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News from Nick
The newsletter of the
Community of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org
| October 10, 2012 |
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Animals blessings, visiting bishops, coffee hour and what keeps it all going...
The life line of any worship community is the strength of the body. At St. Nicholas, we are blessed with an amazing quality of "spiritually, healthy people." Our collective body, if you will, is tightly connected, one to the other. We exhibit our care and love for one another when we worship, socialize together, when we gather to raise funds at the rummage sale or eat our fill of chili and purchase Fannie May sweets. Each weekend, when we share the Peace of Christ with each other, it is more than a hand shake and a smile. No. We go that extra length and share genuine, sincere, deep-felt love and friendship. Let me tell you, I've been to many churches, Episcopal, Roman, Lutheran and some non-mainstream churches, and no one, NO ONE does the Peace of Christ like we do. And for this and because of this, my dear sisters and brothers, we ought to be rather proud! I know I am. I look out at my worshiping family and such a feeling of warmth and grace overwhelms me. All I can say is...thank you, my loving family, thank you.
In order for us to continue this tradition of sharing the Peace of Christ, of our worshiping, socializing and raising funds together, it is imperative that we all do what we can, how we can and as we can to keep all these ministries and activities alive, well and prospering for many years to come.
The Diocesan wide Stewardship Campaign is kicking off and we at St. Nicholas are also on board to get things started and moving ever forward and onward.
This weekend, the Stewardship Team will present to us where the community of St. Nicholas currently is, financially speaking, and where we wish to be. With the help of our Good Lord and the amazing, loving and generous assistance and contributions of our community, we are in a good place...not great, but good. Could it be better? Certainly. Could it be worse? Absolutely. Am I grateful? You better believe it! Everyone benefits from a healthy community. Because this is OUR church...it belongs to each and every one, equally and blessedly.
We can not ignore the reality that finances are part and parcel to this community of faith. This is how it is for all of us: our families, our work places and all other churches. We all rely on finances to keep the doors open and services being offered. If we do ignore this reality, well, we perish. I do not want to beat a drum or sound any alarms on this matter. However, I would be remiss and ailing you if I did not communicate this matter as openly and honestly as when I share the bread and wine at the altar and the spoken word during the sermon.
Our ultimate goad is to become a PARISH...not PERISH. The prophet Malachi penned these sacred words with regards to Yahweh speaking to the people of Israel:
"Bring the full tithes and dues to the storehouse so that there may be food in my house, and then see if I do not open the floodgates of heaven for you and pour out blessing for you in abundance." Mal. 2: 9
These are powerful words spoken by our powerful God. They cut deep and the people of Israel responded in kind, bringing from their homes to the storehouse, (the temple), their offerings. These words, I hope, speak to us, too. Everyone gives of themselves in so many ways...time, talent, financial assistance, donations of material goods that are used for food pantry, office or ministry. I am equally aware that many in our community are enduring trying times. I am aware of these difficulties and I understand all too well what we all must do, first and foremost, for ourselves and our families. We must all do our part, how ever and that may be. Yet, we are all able to do one thing, as it costs us virtually nothing...we can all pray. We offer thanksgiving to an all-loving and all-gracious God. God always listens and God responds to us and our needs. And yet, God desires us to do what we can, to bring to the storehouses our offerings and God, as God always has and always will, shower us with blessings in abundance.
Thank you, each and every one. We are truly a blessed community; gracious and generous to a fault. It is an honor and a joy to serve you, to worship with you and to have you as my family of faith and my friends, too. God bless us all and with God's assistance and the continued sharing of this community of faith, St. Nicholas will live long and spiritually prosper.
Amen.
Manny
manny@stbnicholasepiscopal.org
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| Mark Your Calendar | |
Mother Martha Gillette
Guest Presider
Saturday, October 13, 4:30 pm Stewardship Meeting Saturday, October 13 Following 4:30 pm Worship Service Bishop's Committee Meeting Sunday, October 14 8:15 - 9:45 am Semi-Annual Parish Meeting & Potluck Sunday, October 14 Following 10 am Worship Service Children Gather at Sharing Table Sunday, October 14 During 10 am Worship Service Executive Committee Meeting Wednesday, October 17, 6:30 pm Healing Weekend Saturday, October 20, 4:30 pm Sunday, October 21, 10:00 am Rev. Tony Begonja, Preacher Children / Youth Formation in Noah's Ark Area Sunday, October 21 Following 10 am Worship Service Book Discussion - The Submission by Amy WaldmanSaturday, October 27 9:30 am - Panera's 90 Biesterfield Road, EGV Children Gather at Sharing Table
Sunday, October 28
During 10 am Worship Service
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| Nick at a Glance |
A few reminders:
- Our Annual Fannie May Fundraiser is running now until November 11. See article below for more information.
- On Saturday, October 13, Bob Kalicki will begin the Stewardship Drive in a conversation with the congregation after the 4:30 Liturgy. Please plan to stay after the service and take part in this most important conversation.
- We hope you'll join us at our Semi-Annual Meeting and Potluck Luncheon on Sunday, October 14 after the 10am Liturgy. Even if you don't bring a dish, please bring yourself! Your voice matters!
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| Justice and Compassion in an Age of Demonization |
 Several of us attended Bishop Gene Robinson's lecture at Elmhurst College last Thursday. It was a delightful evening and a powerful lecture.
You may watch the full lecture at the link below.
 | | 2012-10-04 The Right Reverend V Gene Robinson |
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| Support St. Nick's and Treat Yourself: Fannie May Fundraiser! | |
It's that time of year again - how quickly time passes! Fannie May catalogs and order forms are now available. This is a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for St. Nicholas and it's easy. St. Nicholas receives Fannie May at 30% below store prices. We pass a 10% savings on to our customers and St. Nicholas receives 20%. In 2011, we made a profit of $450. Let's keep up the good work.
Please distribute the catalogs and order forms to family, friends, and work mates. The sale runs through November 11. Orders are to be returned to St. Nicholas by November 11. Orders will be delivered to your home the week of December 3. If you have any questions, please call Pat Kalicki at 847-882-3364 or email pat@stnicholasepiscopal.org.
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| Prayer Requests | |
Vivian, sister to our Thelma Malacek, who is battling ovarian cancer: for successful surgery and a full and complete recovery. Also, Vivian's friend, Peggy, who has been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer: for strength and peace for Peggy and family.
Linda Buzard, choral director of St. John the Divine in Urbana and a friend of Bob DeHaven, is battling breast cancer: pray for full recovery and sound health.
Kurt and Ken, two members of the Support Groups who have both been diagnosed with M.S.: for their well being.
Richard Nordberg, Penny Mandziara's father who is in hospice: for his health, well being and God's mercy be with Richard.
Bernie, the youngest son of our Eunice Dohra. Bernie underwent pancreatic surgery: for support, healing and full recovery for Bernie and strength and guidance for Eunice.
Peter Barlow, son of Bill and Kathy Barlow: for his safety and the safety of all our military men and women overseas.
Marcia Kizior, sister of Bob DeHaven, who is in poor health.
Pamela Joy DeHaven, in thanksgiving for recovery and continued remission.
Hope Smith, whose cancer has reappeared: for strength, peace and guidance.
Ethel (Corkey) Stratton, the mother of Hal Stratton
Eunice Dohra
Richard and Mary Gans
Carrie Loos
For those in transition: those searching for work, those who are moving and those encountering changes in life.
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| Shout Out | |
Our thanks to:
Penny and Hank Mandziara for organizing the evening with Bishop Robinson and opening up their home to their St. Nick's family. By the way, if you haven't tasted Penny's chili, you are really missing something wonderful!
Val Gruenwald and her loving efforts in working with our young people and kicking off our new youth programs. By the way...we could use a few extra adult hands to help in this ministry...
Jim, a Support Group member and friend of St. Nicholas: for sorting through dozens of boxes of food, restocking shelves and doing all this with love and care.
Bob Kalicki and Scott Cummings who ventured the tollways and traffic and picked up a truck load of food for our pantry.
Our new Stewardship Committe - Christy McCreary, Penny and Hank Mandziara, Val Gruenwald, Douglas VanHouten and Bob Kalicki and the energy and insight they bring and share.
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| Readings for This Weekend's Liturgies | 
Click here for the readings appointed for Saturday, October 13 / Sunday, October 14.
Psalm 22:1-15 Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-31 |
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| Worship With Us | |
Saturdays - 4:30PM
Sundays - 10:00AM
Wednesdays - 6:00PM
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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.
News from Nick is published by St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois each Wednesday.
Please submit copy to Douglas by clicking here.
Deadline is Tuesday at noon.
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St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
1072 Ridge Avenue
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
847-439-2067
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When we say, "All are welcome,"
we mean it! Come, see for yourself!
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