We've progressed quite quickly as we already find ourselves at the doorstep of the 3rd weekend of Advent.  Thanksgiving is a mere shadow of memories. I have three small bags of turkey tucked away in the freezer for later use.  Christmas is a stone's throw into the very near future.  And, our community of St. Nicholas is a beehive of activity.  News Socks for New Friends has been a blessed success thus far.  How comforting and rewarding to know that the generosity of so many will keep others warm, safe and dry.  Episcopal Church 101 is both entertaining and informative, as Deacon Tom leads us in lively conversation after the 10am Sunday Liturgy. All are welcome to come, listen, share and enjoy this time together, as we delve into our Church in an informal and friendly fashion.  Children and youngsters find there are activities aplenty for them at their Sharing Table which helps them to better understand what the weekend's readings are all about and allows them to participate in the Liturgy, too.  The Monthly Book Club continues to flip pages, sip coffee and share their thoughts and views of the written words they've read.  Those who wish to be part of this Monthly Book Club may contact Val and Steve Gruenwald for additional information. 

There are other events of which we can all be part and engaged.  So, get you calendar, see when you're available and get ready to jump in, feet first...

1)     Holiday Movie Night.  On Friday, December 16th, at 7:30pm, we will once again roll out the big TV, pop some corn, munch on some pizza and snacks and sip some pop, all while comfortably watching a favorite, holiday movie.  This time, we'll feature the black and white classic, "The Bishop's Wife," starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven and Elsa Lanchester.  Bring your own goodies along to savor and share.  There is a sign up sheet in the gathering space at church, just to get an idea how many wish to come. Bring the family and friends...we have plenty of room for all!

2)     Christmas Caroling.  On December 17th, we will venture to the Rehabilitation Center of Alexian Brothers Hospital and sing carols and holiday songs to the patients.  All are welcome.   We will meet at the Rehabilitation Center, which is located across the street from the hospital on Biesterfield Road at around 12 noon.  See article below for additional information.

3)     Let's Build our Creche.  If you plan on attending the 4:30pm December 24th Christmas Eve Liturgy, then you'll certainly want to be part of the festive action of building the nativity creche.  As part of the procession, members will carry in the figures that will create our beautiful nativity scene, which will be placed atop our baptismal font.  Families, couples,  young and old, individuals and threesomes, too...all are invited to carry in and carry on with this holiday tradition.  A sign up sheet is in the gathering space.  It's a long walk back into history but a short walk to the baptismal font...come along for this wonderful and loving journey. 

4)     Deck the Halls.  Time to decorate the worship space for Christmas.  After the 10am Liturgy on Sunday, December 18th, we will remove all that is Advent and decorate with all that is Christmas.  We have lots to do, so we'll need lots of active hands.  What a wonderful family opportunity...bring the kids and some extra adult strength, too.   We'll have plenty of coffee and sweets to keep us motivated and energized.  FA LA LA LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA!

This is what 'church' is all about:  getting involved and active,  being part of what's happening, being a vocal voice, a pair of hands engaged in ministry.  It's a very real way of being true stewards of our church and for our church, this wonderful place, this St. Nicholas Church.

God bless us all.

-Manny
manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org  

Please plan to join us on Christmas Eve and / or Christmas Day. All are welcome!  Here is the service schedule:

Christmas Eve

4:30 P.M. A Service for the Young and Young-at-Heart and the Building of the Nativity Creche

9:00 P.M. A Festival of Lessons and Carols with Eucharist

Christmas Day

10:00 A.M. Festive Christmas Service

We never stop learning.  There's always some thing new to discover or perhaps 'rediscover' and appreciate in new lights and colors. 

Fifteen of us gathered again last Sunday for the continuation of Episcopal Church 101, led by Deacon Tom Smith.

We will continue this program this Sunday, December 11 after the 10am Liturgy.  We'll gather in the Noah's Ark Room.   Bring your coffee, snacks and an open mind and heart as we delve deeper into a better and more enlightened understanding of our Church and our role in this community of faith. 

All are welcome, regardless of whether you were able to attend the first two sessions!

As of Sunday, December 4, we have received 28 pledge forms for a total of $44,224.00  Our goal is a pledge from every household at St. Nicholas.  We've now received pledges from 45% of our households.

Pledge forms are at this link and on the shelf just outside the worship space.

Our sincere thanks to all who have pledged thus far.  As Bob Kalicki, our treasurer, reminded us last weekend, it is important that we receive pledges very soon so that we can plan an accurate budget for 2012.

Thank you for your consideration and generosity!
 

 

For those who would like to have their loved ones remembered or a gift of thanksgiving, contributions can be made to the Christmas floral fund to help purchase the poinsettias to decorate the worship space for Christmas. If you would like to make a contribution, just state on the memo line of your check 'floral fund' or put your cash contribution in an envelope marked 'floral fund.' If you would like, your loved ones or gift of thanksgiving can also be printed on a card that will be placed into the poinsettias. Just let us know with your contribution. If you have any questions please email s.raftery@comcast.net or s.raftery@stnicholasepiscopal.org.

 

We're looking for some volunteers to help fold bags for luminarias and set them out on Saturday evenings before the 4:30 service, and especially before the early service on Christmas Eve. We also need more 12-hour votive candles. We have about 200 lunch bags, and sand is cheap, so we're only limited by the number of viable candles. Thanks for your help! Any questions, please contact Ginny Gibbs.

As the weather gets colder, our efforts to keep warm and dryincreases.  We go to our dresser and get a clean pair of socks, slip them on and we're set.  However, the sad news is so many of our sisters and brothers are not so fortunate.  The community of St. Nicholas, in cooperation with the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago will collect, throughout the winter season, new socks.  Donations can be placed in the basket in the church.  The collected socks will be distributed to the needy to help make their winter a bit warmer, dryer and safer.  Your generosity and assistance are deeply appreciated.  God bless us the good people of St. Nicholas, who, as always give from the heart.   

Thanks to:

Mary, Hal and our choir: for the wonderful work they do in leading us in song, as we lift our voices in praise and prayer.

The Outreach Committee which continues to work so very hard at putting St. Nicholas front and center and in the news!

Those who have brought donations of socks for the needy, food for the pantry and votive candles for the luminaries that light up our drive way on Wednesday and Saturday nights ...how truly generous a people we are.

The Search Committee for their dedicated efforts in leading our community as we call forth our next Vicar.

 

December 10/11 - The Third Sunday in Advent

 

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.  

 
Fr. Dan Malette, Pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland R.C. Church, who was severely beaten by two men who came asking for his assistance.  Fr. Dan is a  long time advocate and activist for the homeless and poor. 

Eileen Maher, sister of Mary Beth Jarvis, as she recovers from a stroke.  

 

Eunice Dohra

Audrey Cannon

Godfrey James Catanus, Paul Swanson's friend who is out of coma and in recovery.