Fear not:  a rather difficult task as there is so much trouble in our world which gives birth to fear.  Each day, we hear of yet another conflict, a war, a bombing, severe droughts and famine.  Unsettled minds and hardened hearts seem to be the norm.  We may well feel powerless.  After all, what can we do to halt the spread of such pain and misery as seen in the faces of the Syrian refugees and the hatred and loathing in the faces of those who stand in their way to freedom and a better life? 

Fear not:  renegade police who take egregious liberty with the law.  With broad strokes they paint a negative image that taints the reputation of the overwhelming, vast majority of the men and women who serve their local communities across the country with respect, pride and all the while upholding the law.  War lords who dominate via intimidation and cruelty, by starving their people and choking the air from out of their lungs.  How can we do anything about these tyrants, these zealots, these armed cowards?  What weapons are we to use?  What do we have at our disposal? 

We have prayer.  We have an Eternal and Benevolent God.  We have Jesus the Redeemer.  We have a faith that must remain and always be unwavering, unyielding, uncompromising.  Strong in the face of adversity, brave and heroic in the teeth of evil which gnarl away seeking to tear us apart and bring us down.

My sisters and brothers in Christ, my dear friends, my loved ones, Christmas is all about Light and Beauty.  Lest we forget, sadly, that for much of our world there is still darkness and ugliness that rule the lives of so many.  Regardless, it is our duty, our mandate, our job to help bring Jesus the Light into the world, as we can, as we must.  Whether we call out in prayer to Yahweh, Allah, God Almighty...He is the One true God.  The God of Abraham, of Issac, of Ishmael, of David, of Mohammad, of Mary, of Joseph, of Nicholas, of Jesus, of us. 

As we celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior,  let us pray, whether aloud or silently, that we serve as instruments of peace, heralds of the Good News, victorious in our efforts to bring Light into the world.

From your vicar's ever grateful heart I share my warmest and loving blessings for a Merry Christmas and a New Year truly happy, safe, healthy and spiritually prosperous.

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. 

While our annual St. Nicholas Stewardship Campaign has officially ended, there is still time for us to submit our Pledge for the 2016 year .  However, we ask that these pledge forms be submitted sooner than later.  

Pledges help us to create our yearly budget, to pay our bills and to keep our doors wide open for all to come, worship, meet and grow spiritually and emotionally.  Without the pledge forms, it is difficult for us to create a working budget.

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.

Be assured of my most grateful thanks to each and all.  The sacrifices made; the time, talent and treasures offered to our St. Nicholas Church never fails to astonish and humble me.   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 proudly call this place my home, too.

My prayers and love are yours.

-Manny

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: