 It is yet dark. The sun is stubborn and will not show itself this morning. For that matter nor will there be much sunshine the entire day, or so says the meteorologist's reports. The rain is falling with authority and with a fierceness that makes me feel somewhat ill at ease. It is 6:15am, Thursday morning, April 9th. Douglas has dropped me off here at St. Nicholas so I can catch up with some paper work and general organizing. He watches me enter the church, waves good bye and proceeds to his office. As I dash into the church, unsuccessfully dodging raindrops, I ponder for a moment what thoughts and opinions Noah must have had when the rains first came and the torrents that followed for forty days and forty nights. What was Noah thinking? On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the deepest, where was his faith in God?
There is a battle in the courtyard as huge raindrops fight one another for a place to land. They all win, those relentless assailants from above. I marvel at the forces of nature. I've always loved a good storm; with lightning bolts that illuminate the sky like some heavenly fireworks display and peals of thunder that first explode, linger some, then lessen to a mere echoing rumble in the far distance. The winds are vicious. The trees to the north that stand like sentinels guarding our neighbor's yards sway far too freely as their raised up and yet leafless arms seem to be waving in surrender to the assault of both rain and wind. There are no birds nor squirrels to be seen. All are in hiding, sheltering themselves from nature's nasty disposition.
My friends, this is spring at its best, bringing newness of life in a manner that is both violent and gentle. The rain that pounds so hard today will ultimately allow the buds upon those aforementioned leafless arms of all those trees to bear vibrant and varied green leaves. The muddied plots that are awash in puddles and flood will harvest gardens that will soon be verdant with colors and shapes of flowers and plants which will give joy to the senses. The birds -- in hiding now -- will come out and play and bathe in the waters left behind. Those reclusive squirrels will no doubt find plenty to eat and drink once they choose to venture out from their protective hiding places.
We need not worry. We need not concern ourselves too much. God sees to all, provides for all and is equal in His love and care. We may not always recognize God's presence or His handiwork. But let us make no mistake; God is present. God is doing what God does best. "Look at the crows: they don't plant seeds or gather a harvest; they don't have storage rooms or barns; God feeds them! Look how the wild flowers grow: they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass - grass that is here today and gone tomorrow." (Luke 12: 24, 27-28)
Yes indeed. It is God who clothes and feeds and cares for all God's precious creatures, especially us: God's children.
Let us continue our Easter journey with a full and deep trust in our God and in God's only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, who with the Holy Spirit sees to all our needs.
Amen.
|
Congratulations, Mandziara Family!
|
 Grandparents Penny and Hank Mandziara proudly announce the long-awaited arrival of their beautiful granddaughter, Aisha. Baby came into the world on April 9th at 7:49am, weighing in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces and a stately 20 1/2 inches long! Congratulations and many blessings to Aisha, the proud parents and our beaming-with-joy grandparents. |
|
Children's Formation and Bible Study
|
Both programs resume on April 19th
|
  We've all said it and have certainly heard others say, "there's always some thing." At St. Nicholas always having something going on is a good thing. On Sunday, April 19th, both our Children's Formation and Bible Study resume. Our youngsters will meet in the Noah's Ark Space while Bible Study takes it regular spot in the church. As part of our celebration and deeper understanding of where are our Christian worship originates, the children will participate in a Seder Meal. Come along, join in on our conversations or help out with our children in their Christian formation. |
National Prayer Day is Thursday, May 7
|
Join the Village in Prayer
|
 Each year, the houses of worship throughout the Village gather to pray and rejoice in the diversity of our faith traditions as we celebrate National Prayer Day. May 7th, Thursday morning, we shall gather at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit located at 150 Lions Drive. Breakfast is at 7am followed by Prayer in the sanctuary at 7:40am. All are welcome to come, share, pray and enjoy the company of friends and neighbors. Tickets are $10.00 per person. If you are interested in attending, please see Manny for tickets and/or additional information. |
Celebrate our moms with their pictures in church
|
 Each year throughout the month of May, we pay homage to our Mothers. Whether our Moms are with us here and now or in their heavenly domain, we honor and show our love for them. We give thanks for our moms, along with our Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus, for their sacrifices, their care for us and their enduring love. Please bring a framed photo to church and we shall place it upon the altar at the west side of the church where these pictures will stand until the end of the month. |
|
The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
|
For all those who were affected by the tornados and severe storms that ripped through many rural Illinois towns, especially family members of our Jean FitzPatrick: pray for the repose of the souls of those who died and strength and blessings to those who must rebuild their lives and homes.
For all who were baptized this Easter...pray we warmly welcome our sisters and brothers to this community of faith we call Christian and to this church we call Episcopal.
For those who continue to be persecuted and martyred because of their faith: pray for the souls of these faithful departed which rest in God's arms and pray for their oppressors who "do not know what they do."
For an end to the violence that robs us all of our rights to live in peace, unity and free from fear.
For equality and justice for all people.
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, Ron Glos,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 in thanksgiving for everything God has given."
(***written prayer requests)
|
 |
So many wonderful and caring people to thank for all the hard work that went into making our Holy Week, Triduum and Easter celebrations so lovely.
First and foremost, we thank our loving and eternal God who gave us His only begotten son, Jesus the Lord, whose death and resurrection gifts us with the treasure of Paradise.
To all who helped clean and decorate the church for our Easter celebration: Laura Lampe, Penny Mandziara, Audrey Cannon, Hal Stratton and Steve Raftery...beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
To Jessica Braddock and Cora Lopez who vacuumed the entire church and cleaned every window, inside and out...you are both amazing.
To all who donated toward the purchase of flowers that grace our worship space.
To all who donated candy and treats for our youngsters to enjoy at the Easter Egg Hunt.
To Eunice Dohra, our Assistant to the Easter Bunny who hand-filled 500 plastic eggs with goodies...and what joy you brought our children.
To Hank Mandziara who personally invited the Easter Bunny to come join us at St. Nicholas...you never fail to bring such happiness, Easter Bunny and Hank.
To Mary Fletcher-Gomez our choir director and Katie Black, Laura Lampe, Ginny Gibbs, Jennifer Brundige, Jessi Lindberg, Brandon Garcia, Michael Scafidi and Douglas VanHouten...our amazing St. Nicholas Choir whose labor of love produced such beautiful music.
To Alex Schwarz our friend and gifted trumpeter...you continue to make such a glorious sound, young man.
To Jennifer Garcia and her talented son, Brandon, and Hal Stratton, who designed the worship programs and made sure they were printed and at the ready.
To all who gave voice to the many Lessons and all who assisted at the altar: Neal Setchell, Barb Bosslet, Mary Fletcher-Gomez, Ellen Whalen, John Bosslet, Michael Scafidi, Randy Drolen, Katie Black, Jennifer Garcia, Hal Stratton, Steve Raftery, Penny Mandziara, Bob DeHaven, Hank Mandizara, Laura Lampe, Ginny Gibbs, Brandon Garcia, Jennifer Brundige, Jessica Tamaski, Cyndi DeBock, Connie Nicholson, Thelma Malecek, LeWayne Williams, Mindy Golden, Pat Kalicki, Colleen Davy and Audrey Cannon...your gifts will be repaid a thousand times over.
To Mary Fletcher-Gomez and Hal Stratton who tied all the loose ends together and made everything come out so nicely.
And last but by no means least...to ALL who came, worshipped, rejoiced and lifted voices on high to the greater glory of our Lord and King. THANK YOU to each and every one. God bless this loving family, this faithful and fervent Community of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church!
|
|
|
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: |
| Thursday, April 16, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Friday, April 17, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM |
Saturday, April 18, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | Healing Weekend | 4:30 PM | | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | | GSR - AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Sunday, April 19, 2015 | | Healing Weekend | 10:00 AM | | Varied Voices | 10:00 AM | | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | | Adult Bible Study | 11:30 AM | | Children's / Youth Formation | 11:30 AM | | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Monday, April 20, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, April 21, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, April 23, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
|
|
