The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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Our first lesson from the Book of Deuteronomy has the prophet entreating Israel to be faithful to the laws given them by God Himself. He tells them never forget and be faithful in teaching their children, what God has done for them. I believe we are all prone to be forgetful in the little things of life. We look for our glasses for 10 minutes, only to realize that they were on our head the whole time. Or look for our keys but eventually realize they were in our pocket. God’s immanence — meaning ‘within’ or ‘nearness’ — says that God is like that. Even as you search for God, God is already near. In reality you already have Him, your search is over.
Today’s second lesson from St. James’ letter to the 12 tribes of Israel is filled with very practical advice and counsel. He is encouraging them to be intentional about living out their faith. St. James entreats them to practice what they hear and believe. Those who only listen to the Word are like a person who sees the face he inherited from his family in a mirror, and when he turns from that image forgets what sort of person he is. Have you ever thought about what your life would be like without a mirror? Seriously: What would we do without mirrors? Similarly, we can't get along without God's Word. We absolutely need it. And we must heed it. If we only hear the Word and do not practice it, we, too, forget what kind of people we are – namely, people who have been birthed by God and therefore people who have the responsibility to do what the Word of God says. The one who fixes attention on the law will become a doer, and in that doing will be blessed.
Our Gospel from St. Mark, once again relates a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees. Some of Jesus' disciples were more orthodox in their Jewish practices while other disciples were less strict in their observance of washing rituals. It seems to be a trivial thing – not eating with clean hands. Although our moms may agree with the Pharisees here. But the real issue is not hygiene but popularity. These religious leaders see Jesus as a rival – surely motivated in part by envy. They want to undermine his authority, scatter his followers, and in due course some even hope to kill him. In other words, the Pharisees and scribes are hungry for what Germans call Schadenfreude, pleasure at the downfall of another, a feeling that is particularly savory when the other is a populist figure or seen as an adversary.
Jesus reinforces his denunciation of the Pharisees and scribes when he addresses the crowd. Simply put, neither unwashed hands nor food bought at the market nor ceremonially unclean pots and dishes contaminate a person. Rather, a person is polluted by his or her own thoughts, which originate inside and then radiate out. However, it should be clear that Jesus is not denying the existence of outside influences that defile us. If anything, interior evil thoughts and outside evil influences form an inseparable nexus that defiles, degrades and ultimately destroys the divine goodness (i.e., imago Dei) God gives to each individual.
-- Cn. Richard
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Join us for Sunday Worship at 8am and 10am in the church or remotely on Zoom. We will not be streaming on Facebook this Sunday. Face masks, social distancing, and contract tracing sign in are required for all in person services. Space is limited.
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist
10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist
The Readings
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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 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 occassionallly 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 connnection with your friends at St. John's.
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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.
On Monday, August 30th and Tuesday, August 31st, we will be finishing up our discussion on the book Father Elijah: An Apocalypse by Michael O'Brien with Fr. John.
Bible Study will not meet on Monday, September 6th and Tuesday, September 7th due to the Labor Day holiday.
Beginning Monday, September 13th and Tuesday, September 14th, we will be reading and discussing the novel, Sophia House by Michael D. O'Brien. Copies are available in the Parish Office.
We will begin the unit on the Dead Sea Scrolls on Monday, October 11th.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH |
Sunday School - We plan to welcome everyone BACK TO SUNDAY SCHOOL on September 12th, and we can’t wait to see you all! However, we would like your feedback to better prepare for your child's needs and your families level of comfort. If you haven't already done so, Please respond to the quick questionnaire to help us plan:
First Holy Communion and Confirmation - Anyone interested in First Communion and Confirmation in the Spring of 2022 should register for Sunday School in the fall. Sunday School is a key part of our Christian Education program and helps to prepare the children for First Communion and Confirmation classes in the winter and spring. If you have any questions, please see Fr. Duncan, contact the Parish Office at 631-427-1752, or email info@stjohnshuntington.org.
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On Sunday, September 12th at 7:00pm, award-winning pianist Alex Pryrodny presents a thoughtfully-constructed program of piano improvisations on based on sacred or spiritual music from around the world, from Gregorian chants to African-American spirituals and music of the Indigenous people. Pay what you wish ($20 suggested donation). |
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ST. FRANCIS, THE SULTAN, & RUMI |
On Saturday, September 18th, 9:30-11:30 am, St. John's Spirituality Group will welcome back, Tom Petriano for a quiet day of reflection on St. Francis, the Sultan, and Rumi.
One of the famous stories from the life of St. Francis of Assisi is his encounter with the Sultan al-Malik al- Kamil in the year1219. Al-Kamil seems to have been influenced by the Islamic mystics known as Sufis, and scholars have pointed out striking similarities between the teachings of St. Francis and the Sufis. This morning of reflection will explore those aspects of St. Francis’ teachings that suggest possible lines of influence between St. Francis and the Sufis, especially Jalāl ad-Dn Mohammad Rūmī, who would have been a contemporary of St. Francis. While it may be difficult to trace the exact nature of the influence of Sufism on Franciscanism, both of these traditions can be a valuable resource for all of us seeking a deeper and more authentic life. Join us as we explore these two beautiful spiritual traditions.
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St. John’s Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry presents "Anxious to Talk About It" with Rev. Dr. Carolyn B. Helsel on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm.
Carolyn B. Helsel, PhD, is a professor of preaching at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she has taught since 2015. Helsel grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and has moved across the country for education and work, and in every setting, she noticed that the white people in her communities (including herself) remained silent on racism. As she became more aware of racism, beginning in seminary in the early 2000's, she felt called to help white communities better understand racism and deepen their capacity to hear the painful stories of others, and join people of color to work against racism.
For more information on this and other RR&SJM initiaves, please contact RR&SJM chairperson, Heather Kress, at hkress44@gmail.com. |
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ROBERT W. BOISE MEMORIAL SERVICE |
We will celebrate the life of Robert W. Boise on Sunday, September 26th at 11:30 am in the church. Bob was an integral part of our parish for many years. In lieu of flowers, the familiy asks that a contribution be made in Bob's name to the memorial fund at St. John's.
To make a donation to the Memorial Fund, please send a check payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" with "Robert Boise Memorial Fund" written in the memo. To make a donation online using our secure online system, click on the following link:
Please be sure to write Bob's name in the memo.
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SACRED GROUND - NEW SERIES |
We are beginning a new Sacred Ground series on Saturday, September 23rd at 6:30 pm.
Sacred Ground is a film-based dialogue series on race and faith led by Bill Kiley presented by St. John's Racial Reconciliation & Social Justice Ministry.
Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect European American histories.
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ST. FRANCIS OF THE VALLEY |
All welcome to join in the ongoing dialogue as we continue to learn about our Christian response to the needs at the border and plan for a Mission Trip in 2022.
Local Group Meeting to plan for our Advent Series: September 10th at 4:00-5:00 pm
Meeting with St. Francis in the Valley: Friday, September 17th at 4:00-5:00 pm.
“While the border divides, the land unites.”
Pedacito de la Tierra/A Little Piece of Home film aims to amplify unity through the joy, resilience, belonging, and community experienced throughout life’s journey. Alight and Burners Without Borders are kicking off a global movement to create sustainable spaces of hope and refuge for migrant communities, beginning at the US/Mexico border.
Also, you might be interested in looking at the following website: “Cruzando Fronteras” which is hosted by Diocese of Arizona in partnership with the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA and the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ: https://fronteras.azdiocese.org/
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Save the date!
Saturday, October 23rd, 10 am to 4 pm
Your time, talent and treasure are needed! Annual Harvest Fair plays such a vital part in our outreach in the community.
Ways you can donate/help:
- Make a craft, woodworking items, Christmas decorations, homemade soap, sachets and potpourri are just suggestions. Use your creativity!
- Offer your vacation home/timeshare week for the Silent Auction.
- Donate new, unused gifts you have received to the Silent Auction.
- Donate items for the White Elephant or Christmas Sale.
- Request a donation for Corporate Sponsorship from your place of work.
- Design a gift basket, give items or gift certificates for a gift basket, or donate $ to create one.
- Plan on spending the day working a table or helping before or after with set up/clean up.
- Invite your friends and families to shop and visit our beautiful, historic church.
- Purchase raffle tickets!
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Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward. Thank you for supporting our work with your regular contribution.
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 payment platform Realm. Please click on the link below to make a payment:
Or send a check made payable to "St. John's Episcopal Church" to 12 Prospect Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
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ALTAR FLOWERS & PERPETUAL LIGHT |
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."
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S |
We pray for all our doctors, nurses, and medical staff who put themselves at risk to care for us during this corona virus epidemic.
We pray for all our men and women serving in the armed services and all first responders who put themselves at risk every day, especially during this time. May God keep them safe and healthy, and return them home to their loved ones.
We pray for those who work for justice. May God give us all strength and wisdom to act for change when it is needed.
We pray for the sick: Tom, David & Irene, Linda, Danica, Lori, Leslie, Hope, Mike, Michael, Elizabeth, Patti, Bob, Christian, Gladys, Lynn, Fred, Jim & Irene, Debra, Alex, Michelle, Pauline, Richard, Barbara, Cory, Allassadra, Ellen, Lucille, 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, Gabe, Karen, Deacon Jennifer, Shirley
Altar Flowers are a gift of Rev. Duncan and Barbara Burns in thanksgiving for the wedding of Lauren and Matt Bennett.
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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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