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News from Nick:

The Newsletter for the Community of St. Nicholas

 1072 Ridge Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL  60007

www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org 

March 31 - April 6, 2011

Childrens Liturgy & Celebration Weekend - Saturday, April 2 & Sunday, April 3

 

ChildrenBring the children to church!  The sermons at the liturgies on April 2 & 3 will be geared toward the child in all of us.  Then, on the following week, our children's formation programs begin!

Celebration Weekend
We'll also celebrate April birthdays, anniversaries and other special events!

   

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Prayer Requests

Victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan

 

Mary Fletcher-Gomez

 

Vernon Forde

 

Carrie Loos

 

Ken Audette

 

Mary Beth Jarvis

 

Bill Barlow's grandmother 

 

Paul Brouillette

 

For success and blessings during this time of discernment and search for our new vicar.

Upcoming Events

 

Worship

Saturdays - 4:30 pm

Sundays - 10:00 am


Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays - 6:45 pm 

 

Wednesdays in Lent
(April 6 & 13)

6pm Holy Eucharist  

 

New - Children's Liturgy

First Weekend of the Month

Saturday, April 2 - 4:30 pm

Sunday, April 3 - 10:00 am

 

Food Pantry

Wednesdays

April 6 & 20

4:30-6:30 pm

 

Bishop's Committee Meeting

Sunday, April 10

8:15 am

 

Book Discussion 

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

Saturday, April 16

9:30 am - Panera's

90 Biesterfield Road, EGV

 

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 21

7 pm

 

Good Friday

Friday, April 22

7 pm

 

Easter Vigil

Saturday, April 23

8 pm

 

Easter SundayEaster Sunday Worship

Sunday, April 24

10 am

 

Upcoming Scripture Readings

 

April 2 & 3, 2011 - 4th Sunday in Lent 

 

Text Week is a great resource for our lectionary readings. Check it out here for resources including essays and commentaries for the 4th Sunday in Lent lessons. 

 

The Episcopal Church uses the Revised Common Lectionary.  When a choice is given for the Old Testament lesson and Psalm, at St. Nicholas we use the first option, or Track 1.  More about the Revised Common Lectionary is at this link.  

In This Issue
+Children's Liturgy & Celebration Weekend!
+Prayer Requests
+Upcoming Events
+Upcoming Scripture Readings & Resources
+Halfway to Easter
+Bishop's Committee News
+1st Quarter 2011 Contribution Statements
+Sacrifice: Making It Count
+St. Nick's Shout-Outs
+Reminders

-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.


Halfway to Easter...
Fr. MannyHard to believe, but we've already moved beyond the first quarter of the calendar year.  I'm still wondering what happened to February!  Amazing:  When we are young, the clock on the wall appears to be frozen, times stands still.  We look at our photo albums and realize that after years 40 and 50, the pages get turned a bit faster.  We think of what was, recall our friends and loved ones who have passed away...our hearts are touched, we smile as we wipe away a tear or two.  We have much for which we are thankful.  We really are God's people, everyone, and He continues to sustain and guide us. 

 

Personally, when I enter our worship space, I am overcome with such happiness and peace...I fully believe in God' presence and peace and can "feel" God there.  There are occasions, early in the morning, when the place is so quiet...no one is there and the church is mine alone.  I sit on the floor beneath the tabernacle or aside the altar and all is well with the world.  God is all around me and I am content.  Of course, I realize full well that I don't have to be in a church to experience God's presence, as I've had this feeling of contentment while walking in the woods, or hiking a hill or even jogging on a country trail.   But there is a comfort level that brings me joy when I'm in a church...in silence...just God and me. 

 

My friends in Christ, we have already encountered half of Lent.  As we continue our journey to Jerusalem, it is my sincere hope we've all taken special time, a moment in our busy day to embrace, in a special way, God's presence and wonders.  If it is our practice to "give up some thing" for Lent, have we done so with happiness?  Have we made a visit to the Prayer Stations in the church:  washing away our doubts, fears and transgressions in the sand and water?  Maybe we've visited the Stations of the Cross, perhaps even a few of the Stations and offered an intention or a prayer of Thanksgiving to the Lord? 

 

What is important is that we've done some thing out of the ordinary; for after all, Lent is no ordinary time of the year.  Special church seasons deserve special events and activities, deeper prayer and more time dedicated to silence, meditation and a move "inwards" and away from the distractions of the world around us.  All this with the hope of building, daily, a stronger more intimate relationship with our Savior and Redeemer and with one another in our community of faith.  One small step leads to a life long journey. Have we taken that first step?  Half of Lent is behind us.  Yet, it is not too late to begin that journey.  Jesus is always and ever patient and He will always wait for us.  Let's make full use and not let go to waste this holy and sacred season.  It is gift to us...and no gift should ever be ignored.  Enjoy the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

 

God bless us all.

 

Peace,

Manny

[email protected]

 

Bishop's Committee News

Today is the last day to participate in the ICAT survey.  At last count, 88% of you had responded.  I am impressed and I thank you for the input you have given us.  The survey will not only help us in selecting our next vicar, but it will be a great aid in determining how we need to move forward as a congregation by identifying where our strengths lie and where we want our focus to be, so that we can continue to grow as a worship community. 

 

Once Canon Randall Warren has received the results of the survey, he will be meeting with the Search Team - Katie Black, Denise Butera, Cyndi DeBock, Benny Delgado, Jon Kessler, Tess Setchell, and Hal Stratton - to develop a profile for our next vicar.  Your continued prayers for all participating in this discernment process are truly appreciated.

 

Pat Kalicki

[email protected] 

1st Quarter 2011 Contribution Statements
First quarter 2011 contribution statements were sent via email yesterday.  This new method of delivery is made possible because of our new database program, and will save us envelopes and postage.  If you didn't receive a statement via email yesterday, please let Pat Kalicki know as we may have an incorrect email address on file.  We'll be happy to print a hard copy for you. 

Thank you for your generosity!

 

Sacrifice: Making It Count
Ken L.A few weeks ago, I was reflecting on sacrifice. This was probably due to the fact that we just began the Lenten season, and sacrifice plays a major part of that time in a Christian's life. I was thinking about what we give up and how that affects us. As a people, we often generously give of our resources: money, food, and other tangible items. Those physical sacrifices are important and meaningful, but I was thinking about a kind of sacrifice that may mean even more. The giving of your heart.

 

Late last year, I started volunteering for the PADS organization. I work a few times a week at their Hope Center in Palatine. I work at the front counter and am the first person that people entering the center see and talk to. PADS helps the homeless and near homeless with both the symptoms of homelessness (hunger, shelter, laundry, shower services), but they also counsel people on changing their lives around for the better. They help them get sober, they help them apply for aid that they may be applicable for, they help them build resumes and apply for jobs, they help them get into low income housing....PADS' goal is not to just treat homelessness, but to end it.

 

I work with many extraordinary people...people who don't make a lot of money, but are committed to helping people and making the world a slightly better place. All this got me to thinking about my own time at PADS...how giving a smile to someone may be the highlight of their day, how listening, really listening to someone tell you about their day is sometimes worth more than gold, how showing empathy to another human being can be priceless.

 

Giving your time and your heart may be the toughest kind of sacrifice because it leaves you the most vulnerable. But it's also the form of sacrifice that can have the greatest impact on your life. Because once in awhile, these kinds of choices can unlock your potential and help you to be a better version of yourself. The best version of yourself.

 

-Ken Lopez

Editor's Note:  Ken will be confirmed in the Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 21 at  11AM. The service, a deanery confirmation, will take place at St. David's Episcopal Church in Glenview.  See Manny or Ken if you'd like to attend.  Thanks to Pat & Bob Kalicki, who are Ken's sponsors. 

 

St. Nick's Shout-Outs

Thank you!Thanks to:

 

Katie Black & Mary Fletcher-Gomez for their duet on Sunday.  Felix Mendelssohn would be proud!

 

Our friend Ed, who lovingly takes care of our lawn.  We are blessed by his generosity, and are most grateful.

 

Benny Delgado, whose name was inadvertently left off last week's list of those helping to create our new children's formation program. 


Reminders

Chrism Mass: A celebration of baptismal life on Saturday April 2 at St. James Cathedral in Chicago (65 E. Huron). Anointing with the Spirit: A Program for Adults and Children will explore a catechumenal approach to evangelization and Christian formation. Catechumens (those preparing for baptism) and their families, sponsors and godparents are especially encouraged to attend this event. The day begins with registration at 9 am in Burrill Hall of St. James Commons, followed by the program at 9:30 am. The Chrism Mass liturgy begins at 11 am in the cathedral.  

 

How about a St. Nicholas contingent?  If you'd like to attend this diocesan-wide event, at which we'll also receive the chrism oil the Community of St. Nicholas will use for baptisms this year, please contact Manny.  This event is also great for those who might be looking to re-affirm their faith, or be received or confirmed into the Episcopal church.  

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Please consider taking time each Wednesday in Lent as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 6pm on April 6 and 13.

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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.  

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.