 "You may know what you want, but to get what you need, better see that you keep what you have."
Now this is a tough, complicated one, isn't it? But, it does give us pause to consider of what our relationship with Jesus consists.
Let's see: we have this amazing gift of Jesus, who willingly and lovingly presents Himself to us. We have Him...He is ours. But, being human we need more and we want more. So, we search, we hunt and we explore just how we can gain more. And all the while Jesus is there...He is here...He is before us...He is within us.
Fortunately, Jesus is patient, He is gentle, kind and loving beyond all measure and all telling. While we pursue that which we believe will give us even greater joy and happiness, our true source for all that will make this life of ours on earth pleasing and satisfactory, and that which will afford us the gift of eternal life in Paradise itself is right here: Jesus our Holy Redeemer. It is not gained solely by believing in Jesus and placing our trust in Him alone. It is this, truly. However, salvation comes to all who live their life in a goodly and Godly manner...living life "as" Jesus did and not "like" Jesus did. There was and will only be one Jesus. But, we can all emulate how He lived His life as we embrace, love and accept all God's people as true sisters and brothers to one another, all being children of the One, True God.
This equation is getting to be more and more simple, really. Let's take it from the top, shall we? Jesus is what we want and desire. We have Him; He is ours and He willingly and loving gives Himself to us. We need Jesus even more; so we have to journey through this life in order to better gain His presence in a much fuller and greater degree in the Life to come. So, in order to get to that greater place, we focus on what we already have and make sure we keep, and -- no need to remind ourselves but I'll do it anyway -- to "share" this Gift we are given. And all the while, in our efforts to better know Christ, to better understand Christ and to gain even more of His grace and blessings, all we need do is live according to what He asked of us; that is, to love and treat others as we would have others love and treat us. This is the way to Him and Jesus has laid it out for us quite plainly and clearly.
The Old Testament first mandated the need for forgiveness and healing. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled this law and brought it into a whole new Light...He being that source of illumination.
Let us be light to one another. Let us savor that which we already have; that which we desire more of, and share the gift of Christ our Lord with all we meet in the words we speak and in the actions of our hands and hearts. -Manny |
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Come Make Palm Crosses, and Enjoy Great Fellowship
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 Join us this Saturday, April 12 at 10:30AM in Holy Innocents Hall for some fellowship, food and Palm Cross making. Last year's group enjoyed this activity, and we look forward to welcoming even more people for another great time. All are invited and most welcome. Please contact Penny Mandziara for more information. |
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Holy Week & Easter Service Schedule
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Also, all are invited to join us on Holy Saturday, April 19, for the Blessing of Easter Food & Baskets.
Please note that there is no 4:30 Saturday service on April 12 and April 19. |
More information about Holy Week and Easter at St. Nicholas is at this link. |
Last Stations of the Cross This Thursday
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Our final group praying of the Stations of the Cross is this Thursday, April 10 at 6PM.
Come, pray and feel the Lord's presence...He is waiting of us.
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Celebrate this ancient tradition
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On Holy Saturday, April 19th at 11am, all are invited to bring in Easter foods to be blessed and readied for the great feast.
This is a most ancient of traditions: throughout the world, especially in parts of Europe, the blessing of Easter foods dates back to the earliest of Christianity's establishment.
All are invited to bring Easter baskets filled with sweets, breads, meats, vegetables, fruits and wines. Prayers will be offered and all will be gently sprinkled with Holy Water.
Remember, 11am on Saturday, April 19th.
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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 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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Thursday, April 10, 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 11, 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, April 12, 2014
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Palm Cross making
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10:30 AM
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AA Meeting
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1:00 PM
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NO 4:30 Worship Service tonight (entire community will celebrate Palm Sunday together tomorrow at 10AM)
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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 13, 2014
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Bishop's Committee Meeting
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8:15 AM
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Choir Call
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9:00 AM
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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, April 14, 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 15, 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 16, 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
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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): N/A (no Saturday liturgy)
Sunday Lectors: Colleen Davy, Val Gruenwald Passion Readers: Narrator - Penny Mandziara Judas - John Boslett Disciples - LeWayne, Tameica, and Eason Williams Peter - Hank Mandziara Jesus - Fr. Manny Borg Accusers - Jennifer Garcia and Barb Boslett Chief Priests - Steve Raftery and Hal Stratton Bystander(s) - Laura Lampe and Ginny Gibbs Pilate - Neal Setchell Pilate's Wife - Katie Black Soldiers - Brandon Garcia and Bob DeHaven High Priest - Mary Gomez Servant Girl - Jennifer Brundige Centurion - Douglas VanHouten Sunday Intercessor: Tameica Williams
Sunday Chalice Bearers: Mindy Golden, Pat Kalicki
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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 For Vernon, although home, still faces some very serious health issues. Pray for Vernon and his continued recovery and let us pray for Erlene, too, at this most difficult time.
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 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: Joanne Mangiaracina, Richard Gans, Eunice Dohra, 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.
***"Grateful thanks for a wonderful concert and the choir!"
(**written prayer requests)
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To Mr. Rob McCracken, owner and operator of the Used To Be New Resale Shop in Elk Grove Village who provided us his truck and driver to pick up a new Parish Office table and metal cabinets for storage...your kindness, Rob, will be repaid ten fold and with our blessings, too.
To Steve Raftery and Hal Stratton who graciously purchased the two large metal cabinets that now store Children's Formation material. Thank you, guys...your kindness is much appreciated.
To Fran and Tony Begonja and the Order of St. Luke for hosting our Friday Movie Night, Prayer and Conversation. Great fun, great time, great going!
To Penny and Hank Mandziara who donated a wonderful new office chair for Manny's new office...sitting was never better! Thank you so much.
To our Building Committee Members: Hank Mandziara, Jessica Tamaksi, Pat and Bob Kalicki, Bob DeHaven, John Knepper and Michael Ruehle who continue to plug away at getting our facility "up to snuff." Great work, one and all.
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Readings for This Weekend
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What's on the Episcopal Church calendar
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