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The Spirit of Saint Nicholas
The E-Newsletter from Saint Nicholas Episcopal Church
69 Mobley Road, Hamilton, GA 31811
November 30th - December 6th, 2016
Sunday Services 8:30 and 11:00am
SNICK - Wednesdays 5:30
(led by Children of St. Nick - followed by dinner)
Christmas Services at St. Nicholas: Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus!
December 24, 5:00PM
: Children's Christmas Pageant
December 24, 6:00PM
: Christmas Eve Eucharist
December 25, 10:00AM
: Christmas Day Eucharist
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St. Nicholas' mission is to be an example of Christ's love
for all people.
Our vision is to be the center of nourishment in mind, body, and spirit
for all people in our community.
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Steve Morse has generously offered his Fire Truck and a
St Nicholas Sign for the Christmas Parades this Saturday.
We would need about 10-12 people to be on the truck.
There are
two parades - one in
Pine Mountain at 2:00 and the other in
Hamilton at 5:30.
This is for adults and children.
One - Would you be interested in riding in the parades?
Which parade - Pine Mountain, Hamilton or both?
ASAP -
Please respond ASAP so we will know what to do.
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We are in a season of expectation. Coming off the full bellies of Thanksgiving, now we look ahead to the next few weeks as we wait for something holy and wonderful to happen. We will gather with friends and co-workers and family members, we will decorate our homes and offices, we will shop until we drop, we will wrap until we snap, we will bake until we shake, all so we can experience the wonder of this holiday season. But all of it will be for nothing if we don't take a moment to set our expectations upon the One whom all this is for. If our preparations are for anything other than making room in our hearts for love and goodness to set up shop, then it will be done in vain. Take some time to pray a little longer, read a little more Scripture, give a bit more to a good cause, attend worship an extra day, serve someone with a little more grace. Prepare a place for Christ to live in your heart this holiday season, and watch how much more joyful the next month will be.
*If you would like to receive messages like this in text form from Fr. Jeff every week, text "Add me" to
Peace,
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Volunteers Needed
Dear fellow parishioners,
This is a follow-up to my inquiry as to whether your family would like to be part of our Sunday services during Advent.
Two families have responded so far, and we need 2 more.
These families (could be as small as 2 people) would read a short liturgy at the beginning of the service, and light the candles of the Advent Wreath as appropriate for the first, second, third, and fourth Sundays of Advent.
This is a yearly tradition for us, and personalizes the meaning of the season for those who lead and those who participate. If you would like to be a part of these Advent celebrations, please let me know.
We'll need volunteers for 8:30 and 11:00 services. The dates are December 4, December 11, and
December 18.
Please let me (Chris Butzon) know if your family would like to help
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Journey to Adulthood
Our new youth program continues with our Rite 13 class (grades 6 & up) at 9:45 in the Classrooms, led by leaders
Sheri Cody, John Brent,
Jennifer Milton, and
Bob Hamilton.
Our Journey to Adulthood formation for our young people will continue regularly this
Sunday, 4 Dec 2016, at 9:45 am.
We have a great lesson plan on values called I Need, I Want, I Have taught by Bob Hamilton and Sheri Cody.
Please bring in some magazine advertisements from magazines of items that you might want for yourself or for Christmas, cut them out, and bring to the class.
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Bishop Wimberly visits December 11:
We will celebrate
St. Nicholas Day
with assisting bishop
Don Wimberly
December 11 at 8:30 and 11:00am.
If you would like to be confirmed, received, or reaffirmed that day, please let Fr. Jeff know.
We will have a pot-luck lunch following
the
11am service.
It's time to pull out your Advent favorites (chili,
greens, fresh bread, citrus salads?) and maybe a few Christmas specials as
well.
Bring what you can, come for the comraderie and a chance to get to
know one of our bishops.
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SNICK Christmas Pageant Rehearsals
This year's children's Christmas Pageant will be rehearsed at SNICK on Wednesday nights,
November 30
December 7 and 14.
The Pageant will take place on Christmas Eve at 5:00pm.
All children are welcome to participate!
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Mark your calendars for our upcoming Adult Formation offerings:
December 4, 9:45am
- Demystifying the Organ with
Wyatt Poe.
Come join Wyatt Poe (organist) and learn the ins and outs of the organ! The class will be held in the nave.
Hope to see you there!
December 11, 9:45am - Bishop's Forum with the Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly
December 18, 9:45am - St. Nicholas Writes
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Zion Episcopal Church
Click on the link above to go to the website to read about the history of and view incredible photos taken of Zion Episcopal Church
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Vestry Nominations
It is time to nominate new Vestry members!
Kin Brown, Sheri Cody, Nick Simpson and Katherine Johnson are rotating off of Vestry this year.
A Vestry person must be a confirmed member and 18 years or older. Preferably they should be a pledging member and at St Nicholas for one year.
The last two requirements can be waived by Vestry vote.
Terms are three years. Believe it or not the three years pass quickly.
Many gifts are needed to lead and serve St. Nicholas.
A primary qualification is the desire to be with a great group of Christian people who work by consensus and productive brainstorming.
The people remaining on the Vestry are Rebecca Crowley, Sue Halmrast, Martha Dimon, Steve Morse, Bill Caudill, Bob Hamilton and Phebe Robertson.
Talk with Fr Jeff or any Vestry person if you want to explore the possibility of serving on Vestry.
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YOUTH WORKER FALL UPDATE
atlSERVE (Mission Weeks) | June 25-30, July 9-14
These are our service and mission outreach weeks in Atlanta for our middle and high schoolers. The high school week is
June 25-30 and the middle school week is
July 9-14. We have many service partners including meal delivery, facilitating a VBS, sorting donations, working in gardens, serving in soup lines, and joining the homeless in morning prayer. These weeks are about learning how to serve and be served by others. Last year, we had over 90 youth attend our mission weeks. There are opportunities for adult leaders (that could be you) to help lead the week. There are leadership opportunities for high schoolers to help lead the middle school week. Mark your calendar, and please let your youth know! Register for high school
here and middle school
here.
Applications
Provincial Youth Networking Meeting | December 1-4
Every year our Province gets together, 19 dioceses, to discuss youth ministry, network, and plan a youth event for the entire Province to participate in. Youth and Youth Workers from all over the Province attend the event. We want 3-4 youth to attend this year's meeting. It will be at the Lake Logan Conference Center in the Diocese of Western Carolina. No cost; we just need youth that are passionate about serving one another and the larger youth community.
Apply here.
DYC Staff | December 10-11
This is an opportunity for our high school youth to lead a retreat for middle and high schoolers. The retreat is at Camp Mikell from
January 6-8. Staff training is at Mikell from
December 10-11.
Apply here.
Youth Leadership Initiative | June 2-4
This is a weekend Leadership Retreat for rising seniors and those just graduated. Bishop Wright, Mary Hooper, and I will lead a weekend centered around teaching our youth what it looks like to lead as Jesus calls us to.
Apply here.
EYE 2017 | July 10-14
This is the National Youth Event held every 3 years that brings almost every diocese and over 2,000 young people together for a 4-day event. This year, it is at the University of Central Oklahoma. Many subjects are covered and youth get a real opportunity learn, grow, and build community with young Episcopalians across the faith. Many parishes are contributing a full scholarship for one of their own youth to attend. Please
contact me if you would like to sponsor one of your youth. We also have partial and full scholarships for at least 10. Youth can apply
here.
If you have any questions about these events or applications, please
contact me directly!
Thank you for participating in our Diocesan Youth Ministries!
Peace,
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Almighty God, who...dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them.
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Bright Way Services
Worship services continue at Bright Way Personal Care Home
in Pine Mountain. Other
Lay Eucharistic Visitors are needed for this ministry.
Contact
Bert
if you would like to participate.
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Worship Ministers Needed
:
There are several opportunities to serve in our worship at St. Nicholas. If you are looking to deepen your spiritual life by being an Acolyte, Altar Guild Member, Flower Guild Member, Greeter, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Reader, or Usher at either 8:30 and 11:00 services, please contact Worship Committee chair Chris Butzon.
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Lectionary Readings
If you would like to see the readings for Sunday,
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Religion is not a method, it is a life, a higher and supernatural life, mystical in its root and practical in its fruits; a communion with God, a calm and deep enthusiasm, a love which radiates, a force which acts, a happiness which overflows.
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For those who are ill, recovering or needing special prayers:
Members of St Nicholas:
Nate Taylor
Clara Butzon
Family members and friends of the Community:
Penelope Rue Elliston
Paige Buchanan
Joseph Green
Mark Daniel
Heather Partin
Barbara Hamilton
Doug Brown
Cameron Clark
Gene Wells
Danny Howard
Danny Hatchell
Joseph Green
Vivian
Chris Price
In Thanksgiving For:
Our St. Nicholas Outreach Ministries
In Loving Memory of:
Sam Roney
Prayers for all our veterans, those currently
serving their country
away from home,
for their safe return and for their families
who wait for them.
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November Birthdays
2 Tai Jackson
3 Terri Townsend
9 Jeff Cody
9 John Blackmon
13 Lange Taylor
24 Ella Townsend
25 Hollie Queener
30 Connie Blackmon
December Birthdays
1
Molly Jackson
5
Barbara Walker
9
Austin Hubbard
9 Jeb Brown
10
Larry Nordin
13 C
hris Butzon
16
John Winsness
16 Lynne Taylor
18
Blanton Whitworth
19
Samantha Dixon
26
Sheri Cody
December Anniversaries
2 Ed & Leslie Cooling
17 Erick & Danielle Whitworth
18 Dave & Sue Halmrast
26 Bill & Suzy Eidson
29 John & Rose Brent
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In This Issue
From Fr. Jeff
Volunteers Needed
Journey to Adulthood
Bishop Wimberly Visits
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals
Adult Faith
Zion Episcopal Church
Vestry Nominations
Youth Worker Fall Update
Vestry Minutes
Bright Way Ministries
Lay Ministry Schedule
Lay Ministry Opportunities
Prayers
Birthdays & Anniversaries
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CONTACT
Deadline for submitting news items is noon Monday.
Send news and photos to:
The Spirit of St. Nicholas
is published weekly by
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church.
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Thank you, St. Nicholas family, for your active involvement in our parish.
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If you or family members will be in a play, concert, sports or school activity please send the information to the church
[email protected]
to be printed in the newsletter. St Nicholas members can then know what is happening with their church family and perhaps attend some of the functions. Include the event with dates, times and location. This is for children, teens and adults.
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Please help us keep the church directory as up-to-date as possible.
If you have not yet filled out a form, please pick one up in the cloister room and return to the church office. Or you can send your info via email to the Parish Administrator at [email protected]
- Please include:your names and the names of your minor children,
- address,
- email addresses,
- phone numbers (cell and home),
- birthdays and anniversaries.
If you need a new picture or a new name tag, indicate that as well. Feel free to use a favorite picture. Just send it in jpeg form to [email protected].
Mobile App Installation Instructions
Church members can view the St. Nicholas Church Directory from their iPhone, iPad, Android or Kindle Fire by downloading the free Instant Church Directory Members App.
You may search for "Instant Church Directory" in the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore, or use this link:
After installation, open the Instant Church Directory icon (it looks like a church). It will ask for your email address. If your email address is in our church directory, the program will generate a password for you and email it to you.
This worked great for most, but if you have any problems make sure you first check to see that your email address is in the church directory.
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Please look for these cards in the narthex or in the pews and place them in the alms basin if you give electronically.
Father Jeff will bless them at each service along with the other offerings.
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Electronic Common Prayer
Electronic Common Prayer, Version 2.0
(eCP)
is a brand new update to the first, fully authorized, interactive version of the Book of Common Prayer 1979 of the Episcopal Church USA.
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GoFundMe Campaign for
Zion Church
GoFundMe
campaign.
There is much to be done to help this amazing bit of Georgia history.
Please share this and encourage people to be generous.
For over 160 years, Zion Episcopal Church has watched over the village of Talbotton, GA.
There are not many 160-year-old structures still standing in our country.
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