In today’s Gospel, each disciple is given a sum of talents. A talent in Jesus’ time was a very large sum of money. Multiply your annual income by 15 and you will have a relative idea about the value of a talent in the first century. The first steward is given 5 talents. He is able to double the money before the man returns from his journey. The second steward is given 2 talents and also doubles the value while the man is away. The man says to the first steward, “Well done good and trustworthy servant, you have been trustworthy in a few things, I put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.” The man says to the second steward, “Well done good and trustworthy servant, you have been trustworthy in a few things, I put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.” The man has the exact same response whether the stewards make 2 or 5 talents. What is important is what you make of what you’ve been given. The third steward is given 1 talent and is so afraid of the man, he hides the talent and gives it back to the man when he returns. The man is very disappointed with the third steward and takes away what he has and throws him out in the cold. Our lesson for today is that living in fear can hold us back from God’s plan. Perhaps Emily Dickinson did not think her poems were worthy of publishing. Thank God that her sister knew the value of her gift.

In today’s Covid environment, we are tempted to live in fear and not continue with our mission or our ministry at St. John’s. Jesus tells us that we all have been given gifts and talents and we are called to use our gifts and talents in God’s service. When everyone is deepening their relationship with God and one another, we are following God’s plan. Zoom services are not like being at St. John’s. I miss giving the Holy Eucharist to all our parishioners. I miss the pancakes and the feeling of family at St. John’s coffee hours. I miss all the kids running around at church. I will miss not being with my brothers, nephews, and nieces on Thanksgiving. But we must focus on our ministry and mission at St. John’s to insure that we are healthy when we come our of this pandemic. Please send your pledge card into the church this week so the vestry can make plans for next year. I know times are tough, but we really need every member of our church to share their time, talent, and treasure in 2021. Our mission is to know Christ and make him known. Together, we can be steadfast in our mission in St. John's 276th year.

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Duncan

Register online: 8AM REGISTRATION FORM

8am Service Bulletin: Pentecost24_8am

9:15 am Service Bulletin: Pentecost24_9:15am

Register online: 11 AM REGISTRATION FORM

Please join us for a ZOOM coffee hour this Sunday at 10:00 am. Grab a cup of your own coffee and a snack, share some time with your friends at St. Johns. This will be an informal remote gathering where we can enjoy each other's company. Join Zoom Coffee Hour:

Meeting #: 83021762936

Bible Study meets on Tuesdays at 11:00 am via Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84448323853

For those who prefer an evening Bible Study, we have a session on Mondays at 6:30 pm. Join us via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83527491169.

We are studying the New Testament, referencing N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird's The New Testament in Its World.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:16

Sonshine Ministry is a program where we, as church members, offer meals to any in our church family who may be experiencing a significant life event: medical emergency, healing from surgery, time of loss and bereavement, or just difficult circumstances. The ministry is available to all of us and is and open to all parishioners interested in volunteering to prepare a meal when a need becomes apparent. We usually provide a supper consisting of a main dish, a vegetable/salad, a starch, and a dessert, delivered with a greeting card between 5 and 6 p.m. A cooler is generally made available outside the home for placement of food.

Please contact Coral in the church office at [email protected], or 631-427-1752 or Claire Mis at [email protected] or 631-680-6635 if you are willing to provide meals. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have. You do not have to provide a meal each time a request is made – only as you are able. 

Our Thrift Shop is a vital ministry for our church and in our community. Help is needed in sorting and pricing during the week, and on Saturdays to serve the public.To volunteer, please contact Nancy Feustel at [email protected].

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87441402327 

If you are interested in exploring your spirituality and deepening your connection to others, consider joining us. To find out more about SJSG, contact Patti Aliperti ([email protected]).  

All are welcome to join us for our Advent Series on "Celtic Christianity" on Tuesdays in Advent via Zoom. We will begin with Evening Prayer at 6:30 pm. The program will be from 7:00-8:00 pm. Each week will feature a different speaker:

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86098960228

The annual Christmas wreath and flower sale is December 5^th and 6^th. 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.

Contact Ford Spilsbury with any questions at 212-873-7088

On Sunday, December 6th at 11:30 am via Facebook Live, Alex Pryrodny will peform a concert to benefit Navajo children.

Join us via Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745/live/

On Saturday, December 12th from 9:30 to 11:30 am, St. John's Spirituality Group will welcome Leslie Valentine, certified mentor for EfM (Education for Ministry) via Zoom. Leslie will present "Rop tú mo baile - Be thou my vision: contemplating the wonder, reverence and awe of this 8th century Irish hymn"

First Holy Communion will take place on Sunday, November 29th at 11am in the church. Any child 2nd grade or older interested in participating in First Holy Communion, should join us for Sunday School this Sunday, November 15th at 10:15am via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87420093357

For more information please contact the Parish Office at 631-427-1752 or [email protected].

Ushers - Help is needed on Sundays ffor the 11am service in the church.

Lectors - Readers are needed for both Zoom and in person services.

Please contact the Parish Office to get on the schedule.

Our Altar Guild is asking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks in the church or at home to prepare our church for Sunday and special services. Please contact Barbara Hinton ([email protected]) and Nancy Feustel ([email protected]) to volunteer or with questions.

Also, 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."

Thank you so much for your generous spirit and continued support of the ministry of St. John’s. Please turn in your 2021 pledge card if you have not done so already. We will begin preparing our 2021 Budget, and pledges are vital in that process.

Text SJEC1745 STEWARDSHIP $[Amount] to 73256.

We have set up online giving. 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 online system. 

Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.

Text SJEC1745 PLATE $[Amount] to 73256.

We pray for the sick: Kathy, Lynn, Fred, Ellen, Lucille, Frank and Theresa, Spencer and Sue, Tom and Stephanie, Peter, David, Nils, Margaret, Cheryl, Carol, CJ, George, Nichole, Roelie, Tom, Nelly, Marty, Irene and Jim, Debra and Carol, Bette, Justin, Hagai, Cassie, Bill, Amy, Kate, Fr. John, Amelia, Gladys, Christian, Jane, Diane, Robert Boise, Simon, May

Please submit your prayers to [email protected].

For pastoral care and prayer, please contact Fr. Duncan or Claire Mis, directly.