The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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“Our church, which has been fighting in these years only for its self-preservation, as though that were an end in itself, is incapable of taking the word of reconciliation and redemption to mankind and the world. Our earlier words are therefore bound to lose their force and cease, and our being Christians today will be limited to two things; prayer and righteous action among men. All Christian thinking, speaking, and organizing must be born anew out of this prayer and action…It is not for us to prophesy the day (although the day will come) when people will once more be called so to utter the word of God that the world will be changed and renewed by it. It will be a new language, perhaps quite non-religious, but liberating and redeeming – as was Jesus’ language; it will shock people and yet overcome them by its power; it will be the language of a new righteousness and truth, proclaiming God’s peace with people and the coming of his kingdom…Till then the Christian cause will be a silent and hidden affair, but there will be those who pray and do right and wait for God’s own time.”
– Letters and Papers from Prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer-
Although some might complain, I feel that we live in a wonderful country and that we have a fabulous church. I give thanks for the freedoms we have and give thanks for those who have defended this great nation and for those who have kept the faith. Please join me in service on Sunday at 8:00 or 10:00 and give thanks to those who have served this country and defended our freedom.
My mom was born in Germany and her grandfather suffered persecution from the Nazis for refusing to give in to Hitler. He was taken into custody and tortured for refusing to reveal the names of the Jews that worked for him at the Berlin Broadcasting Company. He later died of a gunshot to the head. My grandfather was forced to give up the company and come to America or face the same persecution. The bad news in our lessons today is that there are forces of evil in the world ready to destroy us and what we believe in. The Good News is that if we have faith, we have the blessed hope of everlasting life.
In today’s Gospel, the disciples comment on the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. Jesus points to the temple and says, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left there upon another: all will be thrown down.” Some of you might know that the temple at the time of Jesus was beautifully adorned. Josephus describes the temple as such, “whatever was not overlaid with gold was purest white” (Josephus, Jewish War 5.5.6). King Herod the Great had lavishly adorned the temple with gold. In the year 70 C.E. the Romans, under Titus, burned the temple to the ground and destroyed it. Not a stone in the temple was left unturned. Gold was removed from each stone before laying it to waste. Josephus speaks of these terrible years in Jerusalem as the Zealots fought against the Romans and at times against their own people. There was starvation and suffering and lots of grim stories. When Jesus spoke in front of the temple, it was beyond the imagination of the disciples that something so beautiful would be destroyed in their lifetime. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!”* And they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”
I am thankful for this beautiful church at St. John’s and all the wonderful people that attend here. Yet I do not take for granted that all churches in America will survive. Attendance at church is in a steep decline in New York and in the Episcopal Church because folks have moved on to other priorities. Continue to utter the word of God that the world will be changed and renewed by it. Spread the language of a new righteousness and truth, proclaiming God’s peace with people and the coming of his kingdom. I urge you to continue to support this church and have faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. St. John’s will continue to thrive because we are doing God’s work in Huntington and you want that ministry to continue.
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 and Facebook. Face masks and social distancing are required for all in person services.
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist
9:45 am - Sunday School in the Guild Room and on Zoom
10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist
The Readings
The Hymns*
Opening Hymn: 665 All my hope on God is founded
Communion Hymn: PB 54 Be Present Jesus
Closing Hymn: PB 110 Jesus is our King
*Not all songs are available to download. If you would like a hard copy of the Hymnal and Praise Book for at home worship, please contact the Parish Office. |
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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 and Hymnals are available;
- Service bulletins and reading inserts 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 occassionally 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 on Tuesday, November 16th. We will resume our Tuesday discussion of the Dead Sea Scrolls on November 22nd.
Bible Study meets Mondays at 6:30 pm and Tuesdays at 11:00 am on Zoom. Tuesday sessions will cover the material discussed on the Monday before.
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NOVEMBER IS NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH |
The Muscogee (Creek) people are descendants of a remarkable culture that, before 1500 AD, spanned the entire region known today as the Southeastern United States. Early ancestors of the Muscogee constructed magnificent earthen pyramids along the rivers of this region as part of their elaborate ceremonial complexes. The historic Muscogee, known as Mound builders, later built expansive towns within these same broad river valleys in the present states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
The Muscogee were not one tribe but a union of several. This union evolved into a confederacy that, in the Euro-American described “historic period,” was the most sophisticated political organization north of Mexico. Member tribes were called tribal towns. Within this political structure, each tribal town maintained political autonomy and distinct land holdings.
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Sunday, November 14th at 11:15 am in the Guild Room
(Immediately following the 10:00 am service)
This is our annual post Harvest Fair meeting. Join us as we discuss what worked well and how we can make things better next year.
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St. John's ECW is continuing it's holiday tradition of supporting St. John's Episcopal Hospital's Adopt-A-Family! This year, we are collection monetary donations only. All funds collected will go to St. John's Hospital Adopt-A-Family program to purchase gifts for families in need.
Please send your donations to the Parish Office in the form of a check written out to "St. John's ECW" with "Adopt-A-Family" written in the memo. You may also give cash in an envelope marked with "Adopt-A-Family." We are collecting until November 15th.
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Tuesdays, THURSDAYS, & Saturdays!
12:00 to 3:00 pm
Volunteers are needed - We are still bulding our Thursday and Saturday teams. If you wish to become a volunteer, please contact Nancy Feustel at n.feustel@verizon.net.
We accept donations of new or gently used seasonal clothing, household items and accessories. Please no books, out-dated electronics or damaged items.
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St. John's Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Thursday, November 18th at 6 pm on Zoom.
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As you joyously consider your stewardship for 2022, please write your "Joy Thoughts" on the poster in the back of the church!
Our Joy will increase exponentially as we give of our time, treasure, and talent!
Please turn in your 2022 pledge card if you have not done so already. We will begin preparing our 2022 Budget, and pledges are vital in that process.
You may also submit your pledge online using our online pledge form. Then beginning in January of 2022 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.
Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward. We are so grateful for your pledge.
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ST. FRANCIS IN THE VALLEY |
Mission Trip to Arizona: April 25- May 2, 2022
OUTREACH is sharing Christ’s love with all our neighbors!
To learn more about this trip, as well as all the outreach we are doing, please join us in one of the following zoom meetings:
If you are interested in participating in the mission trip, please contact Claire Mis or Fr. Duncan by January 15, 2022.
The monthly meetings with St. Francis in the Valley Episcopal Church help us get to know each other better and offer opportunities to get updates on the Christian outreach that is going on at our border, as well as within the wider area.
We are excited to have support from the Diocese of Arizona as we move forward. The Rev. David Chavez, the Missioner for Border Ministries. Fr. David will be leading us in an exciting and informative Lenten program here at St. John’s. Also attending that program will be the people from St. Francis in the Valley!
Arizona is rich with opportunities to serve underrepresented groups and we hope to be able to meet with The Rev. Canon Debbie Royals, their Canon for Native American Ministries.
Are you excited yet???? St. Francis lives out its mission to be the hearts and hands of Jesus.
Check out these sites to learn more!!!
St. Francis in the Valley Shares the following Newsletter:
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Sing Noel - Sunday, December 19th at 7:30 pm. Take a joyous break from the holiday rush and join us for “Sing Noel”, our annual concert of Christmas song, carols and stories featuring an amazing vocal quartet and special guests. $20.
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YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS WREATH & FLOWER SALE |
The annual Christmas wreath and flower sale is December 4th and 5th. You can pick up your order that Saturday from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm or on Sunday from 8:30 am to 12 noon.
Order forms are available using the link below or online at stjohns1745.org. Please return your order to a Youth Group member or the Parish Office by Tuesday, November 30th.
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Three Tuesdays in Advent via Zoom
Evening Prayer: 6:30 pm
Program: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
November 30: The Rev. Marie Tatro: Vicar for Community Justice Ministry, Diocese of Long Island: Preparing our Hearts for the Journey: What can we learn from occupying the liminal space of the Borderlands? How does our faith provide insights into how we connect with the “Other?” Are the borders we create even real? How do we bridge the space where “I” end, and “YOU” begin? How might we receive the gifts that the “Other” has to offer?
December 7: Jeanne Provenzano, Attorney. Walking with God and our Brothers and Sisters in Christ: What it is like to walk side by side with families seeking asylum. How does their witness and faith in Christ change me?
December 14: Vivian Doremus, LMSW. Listening for God in Tiny Sneakers and Endless PB and J sandwiches: How my life changed by serving for two weeks on the border of Mexico in 2019. When we recognize that those from a non-dominant group also bring God to us, how might we too change?
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SPIRITUALITY GROUP ADVENT RETREAT |
"Four Advent Words from the Giver of the Gift" with Rev. Dr. John McGinty on Saturday, December 4th, 9:30 to 11:30 am on Zoom. Suggested donation $10.
Each year the weeks of Advent invite us to begin again, to be new again, to listen and hear and rejoice again. We will spend our time together receiving four words from our God, taken from the Scriptures of the season, which individually and together invite our hearts to move to a season of renewal, toward a time and place beyond sickness and death, a time marked by God’s saving presence.
Here are the four . . .
- “Surely coming”
- “Constantly praying with joy”
- “What should we do?”
- “Blessed are you”
Two reflections will present these four words, allowing time for personal prayer, conversation together, and music of the season. You are most welcome to begin again.
About Fr. John McGinty - The people of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Worcester, called the Rev. Dr. John P. McGinty to serve as rector, effective March 1, 2020. John was the rector of the Church of Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Shoreham, NY since 2016. He served as Dean of the George Mercer Jr. School of Theology, Garden City, NY, and Canon for Formation, Diocese of Long Island from 2012-2016.
Ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church in 1983, John was received into the Episcopal Church in 2011 by the Rt. Rev. Larry Provenzano, Bishop of Long Island. He holds the S.T.D., Doctor of Sacred Theology, from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.
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ALTAR FLOWERS & 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."
Reminder – Altar Flowers may not be given during weeks of Advent, November 28th thru December 19th. The Perpetual Light may be still be given.
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S |
We pray for the sick: Tom, David & Irene, Linda, Danica, Lori, Leslie, Hope, Mike, Michael, Elizabeth, Patti, Bob, Christian, Anthony, Gladys, Lynn, Fred, Jim & Irene, Debra, Alex, Michelle, Pauline, Richard, Barbara, Cory, Allassadra, Ellen, Frank, Theresa, Spencer, Sue, Wylie, Matt, Cheryl, Tom, Stephanie, Lisa, Gary, Maggie, Tyler, Ursula, Christine, Samantha, Edward, Tali, Bill, Kate, Amy, Jean, Pat, Joanie, Sueann, Dermot, Jill. Jenna, Walter, Evelyn, John, Liam, Charlie, John, Matthew, Gail, Frank, Gabriel, Karen, Lucy, Richie, Kenny, Aliison, Kyle, Robert, James, Joanne, Greg, Gabe, Joann
Altar flowers and the Perpetual Light are gifts of Nelly and David Lasek in thanksgiving for their wedding anniversary.
Altar flowers are given in loving memory of Oswald Burnett by his wife and daughter, Janice Burnett and Andria Wetsell.
Altar flowers are a gift of the Gorman Family in thanksgiving for the first birthday of Olivia Rose Saladino.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Marjorie S. Bienz by her daughter, Fran Gorman.
We will be starting a new prayer list in Advent. Please send your updated prayers for the Advent season to Coral in the Parish Office, cfreas@stjohnshuntington.org.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
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