"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of
St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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In this week’s first reading from Acts of the Apostles’, we come across a story that has a unique character in it. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch is a well known one in the Acts narrative. Tradition tells us his name was Simon Bachos. He is from the court of the Candace (or Kandake), a title used for the king’s sister or a similar position like the queen mother, and who probably had land and was a respected leader. Eunuchs were used by royal courts to especially protect the women of the royal household. Their condition made them perfect servants for this job as they were no longer a threat to the royal household.
Jewish culture did not have eunuchs (in Hebrew, called “saris”) but because the eunuch was used in many of the cultures surrounding them, they were well-known to the Jewish people. Isaiah 56:4-5 says this,
“For this is what the Lord says:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—
to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure forever.”
It is often thought that the Ethiopian eunuch is the beginning of the fulfillment of this passage. Because of the non-existence of eunuchs in Jewish society, the eunuch was always a Gentile and yet it was because of his unique condition that God seemingly knew there had to be a provision made for him.
The Gospel reading from John talks about vines and branches that grow and bear fruit. Before, this almost always meant bearing children and raising large families as the way to glorify God. While the Gospel affirms the goodness of the family and children, it also turns it on its head, affirming those who can’t or don’t get married or have children, as mentioned in Matthew 19:12. Jesus Christ’s message expands from marriage and a family to everyone, even those who don’t fit into the traditional paradigm. It affirms that everyone plays a part in the Kingdom of God and those who abide in God and in Christ bear fruit.
Certainly, this one person from Ethiopia did just that. Today the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawahedo Church is the largest Christian body in Ethiopia with 40-50 million adherents. Christianity has played a central role in Ethiopian culture for nearly two millennia. I pray that each of us have the zealous faith like the Ethiopian eunuch so that we can take into our respective communities and bear fruit for the Kingdom. Thanks be to God!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Zach
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The Lessons
Acts 8:26-40
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
Psalm 22:24-30
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 Easter
9:15 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 Easter
The Music
with guitars & flute
Opening Hymn: PB89 Come, let us sing
Gloria: PB4 To God be the Glory
Before Gospel: Halle-halle-halle
Offertory Hymn: PB65 The Vine and Branches
Lord's Prayer (sung): PB123 Lord's prayer
Communion Hymn: PB58 Communion Chorale
Closing Hymn: PB48 Pass It On
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Sunday, April 28th at 11:15am
In the Guild Room
St. John's ECW will meet this Sunday in the Guild Room immediately following the 10:00 am service.
Please contact ECW President, Carol Goldbaum with any questions.
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YOUNG ARTIST SHOWCASE IN APRIL | Join us for our next Young Artist Showcase THIS Sunday, April 28th at 3pm in our beautiful sanctuary. St. John's Music Ministry in continuing its work in supporting young, upcoming musicians by giving them an opportunity perform. To find our more about our music programming, contact Alex Pryrodny our Music Director. No tickets needed. | |
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Sunday, April 28th at 12:30 pm
in the Garden of Blessings
Leslie Martin of QiGong for Vitality & Joy will lead QiGong in the Garden. Enjoy ancient, meditative, self-care exercises in tradition of Taoist QiGong, the foundation of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Donations appreciated.
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The Taste of St. John's this year will be held on Friday, May 3rd at 6:00 pm. It's an evening of food, friendship, and fun. You can sign up using the link below, or at church over the next few weeks. Please bring an appetizer or dessert. Friends are welcome!
REGISTER ONLINE
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Sunday, May 5th at 5 pm
For the 2nd concert of our inaugural season, the “Jazz Connections” series at St. John’s welcomes the Jazz Loft All Stars, a quintet of stellar musicians and bandleaders, teaming up for this special performance of selections from the Great American Songbook. A “Cinco de Mayo” style reception will follow. Discounted pre-sale tickets will be sold at Coffee Hour and online. JAZZ LOFT ALL STAR TICKETS
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Please join us for a study of Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Every Monday evening and Tuesday morning through to June 24 & 25, we will take a deep dive into arguably Paul’s best-known letter and what it tells us for today. Participants are encouraged to choose one books from the following as their guide: Timothy Keller’s Romans for You, John Stott’s Romans: God’s Good News for the World, or NT Wright’s Paul for Everyone: Romans. A short schedule will be at the first study on April 15.
Bible Study* meets regularly on Mondays at 6:30 pm on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746) and Tuesdays at 11:00 am in person in the Guild Room. The material covered each Monday evening will be covered on the following Tuesday.
Please reach out to Fr. Zach with any questions, (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.
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Evensong is an ancient traditional Anglican/Episcopal service of evening prayers, psalms, biblical readings and canticles, chanted in a choral setting. Please join us Thursday, May 9th at 7:00 pm in the church.
All are welcome! Join us to pray for our broken world in need of healing, through the gift of music!
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SPIRITUALITY GROUP LABYRINTH WALK | |
St. John's Spirituality Group's fall Labyrinth Walk will be on Saturday, May 18th. We will meet at St John's at 10 am and carpool to LIU CW Post to walk their labyrinth. Afterwards, we will have lunch before heading back to Huntington. There is no cost for this event, however, each person will be responsible for their own lunch.
Please call Patti Aliperti at 631-385-1410, or email silverymoon33@yahoo.com to reserve your spot.
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ST. JOHN'S WADDLERS WALK ON WEDNESDAYS | |
Wednesdays at 4 pm & 6 pm
Meet us by the Heckscher Museum of Art in Heckscher Park in Huntington for a walk in the park. Movement is a key component of "Whole Health," a way of self-care, and a chance to take steps towards your personal sense of peace and well-being.
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Saturdays at 10:00 am in the Guild Room
(Until June 8th)
Gentle Mat Yoga Classes with Parishioner Alice Weiser (E-RYT-500) - We are offering gentle yoga classes to quiet the mind and stretch and strengthen the body. All are welcome; modifications will be offered for different levels. Please note: in addition to standing, students will explore poses while seated, on hands and knees, and laying down. Students should be able to comfortably lower to and rise from the mat. Please bring a yoga mat and any other props you like to use (yoga blocks, strap, blanket). Fee: $15 for parishioners, $20 for non-members. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. John’s. Questions: please contact Alice Weiser at aliceweiser@mac.com.
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275TH ANNIVERSARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CLOSING | |
We are nearly at the end of our 275th Anniversary Capital Campaign.
Our Pledge Goal: $275,000
Actual Pledges: $231,930
Amount Collected To Date: 204,924
We are so grateful to everyone who pledged and gave!
There is still time to make a commitment to St. John's future, by making a contribution at one of the following levels:
Platinum - $27,500
Gold - $11,000
Silver - $5,500
Bronze- $2,750
All Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze pledges fulfilled by June 1, 2024 will be acknowledged on our 275th Anniversary plaque to be put up in our church for future parishioner to see the names of those who made a commitment to our future, just as those who gave before us did for us. Please make your checks payable "St. John's Church" with "275th Fund" written in the memo.
275TH ANNIVERSARY CAPITAL CAMPAIN GIVING FORM
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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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The Thrift Shop is 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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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
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We prayer for: Kaye, Dylan, Milton, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, Jenni, Kenny, Barbara, Sue, Megan, Dennis, Richard, Barbara, Geralynn, Cole, Luke Brooke, Christine
Recently Departed: William Fagan, uncle of Fred Hansen; Br. Leo Anthony, SSF
We have started a new prayer list in the Easter Season (April 7 - May 12). Please send your prayers or updates to prayers@stjohns1745.org, call Coral in the Parish Office, 631-427-1752, est. 101.
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ECW MEETING - Contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President for more information.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - Monthly meetings are on the 1st 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.
SPIRITUALITY GROUP - Monthly meetings are on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm in the Canterbury Corner. Contact Patti Aliperti for more information.
ST. HILDA'S GUILD - Weekly meetings are on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Sue Hartman for more information.
VESTRY MEETING - Tuesday, June 18th at 6:30 pm in the Guild Room and on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87350494837. The May meeting will happen at the Vestry Retreat on May 4th.
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Thank you for volunteering to serve! | |
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW ST. JOHN'S 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.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
stjohns1745.org
STAY CONNECTED
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