And the Winner is...

We're all different people, aren't we? What one likes may be held and viewed differently by another. My pleasures and tastes are certainly not the norm or the requirement for happiness for others. We give and we take and we do so in order to make others comfortable and happy. It is what we do. It is what is expected of a civilized society, is it not? Without the polite acquiescing and accommodating for others' pleasures and our own satisfaction, we'd live in total anarchy, and we cannot have that.

Fortunately and blessedly, we come to our Lord just as we are and are gifted with His manifold and enduring blessings. We stand before our Lord, replete with our strengths and flaws, gifts and attributes, just as God made us. And we all, in equal and overflowing measure receive the gifts of our Lord and Savior without exception, without reservation, without question and anything expected in return...that is, except to love and honor Him and to treat others as we wish to be treated. I'd say, all in all, not a bad deal.

This, my sisters and brothers makes us all winners!   Picture, if you will, we are the ones who are standing at the microphone atop that stage and giving our "thank you" to the One who makes our lives possible...Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. We give Him thanks for being with us, for inspiring us, for giving us the drive, insight and wisdom to do all we do. And the audience would stand and applaud, because they understand...they know of what we are speaking.

Lent is a season of our Church that separates itself from others because it is such a unique and prayerful time. Mind you, Advent and the seasons of Easter and Pentecost, also known as "Ordinary Time" are certainly important "seasons" within the Church. However, Lent, well, it is exceptionally special. We are preparing ourselves for the greatest of all feasts and to be as best prepared as we can, we are afforded these six weeks that start in the latter part of winter and takes us to the early onset of spring. We pray more, we willingly sacrifice something that is a normal and welcomed part of our life, we give more of ourselves, we engage in church life that hopefully leads to a consistent involvement in the various ministries of the church.   We become "more" of who we already are and gain "enlightenment" and thus engage in the life of the church in greater measure.

Like an entertainer who reads and studies her script, or a singer who is rehearsing his piece, we, too, must get as good as we can be to best celebrate Easter. The gifts we receive...Jesus' triumph over sin and death, the promise of life eternal with Him in His Kingdom...again, this makes us all winners, my friends.

-Manny

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org 

A healing mission is a gathering together of people seeking refreshment in the reality of God as a source of all healing.

The presentations focus on Jesus' many acts of healing ... not only His individual healings ... but also of Christ's miraculous cures of the multitudes.

Times of ministry with the laying on of hands afford attendees the opportunity to experience for themselves the healing presence and activity of God as well as a renewal of faith.

Any who are seeking healing are urged to attend ... but everyone is welcome ... including the curious and those who question the healing presence of God.

Members of the medical profession will also be glad to learn that miraculous healing is not opposed to the medical healing since God works within the natural laws of His own creation.

The healing mission is a time for sharing ... a time for reflection ... and a time to experience the "Good News" of the gospel.

This event is sponsored by the International Order of St. Luke the Physician (OSL) Local Chapter of St. Mark's Church in Geneva, IL.  More information is at this link.

Thelma Malacek who is to under go a medical procedure this week:  that all goes well and she is at tip-top shape.

Joanne Mangiaracina: after yet another hospital visit, she recover fully and completely and is back with us very soon.

Hope Smith, currently in the hospital: she recover fully and return to us in sound health.

Nancy Allan who is sick:  she gain full and lasting good health.

Quenten Fabiano, a friend of St. Nicholas was in a serious car accident and has suffered severe brain damage:  pray for his full and complete recovery and for the strength and perseverance of his family and friends. 

Pam Hallman: facing more surgery, we pray she recover fully, completely and soon.

Ken, the brother of our Mary Beth Jarvis who suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve.  Ken is currently in critical condition, having lost sight in his left eye and motion on his left side.  Pray for Ken, his recovery and his well being and pray for his family and friends for strength and support.

Marcia Kizior, sister of Bob DeHaven, who is in poor health.

Pamela Joy DeHaven, in thanksgiving for recovery and continued remission.   

Exodus 3:1-15

Psalm 63:1-8

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Luke 13:1-9 

Chalice Bearers:  Colleen Davy & Jillian Setchell