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What a wonderful weekend we had at St. Nicholas. Our first "Open Sermon" was a joyful success. The fact is, we all have questions, inquiries and concerns regarding the nature of our church and why we do the things we do. This Open Sermon provided us all the opportunity to ask those questions that have weighed on our minds and hearts. What better place to ask a question about church and faith than in church, during our Liturgy where and when we are celebrating our faith? Exactly.
The questions covered plenty of topics. The size of heaven? Only God knows that though our faith assures us, and Jesus promised us there is a place for us all. Jesus said, "in my Father's Kingdom there are many mansions." (John 14:2) For me, I'll always take Jesus at His word! Salvation...how do we gain a share of Paradise? First, we must make that decision and choose to follow Christ; to lay aside the things of this world and focus on the true prize. Riches on earth fade and rust. Heaven is eternal. Jesus reminds us, "do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. For no one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 10: 6: 19-21, 24) Those who serve the Lord have great rewards that await them. St. Paul, in his second letter to his beloved Timothy, wrote "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4: 8) Being a good Christian is demanding and daunting. All that hard work, sacrifice and dedication however, will reward us with a share of Paradise, just as Jesus promised us.
What distinguishes us as Episcopalians? Another rather loaded question that has layers of responses and answers. First of all, we have our linage directly in and of the apostles who first brought the message of Christ to the world. There has always been a Church of England: once part of the Roman Catholic Church and now, a beautiful, historical and rich-in-tradition Church unto itself and of which we, as the Episcopal Church here in the United States are part. We believe in the full and glorious presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, the Holy Communion. This particular point also brought to light the issue of Transubstantiation and Consubstantiation; a subject that is complicated and has personal overtones as varied as we are a community of diversity. We have seven sacraments; though we place a greater emphasis on the first two sacraments (Baptism and Holy Eucharist) as they are the two that Jesus instituted and commissioned Himself. And, as a Church, Episcopalians sing and take great pride in our rich, musical heritage. When we sing a hymn -- whether one verse or ten -- we sing 'em all and rightly so.
We talked about the Psalms and why during the year we sometimes sing and sometimes pray them. We touched on the subject of the various and unique Church seasons. There were questions about the various stations in the church; the altar at the Baptismal Font and at the Christus Rex statue. Do we fully immerse an individual at baptism and why is there Holy Water in two different places? Is it required of us to bow or genuflect as we approach the altar and from where and whence does this tradition come?
The questions were all over the place; varied and informal, specific and general. I couldn't have asked for any better. Hopefully, as a community and individually, we all gained a better insight into what our Church, the greater Episcopal Community and our own church, St. Nicholas are about. What makes us 'tick.' I look forward to our next Open Sermon Weekend. Until then, we have much to look forward to. For any time we are afforded the gift of gathering as a community of faith, family and friends, we are truly blessed!
The next few weeks will provide us a unique opportunity to get engaged in the community is a rather specific and fun way. Our annual St. Nick's Knacks Rummage Sale is fast approaching. Look about the Gathering Space, Noah's Ark Space and the hallway near the bathrooms and you'll see the start of something big about to happen. And our sale is BIG!
We need as many of us to get engaged: roll up our sleeves and get to sorting, organizing, pricing and selling. It's a lot of work, my friends, I'll kid you not. But, it is also a lot of fun!
While I'm away the week of August 2-9, all are more more than welcome to come on over, grab some stickers and start to price items. Lots of our items will be sold according to bulk pricing. Still, there is so much that has to be priced individually. Yet, before we can even price an item, everything has to be unpacked, unwrapped and placed where it belongs. Again my friends, there is much to do. We've done it before and we've come out on top. We'll do it again and we shall be, God willing, just as successful and still have a fun time at it. The week of August 10th, right up to the opening of the sale on Friday, August 14th at 9am, again, all are welcomed and encouraged to come and help out getting our sale up, running and headed to the finish line where we shall find our desired success.
Community celebrates and worships together. Community mourns and rejoices together. Community plays and works together. So, as we go about the work of building God's Kingdom here on earth; as we go about the work of bringing and sharing the Good News of Christ to others, let us be reminded that our efforts do not go unnoticed nor unrewarded. Remember the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3: 23-24) And may I add and conclude by saying, that truly it is the Lord for whom we toil and labor. But all of us, as sisters and brothers in Christ, benefit from the efforts we put forth, for one another and always for our Lord's greater glory.
Amen. -Manny |
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Concrete Ways YOU Can Help Spread the Word About Our Rummage Sale
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In addition to all the set-up and sale days help we can get (see article below), we also ask for your help in publicizing our Rummage Sale. We can have the best items around, and more of them than anyone, but if people don't know about the sale, it is all for naught. So, please consider doing any or all of the following: - Share the information about the sale on our Facebook page with your Facebook friends.
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Road Work Near St. Nicholas
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Don't let it keep you away! Easy detours are in place.
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From the Elk Grove Village website:
Ridge Avenue from Clearmont Drive to Walnut Lane (Detour Map Below)
Beginning Monday, July 20th, Ridge Avenue will be closed to southbound traffic between Clearmont Drive and Walnut Lane. The construction area will allow only one-way traffic in the northbound direction. A detour is posted for southbound Ridge Avenue along Brookhaven Drive, Cypress Lane, and Walnut Lane.
Also, Clearmont Drive at Ridge Avenue will be partially closed and allow on only one-way traffic in the eastbound direction. A detour is posted for westbound Clearmont Drive along Hickory Lane and Spruce Lane.
Ridge Avenue at Laurel Street (Detour Map Below) Also on Monday, July 20th, Ridge Avenue and Laurel Street will be closed in both directions on the south and west sides. The north and east sides will remain open. A detour for Ridge Avenue and Laurel Street is posted along Tower Lane, Grosvener Lane, and Victoria Lane.
More information about the crosswalk improvements near St. Nicholas may be found at this link on the Elk Grove Village website.
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Our Rummage Sale is Getting Closer...
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August 14 - 15, Friday and Saturday
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 The clock is ticking...our annual rummage sale is just around the corner. There's still room on the Sign-Up sheets for more names! All are welcome to pitch in. We will be starting things off on August 2nd, Sunday, right after the 10am Liturgy. All items in the Noah's Ark Space, the Gathering Space and the hallway near the bathrooms will go into the Hall in their proper places. Furniture will stay in the Gathering Space. Purses, shoes, luggage and outdoor items will stay in the Noah's Ark Space. The Hall will be marked as to what goes where. Holiday items for example, will go on the wooden cabinets near the kitchen. The tables along the west wall will be for books, electronics and entertainment, clothing will go on the tables on the north side, 3 rows of tables running north and south will hold kitchen items, glassware, general merchandise and so forth. The Parish Office will be the Boutique/Antique Room. Pricing and organizing can take place during the two weeks prior to the sale. However, starting Aug. 10th, Monday, we will get down to the nitty-gritty of making sure everything is organized and ready to go. Let's make this sale even better than our previous sales. Friday, August 14, 9am - 7pm and Saturday, August 15, 9am - 3pm. 4:30 Service follows in church. Ready, set.... |
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For the repose of the soul of Mr. Stanko Begonja, father of our Tony Begonja who passed away in his native Croatia: pray his soul is welcomed to Paradise to rest with saints and angels and pray for all who mourn and grieve his passing.
For our Emily Day who is having a particularly difficult time health wise: pray Lord, that Emily receives healing, strength and peace and all who love her are blessed with the strength and support they so need and desire.
For Ray Malecek who was taken to the hospital with shortness of breath and some pain: pray for Ray's quick and full recovery. We're grateful that he's now safely back from the hospital.
For Deacon Tom Smith, Ron Glos and Vernon Forde who continue to recover from hospital stays and surgery: pray these and all our ill and sick gain full and lasting, good health.
For Helen Price, a dear friend of the Golden Family, known to them as "Grandma Price," who is suffering from pancreatic cancer: pray for Helen that God bless her with strength and peace of mind and heart.
For the five servicemen who were killed at a recruiting station in Tennessee: pray their souls be welcomed to Paradise as we pray for their families and friends who grieve their senseless and violent deaths.
For those in our community who are encountering stressful and difficult times: pray for guidance, strength and peace.
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: Courtney Adams, Holly, Karen, Sharon, Jill, Connie Nicholson, Marcia Kizior, Joanne Mangiaracina, Fran Baylor, Kesha, Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, K.C., Dick Day, Dale Rickey, Phil Cooper, Tim Laughlin, Jackie, Chris, Cathy Walters, Carrie, Tim, Pat, Lenny, Perry, Kathy J. and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.
*** "For Barry Monaghan: prayers are requested for his intention."
*** "For healing in our families." (***written prayer requests)
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To Bob Kalicki, Jeff Westerheide and Gary Lackey, our stellar pantry crew who hauled in another large donation of canned goods and various sundries...great work, gentlemen and much thanks to you.
To the good people of St. Simon's Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights who also dropped off some pantry supplies...thank you to our Episcopal neighbors and friends.
To our good friend Jim McQuade who rolled up his sleeves and sorted and gleaned through 40 cases of food, shelved and stored everything and then, cleaned the entire pantry room top to bottom. You are amazing, Jim. Thank you!
To Waldek, our stained glass window installer who did a fantastic job putting up the remaining panels...a beautiful effort, Waldek. We are all so very grateful.
To Sean Oldenburg, a graduate of E.G.H.S. who once again gave more of his time and dug up all the rocks in the former outdoor altar site, bundled tree branches, dusted and vacuumed the church...such kindness is so warmly appreciated.
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Elk Grove Village Farmer's Market
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 Fresh fruits, veggies, home-made jams, breads and other wonderful things await. Come and join in the "country fun" at our Village Farmer's Market.
The market is at the Clock Tower at Wellington and Biesterfield on the municipal parking grounds in Elk Grove Village.
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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: |
| Wednesday, July 29, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, July 30, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Friday, July 31, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM |
Saturday, August 01, 2015 | | The Principled Group | 7:30 AM | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Sunday, August 02, 2015 | | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Monday, August 03, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, August 04, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Building Committee Meeting | 6:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, August 05, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Food Pantry | 4:00 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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