We are truly a blessed and fortunate community. I never tire of being at St. Nicholas. In fact, I am energized any time I am at our church. The building is special; historically, architecturally, and simply because it is our house of worship. But, it is the "living church," the people of St. Nicholas that truly gives me life, sustains my faith and provides me 'human grace" that lifts me up. Thank you, everyone, for allowing me to minister with you; to share the Gospel story with you and to share my own, personal stories as well.

 

Sharing...it is one of the many things we do rather well at St. Nicholas. It is a vital and fundamental tenant of our Judeo-Christian tradition. Sharing is what Jesus was all about. Jesus continues to share His grace and love in both the Eucharist and in the words of the Gospel.

 

We wish to share the many blessings that are made gift to us. This is what we are commissioned to do. There is nothing greater, as a community of faith, then when we share our gifts, one with another. To this end, every third weekend of the month, starting this week, September 15th and 16th, we will offer the sacred ministry of Healing Prayers and Anointing. We provided this ministry during Lent and what a wonderful and tremendous success it was. We will offer this grace-filled gift during Holy Communion. With much gratitude and thankfulness, we have the Revs. Tony and Fran Begonia who will graciously serve as celebrants for these healing sessions. Both are members of the Order of St. Luke and have conducted healing sessions throughout the country. We are blessed that they have settled down here and have become vital and active members of our community of faith. We invite any and all to come forward, after receiving Holy Communion and approach Fran and Tony to receive a blessing or a healing. Share with Fran and Tony that which you wish to be prayed for and they, in turn, and with God's blessings and grace, will bless and anoint us. This is an invitation; come as we wish without question and receive God's grace and peace.

 

Also, every third weekend, we will have a guest preacher at both the Saturday and Sunday Liturgies. Members of the community have expressed a desire to share the Gospel message and what a delight this will be. The invitation to preach is still open: if you feel the 'calling to proclaim the gospel,' please let me know.

 

How exciting that there is so much going on in our church. To name a few, we have healings and anointing, a new and revised young people's formation program which begins the first Sunday in October, the Book Club, new members of the parish family who will be received and/or confirmed this December, social activities and more to come. Sharing...it is what we do best and with the example of Jesus to show us the way, certainly, we have taken the road that has been laid out for us and we travel, together, in faith and joy.

 

-Manny

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org 

 

Saturday, September 15,

10:00 am

Wednesday, September 19, 6:00 pm  

Sunday, September 23

During 10 am Worship Service

Wednesday, September 26

6:00 pm

September 26

6:45 pm

Saturday, September 29,

10:00 am

Sunday, September 30

During 10 am Worship Service

An Evening with Gene Robinson
Thursday, October 4
Elmhurst College
7:00 pm

Saturday, Oct. 13, 4:30 pm

 

 

 The Bishop's Committee met Sunday, September 8, and discussed the following:

• ·        Healing Weekend:  The third weekend of each month, Fran and Tony Begonja will offer healing and/or anointing.  After receiving Holy Communion, congregants are invited to go to the Baptismal Font area and share in this ministry.

·        Youth Formation:  Beginning in October, youth education will take place in Noah's Ark on the first and third Sundays of each month following the 10 am worship service.  This will allow both children and parents/grandparents to attend the liturgy.  Other Sundays the youth will either remain seated during service or gather at The Sharing Table.

 

·        Diocesan Convention:  The 175th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago will take place on Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard.  The invitation to attend will be extended to the St. Nicholas community.  We need two delegates and two alternates.  Anyone interested, please see Manny, Steve, or Pat.

 

·        2013 Budget:  Bob presented a preliminary budget for 2013.  Bob will meet with congregants following the October 12 4:30 pm and the October 13 10:00 am services to present our financial position and answer any questions.  This will be the kick off of our Stewardship Drive.

 

·        Financials:  The financial statements for August and Year-to-Date were presented by Bob and approved.

 

-Pat

pat@stnicholasepiscopal.org

On October 7 and 21, we begin our new young people's formation program.  This new activity will now take place in the Noah's Ark Space and AFTER the 10am Sunday Liturgy.  This new approach allows parents and grandparents the opportunity to stay for coffee hour a bit longer and/or drop in and share in the youth program with their children.  Also, we hope there are other adults who are willing to assist in the teaching and guiding of our young people.  Having the program after the Liturgy affords everyone the opportunity to not miss any of the service themselves.  If you are interested in sharing as a teacher in this program, please see Val Gruenwald or Manny.  All are welcome.

OCT. 13: Saturday.  Bob Kalicki will begin the Stewardship Drive in a conversation with the congregation after the 4:30 Liturgy.  Bob will share our current financial situation, where we are and where we wish to be.  If you plan on attending this Liturgy, please also consider staying just a bit longer and take part in this most important conversation.  Or, you may choose to come the following day, Sunday, Oct. 14th...

OCT. 14:  Sunday, after the 10am Liturgy, we will gather in Holy Innocents Hall for a Pot Lot Luncheon and Conversation.  It is that time of the year when parishes throughout the Diocese begin their Stewardship Drive.  We all understand and appreciate the importance of financially supporting our house of worship.  This luncheon meeting is an opportunity to openly talk about our financial situation and our needs.  We cordially invite all to come, share ideas and views, share a meal together and help grow our church.  Also, consider bringing some sort of a simple luncheon item, such as a casserole, salads, or a pasta dish.  Pastry and beverages will be provided.  OF NOTE:  We would welcome one or two more members to our Financial Team, for an even stronger voice and varied views and ideas.  Currently, Val Gruenwald, Bob Kalicki and Douglas VanHouten make up our Financial Team.  Ideally, we would warmly welcome 1 or 2 more members to join this group.  Please contact Bob Kalicki or Manny if you have a desire to join this team.  Your voice and views are needed!

October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson will be the featured guest speaker at Elmhurst College.  What a wonderful opportunity to listen to this man of faith, conviction and hope. 

We're gathering a group from St. Nicholas to attend this lecture.  Afterwards, we will go out to supper and share in conversation and community.  All those interested in attending need contact Hank Mandziara with your request.  Tickets are a nominal $10.00.  Tickets will go fast, so please contact Hank as soon as possible.

Thank you!

Our thanks:

To all who continue to support the community of St. Nicholas by sharing in the Giving Tree.

To all our bread bakers.

To all who come, worship and rejoice in the Lord and fill our church with a most joyful noise!

Proverbs 1:20-33 

Psalm 19 

James 3:1-12 

Mark 8:27-38

Ethel (Corkey) Stratton, the mother of Hal Stratton