"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of
St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
What is at the Heart of our Faith and Traditions? | |
Cartoon by Steve Thomason | |
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Our Gospel this week comes sandwiched among many stories of Jesus doing miraculous works and how the people respond to his display of power. In Mark 6, Jesus fed the 5000, he also walked on water and healed the sick in Gennesaret. Further along in chapter 7 of Mark’s gospel, Jesus continues to travel among the Gentiles and perform healing miracles.
It is interesting that in today’s reading, the Pharisees are present – and they must have traveled quite a distance from Jerusalem just to check on this Jesus of Nazareth. What is he up to? Perhaps to find a legal loophole in his teaching? Perhaps to trap him?
The Pharisees, dedicated to obeying and pleasing God follow traditions that helped them maintain their identity as God’s people – especially in a world that was tempting them to worship their neighbors’ Gods. Nothing wrong with that…yet in their desire to obey God they established strict rules which ultimately became traditions. In doing that, they lost sight of the line between God’s law and their own human opinion. They emphasized human tradition which caused them to neglect – and even forget the deeper Torah law -- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
They question why Jesus allowed his disciples to eat with unwashed hands but at the heart of their concern was a more significant issue: Jesus’ authority and the transformative nature of his teaching. There is nothing wrong with honoring traditions – and certainly, Jesus, as a Jew, observed many of the Jewish customs and traditions. Yet, there comes a time when holding on to a tradition can become a trap which prevents us from grasping the big picture.
Jesus is asking us to search for God in our hearts – what is God’s will as we make decisions each day? Sometimes we must step outside of traditions – especially when they have lost their meaning – and even more especially, when they trap us into an inability to see where love is – what is the most loving thing we are being called to do?
I invite each or us to reflect on some of the traditions we hold dear here at St. John’s. Where did they come from? Do we know why we adhere to some practices? What prevents us from stepping out in faith to stretch and grow into an even more loving community?
In God’s Boundless Love,
Deacon Claire
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The Lessons
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 15
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Join us for Worship at 8:00 am and 10:00 am in the church or remotely on Zoom and Facebook.
8:00 am - Rite I Holy Eucharist
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83803451202
Facebook Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745
Bulletin: Rite I HE - After Pentecost
10:00 am - Rite II Choral Eucharist - Baptism
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86739553648
Facebook Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/stjohns1745
Bulletin: Rite II HE - After Pentecost
The Music
Opening: 556 Rejoice, ye pure in heart, vs 1-3
Sequence: 707 Take my life and let it be, vs 1-2
Offertory anthem: "Arm, Arm Ye Brave" from Judas Maccabaeus by G. F. Handel
Gary Lorentzon, soloist
Communion: 329 Now, my tongue, the mystery telling
Recessional: 423 Immortal, invisible, God only wise
Thanks to Leslie Valentine, mezzo-soprano
Gary Lorentzon, baritone & Stephen Sailer, violin
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The Parish Office will be CLOSED on Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day.
The Thrift Shop will be CLOSED on Saturday, August 31st.
Morning Prayer will meet at usual on Monday, September 2nd.
Bible Study WILL NOT meet on Monday, September 2nd or Tuesday, September 3rd.
Wishing you and yours a happy, safe, and blessed Labor Day weekend!
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THE SPIRITLIFTERS IN THE GARDEN OF BLESSINGS | Mike Tomek's contemporary Christian music band, The Spiritlifters, will be playing live in the Garden of Blessings on Saturday, September 7th starting at 1:30 pm. | |
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION REGISTRATION | |
SUNDAY SCHOOL WELCOME BACK! - On September 8th, we will begin the Christian Education school year with our annual Meet & Greet and in-person registration. Please join us in the Canterbury Corner at 9:40 am for group activities and a chance to reconnect after the summer break.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - First Communion will be on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the 10:00 am service. All those interested in First Holy Communion in the spring must attend Sunday School beginning in the fall. First Holy Communion classes will begin in January.
CONFIRMATION - This year, Confirmation class will meet once a month on Sundays at 12:00 pm beginning October 20th. Those interested in Confirmation should attend our Confirmation Retreat Day on Saturday, September 21st, 10:30 am to 4:00 pm at St. John’s Church, Cold Spring Harbor. Confirmation is planned for the spring of 2025. Classes are open to youth, 7-12 graders.
YOUTH GROUP - Our Youth Group will meet every other Sunday at 6:30-8:30 pm. St. John's is partnering with St. John’s, Cold Spring Harbor and Trinity, Northport for regular meetings and joint activities. Our first meeting will be on September 8th at St. John’s, Huntington. There are also community service opportunities throughout the year.
PRE-REGISTER ONLINE
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St. John's Cemetery Committee has been hard at work revitalizing St. John's Cemetery on Park Avenue in Huntington (across from Huntington Hospital).
We have installed a beautiful, new sign which will be dedicated on Sunday, September 8th at 11:45 am. We invite all parishioners and any family that has a loved one buried in our historic cemetery to join us for this dedication.
Please reach out to Patti Aliperti for more information.
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A NEW MISSION STATEMENT FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
Our current mission statement, adopted in the 1980ies and featured at the top of the Chalice and on our website under “Our Mission” is:
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known…”
As part of the Vestry’s efforts to renew and refresh our shared identity and move with purpose and new direction, we want to invite all who attend St John’s come up with a new mission statement.
We ask you to think deeply about what St John’s is doing right now and what God is calling St. John’s church to do. What are the strengths of this church and how can its presence impact the future?
Your statement doesn’t have to be poetic. We are looking for a sentence or two that will capture the strength of this church and how it might impact and build our church community for the future.
Please consider participating. Write alone or with a group. There is no limit to how many times you can submit. Click on this link to sumbit your mission statement online:
NEW MISSION STATEMENT ONLINE FORM
OR you dowload the form by clicking the link below and place in the box marked “MISSION STATEMENT” at the back of the church.
DOWNLOAD NEW MISSION STATEMENT SUBMISSION FORM
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Evensong is an ancient traditional Anglican/Episcopal service of evening prayers, psalms, biblical readings and canticles, chanted in a choral setting. Please join us Thursday, September 12th at 7:00 pm in the church.
All are welcome! Join us to pray for our broken world in need of healing, through the gift of music!
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BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS | |
Sunday, September 15th at the 10 am service
Blessing of the Backpacks will take place service during the Peace when the Sunday School children rejoin the congregation.
Don't forget your backpack!
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Join us the Annual Parish Picnic on Sunday, September 22nd from 12:00-3:00 pm at the Senior Beach House at Centerport Beach, 239 Little Neck Road, Centerport. This will be a wonderful chance for all of us to meet our newcomers. The Youth Group will organize fun activities for the children and families.
Please bring your favorite salad or dessert:
· Last names beginning A thru M - salad
· Last names beginning N thru Z - dessert
Hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks will be provided by the Breakfast Group and the ECW. Don’t forget to bring a beach chair and umbrella!
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St. John's Spirituality Group's Fall Labyrinth Walk will be on Saturday, September 28th. We will meet at St John's at 10 am and carpool to LIU CW Post to walk their labyrinth. Afterwards, we will have lunch before heading back to Huntington. There is no cost for this event, however, each person will be responsible for their own lunch.
Please call Patti Aliperti at 631-385-1410, or email silverymoon33@yahoo.com to reserve your spot.
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Our annual Harvest Fair will take place on Saturday, October 19th 10am to 4pm.
Ways you can HELP US TO HELP OTHERS:
- Make a craft – woodworking items, Christmas decorations, homemade soap, sachets or potpourri are just suggestions. Use your creativity!
- Offer your vacation home\timeshare week for the Silent Auction.
- Donate new unused gifts you have received for the Silent Auction.
- Request a donation for a Corporate Sponsorship from the place where you work.
- Ask stores, restaurants, etc. for gift certificates for a gift basket or donate $$$ to create one.
- Give your gently used clothing or bric-a-brac a second life at the Thrift Shop and White Elephant.
- Volunteer to work a table, or help before and after to set up/clean up.
- Purchase Raffle Tickets - check you mailbox next week!
- Invite your friends and family to shop, dine and visit our beautiful, historic church.
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Become a Harvest Fair Patron. Contact Chris Boccia for more info.
To volunteer or learn more, contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President.
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Monday Bible Study meets at 6:30 pm on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746. Hope you can join us!
Tuesday Bible Study meets at 11:00 am in person in the Guild Room.
Please reach out to Fr. Duncan with any questions, (631) 427-1752, ext. 102.
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HOPE Ministries, St. John’s community outreach program, is involved in two special programs at this time:
FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION FOR HELPING HANDS RESCUE MISSION
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink..."
-Matthew 25:35
We continue to collect the following items for Helping Hands Rescue Mission each week. The bin is set up by the Prospect Street entrance to the church and will be emptied after the final service on Sundays for delivery. Thank you ahead of time for all of your contributions!!
- Non-perishable food items
- Toiletry items
- Eventually as it becomes ready: Produce from our very own Garden of Grace
Thank you to Gayle Brady for making regular deliveries to Helping Hands. Any questions, please see Gayle or Deacon Claire.
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The Thrift Shop is open 12 - 3 pm, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
To volunteer or find our more, please contact Mary Beth Dieterle, (631) 427-1752, ext 106.
Donations welcome. We accept donations of new or gently used clothing, accessories, and household items. Please, no books, furniture, out-dated electronics, or damaged items.
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Morning Prayer meets at 9:00 am, Monday through Friday on Zoom.
Our short prayer service is followed by some fellowship and discussion. Feel free to join us occasionally 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.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8604114654
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On Wednesdays, the church is open from noon to 1 pm for noonday prayer which starts at 12:15 pm. All are welcome. | |
ST. JOHN'S WADDLERS WALK ON WEDNESDAYS | |
Wednesdays at 4 pm & 6 pm
Meet us by the Heckscher Museum of Art in Heckscher Park in Huntington for a walk in the park. Movement is a key component of "Whole Health," a way of self-care, and a chance to take steps towards your personal sense of peace and well-being.
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN'S | |
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We prayer for: Jim, Irene, Debra, Amy, Kate, Cheryl, Richard, Barbara, Lynn, Cole, Luke, Brooke, Christine, Amy, Kim, Suzanne, Geralynn, Raymond, Eileen, Kristin, Coralis, David, Irene, Leslie, Brandon, Shelley, Regan, Spring, Brindi, Scott, Jenny, Susan, Hortense, Jean, Hal, Vi, Ken, James
We will begin a new prayer list on September 8th. Please send your prayers or updates to prayers@stjohns1745.org, call Coral in the Parish Office, 631-427-1752, ext. 101.
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Just a reminder that all parish events and building use must be submitted to the Parish Office and be approved by the rector.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ST. JOHN'S CALENDAR
Notices for events to run in the Chalice, to post on the website and social media must be received by the Parish Administrator by 9:00 am on the Tuesday prior to publication.
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ECW MEETING - Help us to help others! We are preparing for the upcoming Harvest Fair! Contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President for more information.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - Learn how to knit or crochet a prayer shawl in this loving, supportive group. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, September 5th at 6:30 pm in the Guild Room. Please contact Lynn Hansen for more information.
RACIAL RECONCILIATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY - For meeting days and times or more information contact Heather Kress.
SPIRITUALITY GROUP - Monthly meetings are on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm in the Canterbury Corner. Contact Patti Aliperti for more information.
ST. HILDA'S GUILD - Join us for crafts, sewing, and friendship. Weekly meetings are on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the Guild Room. Contact Sue Hartman for more information.
VESTRY MEETING - Tuesday, September 17th at 6:30 pm in the Guild Room and on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87350494837.
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Anyone interested in joining the Sunday service ministers' roster, please reach out to Fr. Zach or Fr. Duncan. | |
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
stjohns1745.org
STAY CONNECTED
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