 "A slotted spoon holds little soup, but a slotted spoon can hold a potato."
At first glance, one may ask what does this phrase have to do with anything remotely related to Lent? Well, ones' questioning such a statement is warranted. It's not what one would expect to hear in any church setting let alone use in the same breath as Lent and all that is spiritual or sacred.
Then again, let's think about it, shall we?
When we approach our faith like a slotted spoon, we are certainly not going to "hold" or "retain" much. All that comes to us slips through and is lost. However, we are certainly capable and afforded the opportunity of retaining much if we embrace and hold tight to those "solid" elements of our faith:
- That Jesus loves us unconditionally.
- That Jesus forgives us our sins when we are truly and sincerely sorry for our offenses.
- That we are at our best when we celebrate the gift of our faith as a community, a family of believers.
- That there is nothing we can not bring to the Lord and receive His strength, His guidance and His support.
- That Jesus truly sacrificed Himself for us so that we can gain Eternal Life in Paradise.
When we take these teachings; embrace them fully, and completely intertwine them as part of the very fiber of our being, we are connecting ourselves with our God in such a way that nothing can overcome or conquer our faith. Nothing is more powerful than the love God has for us and the love we have for God, Jesus the Son and the Spirit that is ever-Holy.
Slotted spoons have their place in a kitchen cupboard, but have no role when it comes to our relationship with God the Creator, God's Son Jesus the Christ and the Paraclete -- the Holy Spirit. We are not to let these most sacred and divine gifts slip through and be lost. Even at our best we are prone to fall and err. Fortunately and blessedly so, God understands and continues to be present, to be attainable and listens to our call and plea. And so, slotted spoon or not, God stays with us, Jesus remains ever close and the Holy Spirit continues to be firmly and lovingly within our heart and soul.
-Manny |
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Holy Week & Easter Service Schedule
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 Please note that there is no 4:30 Saturday service on April 12 and April 19. |
Stations of the Cross at 6pm Thursdays in Lent
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We gather on Thursday evenings at 6PM throughout the season of Lent. Our last such prayer session will be April 10th.
Come, pray and feel the Lord's presence...He is waiting of us.
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Honor a dearly departed loved one with flowers
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 Easter is all about new life; Jesus is our provider of the fullest of New Life. Our tradition of decorating the worship space with seasonal flowers is possible because of the generosity of the community of St. Nicholas. Please consider sharing in this storied tradition while honoring and memorializing a loved one with beautiful Easter plants and flowers. Mark the memo line of your check with "Easter Flower Fund" and/or place cash in a separate envelope and drop it off at the parish office or in the offering plate at Liturgy. Lastly, please provide us the name(s) of those you wish to remember and we will have a name plate placed in each plant. In advance, thank you one and all and may your generosity be returned ten-fold and forever. |
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Here comes Peter Cottontail...
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We could use some candy for that bunny trail
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 Easter is many things, though as Christians most certainly it is the highest and greatest of all feasts as we rejoice in Jesus' glorious resurrection. Yet, for our younger members, Easter is also about sweets and treats. What better way to share in their joy and happiness than by providing goodies for them to find at our Easter Egg Hunt? Please consider donating a bag or two of jelly beans, wrapped chocolates and such. Donations may be placed in the parish office or brought in during the weekend Liturgies. On behalf of the Easter Bunny and all our youngsters and those who are "young at heart," thank you. |
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This Week at St. Nicholas
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As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link. Here is the schedule for the next week: |
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Wednesday, April 02, 2014
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Elgin Deanery Meeting
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11:00 AM
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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
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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, April 03, 2014
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AA Meeting
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12:00 PM
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Stations of the Cross
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6:00 PM
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GA Meeting
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7:00 PM
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Friday, April 04, 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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Saturday, April 05, 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, April 06, 2014
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Worship Service
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10:00 AM
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Adult Bible Study
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11:30 AM
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Children's / Youth Formation
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11:30 AM
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AA Meeting
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7:30 PM
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Monday, April 07, 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, April 08, 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, April 09, 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, April 5 / Sunday, April 6
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 Saturday Lector (all readings): Tony Begonja
Sunday Lectors: Maeve Terranova, Brandon Garcia
Sunday Intercessor: LaWayne Williams
Sunday Chalice Bearers: Tameica Williams, Rose Gruenwald |
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For Ethel "Corky" Stratton, Hal's mom: Corky's health has sadly deteriorated severely, especially after she took a few very nasty falls. Pray for her, Bud her husband and Hal, all of whom are in need of our special prayers and intentions.
For Vernon who is returning home from his most recent hospital stay in Wisconsin: his condition is still serious but doctors are hopeful; so we pray that Vernon returns to his full and lively self and his overall health improves dramatically.
For Charles Lee, Erlene's dad who is also out of the hospital and back at his home: pray for his continued recovery and well being.
For Lynette Hamon who was hospitalized last week: in thanksgiving for her recovery and return home.
For those who are marginalized and ostracized: pray that all God's children are treated equally and with dignity and respect.
For the people of the Ukraine: that peaceful resolutions are found to quell the political unrest.
For the people of South Sudan who are in peril due to civil strife and violence: pray for peace and an end to the violence.
For the people of Syria: an end to the civil war is brought about now so peace and justice may reign.
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. 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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To Penny and Hank Mandziara who helped host the Deanery Meeting at St. Nicholas and provided an amazingly delicious soup: your hospitality and kindness were only surpassed by that awesome soup! You stole the show!
To Sarah, a friend of St. Nicholas who continues to share her time and energy in assisting at food pantry and cleaning up around the worship space and hall. Great work, dear Sarah.
To Mother and Father Nature for relenting and giving us a bit more spring-like weather...we are all more than ready!
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Readings for This Weekend
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The Fifth Sunday in Lent - April 5 & 6
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What's on the Episcopal Church calendar
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