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July 23, 2014
The Vicar's Corner

Summer Time

 

Summer is my third favorite season, preceded by autumn and spring. Even as a child, what with vacation from school and all that time to hang out with my friends, play baseball and work all those odd jobs that as a kid we were able to find with youthful ease, summer was not my favorite season. Don't get me wrong. I like summer. Mowing the lawns and gardening are summer chores I do enjoy. Antique fairs, carnivals, family vacations and picnics are what summers are made of. Still, autumn, by far is my favorite season. Next, spring, with all the newness and emergence of life from winter's hibernation. Winter comes in last only because one of the seasons has to be fourth out of four, right?

 

We're well into the "hot season," granted we have had stretches of some rather unusually cool temps. And, talk about lots of rain...certainly we have had our fair share of precipitation, to say the least. Then again, I like a good summer soaking and thunderstorm, with plenty of lightning and wind, too.

 

But summer, oh yes, summer, this is the season that conjures many fond memories of large family gatherings back when my cousins from Canada would come and spend two weeks with us in Detroit. Long nights of "Hide and go Seek, "Tag," "Red Rover, Red Rover," and other youthful games that still have me running, though the running is only done by my reminiscing and recollections.

 

Now, as an adult, while I savor those long ago summers, I live with what summer gives me, blesses me with and spreads out before me. And in kind, I like to share what comes to me as gift with those around me. That would be my faith, my spirituality, my love.

 

So, enjoy this classic piece of literature, perhaps well known to many, if not all of us. Regardless of our familiarity, do find the joy and love these words were meant to invoke and inspire:

 

Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

-William Shakespeare

 

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date.

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimmed;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance, or nature's changing course untrimmed.

But thy eternal summer shall not fade

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;

Nor shall death brag thou wand'rest in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st,

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."

  

-Manny 

Children's and Young People's Formation
Asking for some help, please!
Children's Programs While we are enjoying the comforts of summer-time fun, it is never too soon to start thinking about our Children's and Young People's Formation Program at St. Nicholas which starts up again in September.

Val Gruenwald will lead the class on the 1st Sunday of the month.  However, we are seeking some assistance for the 3rd Sunday of the month.  Consider taking one or two Sundays to teach our children how to bake the bread we use at our Liturgy; take them out to the gardens and show how to plant seed and bulbs and explain the miracles of nature and how God blesses us with these gifts; create cards and letters for our sisters and brothers who are unable to join us at church on the weekends...there are so many options and ideas.

So, please pray and give serious consideration to being a leader, a teacher and disciple and teach our children well.

Contact Val Gruenwald or Manny and in advance, a heart-felt thank you.
Lawn Care at St. Nicholas
A little help with mowing, please!
St. Nicholas Exterior At St. Nicholas, we have been blessed with a myriad of volunteers who pitch in and make sure things are taken care of.  The lawns, for a very long time have been cared for by a few members of the Support Groups.  Sadly, one of our dear friends, Ed Zemola passed away.  Ed was a mainstay and dedicated mower of the lawns at our church.  He would care for the riding mower, make sure it was oiled, gassed and ready for its next use. 

Now, we need some help with the caring of the lawns.  While Jim M. continues to mow the lawns along with keeping the hall ready for meetings, helping with our Food Pantry along with a number of other "duties," it is perhaps time we, too, stepped up and helped.

So, if there is anyone out there who can spare a few hours, on occasion, and when needed, to pitch in and help care for the lawns, your service, dedication and kindness are needed. 

Please see Manny for additional information.  Again, thank you to the entire Community of St. Nicholas for everything we do to keep our church alive and well. 
St. Nick's Knacks Rummage Sale
August 15 and 16, Friday and Saturday
rs Our annual parish rummage sale, our biggest fund raiser of the year is quickly approaching.  Before you know it, Holy Innocents Hall and the Gathering Space will be transformed into an honest-to-goodness antique mall and shopping mecca!

We need the assistance of as many of our community members as possible.  This is an "all hands on deck" shout out.  The more volunteers, the better for us all.

Here is what we need:
1)  Clean newspaper for wrapping glass and fragile items
2)  Clean plastic and/or paper bags
3)  More folding tables

These items can be brought in any time.  Place these items near my office and I'll take care of them.  Please remember to mark your tables with your name.

A sign-up sheet will be posted soon in the Gathering Space.  Even if you are able to pitch in for an hour or so either to help organize, price and set things up or to work the actual sale, this will go a very long way toward success.

In advance, thank you to my St. Nicholas Community: a place of worship and a place to have a good time with amazingly good and loving people.

-Manny
Prayer Requests
The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
praying handsFor Thomas Szarzynski, father of our Dave Szarzynski and Ruth, mother of our Colleen Davy who are recuperating and recovering from recent surgery.  Let us pray they heal quickly, completely and are up back to their active selves.

For Cathy Walters, sister of our Mindy Golden.  Cathy is undergoing testing and treatment for a lung issue.  Pray for Cathy's continued recovery and journey back to good, sound and lasting health.

For Tim Laughlin, a friend of the Golden family.  Tim is undergoing chemo treatment for cancer.  Pray for Tim's strength, endurance and well-being and for a full recovery from cancer.

For Joanne Mangiaracina who is to undergo surgery this week.  Pray for Joanne's safety, well-being and complete recovery and is able to be home soon and back with us, healthy and happy.

For Chris, the second cousin to our Ray Malecek.  Chris, 44 years young, has been sick and in bed for a very long time ailing from potential chemical poisoning.  Pray for Chris' recovery and a return to a healthy, happy and successful life.

For Silas Xavier Posiask, born only two weeks ago:  Silas is to undergo surgery to repair internal defects that effect his lungs and heart.  Pray for Silas' well being, successful surgery and is home to his parents very soon.  Silas is Manny's great nephew.

For those who struggle with depression, anxiety, loneliness and despair:  pray for peace in their hearts and souls.  

For the homeless throughout the region who struggle to find housing now that the PADS sites are closed for the season: pray all our troubled sisters and brothers find security, safety and shelter.

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: Vernon Forde, Richard Gans, Eunice Dohra, Anna Hall, Paula O' Conner, Dale Rickey, John Knepper, Jackie 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 the members of the Support Groups at St. Nicholas who endure, "one day at at time," in their daily battles against addiction.

 

 ***   "Prayers for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Phylis Vote.  May she rest in the full and lasting peace of Christ our Lord"        
 

(**written prayer requests)  

Shout-Outs
Picnic 2014
For everyone who took part in last Saturday's St. Nicholas Parish Picnic:  those who brought food to share, games to play, cool refreshments to quench a thirst, who grilled and turned hot dogs and burgers to perfection, who joined in worship in spite of the overhead noise of O'Hare traffic, winds and mosquito bites, who cleaned up and put things back where they belong...a grand, sunny and wonderful time was had by all!  Thank you, everyone!

To Jack Groat of Little Boots Rodeo who brought over games and activities for all to share during our Parish Picnic...thanks, again Jack!
Picnic 2014
Readings for This Weekend
7th Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 29:15-28

Psalm 105:1-11, 45b 

Romans 8:26-39

 

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52


Saturday Lector: Thelma Malecek

Sunday Lectors: Pat Kalicki, Laura Lampe
Sunday Intercessor: Tameica Williams
Saturday Chalice Bearers: Colleen Davy, Joanne Mangiaracina
This Week at St. Nicholas
As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link.  Here is the schedule for the next week:
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
AA Meeting12:00 PM  
Al-Anon Meeting7:30 PM  

Thursday, July 24, 2014
AA Meeting12:00 PM  
GA Meeting7:00 PM  

Friday, July 25, 2014
Vicar's Day Off 
AA Meeting12:00 PM  

Saturday, July 26, 2014
AA Meeting1:00 PM  
Worship Service4:30 PM  
AA Meeting7:00 PM  

Sunday, July 27, 2014
Worship Service10:00 AM  

 
AA Meeting7:30 PM  

Monday, July 28, 2014
AA Meeting12:00 PM  
AA Meeting7:00 PM  

Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Vicar's Day Off 
AA Meeting12:00 PM  
AA Meeting7:00 PM  

Wednesday, July 30, 2014
AA Meeting12:00 PM  
Al-Anon Meeting7:30 PM  

We worship together:

Saturdays at 4:30PM
&
Sundays at 10AM
Gardens 2014
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
1072 Ridge Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL  60007
847-439-2067
www.StNicholasEpiscopal.org
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