 Holy Week: a mere seven days the changed the world and remains at the heart and soul of what all Christians hold so sacred and dear.
Palm Sunday is a celebration, a joyous occasion. Jesus is home to Jerusalem and everyone gathers to catch a glimpse of this carpenter's son, this miracle worker. Capes and palm branches are thrown to the ground in a show of respect and reverence. Jesus rides into town upon a donkey in a show of humility. This sight certainly made people think. People questioned is this truly "the one" who is to be our leader? There is no chariot or team of stallions leading him in. What kind of king is He? Doubt enters their minds. The enthusiasm and exuberance begins to wane.
The joyfulness turns to bitterness and pain. Agony and sorrow defeat and wipe away any remnant of happiness. His closest friends abandon and deny Him. Seven days after Jesus' triumphant entry in to the city, He undergoes a most Passionate of times and ultimately surrenders, giving over His body to human death.
How can a people change their attitude so quickly? What was it that changed their feelings? Who was it that altered their thinking? What polluted their hearts? What infected their minds? Was it mere human folly, ignorance or fear? Did the people want some one with more strength, more authority, some one much more outspoken and defiant? Or was it simply Scripture being fulfilled?
My sisters and brothers, this week is truly a celebration for in this week we celebrate our salvation. It is in the death of Jesus that we are born to eternal life. His sacrifice brings us the joys of Paradise, for us and for all God's people.
Let us in earnest prayer be mindful of the immense gifts that we receive. Let us be ever aware that Jesus, our most Holy Redeemer, though he died in human terms, never left us, never abandoned us and never leaves our side. Jesus remains our closest and most loving friend. Is this not reason for celebration? Is this not a cause for rejoicing?
My prayers and blessings are with each and every one of my St. Nicholas community members: I pray that we lay bear our hearts to feel something of Jesus' suffering. I pray our minds are open to comprehend the totality of this historical encounter, when heaven and earth co-mingled is such a miraculous manner in order to afford us the gift of a life more glorious.
Celebrate and let us keep our eyes fixed on the prize that awaits us.
Let us all celebrate a most blessed and joyful Holy Week.
Let us all celebrate a most blessed and joyful Easter.
God keep, strengthen and sustain us, one and all.
Amen.
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Holy Week & Easter Service Times
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Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 2
7:00 p.m.
This evening marks the beginning of the Triduum (three days). Tonight we begin a celebration that will not end until the exultant conclusion of the Great Vigil of Easter. We hear the story of Jesus' sharing of himself with us, and his ultimate sacrifice of love. In washing the hands of our neighbors, as Jesus once washed the feet of his followers, we are reminded that we are called to love one another.
Good Friday Service
Friday, April 3
7:00 p.m.
When we return on Good Friday, we hear about Jesus' betrayal, capture and trial. We hear of his humiliation, his interrogation. We are reminded that the night, for him, was long and lonely.
During the liturgy we reverence the Cross because Jesus' death was, paradoxically, the moment of his triumph.
Blessing of Easter Food
Saturday, April 4
12:00 Noon in the Church
Blessing of Easter Baskets & Food Come and experience this ancient tradition. Bring some of the food you'll serve on Easter Sunday and have it blessed. There are prayers of blessing for all kinds of food and drink. In Holy Saturdays past, some have even brought Easter Baskets that the Easter Bunny dropped off early! All are welcome.
The Great Vigil of Easter
Saturday, April 4
8:00 p.m.
No other service in our shared experience is as full of the heritage of our faith; no other time in the year do we gather together all of the richest metaphors and symbols of faith. We gather outside around a new fire, itself a sign of creation renewed. From it we light the paschal candle to illumine our way. As the pillar of fire led the people of Israel in the wilderness, so the paschal candle will lead us to Easter -- the light of Christ our beacon. One by one, we proclaim and hear the stories of our faith. We recall our ancestors and God's saving work among us throughout the ages -- creation from a Word, the earth washed clean in the flood, the deliverance at the Red Sea, dry bones given life again. At our font we remember our own welcome into the community of faith, and we are reminded that at this font we welcome others into our faith. Finally, we hear again that death has been defeated. He is risen!
Please note: there is no 4:30 liturgy on this day.
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5
10:00 a.m.
Come and share the Good News of Jesus' resurrection with this community of faith. Let it transform you. Let it give you hope. Let it give you strength. Most importantly, let it remind you to give hope to others. Let it remind you to be light for the world.
Rumor has it that the Easter Bunny will be paying a special visit to St. Nicholas after this service. While the children wait, they can enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt in true St. Nicholas style!
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To our Jewish Sisters and Brothers
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 The Jewish people celebrate Passover as a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. It commemorates the story of The Exodus as described in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in the Book of Exodus, in which the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.
Passover begins on Friday April 3rd and concludes on the evening on April 11th. We wish all our dear sisters and brothers of the Jewish faith a most blessed and joyful Passover. May God the Creator and Father of all bless, sustain, and strengthen us all. |
Holy Saturday, April 4 at 12 Noon
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 The blessing of Easter foods is a time-treasured tradition in many parts of the world. We at St. Nicholas have embraced this tradition, too. On Saturday, April 4th at 12 Noon in the church, all are invited to bring their Easter foods for a seasonal blessing. Meats, vegetables, fruits, sweets and savory items...all will be blessed.
"Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water." -Exodus 23:25
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No 4:30 Saturday Service on April 4
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Our usual 4:30PM Saturday service will not be celebrated on April 4 so that we may celebrate the Great Easter Vigil at 8 PM on Holy Saturday.
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News from Nick Taking a Week Off
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There will be no issue of News from Nick next week. Have a most blessed Easter week!
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For our Ron Glos who is to have knee surgery: pray for a successful procedure and that Ron is up and around fully healed and feeling tip-top again.
For those who perished in the Germanwings Airline disaster in the French Alps: pray for those who lost their lives so senselessly as we also pray for all who grieve and mourn their lost loved ones.
For all our Jewish sisters and brothers as they prepare for their holy season of Passover starting April 3 until April 11: pray for God's chosen ones to be spiritually sustained and blessed.
For those preparing for Baptism, Confirmation or Reception into the Church: pray their journey in faith leads them to abundant blessings, joy and grace.
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: Connie Nicholson, Marica Kizior, Joanne Mangiaracina, Kesha, Vernon Forde, Dick and Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, Bob DeHaven, K.C., Dick Day, Dale Rickey, Paula O' Conner, Phil Cooper, Tim Laughlin, Jackie, Chris, Cathy Walters, Carrie Tim, Pat and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.
*** "Pray for the ability to forgive."
(***written prayer requests)
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To Hal and Steve who transformed the worship space to the colors of Holy Week...the church looks beautiful, gentlemen.
To Jeff Westerheide and Gary Lackey, two of our fearless food pantry team members who hauled in another large load of canned goods and staples to replenish our sadly barren shelves...way to go, gentlemen.
For Jim, our faithful friend who helped organize and clean out some of our closet spaces...you are a man of many talents and seemingly unlimited energy!
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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: |
| Thursday, April 02, 2015 |
| | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:00 PM | | Maundy Thursday Service | 7:00 PM |
Friday, April 03, 2015 |
| | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Good Friday Service | 7:00 PM |
Saturday, April 04, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | | Great Vigil of Easter Service | 8:00 PM |
Sunday, April 05, 2015 |
| | | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | | Annual Easter Egg Hunt | 11:30 AM | | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Monday, April 06, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, April 07, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Building Committee Meeting | 6:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, April 08, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, April 09, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
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