Well, we made it. The 40 days of Lent have come and gone. We started the season of Lent in the darkness of late-winter and emerge into this Easter Season in the warmly welcomed sunshine of spring and the glory of a New Light. The Triduum Liturgies were as moving and beautiful as we had hoped they would be. The Easter Vigil is best described as "divinely inspired," for truly it is a gift from above. And now, the Christian community celebrates this season of Easter for the next several weeks. And celebrate is what we shall do...rejoicing in the Risen Christ, His victory over sin and death and the New Life Jesus secured for us all.

 

This past season of Lent, the Community of St. Nicholas did a few things 'differently,' then in years past. Certainly, we clung to the ancient traditions of the Church and of the Episcopal community, too. There are a number of elements of Lent that are 'non-negotiable.' Such as, we celebrate Easter as prescribed on the calendar which is dictated by the first, full moon of the new, spring season. That is why Easter came so early this year. Next year, Easter comes later in April. The Triduum is designed to be one Liturgy spread across three days, starting with Maundy Thursday and concluding on Holy Saturday.   Certainly, we had, once again, beautiful music and the voices of our wonderful choir to lead us in our worship. So, what was different? Well, we decided to find ways of incorporating the use of our Book of Common Prayer, that is, by actually "using" the physical book ourselves and not just printing particular potions of this wonderful and rich prayer book in the weekend worship programs. Yes: it did mean the juggling of our worship program, an occasional hymnal and the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). We realized and feared that this may be an inconvenience to some and perhaps a nuisance to others. However please know our intention was not to cause anyone any consternation. Rather, our desire was to have our community members better know and use our Book of Common Prayer. This text IS our Episcopal tradition: it holds the structure of the Liturgy, both Rites I and II, our prayers, blessings, catechism, teachings and beliefs. It is both a history book and a sacramental source. This is why we wanted to "introduce" and perhaps "re-introduce" the Book of Common Prayer to all our church members. Perhaps now, we will pick up a Book of Common Prayer and use it, employ it for our daily prayers and if the Spirit so moves, use the BCP during the weekend Liturgy and follow along with the prescribed prayers.

 

Easter is all about "newness." Jesus' New Life after His agony in the garden, His betrayal and abandonment by those closest to Him, His human death and burial and ultimately His resurrection. Easter is a spring celebration...these two events are synonymous with and to one another. Spring is all about what is blooming, sprouting up and out from deep in the soil after months of winter slumbering, inching upwards and looking toward the sun until at last, opening up to display new colors...new life. Remember, Easter is not over...we're just beginning. So, do not be caught off guard when someone greets you with a "Happy Easter," throughout all of April and into May. Remember, Easter is a spring celebration and spring is with us for quite a while. And Jesus...blessedly, He is with us always and forever.

 

Happy Easter!

 

-Manny

manny@stnicholasepiscopal.org 

 

Saturdays - 4:30 pm

 

Bernie, youngest son of our Eunice, who continues to encounter serious health matters while recovering from major surgery.
 

Peter Barlow, son of Bill and Kathy Barlow: for his safety and the safety of all our military men and women overseas.

Our thanks to:

Mary Fletcher-Gomez and our amazing choir for beautiful music throughout Lent and especially during the Triduum Liturgies...voices lifted in song and the heavens and the entire Community of St. Nicholas certainly are pleased and thankful.  Special thanks to Maxine Lange and Alex Schwarz, our guest flute player and trumpet player.

Hal Stratton, our Verger for organizing the Liturgies and designing and printing the beautiful Triduum programs.

Pat Kalicki for designing and printing Palm Sunday and Easter bulletins.

Everyone who participated in the Holy Week & Easter liturgies.

The Williams Family:  Lawayan, Earl, Tameica and Eason for gracing us as acolytes for the Easter Vigil.

John Knepper, Penny and Hank Mandziara, Ellen Whalen, Laura Lampe, Earl, Lawayan, Tameica and Eason Williams,  Hal Stratton, Bob Rabe, Steve Raftery, and Douglas VanHouten who helped clean, spruce-up and decorate the church for Easter weekend! 


Joan Gidd-Hoffman, Kirsten Gidd-Hoffman and Jennifer Garcia for lending their hands at the Easter Egg Hunt and keeping our young ones safe and secure.

Lynette Hamon for sharing her arts and crafts skills and making those adorable Bunny Boo-Boos that all the children received during the Easter Egg Hunt.


A special "thank you" note has been given to Hank Mandziara who will make sure the Easter Bunny receives it and knows just how grateful and happy we all are for his coming and spending time with us on Easter Sunday!