Did we not just begin this four week season of Advent? How can this be that we are already at the end?  Alas, the end has come.  Yet with significant joy, too, for there is much celebration to come.  While we have come to the last of this holy season of "waiting" and "anticipation," soon the flags and furls of gold and white of Christmastime will be hoisted high above the worship space and we will be bathed in a new and glorious Light.

Let us recap, shall we, what has been shared thus far this Advent Season:

Week One we focused our attention on the Blessed Mother Mary, the child-bearer of the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ the Redeemer.  It was Mary's "yes" that ushered into our world -- oh so many years ago -- the man, the God that would change the world forever.  Mary is the mother of us all.  She protects and cares for us as only a mother can.  She is our heavenly guide and we are all the better because of her.  Mary, mother of God, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Week Two we gave our full attention to the good and godly St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.  As was shared, there is very little written of this man.  We know he and Mary both come from the same royal familial heritage of David.  Some have written that Joseph lived a long and happy life...we leave this to belief as, again, there is so little we truly know of this man.  Faith: it is what we employ when we refer to St. Joseph.  We have faith in this man that he cared and protected his family.  We have faith that he watched in wonder and awe his special son, Jesus, grow and mature.  And it is in faith that we believe St. Joseph continues to be the patron of all earthly fathers: he leads and inspires all men to be good, caring and devoted to the people they love.  St. Joseph, pray for us.

Week Three we looked at the heavenly and divine messenger Gabriel, the angel of God.  It was he, the Angel Gabriel that brought the good news to Mary that she was to bear the Son of God.  It was Gabriel who spoke to the prophet Daniel, who instilled in him the courage and fortitude to remain steadfast and strong in his faith.  Gabriel is God's special messenger.  Gabriel continues to present himself to us...if we open our minds and hearts to the reality that God truly does continue to communicate with us...if we believe it to be.  "I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news."   (Luke 1: 19)   For remember, with God, nothing is impossible.

Thus, we arrive at the last of the weeks that are totaled four.  Who is it that we are to focus upon, I ask?   We have Mary, Joseph and the Angel Gabriel.  Who is left?  Jesus, the Christ, our Most Holy Redeemer completes this sacred scene.  The picture has been completed.  Jesus comes to us as a mere child, a babe born into poverty and simplicity, in a manger reserved for feeding the livestock.  The King of Kings comes to us in humble manner to remind us that He is like us, truly human and yet, He is also the Son of God the Creator.  It is the gift of His very life that reserves for us a place in His Father's Kingdom.  There, we all shall rest in eternal light, perpetually and for all times to come.  Silent Night.  Holy Night.  It is all shattered with the chorus of the heavenly host who sang out, glory to the new born King.

Our Lord has been born to us and His reign shall last forever and ever. 

Our annual St. Nicholas Stewardship Campaign, truth be told, has not ended.  There is time, ample time in fact, for us to submit our pledge for the 2016 year. 

Your generosity and kindness is what keeps our doors open, the heat on in the winter, the cool air in the summer, the lights on for us to see by and the worship space alive with prayer, songs and voices raised in praise of our merciful and loving Creator and Jesus, His Son. 

It is my hope that we all take the time needed, to pray, to ponder and consider how best we can help sustain and grow our house of worship.  There are many ways to pledge; consider which is best for you and your family.  If you have any questions, please reach out and I will assist as I am able and/or direct you to a member of our Finance Team.

Also, I wish to thank all who have already submitted their pledge form and to all who continue to share of themselves in keeping St. Nicholas Episcopal Church alive and well.

Be assured of my most humble and grateful thanks to each and all.  It is an honor that I am called to serve this community of faith.  Remember: St. Nicholas is not only where I "work," but it is where I worship and call this place my home, too.

My prayers and love are yours.

-Manny

We warmly welcome all to celebrate Christmas Eve with us! 

At 4PM, we'll offer a short service designed for kids, complete with a special gospel (you won't want to miss this!) and sermon for kids! 

At 9PM we'll offer the beautiful service of Lessons & Carols.

There is no service on Christmas Day. 

Our annual St. Nicholas Chili Supper is beginning to take shape.  Jeff Westerheide has agreed, God bless him, to prepare the chili and supply what is needed.  We have a few prizes already, too.

Sign-up sheets will be posted soon, after the holidays, for veggie trays, RSVP and so forth.   We will need plenty of help if we seek a successful event.  If you have the time and are willing, please see Manny and let's get this thing rolling!  I'm more than happy to do my share.

So, mark your calendar for February 6, 2016.  Join us for our 4:30 Saturday Liturgy and stay for some mighty, good chili and the chance to win a prize or two!  Bring friends, the whole family as all are warmly welcome.  Supper starts around 6pm. 

It's that time of year; we're making our lists and we're checking them twice.  Here's a little help that is quite nice...

Shop Amazon and a contribution is made to St. Nicholas.  Talk about a "win-win" deal.  However, in order that St. Nicholas is credited with a portion of the sale, you must first go to our webpage, click on the Amazon icon.  Then, shop away.  Access our webpage through:  www.onebreadonebody.org  or  www.stnicholasepiscopal.org. 

Or, click here to go directly to Amazon with our code already pre-filled.

Every time someone shops Amazon through St. Nicholas' webpage, an angel gets their wings!

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, 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, Payton, Caleb Roth, Rocco, Ron, Deacon Tom Smith, K.C., 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.

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