“Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross

that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace:

So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love,

may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you;

for the honor of your Name” (BCP p. 101).

When we are transformed by the love of God, our heart overflows with that love. This transformation occurs both through our will and through the will of God. When you love because you are loved, there is more energy and more patience. When you love because you are loved, you are thankful for everything you have. Hospitality and generosity just become second nature to us. Helping others can become refreshing and rejuvenating because the love, mercy, and grace of God flow through us. We bring others to the love of God by allowing our hearts to overflow with that love. Bringing others to believe in the power and love of God is not about understanding theology. In fact, the details of our theology have caused us to fight with ourselves for centuries. We are not Christians because we think the right way. What really counts is the love in our hearts. Right thought without right actions to your neighbor is the problem that Jesus had with the Pharisees.

The Harvest Fair was a beautiful example of how St. John’s spreads the love of God. Many parishioners gave of their time, talent, and treasure. Chris Boccia and Fran Gorman deserve our sincere thanks for a job well done. They have worked tirelessly for months organizing and preparing for this event. I would also like to thank everyone else that helped out. We worked together like a family to help those in need in our community. The community supports St. John’s because we support the Community. The ECW will send the majority of the proceeds earned and donated at the Harvest Fair and give that money to worthy local charities. Please finish our work by attending our next ECW meeting and help us to support those most in need in our community.

Today we celebrate the second week of our Stewardship Campaign. Please place your pledge card in the offering plate or mail it to 12 Prospect St., Huntington, NY 11743. Stewardship should be a joyful celebration of giving back to God what God has already given us. We use the gifts that God has given us to do the work God is calling us to do. God will never ask you to do anything unless God provides the means for you to do it. You should give proportionately to God what God has given to you. If you have time, give of your time. If you have talent, give of your talent. If you have treasure, give of your treasure. God wants to bring you to wholeness in your life. Give from your heart and St. John’s will serve this community with generosity as we have for the past 276 years.

In gratitude for God’s gifts and yours, we ask you to prayerfully consider your annual giving pledge. The only way our Vestry can develop a responsible budget each year is by knowing how much financial income we can expect from each of our member households. Your regular contribution is vital to our ministry. If you have not already sent in your pledge card, make your pledge now using our secure online form:

https://onrealm.org/stjohnshuntington/AddPledge/stewardship

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Duncan

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