"To know Christ and to make Him known . . . " | |
The Weekly Sunday Bulletin of
St. John’s Episcopal Church | |
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Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored (Mark 2:31-3:5).
Jesus is attending service on the sabbath in the local temple. He becomes upset because the rules on the sabbath have become very burdensome. A man comes to temple with a withered hand and Jesus heals the man. There are bad feelings between the Pharisees and Jesus. This is an important lesson for the church. Endless rules and traditions that have nothing to do with the love of God make religion very difficult to follow. They say that faith and spirituality are alive and well, but religion is fading away. We need to focus on bringing others to the love of God if we want our church to thrive.
Last Monday lots of good folks went to the organic community garden to plant vegetables. These vegetables will be grown and donated to Helping Hands. Helping Hands will distribute the healthy, organic vegetables to folks in need in our community. St. John’s is stepping out into the community to help others. We have made lots of friends at the garden, and they have helped us to understand how to grow plants in this garden. We have also met other groups that grow produce for Helping Hands. The work is hard and the laborers are few, but this is a rewarding ministry that draws community together by working toward a common goal.
Religion can separate our community into like-minded groups. Community ministry uses diverse thinking individuals to work together for a common cause. We learn to have tolerance for those who do not look or think like us. Every denomination has struggled to accept gay and lesbian into their religion, but the Episcopal Church has been on the front line in being open and affirming. Those who feel like LGBTQ+ individuals don’t belong in church have diminished in the Episcopal Church. We believe that God created every person into relationship. June is Pride Month, and we will have a celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride during the Pride Parade in Huntington on June 9th. We celebrate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, which was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in America.
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh (2 Cor. 7-11).
This Sunday, I will be preaching on “this treasure in clay jars.” Paul proclaims that we are formed by the hand of God for the purpose of God. In other words, God equipped you for a purpose at your baptism and has a plan for you. Jesus had the purpose of loving the sick, the thirsty, the poor, and the oppressed. Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead that we might have abundant life. The Pharisees had fallen off the path of loving God and one another and Jesus exposed them. The greatest need in our church is to understand that our ministry is in God’s hands. Jesus said, “Stretch out your hand,” and the man was healed. We do not wield the power of God, but we are vessels in the hands of the Lord. Please pray that we might shine the light of Jesus through our faith and our ministry at St. John’s.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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The Lessons
Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Psalm 81:1-10
2 Corinthians 4:5-12
Mark 2:23-3:6
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
9:40 am - Last Day of Sunday School
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 & Baptism
The Music
Opening Hymn: H 490 "I want to walk as a child of the light"
Sequence Hymn: H 538 "God of mercy, God of grace," vs. 1-2
Offertory Anthem: "Sonata No. 1 in F minor, II. Adagio" by Felix Mendelssohn
Matt Luka, organ
Communion Hymn: LEVAS 203 "There is a balm in Gilead"
Recessional Hymn: H 567 "Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old"
Postlude: "Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, IV. Allegro assai vivace" by Felix Mendelssohn
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Sunday, June 2nd at 11:20 am in the Guild Room
St. John's ECW will meet this Sunday in the Guild Room immediately following the 10:00 am service.
Please contact ECW President, Carol Goldbaum with any questions.
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Saturdays at 10:00 am in the Guild Room
(Until June 8th)
Gentle Mat Yoga Classes with Parishioner Alice Weiser (E-RYT-500) - We are offering gentle yoga classes to quiet the mind and stretch and strengthen the body. All are welcome; modifications will be offered for different levels. Please note: in addition to standing, students will explore poses while seated, on hands and knees, and laying down. Students should be able to comfortably lower to and rise from the mat. Please bring a yoga mat and any other props you like to use (yoga blocks, strap, blanket). Fee: $15 for parishioners, $20 for non-members. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. John’s. Questions: please contact Alice Weiser at aliceweiser@mac.com.
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HOPE Ministries, St. John’s Community Outreach Program, is involved in two special programs at this time:
MEN'S SUMMER CLOTHING & TOILETRIES FOR HIHI
Needed: Shorts, tee shirts and other summer clothing – especially for men. We also continue to collect toiletry items for HIHI (Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative). Please deposit your donations in the box located in the back of the church. See Fr. Duncan or Deacon Claire for more information.
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 are collecting non-perishable food in the church to be delivered to Helping Hands Rescue Mission each week. The new bin is set up by the door that you enter from Prospect Street and will be emptied after the final service on Sundays for delivery. Thank you ahead of time for all of your contributions!! See Gail Brady if you have any questions about what to bring.
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Our annual Episcopal Church Women’s dinner will be held on Wednesday, June 12th, at 6:00 pm. The E.C.W., which includes all women in our parish, serve the Church in many ways. This dinner is traditionally prepared and served by the men of St. Johns as a way of saying “thank you”. This evening is a wonderful opportunity for us to be together, enjoy each other’s company over a delicious dinner, and learn about some of the important issues that confront our community. Come join us for an evening of fun and fellowship and bring a friend!
Dinner is $30 per person. When registering, please select "Chicken" or "Fish," and let us know if you have any food allergies.
REGISTER HERE ONLINE
Please contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President, with any questions: ecw.st.johns.huntington@gmail.com.
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"JUKEBOX SATURDAY NIGHT" - LIGMC ANNUAL PRIDE CONCERT | |
Sunday, June 9th at 5:30 pm. St. John's welcomes back the Long Island Gay Men's Chorus for their annual pride concert. The evening will feature our favorite jukebox songs by the Beatles, Whitney Houston, The Village People, Neil Diamond, and more! Tickets available online and at the door for $25.
JUKEBOX SATURDAY NIGHT TICKETS
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Anyone 14 or older interested in joining our Tech Intern team should see Fr. Duncan this Sunday after the 10 am service or reach out via email to info@stjohns1745.org. Not only do our tech interns provide a necessary service to our homebound parishioners by running our Zoom and Facebook broadcasts, they get valuable work experience in audio/visual livestreaming and production. We are looking for 1 or 2 interns to be trained over the summer and continue on through the fall and spring. Interns are needed on Sundays at 8 am and 10 am and for special holiday services. Tech interns are paid $25 per service. | |
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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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Bible Study* meets regularly on Mondays at 6:30 pm on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83373971746) and Tuesdays at 11:00 am in person in the Guild Room. The material covered each Monday evening will be covered on the following Tuesday.
*Bible Study will not meet on Tuesday, June 4th.
Please reach out to Fr. Zach with any questions, (631) 427-1752, ext. 105.
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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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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
Altar Flowers are given in loving memory of Faith Tyranski, a gift of the Waiter Tyranski Family.
The Perpetual Light is given in loving memory of Phillip Wulfken, a gift of his wife, Judith Wulfken
We have started a new prayer list for the summer (May 19- September 1). 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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ECW MEETING - June 2, 2024 at 11:15 am in the Guild Room. Contact Carol Goldbaum, ECW President for more information.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - Monthly meetings are on the 1st Thursday of each month 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 - 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, June 18th at 6:30 pm in the Guild Room and on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87350494837. The May meeting will happen at the Vestry Retreat on May 4th.
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Thank you for volunteering to serve! | |
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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 Tuesdays prior to publication.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
12 Prospect Street
Huntington, New York 11743
(631) 427-1752
stjohns1745.org
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