Music Sunday - June 28

                                                                (1 Service at 10 AM)

                             Music has been an important component of the worship life and the community life of the

                                           Moravian Church.  Within the musical heritage of our Moravian Church is a hymnal published

                                           in Prague in 1501. It is considered to be the first Protestant hymnal ever published. While 

                                           music is important in all our services, we designate one Sunday each year to highlight this

                                           special ministry in, to and for our church.  On Sunday, June 28 at 10 AM, our Chancel 

                                           Choir, Handbell Choir and others will be sharing their gift of music.  Join us for this day of

                                           music, worship and celebration!  

      A Prayer for the Fourth

       As we prepare to celebrate our Nation's birthday, let it be for us, more than just a day of picnics, parades and fireworks.

       Let it be a day on which we remember that "freedom", "liberty" and "justice" are more than just words, but are part of the

       foundation upon which our Nation was founded. May we continue honor those who fought so that we might enjoy them,

       and to continue to support those who are being called into service to preserve them.

      "May freedom be seen, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to please to do what is right.

       May it ever be understood that our liberty is under God  and can be found nowhere else.  May our faith be

       something that is not merely stamped on our coins, but expressed in our loves ... to the extent that America honors

       Thee, wilt Thou bless America and keep her true as Thou hast kept her free, and make her good as Thou

       hast made her rich. Amen."

                                                                                                                              -  from The Prayers of Peter Marshall in the U.S. Senate

                           Anniversary Sunday/John Hus Festival  -  July 5

     On Sunday, July 5th we will be observing two special occasions.  For the Moravian Church, this Sunday is closest to July 6th, which recalls

     the martyrdom of John Hus at the Council of Constance in 1415. It is a time when we remember the faith and witness of one who was called

     by God to be an instrument of reformation and renewal in the church, remaining faithful even unto a martyr's death. It was Hus who inspired

     those who would join together and form the Unitas Fratrum, today known as the Moravian Church,  in 1457. 

           This date is also significant for us at New Dorp Moravian, as it was on July 6, 1763 that our congregation was organized.  So, along with

     honoring Hus, and those who would start the world-wide Moravian Church, we honor those who's faith and witness would begin our own

     ministry here, honoring them as we begin our 247th year of ministry to Jesus Christ and to Staten Island. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     John Hus