The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church |
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Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind” (Mark 3:19-21).
As we study the Gospel of Mark this year, I ask you to look a little deeper into this Gospel. The passage contains several questions that lead you to Mark’s main purpose of the Gospel. The Gospel begins, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1 NRSV). In the end of the passage the disciples are asking, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:41b NRSV)” It is important to see the literary context of this question. The rhetorical effect of asking these questions is that the reader must look for their own answer. To heighten this rhetorical effect Mark portrays the disciples as totally unaware of who Jesus is. The audience now shares the enlightened viewpoint of Jesus with the narrator. We therefore need to approach the passage within the context of this irony and Mark’s overall purpose in this Gospel. We cannot just look at the passage from a historical perspective. Mark isn’t just trying to tell us a story. Mark challenges us to answer the question, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” My hope is that you live with an expectancy of many great possibilities with the Risen Lord at St. John’s.
In Sunday’s Gospel, the people are saying that Jesus has gone out of his mind. The disciples will struggle to understand the mission of Jesus until the resurrection on Easter Sunday. The understanding of his brothers and sisters being those who follow the will of God is still tricky for us today. God is able to reach his arms of love through Jesus Christ to find the lost, heal the sick, cloth the naked, repair the broken and give Living Water to the thirsty. At St. John’s we are called to open our doors wide and welcome everyone into our church. On Sundays at noon, we will open our church for a concert from Alex. Three days a week, we will open our church to AA. Twice a week we open our doors for the Thrift Shop. Next Thursday at 4:00 our Spirituality group meets. Every morning a group welcomes folks to Morning Prayer at 9AM. We have bible study on Tuesdays at 11AM. This summer we will follow Forward Day by Day. Copies are available at 12 Prospect St. and on the table in the back of the church. Hilda’s Guild meets at 12noon on Tuesdays. Sundays we have service at 8 and 10 in person, on zoom, and on Facebook Live. Please join us this week and please invite a friend!
While the country is ravaged with gun violence, political strife, apathy, and selfishness, Jesus calls on you to be peaceful, loving, caring, and selfless. Be kind to everyone who enters our space and love them like they were your family. This month is gay pride month and we celebrate all our LGBTQ+ members. We are focused on racial reconciliation and we are called to love one another and be thankful for the diversity of race that we are blessed with at St. John’s. I am proud to fly the American flag in front of our church and support our troops and all that serve in uniform. God loves all of us as children of God and we are called to do likewise. While many are leaving the church and joining the political tribalism of today’s culture, I would rather follow our Presiding Bishop and be one of those “Crazy Christians.”
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 or Facebook. 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 Holy Eucharist
9:15 am - Sunday School via Zoom (until June 13th)
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 and 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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This summer we will be referencing the Sunday reading of Forward Day by Day. Copies are available in the back of the church or through the Parish Office.
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SANCTUARY MUSIC AT NOON begins this Sunday!
Soothe your soul and revive your spirit with 30-minute performances by pianist Alex Pryrodny and guest artists every Sunday at noon.
Join us in our beautiful, historic church or in the sanctuary of your own home via Facebook Live:
The last Sunday of each month will be a Taize prayer service.
Free or make an offering of $10 to support St. John's Music Ministry. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact the Parish Office for more information..
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Parishioner Alice Weiser is delighted to offer in-person yoga at St. John’s again. In this “yoga of stillness”, students will enjoy passive stretches supported by yoga props. The result: deep relaxation and release! No experience necessary. We will meet in the Guild Room on Saturdays June 5, 12, 19, and 26 from
10 to 11 am. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat. $20 fee payable at the class. RSVP and questions: [email protected].
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The Thrift shop is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 12 to 3 pm. We have a updated collection of spring and summer clothes.
Come and Shop!
The Thrift Shop is accepting donations of seasonal clothing. If you wish to become a volunteer in the ministry of the Thrift Shop, please contact Nancy Feustel at [email protected].
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SPIRITUALITY GROUP MEETING |
The Spirituality Group meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be on June 10th at 4pm. Claire Mis will present "Music for the Soul."
Come with an open heart to listen to and reflect on the music of our worship!
The various hymnals we use to support and strengthen our liturgy together have been chosen with care. St. John's uses "The Hymnal 1982," "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and the "Hymns of Praise" books. The choir may use others to support their repertoire. There are a vast array of hymnals which serve to enrich all types of worship and diversity. What are some of the stories behind the hymns we love? How do the music and poetry work together to enhance the worship experience and what within their richness inspires and fills our souls?
If you are interested in exploring your spirituality and deepening your connection to others, consider joining us. Please contact Patti Aliperti ([email protected]) if you would like more information about St. John's Spirituality Group.
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RACIAL RECONCILIATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY MEETING |
St. John's RR&SJM meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be on June 17th at 6:30pm via Zoom.
All are welcome to this monthly meeting where we will discuss how we move forward and what actions we can take locally and beyond to promote communication, understanding and healing.
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The Prayer Shawl Ministry is actively making shawls and beginning a new outreach initiative!
We meet via Zoom on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6pm, for a group check in. Our next meeting is Thursday, June 10th at 6pm.
Please contact Noelle DeLorenzo at [email protected] with any inquiries on donations, receiving prayer shawls, or joining the ministry.
THANK YOU to those who donated and to those making these beautiful shawls! As we continue to make shawls for those in need in our community, we can use your support to keep us going. Please consider donating to help our ministry! You can donate yarn or donate financially using the link below or sending a check into the church. You are also welcome to make a shawl and donate the completed shawl to the ministry. DONATE
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If you have not already pledged, please consider making a Stewardship commitment in 2021 in support of the ministry of St. John’s. Your stewardship is a commitment to sustaining St. John’s ministry today and going forward.
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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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, Alan, Tali, Bill, Kate, Amy, Margaret, Jean, Pat, Joanie, Sueann
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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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