Ash Wednesday
 Please join us this evening, Wednesday, March 9: 5:30 - 7PM: Stone SoupWe'll gather for a meal created from all our donations. Leave the cooking to us and come join in some fellowship time over a hot bowl of soup. 7PM: Ash Wednesday LiturgyCome celebrate the beginning of the holy season of Lent as we are marked with ashes created by last Sunday's burning of the palms and our grievances and things that separate us from God.
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Prayer Requests
Jeanette Repp and the people of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, San Pedro, California as they prepare to celebrate Jeanette's installation as Rector on Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Carrie Loos...may her vision be cleared and restored to sound health. Ken Audette...for strength and healing as he continues his treatment. Bill Barlow's grandmother who has been ill of late...for strength and healing. Continued healing and recovery for Fr. Paul Brouillette... For success and blessings during this time of discernment and search for our new vicar...
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Upcoming Events
 Worship Saturdays - 4:30 pm Sundays - 10:00 am Ash Wednesday Wednesday, March 9th 5:30pm Stone Soup Gathering 7pm Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist Food Pantry Wednesday, March 16 4:30-6:30 pm Wednesdays in Lent
(March 16, 23, 30, April 6 & 13) 6pm Holy Eucharist |
Lenten Meditations
 Click here to sign up for daily Lenten Meditations by email from Episcopal Relief & Development
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Upcoming Scripture Readings
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-News from Nick Archive-
Miss an issue of News from Nick? Need to refer to an earlier issue? No problem--issues are archived and available at any time at this link.
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These 40 Days of Lent and What They Mean to Us
 The earthly seasons drift, one into another. The same can be said for the seasons of the Church, for here, too, we move from one season of celebration to another. We have celebrated the last Sunday after Epiphany: the announcement of the new born king and the Savior of the world. Now, we begin our new journey; a journey we undertake each year; a journey into a quieter, more prayerful and reflective time...we begin the season of Lent. Lent has a very ancient and storied history. From the earliest of Christian time, pre-Catechumens, those who desired to enter into the Faith and Family of Christ, began what was a prescribed period of fasting, prayer and seclusion. These spiritual exercises were meant to strengthen the spirit while tempering the body of earthly things. The number 40, the days of Lent, probably stems from biblical references that speak of the days Moses, Elijah and Jesus fasted. The color of violet or purple that adorn the altar and vestments used in Lent are to illustrate the royalty of Jesus as King and Savior and of our need for repentance in light of our offenses against God and neighbor. There is a comfort in knowing that our ancient Christian ancestors began this tradition some 2000 years ago and continues to this very day. Wednesday, March 9th, Ash Wednesday, marks this years start of our six week Lenten Journey, as we recall that of which we were first formed and created and that to which, at our human death and in earthly rest shall return. Yet, my sisters and brothers, Lent is a most beautiful time and season of the Church year. The Church sets aside this season to coincide with the earth season of spring...new beginnings, a fresh start...new life bursting forth, just as Jesus, on that Sunday morning gloriously emerges victorious over sin and death. Though before the resurrection, there must be the suffering, the sacrifices and Jesus' death. And we walk that same path, with Jesus, as we sacrifice, as we surrender and ultimately and joyfully celebrate our own victory, our own resurrection out of darkness and into the Great Light of the Easter Triumph! Please consider taking time to join us, your sisters and brothers in faith each Wednesday in Lent as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist. Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist will begin at 7pm. The following Lenten Wednesdays Holy Eucharist celebrations will begin at 6pm. Please mark your calendars and make a point of getting away for a midweek reprieve from our daily labors and celebrate our faith, with song and praise and the gifts of the earth placed upon the altar of life: March 9th 7pm Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13 6pm Holy Eucharist Saturday, April 16th NO 4:30 Liturgy Sunday, April 17th 10am Palm Sunday Holy Eucharist
Thursday, April 21st
7pm Maundy Thursday Service
Friday, April 22nd 7pm Good Friday Service Saturday, April 23rd NO 4:30 Liturgy Saturday, April 23rd 8pm Great Easter Vigil Sunday, April 24th 10am Easter Sunday Holy Eucharist Now that we've completed our Sundays after the Epiphany and we enjoyed our first annual Chili Supper (and what a great time and great fun we all had), let us all, as members and a collective body, the Community of St. Nicholas begin our journey through Lent, with open and receptive hearts, ready and eager to receive the Triumphant Christ as our Savior and Salvation. Peace, Manny manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org |
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Bishop's Committee News
The Church Assessment Tool survey was sent to 66 individuals and approximately 50% have responded so far. We're shooting for 100% participation. Therefore, if you haven't responded yet, please do so. It's very easy and only takes a few minutes. If you haven't received the survey link, please let me know. The future of St. Nicholas is near and dear to all of us and we want YOUR VOICE to be included in discerning how to proceed with our future plans.
Pat Kalicki
pat@stnicholasepiscopal.org
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1st Annual Chili Supper A Huge Success
 Profound thanks to the Tamaski family, and in particular Jessica Tamaski for spearheading this first annual chili supper fundraiser and community-builder! Thirty-five people gathered for the 4:30 liturgy and then about 100 people gathered for a fun-filled evening of fellowship, food, laughter and prizes! We are thrilled to report that we raised over $1,600 at this, our first annual chili supper fundraiser! Thanks to Jay O'Reilly, Carrie Loos, Pat & Ed Baehr, Val & Steve Gruenwald, Hal Stratton & Steve Raftery, The Tamaski Family, Douglas VanHouten & Manny Borg, Paul & Judy Brouillette, Michael Craig & Sean Khor, Bill & Carol Kubovy, Anna Stefaniak & Denise Butera for underwriting the expenses and donating food and raffle items so that the entire amount raised is profit and will benefit the mission and ministries of St. Nicholas.  Thanks to all who attended, and to the literally dozens of volunteers who helped with various aspects of this community-building event by contacting businesses for donations, shopping, inviting friends, welcoming those who were with us for the first time, cooking, setting up, serving, purchasing raffle tickets and cleaning up! Thanks to the Little Bulgarian School and AA for their flexibility and for so graciously sharing the space so that this event could flourish. Many thanks to the following businesses who donated items for our raffle and for door prizes: Village Tavern and Grill Omega Resturant Marriott Theatre Naper Settlement Jarosch Bakery Jiffy Lube Aldi Big Sanny's Panera Tapalpa 1776 Peapod Charlie's Charhouse Sunnyside Up Hallmark L'Effel Bistro Bread and Butter Dan Thai Elk Grove Bowl Burger King Brunch Cafe White Sox Holiday Inn Russell's BBQ Food 4 Less Bahama Breeze Finally, may we point out that Anna Stefaniak may want to consider a career as an auctioneer! If you were unable to attend, you missed quite a fun show! |
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Bishop Lee's Message for Lent 2011
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Bishop Lee's Message for Lent 2011
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St. Nick's Shout-Outs
Thanks to:
Hal Stratton, Steve Raftery, Mary Fletcher-Gomez, Benny Delgado, Michael Craig and Sean Khor for preparing our church environment for the season of Lent.
Tameica Williams for the use of the grill used last Sunday to burn last year's palms and the pieces of paper on which, at last weekend's liturgies, we had written things that separate us from God.
Pam Hallman, Eason Williams, LaWayne Williams, Benny Delgado, Douglas VanHouten and Manny Borg for volunteering to help clean our facilities. Volunteers are always welcomed--just click this link to let us know how you can help.
Audrey Cannon, for volunteering to help prepare Stone Soup with the items donated last Saturday & Sunday by members of the St. Nicholas Community.
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Spring Ahead This Weekend!
 Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 13. Dont' forget to set your clocks one hour ahead before retiring this Saturday night, March 12!
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Reminders
If you'd like to donate to the Flower Fund, in memory or in thanksgiving, please write a check to St. Nicholas with Flower Fund in the memo line. Please enclose a note with text for the acknowledgment (Given by ___, in memory of ___; or Given by ___, in thanksgiving for___), which will be both printed in News from Nick and on a card placed in a floral arrangement at Easter. Of course, you are still welcome to bring in flowers for Easter on Holy Saturday during the day.
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Sign up to host coffee hour at this link.
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Sign up to help clean our facilities at this link.
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Ways to Give
 Per your suggestions at the Annual Meeting, here are some additional ways to contribute to our community: - Click here to sign up to help clean our facilities. If we pitch in and share the work, we can avoid hiring a cleaning crew. If several of us adopt just one or two tasks, we'll be in good shape.
- Invite friends and neighbors to join us at St. Nicholas.
- Save and bring in your used ink cartridges. There is a donation box near the Giving Tree.
- Look for tags on the Giving Tree--there are tags for monetary gifts, as well as in-kind gifts. We particularly need
adhesive nametags, half & half for coffee hour, paper towels (roll), copy paper (letter-, legal- and ledger-size), coffee (regular and decaf), HP 95 and HP 98 ink cartridges for the printer. - Register your Dominick's Fresh Values Card (see Pat Kalicki for details). Whenever you use your card, St. Nicholas will receive a percentage of your total purchase.
- Click the link on our website to enter Amazon.com when you purchase from them so that St. Nicholas will receive a portion of your total purchase.
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News from Nick is published by St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois each Thursday.
Please submit copy to Douglas by clicking here. Deadline is Wednesday at noon.
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