intrested in serving as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, please contact Deacon Claire. |
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ST. FRANCIS IN THE VALLEY |
NEW DATE for MISSION TRIP to Arizona
October 24 – 31 2022
OUTREACH is sharing Christ’s love with all our neighbors!
Save the date:
Meeting for those hoping to go on the mission trip:
Tuesday, May 24th (date change)
7:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend
Join Zoom Meeting:
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What One Couple Learned from Their Border Experience: Who is Teaching Who?
WHO IS TEACHING WHO?
Leonard and Kathy Rodenberg - Spring 2022
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STEWARDSHIP: PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT |
First Quarter Stewardship Pledge Statements were sent out last week. Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward. Please take this time to review your giving and to catch up on your pledge payments if possible. |
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If you have not yet pledged, pledge cards are available in the pews and at the back of the church. You may also submit your pledge online using our online pledge form. You may send your regular stewardship payments in the mail, leave them in the collection plate on Sundays, or set up automatic, recurring payments online. |
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ALTAR FLOWERS & THE PERPETUAL LIGHT |
If you would like to remember a loved one or give thanks for an important 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 |
Altar flowers are a gift of Judy Wulfken and Family in thanksgiving for her grandson, Phillip Bradford Gibbs, and Desmond Cunningham and Benjamin Gleason as they receive their First Holy Communion.
We pray for: Liz, Harry and Christine, Hal, Richard, Barbara, Fanny, Jackie, Diana, Edward, Christine, Fred, Tom, Allison, Amy, Kate, Cole, Jennifer, Spencer, Sue, Wylie, Matt, Susan, Maggie, Tom, Olivia, Christina, Victor, Melissa, Jack, Ursula, Anita, Nancy, Peter, Patti, Shannon, Kelsey, Justin, Cheryl, Kristin, Patricia, Jeff, Michael, Joseph, James, Sue, Bill, Dylan, Ruth, Kristen
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Bertha and Frank Lasek, and Natividad and Modesto Roman, the gift of Dave and Nelly Lasek.
To add or remove someone from our prayer list, please email prayers@stjohns1745.org or call Coral in the Parish Office.
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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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