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"Jesus said, 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you. And after I have gone and prepared a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.' Thomas said, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus said: 'I am the way, the truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.'"
The Community of St. Nicholas is all about life and the living out of our faith. This has been a particularly painful and difficult time for our family of faith. We grieve the loss of loved ones who have touched our lives and now, having fulfilled the earthly duties have gone to their eternal reward, their heavenly home prepared by Jesus.
Penny's beloved father, Richard Nordberg passed away after a brief illness. It was not that long ago that we bid farewell to Penny's mom. Now, blessedly and joyfully, they are together again, in Paradise.
LaWayne's most cherished grandmother, Fannie Cooper, a youthful 96 passed away last week. So many memories and recollections that will keep LaWayne and her family comforted and at peace, especially in those times when the pain of death stings their hearts.
And, as a community, we have been dealt a heart-piercing blow with the death of our friend and brother in faith, Tim Black. Was it the suddenness of his passing? Was it his relative youth, at only 56 years young with so much yet ahead of him that confounds us? It matters little now, as Tim is, at long last, Home.
Tim, Fannie and Richard have all run the race, all were victorious and now wear a victor's crown. Their prize is to be in the company of the saints, of which they are now members and will reside in the divine presence of Jesus Christ, our Most Holy Redeemer.
While we mourn our losses, we continue to live our lives, as our loved ones would want us to do. Each day will get easier. And still, there will be occasions, finding a memento, hearing a song they liked which will remind us of our dear one who has moved on from this world to the next.
We are to rejoice and celebrate them. As Christians we are not to grieve their earthly death, though certainly this is nearly impossible. Still, it our calling to focus on the New Life they now live. This is what our faith is all about. This is why Jesus came into our world: to forgive us our sins and pave the way for us to a glorious life that will never end, with Him, in heaven, where in His Father's house there are many rooms.
Goodbye, dear loved ones. Rest in peace, Tim, Fannie and Richard. Until we are reunited, know you remain more than memory, more than a part of our past. You remain forever in our hearts and no one and nothing will fill the space that now exists, that is, except the continuous outpouring of Jesus' love and grace.
Amen.
-Manny |
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St. Nick's Knacks Annual Rummage Sale
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It's that time of year, yes indeed. Our St. Nick's Knacks Annual Rummage Sale is just around the corner. We need as many of our community to be involved in this endeavor: to ensure a successful fund raiser and perhaps most importantly, to continue to build a stronger and closer-knit community that worships together, works together and has a good time together.
The sale dates and times are: Friday and Saturday, August 16th and 17th. Doors open to the public at 9am and we close promptly at 3pm. If you have items to donate, bring them in. If you have items that are large and need help, please let Manny know and we'll try and get some assistance for you.
A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space. Please take time, check your schedules and put your name down. All are welcome. Bring your friends and neighbors, too. We need help with setting up the sale during the week of the sale and we definitely need help the two days of the sale: people to staff the check out tables, walk the floors and just be available to help out our customers. We can never have too many volunteers!
Remember to join the event on Facebook, then invite friends to help spread the news and information regarding the rummage sale and the good name of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church. The more the news gets out, the bigger the crowd, the greater the prospects of a successful weekend fundraiser and more people who will come to know who we are and what a wonderful place St. Nicholas truly is!
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Time to Fetch Some Goodies From the Garage
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August 3rd & 4th after the weekend liturgies
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This weekend, August 3 and 4, after the 4:30PM and 10AM liturgies, we'd like to pull out items we will sell at the Rummage Sale that are currently in the new garage. There are bags of clothes and boxes of "this and that." Also, there are quite a few pews that used to be in the church many years ago. The pews had been taken apart and stored away at the old vicarage, then moved to the new garage when the vicarage was sold by the Diocese.
We hope to put the pews together and sell them at the rummage sale. If you or some one you know is interested in a pew or enjoy working with some very nice wood, here's your chance to make a sound purchase!
We could use help hauling the wood out of the garage and into the church and lastly, putting the pews together. Your help would be greatly appreciated and welcomed.
And...don't forget to clean out those closets and basements, crawl spaces and attics...if it's sell-able, let's give it a try at our rummage sale.
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| Lots of opportunities to be part of the action |
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There is a lot going on at St. Nicholas. With all this activity, it is vital that we have as many members involved, engaged and active, as all are able.
So, we're seeking some assistance for a few things in particular:
A) Our St. Nicholas gardens are becoming a reality. We'd like to plant some perennials, tall grasses and some annuals in time for our 50th Anniversary Celebration this Sept. 28th. If you have some plants that need dividing in your garden, bring them to church and we'll find new homes for them. If you'd like to make a financial donation to cover our portion of the outdoor renovations, be assured any and all generosities would be most graciously appreciated. Perhaps a donation for plants in our Memorial Garden would be in order, to honor and pay homage to our dearly departed loved ones.
B) Attention Bread Bakers: If you feel you're able and willing to bake bread for our weekend liturgies, we could use your help. The baking is not too terrible and the rewards, are, well, divine! Baking pans are in the sacristy as are baking directions. We would like to fill out the rest of the calendar year so we have all weekends covered. Sign up sheets are posted in the Gathering Space on the bulletin boards.
C) Attention Coffee Hour Hosts: Making coffee is so much easier now that we have two new urns. Cookies and supplies are always on hand at the church. And, yes, if you're ambitious, we would always welcome homemade treats! Sign up sheets are posted in the Gathering Space on the bulletin boards.
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In air-conditioned comfort
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 Saturdays at 4:30PM Sundays at 10AM |
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying for:
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For our friend and brother Tim Black: our hearts are heavy and we grieve his passing. Still, we rejoice in his triumphant journey Home to God. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
For Violet Borg-Gonzalez, Manny's sister who again is in the hospital: that she gain sound health and be able to return home soon, stronger and healthier.
For our Nancy Allan who, after spending time at Alexian Hospital is now residing at Friendship Village in Schaumburg for continued "after care." Pray for Nancy that she remain optimistic to the potential of sound health and that she return to St. Nicholas very soon.
For those who suffer from addictions and vices: they may find the support they need and know the community continues to keep all in prayer.
All who are traveling that their destinations be reached in God's speed and safety and a hearty, "Welcome Home" to all who have been away.
Cathy Walters and her continued recovery and return to a full and active life with her new heart!
Ethel 'Corkey' Stratton, Hal's Mom, she has suffered mini-strokes and is battling dementia and Alzheimer's: that she regain some strength and mobility and her loved ones are blessed with patience and acceptance.
Victims of violence, war, oppression, discrimination and poverty.
Bernie, Eunice's youngest son who has taken a serious turn and is back in the hospital. Pray for his recovery and for the well being of his family.
**Harry's Mom, prayers are requested of the community of St. Nicholas.
For Eunice Dohra, Marcia Kizior, Pamela Joy DeHaven, Richard and Mary Gans: members and family of our community of St. Nicholas who continue to experience health concerns: for the full restoration of sound health and a productive life.
Peter Barlow, son of Bill and Kathy Barlow: for his safety and the safety of all our military men and women overseas.
(**written prayer requests collected during Liturgy)
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To Jack Groat and the Little Boots Rodeo folks who donated their time and material to help make our Parish Picnic that much more enjoyable...we loved all those beautiful animals!
To everyone who pitched in and contributed time, food and some "elbow grease" in making our Parish Picnic so much fun.
Special thanks to Jessica Tamaski and the Picnic Committee: you all did a super-duper job...the big-top has nothing on a St. Nicholas circus picnic!
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Readings and Lectors/Intercessors for This Weekend
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The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost - August 3/4
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Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
Saturday Lector (all readings): John Bosslet
Sunday Lectors: Ellen Whalen, Katie Black
Sunday Intercessor: Tameica Williams
Chalice Bearers: Penny & Hank Mandziara
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Miss an issue of
News from Nick? 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, IL 60007 847-439-2067 www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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