ALTAR GUILD- WEEKLY FLOWERS & SANCTUARY LIGHT
Remember your Loved Ones and Special Thanksgivings by making a donation for the weekly Altar Flowers and/or Sanctuary Light. The forms can be found in the back of the church for memorials -birthdays - thanksgivings -etc. They may be placed in either in the offering plate or handed into the office. Thank you for your support - Nancy Feustel & Barbara Hinton
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PRAYER CONCERNS FOR ST. JOHN’S
For the sick: Roger Giacomini, Teresa Santiago, Bill Hinton, Irena, Philip Wulfken, Christine Bushnell, Jean Giacomini, Cheryl Hairr, Anna Felter, Martha Kee, Marta Dovi, Mark Bellissimo, Brain A., Frank Elliot, Kathy, Tom, Karin, Bill Wesp, Milton Dove, Barbara Aasheim, William Mulligan, RJ Sumner, Rev. Robert Johansson, Robert Earley, Karen Moran, Michael Busterna, Diane, Tom, Ashley Webster, Debbie Peltz, Bill Cahoy, Kathleen McCartney, Patrick Burns, William Murphy, Dick Capobianco, David, Johanna Spittler, Zachary Pickerill, Janet Campbell , Mary Simon, Carlton Wildman, Kerry Walsh, David Saalfield, Charles Baker
We pray for all our men and women serving in the armed services. May they return safely home.
The Perpetual Light is given this week In Loving Memory of Perry Vaccaro, the gift of Patti Aliperti.
To have someone entered onto our Prayer List for 4 weeks, please e-mail the church office with the person’s name as well as the requester’s name. The e-mail address is: .
Last Sunday attendance: 101
THE CHALICE
The weekly Sunday Bulletin of St. John’s Episcopal Church
August 30, 2015
My beloved speaks and says to me:
‘Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away;
for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away (Song of Solomon 2:8-13).
Some of us will remember hearing this passage at a wedding. Many couples choose this lesson because the words of the poet express a love that is deeply passionate and long lasting. The attraction we feel to one another at certain times in our lives is palpable. The promise of the passage is that the winter of our lives is over. We yearn for a love that will last our whole life, but the reality is that not all marriages work out and many end in divorce. Our loves ones pass away and it leaves us feeling a little empty. Those of us who have experienced a time of separation or loneliness know the feeling of a long winter. Those who have gone through a difficult time know the feeling of a rain that just wouldn’t seem to end. Christ offers us a lasting hope through the love of God. We are offered a relationship with Christ that will ease our pain, fulfill our yearning, and quench our thirst.
God loves us deeply and wants us to come away. God’s love is always flowing towards us and drawing us into deeper relationship. The Hebrew word for God’s love is hesed. Jews believe that God’s loving kindness to them is steadfast. The stories of the Torah witness to God’s love for the people of Israel. To Christians, God’s love is expressed fully in the Gospel. God gave Jesus Christ to live among us, provide healing, and to teach us how to love God and our neighbor. He suffered, died, and was buried for our sins and shows us the way to eternal life.
During this past week, many of us shared pictures of our dogs during National Dog Week. The outpouring of love for our fine furry friends was amazing. We truly love our pets. I think part of our love for our pets is the unconditional love that they show for us. Did you know that dog is God spelled backwards? Every single day my dog Shanny meets me at the door when I come home with tail wagging, just excited to see me. Did you know that God feels the same way about each of us? God yearns for us to draw deeper into an unconditional relationship. Today’s psalm reminds us that “Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever” (Psalm 45:7).
Please join me this Sunday to give praise and thanksgiving to God. God loves you deeply and waits for your love each and every day. God’s love is steadfast and eternal. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Duncan
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VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS WELCOME!
We welcome you to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Established in 1745, this historic church opens its doors to all who seek to deepen their faith and provides warm hospitality to all. We are blessed by your presence and invite you to fill out a Visitor’s Card on the back table of church. Visit the Greeters’ Kiosk in the rear of church, where Greeters are available to answer questions and provide you with a packet of additional information about church services and activities.
ST. JOHN’S SPIRITUALITY GROUP WORKSHOP
Please join us for the next St. John’s Spirituality Group Workshop being held on Saturday, September 19th from 9am – 1pm. The topic is “Fine Tuning the Instrument: Soul Awareness through the Unification of Body, Mind and Spirit” presented by Christina Fortin, MMQ. Tickets are $25 per person. Continental Breakfast at 9 am – Workshop 10am – 1pm. Flyers can be found on the back table and on our website. For reservations, please call Patti Aliperti at 631-385-1410.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL 2015-2016
While our children are enjoying the lazy summer days…we have begun to plan for September and the exciting year ahead for all of our Sunday School children and families. If you haven’t already done so, please fill out a registration form and drop it off or send it to the church office. We need to know the ages of the children attending so we can arrange for classroom space, curriculum and teachers. Registration forms are on the table in the back of the church and they are also on the website.
Please also consider becoming a Sunday School teacher or assistant teacher. We are blessed to have dedicated teachers but we need a few more sets of hands to assist on Sunday mornings. Contact Cindy Ellenbogen at or 261-5753 if you have any questions about volunteering or would like to join us.
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CAPITAL FUND CAMPAIGN
Our Capital Fund Campaign has $88,296.00 pledged to date by 68 pledges. Our goal is $175,000. Thank you very much to all who have given. If you have not made a pledge or contribution yet, we ask that you to prayerfully consider our Capital Fund Campaign. Photos of the Wall Restoration can be found on the bulletin boards in the Great Hall breezeway.
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HEALING
On the first Sunday of the month, Deacon Jones will be at the side Altar during Communion for healing. The next Sunday scheduled for healing is September 6th.
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INVITATION TO JOIN THE CHOIR
Alex is back and would like to extend an invite to “come sing with the Choir”. No auditions required. Choir practice is held on Sundays from 9:00 – 9:45 am and 11:45 am – 12:30 pm.
Some thoughts on joining a Choir:
Choir contributes to the understanding of God and the experience of worship.
Choir gives us the opportunity to be worship leaders.
Choir fulfills the Biblical admonishment to “sing to our God.”
Choir focuses on DOING rather than OBSERVING.
Choir allows praise with body, mind, spirit, and voice.
Choir helps develop concepts of teamwork and cooperation.
Choir is a gift that will last a lifetime.
Prayerfully consider joining the St. John’s Choir!
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QR CODE READER
What is that square on the back of the bulletin? It’s a QR code. You will need a QR code reader loaded on your cell phone (it’s a FREE app). Once you have the reader, you can scan the code which will take you to the St. John’s website. There you can sign up for the church’s e-mail list for weekly news.
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THANK YOU CLEAN –UP VOLUNTEERS
The Buildings & Grounds Committee would like to thank everyone who came yesterday to help clean out the basement. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated.
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FOOD COLLECTION FOR A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY
We will be accepting weekly food donations, in the baskets provided in the rear of church, to support a local food pantry Helping Hands Rescue Mission located in Huntington Station. Donations needed are unexpired, non-perishable products such as: Peanut butter & Jelly, Rice & Pasta Sides, Canned Vegetables, Canned Corn, Cereal, Instant Potatoes, Pancake Mixes & Syrup, Canned Soups, Canned Fruit & Juice. Fred Hansen will be delivering these collected items to their food pantry weekly. Please bring them to church with you. Please do not drop off in the church lobby. Thank you for your generosity.
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