The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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Jeremiah 1:4-5, 7-8
The word of the Lord came to me saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Jeremiah’s call to preach was a job he neither asked for or desired. There he was, a young boy, from a family of priests living in a little town called Anathoth, located just three miles north of Jerusalem, where his family had been displaced years earlier by Solomon.
Simply minding his own business, God unexpectedly barged into his life calling him to be a prophet for God’s people. Has that ever happened to you? Snuggled up with a good book and all of a sudden you receive a prompting from God? Is it really you, God? You want me to do what?
That is exactly what happened to Jeremiah. Reluctant to obey, he made all kinds of excuses – too young, not experienced, not even able to speak before a crowd. “No God, I don’t think I can do that.” But God wouldn’t take any of it. No was simply not an option.
But the Lord said to me,
"Do not say, 'I am only a boy';
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you,
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
says the Lord."
This rendered Jeremiah speechless until Jeremiah remembered that the Lord had indeed provided all that he needed to go forth and do the work God called him to do.
I am always amazed at how God approaches and indeed chooses the most unwilling people to do God’s will. Why Jeremiah, so young and inexperienced? Perhaps it is because God saw other qualities in Jeremiah that could be used effectively to bring God’s message to the people of Jerusalem, which was on the brink of collapse. He provided the words and the message, and learned to trust God’s promises to be with him.
When God calls us, it can sometimes be a frightening moment. We are not able to see the big picture, but rather only see our small selves not being worthy or capable of moving in God’s direction. While we too may banter a bit with God, telling him that we are too old, or too busy, or thinking, hey, maybe it isn’t even God that’s talking to me, or well, I might be able to serve on the Altar Guild but not now, maybe next year.
If we hang in there and continue to dialogue with God, we might begin to see things from a different perspective. We too might begin to enter into a deeper trust relationship with the One who loves and treasures us so. Moving beyond our fear requires being in relationship with God who holds you in the palm of his hand. That is not to say that the task God gives you will be easy, but you will know that God has your back. How could you go wrong? And, maybe, through God’s little nudge, or push, you will discover the amazing person God created you to become!
In Christ's Love and Service,
Claire Mis
Seminarian
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Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany |
Join us for Sunday Worship at 8am and 10am in the church or remotely on Zoom and Facebook.
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist
9:45 am - Sunday School meets on Zoom
10:00 am – Rite II Choral Eucharist
The Readings
The Hymns
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SAFE PRACTICES FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES & EVENTS |
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 at the back of the church;
- Service bulletins and reading inserts are available at the back of the church.
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ORDINATION OF CLAIRE MIS TO THE SACRED ORDER OF DEACONS |
Due to the impending snow storm this Saturday, the Ordination has been rescheduled for Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 4:00 pm.
While in person attendance will be limited to invited guests, you may show your support and love to Claire on this sacred day by joining the live stream from the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Please use the following link:
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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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ANNUAL MEETING & VESTRY NOMINATIONS |
The Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 11:15 am via Zoom immediately following the 10:00 am service.
Nominees:
- 2 Wardens: Sean Butler; Rob Wheeler
- 3 Vestry members: Mike Ade; Rob Holden; Elizabeth Peck
- Clerk: Annina Wildermuth
Please use the following Zoom Link (same at 10am service):
The Annual Report will be available for download on Friday, February 4th. Printed copies will be available at the back of the church and in the parish office.
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Giving envolopes are here! They are available for pick up at the back of the church for those who have requested them. If you are unable to pick up your envelopes, we can make arrangements to have them delivered, just let us know.
Giving numbers are still available, so if you would like 2022 envelopes or have any questions, please contact Coral in the Parish Office. |
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First Holy Communion will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2022 for children 2nd grade and above. First Communion classes will meet on Wednesdays at 5 pm via Zoom beginning March 2, 2022.
If you are interested in First Holy Communion for your child, download the registration form by using the link below. Forms are also available at the back of the church. Please return these to the parish office as soon as possible with proof of Baptism. If you have any questions about First Communion, please feel free to reach out to Fr. Duncan or the Parish Office.
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Confirmation classes will meet on Sundays at 5:30 pm via Zoom beginning February 27, 2022 for children 7th grade and above. We are planning on a Confirmation date of April 30, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Catherdral of the Incarnation in Garden City.
If your child is interested in Confirmation, download the registration form using the link below and return it to the parish office with proof of Baptism as soon as possible. Forms are also available at the back of the church. If you have any questions about Confirmation, please reach out to Fr. Duncan or the Parish Office.
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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm and Tuesdays at 11:00 am. The topics covered on Monday will also be covered on Tuesday of the same week.
We have begun a new program on Paul's Letter to the Philippians using the writings of N. T. Wright.
More copies of the book, Paul for Everyone: the Prison Letters by N. T. Wright will be available in the Parish Office on Thursday, January 6th. It is also available at amazon.com in paperback or Kindle versions:
We are also referencing an online program, "Paul and His Letter to the Philippians" at Udemy.com. Here is the log in information if you would like to review them before we meet:
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This winter, St. John's is supporting HIHI by collecting Dunkin Donuts gfit cards of $5 or $10 amounts to distribute to homeless in Huntington. If you would like to contribute, you may drop your Dunkin Donuts gift cards off at St. John's, 12 Propect St, Huntington.
We are also collecting men's jeans, sweatshirts, work boots, and winter coats which may be dropped off at St. John's.
HIHI is the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative. In a pre-COVID year, St. John's and other local churches would provide a meal and shelter for homeless in the area on a rotating basis in the winter months.
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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!
Upcoming Meeting with St. Francis in the Valley: February 18, 2022 at 4 p.m. on Zoom
All are welcome to attend
Join Zoom Meeting:
Save the dates for the
Lenten Series with Fr. David Chavez: Border Missioner for the Diocese of Arizona
Tuesdays in Lent
March 8, 15, 22, 29, & April 5
Times: Either 1:00 pm or 7:00 pm
Book: The US Immigration Crisis by Miguel de la Torre
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St. John's Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Please contact Noelle DeLorenzo ( ndelorenzo217@gmail.com) for the Zoom link to join this group. |
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STEWARDSHIP: PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT |
Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward.
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 & 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 |
We pray for the sick: Fred, Lynn, Jackie, Manny, Cory, Richard, Barbara, Edward, Christine, Patricia, Alberta, Patti, Tom, Allison, Mike, Gabe, Joann, Patti, Christian, Anthony, Joanne, Harry, Christine, Gabriel, Frank, Theresa, Sue, Spencer, Tom, Stephanie, Matt, Wylie, Susan, Maggie, Ursula, Christina, Bill, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, John Michael, Lauren, Mikey, Marie, Dianne, Ryan, Rich, Preston, Lucy, Irene, Jim, Debra, Rhys, David, Denise, William, Walter, Belle, Jackie, Hal, Ann, Gus, Peter, Diane, David, Irene, Hope, Mike, Michael, Leslie, Jill, Patricia, Doug, Amelia, Dan, Linda, Georgine
Recently Departed: Deborah Hunt
Please 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
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