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 What a wonderful scene at St. Nicholas last Saturday night. Weddings are always an occasion for much happiness and celebration. However, there was something quite unique about this wedding. Michelle and Kirk are both members of the extended family of St. Nicholas, though they don't worship with us; though we pray that changes and they join us much more often.
The wedding was delayed by about 20 minutes as the bride was 'slightly late.' So, I did my best to keep the filled-beyond-capacity church entertained. I shared a little about St. Nicholas and the Episcopal Church. I invited all to stay around after the Liturgy, as well as before and after the reception to take in the beauty of our worship space. And, my good friends, they did and in earnest!
People were taking pictures, asking me questions about the icons and the images, others were reading some of the material available and all the while, there was a happy noise that echoed from the carpet to the ceiling. I noticed one young lady looking at the wall of icons that represents the all-inclusive nature of some of the women and men found in Sacred Scripture; that wall with the images of David and Jonathon. A lovely, young lady with several rings in both ear lobes, rather distinct hair and a definite air of self-acceptance about her. She came to me and gave me a hug so intense that it did not squeeze the air out of me but filled me with a joy and peace I can scarcely explain. She pulled away and said, "Fr. Manny, I have never been welcomed in any church, ever, like I was welcomed to St. Nicholas tonight. Thank you." I was speechless and almost at that point of crying. I held it together enough to share with her, "well, you have graced our company tonight and I hope you come back to St. Nicholas...our doors are always open to all God's children...just as God has made us and no questions asked." She smiled and I believe she knew that I knew of what she was implying. Enough said...nothing more needed to be spoken as we connected. I pray she comes back if for any other reason than she may well need to be here! Let's pray for all who need a place where they can be accepted without any questions or a need to hide who they are and who God made them to be.
As I broke the bread at the altar, I explained what we are experiencing and what we are about to share. Placing the broken host back into the basket, I asked who in the congregation was Roman Catholic...many hands were raised. I asked who in the congregation was Greek or Russian Orthodox...more hands were raised. I asked who in the congregation was Episcopalian...only my hand went up...oh well. I asked who in the congregation was Lutheran, or Baptist, or Presbyterian, or Methodist...many hands were raised. I asked who in the congregation was a child of the 12 tribes of Israel...several hands were raised. I asked who in the congregation adheres to the teachings of Mohammed or Buddha...a few hands were raised. All the while I smiled and my heart was swelled with such love and peace. And I went out on that sacred limb; I extended the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to the farthest of boundaries and I invited, I encouraged, I requested that all come forward and join me in the celebration at the "table of life," and share in the true and real presence of Jesus the Redeemer. My friends, 80 of those 100 people in attendance came forward, hands open and arms extended. Amen after Amen after Amen was spoken in response and I heard Ameen and Shalom as well. It was overwhelming and it was a true gift. Jesus did not stipulate who could eat as He shared the bread and fish to the 5,000 that gathered on that hillside and heard Him preach about all that is Blessed and Sacred. No, Jesus fed them all...period.
Should it matter, as Christians, as all God's children, how we worship God or is it not more important that we DO worship and celebrate God and God's greatest gift to us, Jesus the Christ? This was my intended lesson, my catechism for that Saturday night: that as Christians we are at our collective best when we focus on what we have in common and not fixate on that about which we are not in agreement. This was my verbal and spiritual "olive branch" to our Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist sisters and brothers who had ventured to St. Nicholas that cold and snowy Saturday night. After communion and while the congregation and I sat in silent meditation, albeit for but a short minute or two, I gazed upon those faces...those smiling faces and I felt that some thing special had just occurred. Jesus was present in a unique and particularly extraordinary manner. I can't quite express what I was feeling and what was filling the church at that point, but THERE WAS some thing very, very special. I could have floated right up and out those baptismal font windows and straight upward to the very heaven of heavens. What blessed grace had filled our sacred worship space.
I feel we are blessed, in very special ways here at St. Nicholas. This wedding was just another example, another occasion where we have been graced with some very powerfully divine gifts. So, I have to say thank you to all those who came and celebrated last Saturday night. And...I have to say thank you to my St. Nicholas family who continue, day by day and week by week, to be a blessing and a gift to one another. We are the reason this place is so special...God simply tops it all off with a generous helping of Jesus' most amorous and affectionate of love. And Jesus shares without any reservation or hesitation. "What wondrous love is this, oh, my soul?" It's Jesus...let us rejoice and be glad.
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Attention Amazon Shoppers!
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Do you frequent Amazon.com? If so, please use the link on our website to shop at Amazon, as St. Nicholas will receive a portion of the revenue from sales. It's a painless way to help further our mission and ministries! Click here to go to our website. The Amazon link is on the left side of the page (scroll down a bit). |
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Are You Interested in the Contemporary Issues Group at St. Nick's?
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We are seeking your input. We sent an email on Sunday evening about the Contemporary Issues Group at St. Nicholas. If you haven't already done so, please click here to read this brief email and think about your potential interest in this adult education program at St. Nicholas. We are seeking to make sure all who want to be included in the program have a voice in its future direction and are able to participate.
If you have questions, please contact Steve Gruenwald.
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Attention People with Blood!
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February is also "Heart Month"
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 Nothing can replace blood...except blood. Emergency rooms across the country are open 24 / 7 and the need for blood in surgery and emergency situations is constant. If you have given blood in the past, thank you! And, you are invited to come back and share your "gift of life" again. If you have never given blood before, now is the time. There is a critical shortage of donated blood and the call has been sent out to one and all to do what we can to help. Oh behalf of doctors, nurses and medical teams across the land, thank you and God bless our generous and loving donors. |
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Be there or later wish you had!
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Our Chili Supper is always a fun evening! We hope you'll make plans to join us with a truckload of friends in tow, and a big appetite! Saturday, March 1, 2014
following the 4:30 worship service (approx. 6:00PM)
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
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 Come one, come all. Cakes will be on the griddle for our 6:30PM Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday). We hope to see YOU!
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Ash Wednesday is March 5th
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 All are invited to join us for Ash Wednesday service at 7:00PM on March 5th. How might you get closer to God this Lent? How might we as members of this community be light to one another? To those around us? Come and join us as we begin this most holy season. |
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Donations for over $1,400 have been received thus far! If you would like to donate toward our Boiler Fund, it's not too late! Please write "Boiler Fund" on the memo line of your check and mail to St. Nicholas or place in the collection plate. Thank you!
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This Week at St. Nicholas
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Wednesday, February 19, 2014
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AA Meeting
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12:00 PM
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Food Pantry
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4:00 PM
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Evening Prayer resumes
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6:00 PM
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Choir Rehearsal
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6:45 PM
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Al-Anon Meeting
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7:30 PM
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Thursday, February 20, 2014
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AA Meeting
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12:00 PM
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GA Meeting
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7:00 PM
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Friday, February 21, 2014
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Vicar's Day Off
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AA Meeting
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12:00 PM
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Order of St. Luke (OSL) Chapter Meeting
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7:00 PM
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Saturday, February 22, 2014
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Worship Service
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4:30 PM
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AA Meeting
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7:00 PM
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Sunday, February 23, 2014
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Worship Service
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10:00 AM
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AA Meeting
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7:30 PM
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Monday, February 24, 2014
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AA Meeting
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12:00 PM
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AA Meeting
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7:00 PM
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Tuesday, February 25, 2014
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Vicar's Day Off
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AA Meeting
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12:00 PM
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AA Meeting
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7:00 PM
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Wednesday, February 26, 2014
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AA Meeting
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12:00 PM
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Evening Prayer
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6:00 PM
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Choir Rehearsal
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6:45 PM
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Al-Anon Meeting
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7:30 PM
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This Weekend's Worship Participants
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Saturday, February 22 / Sunday, February 23
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 Saturday Lector (all readings): Barb Bosslet Sunday Lectors: Bob DeHaven, Jennifer Garcia Sunday Intercessor: Tameica Williams Sunday Chalice Bearers: Connie Nicholson, Colleen Davy Sunday Coffee Hour Host(s): You? Volunteer needed! |
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying for:
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For Dan Wilson, a member of the Order of St. Luke who suffered two strokes and is jeopardy of losing a leg to amputation. Let us pray for Dan and his family that he receive full and lasting healing and his family find the strength and courage needed and desired.
Mary Kaye Sugerman, a friend and former member of St. Nicholas has asked us to pray for a mutual friend: Ben, who is four years young is suffering from a severe form of brain cancer that will, tragically, take his life. Let us pray for Ben; that God is merciful to this boy and to his family that they find strength and endurance at this most difficult time.
For Hal's cousin who has been diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. Tests will continue to determine the next course of medical intervention to be taken. Let us pray that strength and faith are in abundance for Hal's cousin and his family and friends.
For the repose of the soul of Mr. Kilian Sullivan, a friend of Douglas. Kilian died quite suddenly. Pray for all who mourn his passing and for Kilian's entry into Paradise with our Lord and the company of all the heavenly hosts.
For Dale Rickey, a good friend of St. Nicholas who is undergoing some rather serious medical tests. Pray the results to these tests prove favorable and Dale regain full and lasting sound health.
Special prayers for our Marilyn Brown who is in considerable pain with shingles. Pray she fines full and lasting comfort from this terrible illness and is able to join us very soon.
For victims of racism, sexism, homophobia and elitism...let us all treat one another equally and fairly.
For members of our community who are unemployed, over and under employed: that all may find peace in a chosen and desired vocation that sustains and affords a comfortable life. For all our St. Nicholas community members who are under the weather and in need of healing and prayers: may they find peace and be blessed with sound and better health. Ruth Harber, Joanne Mangiaracina, Taylor Gans, Richard Gans, Eunice Dohra, Corky Stratton and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes. For our military personnel who are overseas and engaged in battle: that they soon return home safe and secure. For those who are suffering from the pain of depression: may their burdens be lightened and may they find healing. For the members of the Support Groups at St. Nicholas who endure, "one day at at time," in their daily battles against addiction.
(**written prayer requests)
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Michelle and Kirk Miller who were married at St. Nicholas Church last Saturday night...CONGRATULATIONS AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO THE NEWLY WEDS!
To Steve Raftery who proclaimed the Gospel and preached this past weekend and the members of the Order of St. Luke who shared their Healing Ministry with the community...we bless you in return for your gifts to us.
To the Williams family who pitched in to prepare coffee and treats for the community last Sunday. Great work and great coffee, too!
To Pat Kalicki who made coffee a couple weeks ago, too...we could never miss sharing our thanks with you, Pat, albeit a bit delayed!
To Douglas who found the missing earring and Bob DeHaven for contacting the owner. Scotland Yard...look out!
To all who give so much to make a difference at St. Nicholas.
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Here is what we are celebrating on the Episcopal Church calendar
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Readings for This Weekend
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The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany - February 22 / 23
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We worship together:
Saturdays at 4:30PM
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Sundays at 10AM
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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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