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Nourishment: "the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition." (Wikipedia) It is what all living creatures have in common. Even those highly unusual of living things that feed only on a most limited basis, we all need nourishment to keep us alive, thriving and well.
The Community of St. Nicholas understands and appreciates the nature of good and consistent nourishment. We see to it that we provide nourishment at our food pantry on the first and third Wednesday of each month. While compared to some pantries, we may well be considered a "supplemental food source." Quite frankly, that's perfectly fine by me. The fact is, we are providing one of the basic requirements and fundamental rights/needs of all people...to have food. This ministry, truth be told does give us a sense of satisfaction and pride. However, the true and only reason our pantry exists is because there is a need and we have the ability and the desire to help. And, as a Christian community, we are mandated to serve those in need.
This Friday, St. Nicholas will take our act on the road, albeit just down the street a bit to Christus Victor Evangelical Lutheran Church where we will prepare and serve dinner to some mighty wonderful folks. As we've done the past few years, our community will share of our faith, our desire and our love as we care for those who are in need. Personally, knowing that this action of feeding and caring for others can do so much is a blessing unto itself. What a joy it is to care for those who could use a little assistance and care. It is my belief that these acts of kindness and mercy have a way of multiplying and spreading. Think for a moment what changes we -- all of us -- can make if the world embraced this contagious act of sharing and caring! This is one bug that never needs an immunization against it! Rather, I pray more and more get said bug and feel the "blessed warmth" that occurs.
And it is not just the body that needs nourishment. There is the soul that needs constant care as well. Wonderfully so, we have the sacrament of Holy Communion that strengthens, refreshes and enlivens. When we come to the altar and there receive the Body and Blood of Christ, my friends, this is God's greatest gift to us...God's only Son, born for us, lived for us and ultimately sacrificed Himself for us. Through death came life eternal. We are such fortunate people. Let's not forget or become complacent of such a glorious gift, please.
Back to what does the body good: we shall soon begin our Movable Feast. We'll gather, engage in lively conversation, share a meal and become better acquainted and familiar with our sisters and brothers of this community of faith. The hope is while we get to know one another better, we'll generate more ideas, thoughts and form goals that will help solidify and strengthen our church. I'm excited about this year's version of Movable Feast. Let's open ourselves to the possibilities that, collectively, we can do some remarkable things. Our church is blessed in so many ways. Let's keep this going and build on it, shall we? I'm ready, I'm set...and I'm hungry, too.
Amen.
-Manny
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Hearty Thanks to our St. Nicholas Choir
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Another glorious season under our belts
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With the coming of warmer weather and the Church season of Sundays after Pentecost or "Ordinary Time," on hand, our choir takes a well deserved break.
Let's take a moment and thank Mary and our amazing choir members for the glorious music they've shared with us. Long hours of practice and sacrifice paid off, divinely and blessedly.
Enjoy the summer break and rest those golden voices. Looking forward to Advent come this November when you're all back together again.
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This Week St. Nicholas Feeds the Hungry |
Friday, May 20, 5:30pm at Christus Victor Church
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St. Nicholas will extend its ministerial presence as we feed the hungry and needy of the Village. This Friday night, May 20 at 5:30pm, we shall gather at Christus Victor Evangelical Lutheran Church, food in hand and the spirit of St. Nicholas in our hearts. Christus Victor is located on Arlington Heights Road, just south of Biesterfield and north of Devon and sits on the east side of the road. Come on down and join us...again, all are welcome.
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This Saturday, Jason and Saul to be Officially Welcomed to the Episcopal Church
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May 21, 11am at St. James Episcopal Cathedral
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This Saturday, May 21st, our Saul Vazquez and Jason Holliman will formerly and sacramentally be welcomed into the Episcopal Church. Please join us as we celebrate this reception into the Church. The Liturgy is to be held at St. James Episcopal Cathedral (65 E. Huron St., Chicago) at 11:00 a.m. All are warmly welcome. Jason and Saul...Welcome Home and God bless.
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Elk Grove Presbyterian Church Invites Us To...
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A Plant, Craft, Treasure Sale and Raffle on May 21 9-3pm
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Our good friends at Elk Grove Presbyterian Church are hosting a Plant, Craft, Treasure Sale and Raffle on Saturday, May 21st from 9am - 3pm. A good time is sure to be had. Come over and support a good cause. E.G.Presbyterian is located at 600 E. Elk Grove Blvd right at Tonne Road.
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The Groups Are Set; Let's Meet and Eat!
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Movable Feast is set all ready to go
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At long last, we're ready to start our engines and get this year's Movable Feast up and running.
The groups have been formed. All that is left is for the groups to connect, schedule who will host the first week, arrange the time and enjoy. Remember: the host supplies the entree while the others supply side dishes/dessert. It may be helpful to settle on a consistent schedule, for example the 3rd Friday of each month starting in June. It's up to the group to decide.
Friends gathering to better know one another, exchanging ideas and suggestions on how to better our church. And we do all this with food and fun. It may be a good idea to perhaps jot down any notes that are worth sharing with the entire community once we come all together and exchange our experiences.
Group 1
Manny Borg & Douglas VanHouten
Ray & Thelma Malecek
Tom & Jean Smith
Eunice Dohra
Group 2
Penny & Hank Mandziara
Mary Fletcher-Gomez & Jennifer Brundige
Claudia Boyle
Eunice Dohra
Group 3
Tony and Fran Begonja
Jennifer Garcia & Jeff Washer
Laura Lampe
Eunice Dohra
Group 4
Hal Stratton, Steve Raftery, Connie Nicholson
Katie Black & Audrey Cannon
Eunice Dohra
Group 5
Val & Steve Gruenwald, Dorothy Lamberson
Donna Tamaski
Eurlene Forde
Eunice Dohra
What a treat that we will have Eunice as a member in all 5 groups, too.
Ready. Set. Meet and Eat!
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May is for Mary the God-Bearer
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Nothing can take the place of our mother: her love, devotion and care for her children are what keeps us well and safe. The lessons she taught us stay with us for life. We pass these rules of life on to our children and our children's children. During the month of May, we shall pay honor and homage to our Heavenly Mother, Mary the God-bearer as we also give thanks and praise for our mothers who birthed us into this world. Please, bring a photo of your mom and place it atop the altar on the west side of the church. Let us truly give thanks for the gift of our mothers.
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Remember St. Nicholas before you click...
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For all mothers: Pray that the Lord bless these remarkable women with the Creator's grace and peace as we celebrate the many wonders they share with us, here on earth and from their heavenly home.
For Melissa Beck, step-daughter to our Cyndi DeBock: Sadly Melissa was diagnosed with cancer that has spread throughout her body. Pray, one and all our Lord be merciful upon and grant her comfort and peace.
For Shirley, grandmother of our Jeff Washer who is in the hospital: Pray that Shirley recover fully and is able to return home safe, secure and soon.
For Ruth, mother of our Colleen Davy who is back in the hospital with an infection: Pray that Ruth is able to regain strength and sound health in order to return home, safe and secure.
For the people of the Province of Alberta, Canada who have endured the ravages of wild fires that have destroyed thousands of acres of land and burned down hundreds of homes: Pray for our northern neighbors and their safety.
For our unemployed, underemployed and over-employed family and friends: Pray their situation eases and their work situation is rectified.
For victims of violence, alienation, racism, homophobia and sexism: Pray for peace and acceptance of all God's people as equal and deserving.
For members of our Support Groups that call St. Nicholas their home: Pray that in their day to day efforts, they find much happiness, peace and encouragement to succeed.
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: Anna Marie, Michelle Miller, Eloy Madrigal, Katie and Paul Daday, Courtney Marsh, Reverend Catharine Phillips, Amanda and Alex, Ruth, Phyllis Whitmer, Leon Stiles, Cora Lopez, Eddie Albers, Dick McQuade, Rosario de Vazquez, Rosarini Vazquez, Nora Pun, Carolyn Drolen, Mindy Golden, Tess Setchell, Julie Suess, Katie, Elaine and Barry Malas, Susan Lackey, Marcia Kizior, Kesha, Eunice Dohra, Bernie, Ron, Dale Rickey, Grant MacDonald, and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.
*** "Pray for Nancy Lueptke." *** "Pray for Hope Quarles for successful heart surgery and a complete and lasting recovery."
Please let Fr. Manny know the current condition of those for whom we are praying and if we wish to keep their names on the prayer list. Thank you.
(***written prayer requests)
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To the Elk Grove Village Post Office and our good friend Gary Lackey who provided us with a large food donation. Many thanks from the many who will make good use of your generosity.
To our Cora Lopez who scrubbed, scrubbed and scrubbed some more making the bathrooms and Gathering Space sparkle. Great work, dear Cora.
To our LeWayne and Earl Williams who also came in and scrubbed, scrubbed, vacuumed the church, Gathering Space and Hall, front to back, making our house so beautiful. Hats off, dear LeWayne and Earl.
To our Three Musketeers, Hal Stratton, Steve Raftery and Jason Holliman who ironed and carefully hung the green banners throughout the church. Nothing ordinary about your efforts, gentlemen. Great work!
To our Ray and Thelma Malecek who each Wednesday take care of the church finances and the care of the plants. Green thumbs in action and keeping us in the 'black' is greatly appreciated.
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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:
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Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | Food Pantry | 4:00 PM | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM | Thursday, May 19, 2016 | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | GA Meeting | 7:30 PM | Friday, May 20, 2016 | Vicar's Day Off | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | Serve Dinner at Christus Victor | 5:30 PM | Saturday, May 21, 2016 | The Principled Group | 7:30 AM | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | Healing Weekend | 4:30 PM | Varied Voices | 4:30 PM | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | GSR - AA Meeting | 7:30 PM | Sunday, May 22, 2016 | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM | Monday, May 23, 2016 | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | Tuesday, May 24, 2016 | Vicar's Day Off | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | Wednesday, May 25, 2016 | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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