Remember going to the Five and Dime store to purchase new school supplies?  Maybe the family would head to the nearest department store and there, Mom and Dad would make sure new shoes were bought, maybe some shirts, blouses, slacks and other such necessities.  This is the ritual that is played out all across our country...it's back to school time. 

Are you ready for some football?  High school and college football began last week.  Expectations are high in every locker room that, "this is the year," when a championship is to be won.  And for half of all teams that have already played, the dreams of a perfect season have been dashed just like that.  Also, this week the professionals take to the field; shouldering the pride as well as the dreams of each team's hometown fans.  

St. Nicholas is no stranger to the seasonal changes.  The Giving Tree has taken on its autumnal appearance, complete with colored leaves and new tags of the things we could use in and around the church.  Please consider taking a look-see for anything you may wish to purchase.   In advance...thank you all for your continued support and generosity. 

The gardens have certainly changed some, haven't they?  The zebra grass is going gang buster and give such a regal, stately look to our church home.  The mums are in...let's just see how big they will get this year.  Kudos to our Connie Nicholson whose green thumb continues to marvel and amaze!

Our choir is back and we are all excited to hear what's new this year.  What a blessing to have the gift of lovely music shared at our weekend Liturgies. Hal Stratton and Tony Begonja on Saturdays along with Mary and the choir on Sundays...yes good people, we are blessed.    

The introduction to "Communal Meditation" before our Liturgy is not necessarily new.  Certainly, we have made good use of silent prayer throughout the church year, especially during High Holy Days and feasts.  However, this is more of a "deliberate intent:"  an act that is written into our worship program as part of the experience of the Holy Eucharist each week and our effort at deepening our relationship with Jesus our Redeemer.  Again, silence is nothing new in church.  However, at St. Nicholas we are investing in silence, together, as part of our service.  I suppose what is old is new again.  Silence, meditation and thoughtful reflection has been a staple of the Church from the very beginning.  We're simply welcoming back an old friend.

You know by now, that soon my favorite time of year will be upon us; the color changes, the crispness in the air, the sound of rustling leaves.  It's almost time.  As much as I love it, I'll savor for the present time what is here, now, this very day.  What I celebrate most of all is the gift of this community of faith; my St. Nicholas family.  Pray we all find joy, peace and grace in this last quarter of 2015.  When the leaves do start to turn and there is frost on the pumpkin, remember the blessings that came before and all that will follow and remember...it is all made gift to us from our loving and eternal Creator. 

God's season is every day!

The St. Nicholas Giving Tree has been a symbol of this community of faith and our willingness to share our resources with the church and with those in need. 

If you're out shopping and have the desire, here are a few things we could use:  Decaffeinated coffee, 11 x 17 copier paper, 8-1/2 x 11 copier paper, paper towels for kitchen & bathrooms.

Thank you each and everyone for your kindness, generosity and dedication.  God bless and sustain us, one and all.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."  Matt. 25: 35

Next week, Friday, September 18th, we will prepare and serve a meal with our friends at Christus Victor Lutheran Church. 

All are to meet at Christus Victor Church by 5:30pm with your prepared food items.  Christus Victor is located at 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road, just south of Biesterfield and north of Devon.

A sign-up sheet has been posted in the Gathering Space outside the church proper.  Please, volunteer to provide a pasta main dish, such as spaghetti, mostaccioli, lasagna, rigatoni, etc.,  a side salad and bread.  St. Nicholas will supply all the pop, Jarosch pastry and some chocolate treats for all the dinner guests.

 

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