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 One of the great church occasions, and one of my personal favorite of all celebrations is the feast of All Saints. There was a time when All Saints was one of the holiest of days on the Church calendar. Sadly, this feast and others have lessened in importance. But personally, I still find praying the Litany of the Saints a rather satisfying and rewarding experience. It is a subjective experience, to say the least. Yet, there is so much there for all us to enjoy, savor and with which to rejoice.
Perhaps it has more to do with my being born and raised Roman Catholic and educated by the "good sisters" of Detroit Holy Redeemer Grade and High Schools. All Saints was a time to rejoice in the holy women and men who came before us and paved a spiritual path for us in leading a prayerful, spiritual and holy way of life. In fact, I can fondly recall how we were "encouraged" to dress up like saints for Halloween...this on the gentle encouragement of the previously mentioned "good sisters." All kidding aside, they were -- and remain -- dedicated women of faith. They were an inspiration then and now. And just like the saints; those heavenly beings who were born just as we were, lived upon this earth like us, but gave their lives over to God and in God's service. Each saint has his or her personal story. Some stories are quite extraordinary, almost mythical in nature. The point is, they chose to serve God rather than be served. In many instances, they sacrificed their lives, accepting death rather than deny their faith, their beliefs, their God.
I remember a professor in college seminary told our class once that, "the saints are not some elite,commando troop. They were people, just like you and me. The miracles attested to them, true or fictitious, should not be how we gauge their worth. Rather, we honor these rather ordinary men and women by their extraordinary degree of love they had for Jesus." This has stayed with me after all these many years. Still, I love the saints for the dedicated people they were and not for the miracles attached to their names and memories. The saints give me pause to consider that even I, a simple, 21st century citizen have the capacity to be a 'saint,' that is, being "saintly" in my actions, in my speech and in my commitment to the Creator, God's Son Jesus, the Holy Spirit and to all my sisters and brothers.
All Saints is a feast for all of us. We recall all the heavenly host, all the holy women and men, angels, archangels, cherubim and seraphim in giving due honor to their memory. And so, to give due praise, the following is a beautiful, contemporary version of the Litany. This lovely piece is chanted yearly on the feast of All Saints at the Church of St. Stephen and the Incarnation in Washington, D.C. William MacKaye, former religion editor of the Washington Post is largely given credit for its creation in 1979. However some images were taken from "A Liberation Prayer Book" of the Free Church in Berkeley, California. The Litany certainly is Anglican in nature and tone. No problem, for as Episcopalians, we are celebrating our full heritage and identity. It is my hope you enjoy this beautiful Litany and find it as prayerful and spiritually enriching as I have. Happy All Saints to this saintly community of St. Nicholas.
THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS
"Holy Ones present at our beginnings:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel and Leah, makers of the covenant, forebears of our race:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Elizabeth and Simeon, Joseph, Monica and Helen, exemplars in the love and care of children:
Stand Here Beside Us!
John the baptizer, map-maker of the Lord's coming:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might:
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, the one true Light. Alleluia, alleluia!
Holy ones who showed the Good News to be the Way of Life:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Thomas the doubter; Augustine of Canterbury; Francis Xavier; Samuel Joseph Schereschewsky; all travelers who carried the Gospel to distant places:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Bernard and Dominic; Catherine of Sienna, the scourge of popes; John and Charles Wesley, preachers in the streets; all whose power of speaking gave life to the written word:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Benedict of Nursia, Teresa of Avila; Nicholas Ferrar; Elizabeth Ann Seton; Richard Meux Benson; Charles de Poucauld; all founders of communities:
Stand Here Beside Us!
O may thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, fight as they saints who nobly fought of old and win, with them, the victor's crown of gold. Alleluia, alleluia!
Holy onces who gave their lives to the care of others:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Louis, King of France; Margaret, Queen of Scotland; Gandhi the Mahatma, reproach to the churches; Dag Hammarskjold the bureaucrat; all who made governance an act of faith;
Stand Here Beside Us!
Peter of the keys, denier of the Lord; Ambrose of Milan, who answered the Church's summons; Hilda, abbess at Whitby; Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, protector of the Jews; Jean-Baptist Vianney, cure d' Ars, Patient hearer of catalogs of sins; All faithful shepherds of the Master's flock:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Mary Magdalen, anointer of the Lord's feet; Luke the physician; Francis who kissed the leper; Florence Nightingale; Albert Schweitzer; all who brought to the sick and suffering the hands of healing:
Stand Here Beside Us!
O blest communion, fellowship divine. We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in thee, for are all thine. Alleluia, alleluia!
Holy ones who made the proclaiming of God's love a work of art:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Pierluigi da Palestrina; John Merbecke; Johann Sebastian Bach; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Benjamin Britten; Duke Ellington; all who sang the Creator's praises in the language of the soul:
Stand Here Beside Us!
David and the Psalmists; Caedmon; John Milton, sketcher of Paradise; William Blake, builder of Jerusalem; John Mason Neale, preserver of the past; all poets of the celestial vision:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Zaccheeus the tree-climber; Brother Lawrence; Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower; Andrew of Glasshampton; all cultivators of holy simplicity:
Stand Here Beside Us!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, alleluia!
Holy ones haunted by the justice and mercy of God:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Amos of Tekoa, who help up the plumbline; John Wycliffe, who brought the Scripture to the common folk; John Hus and Menno Simons, generals in the Lamb's war; Martin Luther, who could no no other, George Fox, foe of steeple-houses; all who kept the Church ever-reforming:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Paul the apostle, transfixed by noonday light; Augustine of Hippo, God's city planner; Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin, architects of the Divine; Charles Williams, teacher of coinherence; Karl Barth, knower of the unknowable; all who saw God at work and wrote down what they saw:
Stand Here Beside Us!
John, the seer of Patmos; Anthony of the desert, Julian, the anchoress of Norwich; Hildegarde, the sybil of the Rhine; Meister Eckardt; Bernadette of Lourdes; all who were called to see the Master's face:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Joachim of Fiora, prophet of teh new age; Johnny Appleseed, mad planter of Eden; Sojourner Truth, pilgrim of justice; Benedict Joseph Labre, priest and panhandler; all whose love for God was beyond containment:
Stand Here Beside Us!
The golden evening brightens in the west; Soon, soon to faithful warrior cometh rest; Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia, alleluia!
Holy ones who died in witness to Christ:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Stephen the deacon, the first martyr, stoned in Jerusalem:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Justin, Ignatius and Polycarp, who refused the incense to Caesar:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Perpetua and Felicity, torn by breasts in the arena at Carthage:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Burned in Oxford:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Maximilian Kolbe and Edith Stein, put to death at Auschwitz:
Stand Here Beside Us!
James Reeb, Jonathan Daniels, Michael Schwerner, Medger Evers, Viola Liuzo, shot in the South:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Dr. Martin Luther King, shot in Memphis:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Janani Luwum, shot in Kampala:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Oscar Romero, shot in San Salvador:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Martyrs of Rome, of Lyons, of Japan, of Eastern Equatorial Africa, of Uganda, of Melanesia, martyrs of everywhere:
Stand Here Beside Us!
But lo! There breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints' triumphant rise in the bright array; The King of Glory passes on His way. Alleluia, alleluia!
Stand Here Beside Us!
Glorious company of heaven:
Stand Here Beside Us!
All climbers of the ladder of Paradise:
Stand Here Beside Us!
All runners of the celestial race;
Stand Here Beside Us!
Great clouds of witnesses:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Mary most holy, chief of all the saints:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Mary most holy, yes-sayer to God:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Mary most holy, unmarried mother:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Mary most holy, gate of heaven and ark of the covenant:
Stand Here Beside Us!
But lo! There breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints' triumphant rise in bright array; The King of Glory passes on His way. Alleluia, alleluia!
Stand Here Beside Us!
Jesus our Liberator, creator of all:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Jesus our liberator, redeemer of all:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Jesus our liberator, sanctifier of all:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Jesus our liberator, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end:
Stand Here Beside Us!
Amen!
(justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/62.html)
-Manny
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Sung in honor of all those who have gone before
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This Sunday, November 1, our choir will be singing Prayer, by Morten Lauridsen. Lauridsen set to music the words of a poem by Dana Gioia, a treasured American poet. Gioia wrote the poem in remembrance of his infant son, whose brief life was tragically ended by SIDS. The choir, with this anthem, will pay homage to all those loved ones who have gone before us. Prayer
by Dana Gioia
Echo of the clocktower, footstep
in the alleyway, sweep
of the wind sifting the leaves.
Jeweller of the spiderweb, connoisseur
of autumn's opulence, blade of lightning
harvesting the sky.
Keeper of the small gate, choreographer
of entrances and exits, midnight
whisper travelling the wires.
Seducer, healer, deity or thief,
I will see you soon enough-
in the shadow of the rainfall,
in the brief violet darkening a sunset-
but until then I pray watch over him
as a mountain guards its covert ore
and the harsh falcon its flightless young.
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It's Trick or Treat Time!
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"Halloween or Hallowe'en; a contraction of "All Hallows' Evening, also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve, is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve or the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day." (wikipedia)
Or, simply put, a festive day where the imagination takes over, where ghosts and witches are behind every tree or bush. Ringing doorbells and knocking on doors with the hope of receiving our favorite treat. Old memories are relived and new memories are made.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND HAPPY HAUNTING!
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Set your clocks back 1 hour
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 If there was any doubt that this year is winding down, here is the proof. Standard Time begins November 1st. So, please set your clocks back 1 hour before you go to bed on Halloween Night, October 31st. Let's see who forgets to turn back their clock back one hour and see who comes to church Sunday morning on time! |
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Family Movie Night at St. Nicholas
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This Friday, October 30th at 7pm
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 How about a classic, black and white thriller to set the tone for Halloween? Friday night, October 30, at 7pm, we'll be airing the movie "The Haunting." This 1963 gem of a horror film is sure to set your spine to tingling. Nothing like a good, old fashioned "spooky movie." This is it. Pizza, pop, thrills and chills will be served and you're invited to bring along some munchies, too. |
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For Payton, a second grader at the school at which our Barb Bosslet teaches; Payton is battling cancer and sadly, he is not well. Pray, all of us, for Payton that he finds comfort and his pain is controlled and pray for his family and friends who are struggling mightily, that they find strength and God's grace.
For our Thelma and Ray Malecek who will be "crossing the big pond" this coming week as they venture abroad for vacation: pray for their safety and a most enjoyable time.
For Ruth Yunker, the mother of our Colleen Davy who is experiencing some health issues: pray Ruth regains sound health very soon and is up and around in no time at all.
For all the children who will be "trick or treating" on Halloween: pray for their safety, security, warm weather and lots of good fun!
For Penny Mandziara who is battling strep and her son Jason, who has a respiratory infection: pray they are both up and around very soon and back to good, sound health.
For an end to the renewed and tragic violence and bloodshed in Gaza: pray for a peace that lasts and helps build long-lasting trust and friendship between Arabs, Jews and Christians.
For the success of our Stewardship Campaign: pray that each member is able to share a portion of their "time, talent and treasure" with St. Nicholas, to help us grow stronger and more spiritual prosperous.
For all who are traveling for work and pleasure: that their ventures be secure and God's speed be with them. Much success in your work, enjoy your vacation and come home safely.
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: Joan DeBock, Vernon and Erlene Forde, Courtney Adams, Art Lorenze, Karen, Sharon, Elaine and Barry Malas, Lenny Spirek, Jill, Connie Nicholson, Ron Glos, Marcia Kizior, Joanne Mangiaracina, Fran Baylor, Kesha, Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, Bertha, Caleb Roth, Rocco, Ron, Tony Begonja, 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.
*** "Pray for the unemployed."
(***written prayer requests)
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To all those who came, enjoyed and made for an enjoyable Teen/Youth Movie Night, especially Neal Setchell and Tom Terranova who helped keep things in control...dang, we had a sweet time and we did have fun.
To our Eunice Dohra whose nimble fingers filled all the trick or treat baggies for the entire St. Nicholas family to enjoy. Sweets from a most sweet and loving lady.
To our Carol Payne who is redoing the bulletin boards in the hallway behind the Gathering Space and closest to the restrooms. Let's make sure we check out the announcements and see all that is happening at St. Nicholas.
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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, October 28, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, October 29, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Friday, October 30, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Family Move Night - The Haunting | 7:00 PM |
Saturday, October 31, 2015 |
| | | The Principled Group | 7:30 AM | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Sunday, November 1, 2015 |
| | | Daylight Savings Time Ends | 2:00 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, November 2, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Building Committee Meeting | 6:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Food Pantry | 4:00 PM | | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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