Finally, it happened:  the sound that I had been longing  to hear came to my receptive ear.  While I was leaving Friendship Village the other day I was serenaded by the sweet and welcoming song of a rather large flock of birds.  It made me smile and that smile carried me the rest of the day with such happiness and bliss. Yes, my friends, singing birds can make that kind of an impact.

According to the calender spring officially begins on March 20th.  However, as hearty Midwestern folk, we are all too familiar with how teasingly cruel this time of year can be.  Sure, it's 60 degrees today and tomorrow it's snowing again.  Well, that's what spring is...unpredictable at best.

Yet, what always provides me comfort and reassurance is that our God is always present and ever consistent.  God is not changing.  God's love is always predictable.  God's love is always reassuring and settling.  God's presence is our lives and in our world is as sure to me as spring follows winter and then comes the summer heat, to be followed by autumn's refreshment and so forth and so on.  I find great comfort and feel secure in God's consistency.  With God in my life, I feel I can withstand the trials of life and still find my way through.  The blessings I receive, which are numerous, are to be shared with others, just as God continues to share blessings and grace with you, with me, with all of us. 

As I write these few lines, I'm staring out my office windows here at our St. Nicholas Church.  There are two squirrels running madly all about the courtyard, or should I say "courting-yard?  My window is slightly ajar and amidst the sound of airplanes approaching or leaving O'Hare, I can hear children playing, someone is raking their lawn and yes...I can hear more birds.

My sisters and brothers, take time to savor all gifts that God provides us.  We are God's beloved children.  We are heirs of the Kingdom.  We are Jesus' siblings.  We have been given much.  Ought we not give much in return?  A fine place to start is by saying "Thank You, Lord," for the morning sun, the blue sky, the crocus that are just beginning to push their way up out of that dark, black soil, the sound of our neighbor's motorcycle, the youthful voices of children having fun and yes...give thanks for those lovely birds that sing us songs of spring's rebirth and all things made anew.

Amen.

 

-Manny

We were blessed with a small bundle of palms the other day as we have not received our order of palms.

So, we can now gather and make crosses from these palms.  All are welcome.  We'll gather in the Hall after the 10am Service and get our fingers to some serious and enjoyable cross making.  And of course, coffee and pastry will be available for we can not work on empty stomachs!

Thank you to Douglas for providing the palms...just in the "St. Nick" of time.

 

Almighty God, in your providence you chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle to the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of you:  Grant us so to walk in that light that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

  

Collect for St. Joseph

 

O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your Incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us the grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

The past two years St. Nicholas has participated in the annual Elk Grove Village Hometown Parade.  This year's parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th and starts at 5pm.  Those of us who are involved in the 4:30 Saturday Service will be unable to attend.  We are seeking some one who will chair this year's team.  We don't necessarily need a float...some big-hair wigs, funny hats and lots of beads and candy to toss out to the crowds as we celebrate this year's theme, "Mardi Gras."  And of course, we encourage everyone to wear our blue St. Nicholas tee-shirts. 

If you're interested and are willing to take on this role, please contact Manny as soon as possible. 

In advance...many thanks.

The Stations of the Cross have such a rich and lasting history in the Church and provides a sense of peace and tranquility when prayed.

We have enjoyed this prayer time, but, alas, it must come to an end.

This Friday, March 20th, is the last communal prayer of the Stations.  All are still invited to come and pray together.  And remember, the Stations are up year round and our Lord welcomes us to come, pray with Him and journey the same road He traveled.      

Soon we will gather to celebrate the great, high feast of Easter; Jesus' victory over death and sin.

We celebrate with song, with prayers and of course, we celebrate with flowers.

To perhaps commemorate a dearly departed loved one or to give thanks for favors granted, please consider contributing toward our Flower Fund. 

Traditional Easter plants and flowers will be purchased and placed throughout the worship space.  Envelopes for this Flower Fund are found on the Welcoming Table.  Remember to add the name(s) of the dearly departed, a prayer of thanksgiving or the commemoration a special occasion in the envelope.

Thank you one and all for your thoughtfulness and kindness.

We all know how it easy it is to over-extend ourselves.  Well, the Easter Bunny fears he may have done so, too.

He's asking us to please pick up a few bags of sweet treats to surprise our youngsters come Easter Sunday.  Wrapped chocolates, hard candies and such would be great.  Bring your donations in and leave them in the basket at Manny's office door...we can trust him to put them away for safe keeping until the Easter Bunny arrives in a few weeks.

In advance, thank you one and all.

Blessings.

The Healing Journey Chapter of OSL will be hosting a dinner and movie night at St. Nicholas Church on March 27th. We will be showing the movie Romero in memory of Archbishop Oscar Romero who was murdered because he spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations and torture. Dinner will begin at 6 pm, followed by a brief liturgy at 7 pm. The movie will start at 7:45 and end with discussion at 9:30.

 

The dinner will be a simple soup and bread meal If you are interested in attending, please contact Thelma Malecek @ 630.766.2724 or Jennifer Brundige @ 847.347.5425. RSVP by March 23.

 

All are cordially invited!

A request has been made of the community of St. Nicholas to assist in providing much needed clothing items for the children with whom Val Gruenwald ministers during the week.

Needed are undergarments, new and unused. Sizes in the range of 3T - 6 would be most useful.  Needed also are clothing items in the same size range.  Spare clothing can certainly be gently used, but please, should be clean.

This drive will be on-going.  Drop off donated items in the basket that will be located in the church near the sacristy door.

Thank you one and all. Abundant blessings upon this house of worship.

 

As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link.  Here is the schedule for the next week: