Letters from St. Nicholas'
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Keeping you informed with what's going on around St. Nicholas!
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WELCOME TO OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!
If you would like to contribute content for your ministry, please send it to
Darryl
no later than the 20th of each month for the next month's issue.
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I love Christmas. I love the pretty lights and decorated trees (or pineapples … ask Jim) and music and and food and … well so many special things. SPECIAL things, like Ghiradelli’s peppermint bark. Things that aren’t every day, ordinary things because they only come once a year for a short while. That’s what makes them special. So, as the world’s idea of Christmas appears earlier and earlier each year and the buying presents over takes the being present to those we love, I have to fight the urge to shout from the roof tops: IT AIN’T CHRISTMAS YET, Y’ALL! Please don’t think I’m the Grinch. I don’t want to stop it from coming altogether, just not until it’s time.
So, I wholeheartedly embrace the season of Advent - the first season of the church year in which we focus on the anticipation of the coming King, both from the ancient view of God’s promised Messiah to the new covenant view of the promise of the Messiah to return. We live in the Kingdom time of the now and not yet. We are to live on earth as it is in heaven until we receive the promised gift of the new heaven and new earth in which all is restored to God’s original intent.
So, I know it’s next to impossible in this day and age, but slow down. Sit in silent prayer for a few minutes each day and ask God to help you be still and open to hearing our King’s voice. Take intentional time to pray with your family using an Advent wreath. Let go of the pressure on yourself to make a Pintrist perfect holiday for your family - focus on making memories just being in the moment. Make your to-do list look more like this (except for the cookies - please make
cookies, your priest loves cookies, so it’s the same thing … just sayin’).
God’s peace, hope, joy, and love,
Mtr. Nancy+
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ADVENT QUIET DAY
Saturday, December 1st
10:00am to 2:00PM
Registration at 9:30am
Parish Hall Lunch $5.
Schedule
9:00am --9:30am
arrive, sign in, coffee/pastries, fellowship
10am Morning Prayer
11am Session on
Centering Prayer
12noon Lunch
12:30pm Holding Cross meditation
1:30 Closing Prayer
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When Christmas hurts......
All are welcome to
A Blue Christmas Service
at
St. Nicholas’ Episcopal
Tuesday, December 4
6:00PM
An Ecumenical Service for all those who find Christmas a difficult time.
A Candlelight service is offered to acknowledge our pain, grief, and loss,
and to offer that to God.
Everyone who is hurting this Christmas is invited to attend.
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Bishop Scott Mayer will be at St. Nicholas' for his annual visitation on
Sunday, December 9, 2018.
If you wish to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please contact Mother Nancy as soon as possible. Also, if you'd like to talk about being Baptized, either when Bishop Scott is here or another time, please contact Mother Nancy.
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Where do I find it?
Click on the pictures below to access the Ministry Roster & Calendar, Vestry Information, and Sermon pages of our Website:
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Ministry Roster & Calendar
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Vestry Information
Minutes of Vestry Meetings are available through the Parish Office. Please call if you wish a copy. Thanks.
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Plan now for our annual......
Service of Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 16, at 6:00PM
Prelude begins at 5:40pm
featuring
Adult & Children’s Choirs, Handbells, &
The West Texas Winds
Reception following
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Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas News & Events
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The Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas has a new look to their website. Check it out!
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Explore the Way of Love!
Presiding Bishop Curry has invited the whole church to take up The Way of Love, a “rule of life” focused on practices for Jesus-Centered Life. Go to the Way of Love page on the Episcopal Church's website to find out more about engaging The Way of Love, developing and following a rule of life, walking with others, the Jesus Movement, and a selection of resources and tools for discovering and deepening that practice in your own life.
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AN
ADVENT
PRAYER.....
God who made us,
God who loves us,
now receive our Advent prayer.
Come refresh us,
come renew,
restore your children everywhere.
To those hurting,
to those grieving
sick in body, sick in soul,
Come with healing,
come with comfort,
come, O God, and make them whole.
To those bored and
to those burdened,
trudging down an endless road,
Come, bring meaning
to their living,
come and lift their heavy load.
To those warring,
to those wanton,
those who lust for pomp and power,
Come, convert them,
come, redeem them,
rend the heavens, come down this hour.
To those righteous,
to those faithful,
those who seek to walk your way,
Come, confirm them,
come, assure them,
come impel them on today.
To us saints and
to us sinners—
those whose hearts you know so well,
Come in judgment,
come in mercy,
come, O come, Emmanuel.
---Jane Marshall from “Grace, Noted”
December 2, 2018
First Sunday of Advent
Saying
Yes
to the Journey
As Advent begins this week, we invite you to orient yourself to the coming of the Jesus at Christmas through the practices of Journeying the Way of Love. This journey begins by saying “yes” to God’s call to birth new life into the world—a call that is both powerful and gentle, a call that will, if fully embraced, grow beyond our imaginations, spilling out of ourselves and into our family, friends, community, and the whole world.
Over the course of this holy season, we invite you to respond to that call using these daily practices, and encourage you to offer them to your friends, family, and neighbors.
Sunday, December 2
WORSHIP
Pay attention during worship today. What part of the service fills your heart?
Monday, December 3
GO
Take time to listen closely to someone you may not ordinarily take seriously, or who has a different perspective than you.
Tuesday, December 4
LEARN
Read Luke 1:26-38. What is God calling you to say “yes” to?
Wednesday, December 5
PRAY
Set a timer for five minutes. Silently repeat this prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Thursday, December 6
BLESS
In the spirit of St. Nicholas, practice a random act of kindness today.
Friday, December 7
TURN
Reflect: Where have I fallen short this week? How can I make amends?
Saturday, December 8
REST
Do something today that replenishes your spirit.
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Daughters of the King
The Daughters of the King is a national, Episcopal women’s group whose purpose is prayer: thanksgiving, supplication, intercession for others.
Prayer requests are kept anonymous unless the sender gives permission to use specific names and privacy respected by the Daughters and can be sent to Pamela Howell at
prhluv9@yahoo.com
with the subject line:
DOK prayer request.
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CHILDREN'S
CHOIR
Sundays following
Godly Play & Church
Adult Choirs
Wednesdays
Choristers 7:00PM
Handbells 6:00PM
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Christmas Eve
Monday, December 24
6:00PM
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DECEMBER Jubilee Food Pantry
Saturday 9:00am DECEMBER 15
Volunteers are always welcome!
The pantry is located at 3311 Andrews Hwy. There is a green bin in the Welcome Center for donations of Tuna fish and peanut butter.
Thank you.
~Linda Jordan
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Weekly Outreach Plate Offering
First Sunday—to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund
Second Sunday—to Outreach
Third Sunday—to the Deacon’s Discretionary Fund
Fourth Sunday—to Episcopal Relief & Development
Fifth Sunday—to FELLOWSHIP
Need a ride to church?
At St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church, we would like to make sure all who wish to attend our Sunday morning service are able to do so. If you, or someone you know, are unable to drive independently to church because of health or impairment, we would like to pick you up, bring you to church, and then deliver you back home again.
Our courtesy Taxi Cab will pick up passengers for church every Sunday morning between 9:00-9:15am, and return home approximately at 11:00am.
If you are interested, or you know of someone who could benefit from this service, please contact the Parish Office, at 432-694-8856.
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BIRTHDAYS
Linda Jordan (12/1) Nicole Jordan (12/2)
Martha Jo Davis (12/15) Don Davis (12/18)
Beverly Alstrin (12/20) Jim Chase (12/25)
Anniversaries
Vicki & Harris Kerr 12/1
Darryl Knapp & Scot Marter 12/6
Gwen & Dn. Tom Burns 12/9
PARISH PRAYER REQUESTS
Will, Tommy, Jerry, Jo, Tina, Elisabeth, Jonathan, Noel, Karen, Sue, Derrill, Ross, Jimmy, Jenny, Robbie, Joy, Fran, Victorio, Kim, Glenda, Ray, Troy, Fred, Fr. Slayter, Becke, Joan (Jo-ann), Dylan, Wanda, Ben, Cynthia, Rachel, Daniel, Ann, Nancy, Brandy, Gregg, Isaac, Tisha, Wells Family, Ronnie, Linda and Family, Janie, Kathy, Colleen, Chalfant Family, Charlie, Alexandria, Chris, Kaylene, Gary, Addison, Bobby, Donna, Vivian, Sarah, Kellie, Marge, Ernest, Peggy, Jane, Maryann, Susan, Gwen, Sydney, Kathey, Dean, Coral, Sandra, Nikki, Clyde, Shirley, Latonya, Lani-Sue, Margaret, Timothy & Family, Raymond & Family, Craig, Tanya, Kalee, Debbie, Jenn, Richard, Terry, Kellie, Hazel, Tomasine, Sharon, Jessica, Don, Cathey, Qanna, Emmory, John, Jennifer, Kellie, Carol, Lisa, Kati, Pamela, Jim & Family, Denise, Frankie, Doug, Adriana & Family, Darla, Jessie, Hall Family, Riddle Family, Joshua, Kellie, Rebekah, Cynthia, Barbara, Sam, Shannon & Family, Harold and Family, Dymond, Paul, Andrea, Greg, Tom, Gray, Skyles Family, Todd, Elizabeth, John & Marcia, Linley, C-J Family, Bob.
FOR THOSE IN THE ARMED FORCES Jordan, Robert, Stephen, Karen, Gabriel, Isaac, David, Daulton, Charlie, Luke, James, Mika, Tres, Josh, Jacob, Christine, Noah, Jackson, Aaron, Nicholas, Adam, Margarito, Kenton.
FOR THE DEPARTED Dr. James Corwin
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the departed,
Through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
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Godly Play News
Godly Play is our Montessori-based children’s education program. It allows our youngest members to explore their faith through play. The teacher presents a lesson that is followed by a time for the children to wonder and delve into their relationships with the Divine and each other. This is followed by their choice of art, or a project the teacher chooses, and the morning finishes with a tea party and snacks.
We have a growing group of children who are excited and eager for class each week. It is inspiring to see them learning the stories and developing favorite lessons. Godly Play may be designed for children, but it has something for everyone. I have learned as much as the students.
Two volunteers are needed for class each week. The teacher is responsible for the lesson and the assistant keeps everything running smoothly. No experience is needed! It is a fun opportunity to serve our church family.
I am available anytime to answer questions about the program.
If you are interested, I would love to visit with you.
Sally Stafford, 432-352-4281
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All are Welcome, Really!
Sunday
9:30 AM Holy Communion
Sunday School for Children & Children's Choir
10:30 AM Fellowship Brunch
11:00 AM Adult Bible Study
Childcare provided
Wednesday
5:30 PM Healing Service & Holy Eucharist
6:00 PM Handbell Rehearsal
6:30 PM Light Supper and Bible Study
7:00 PM Chorister Rehearsal
Childcare provided
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The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer,
Bishop of Northwest Texas
The Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer,
Canon to the Ordinary
The Rev. Nancy Springer, Rector
The Rev. Tom Burns, Deacon
Joe Cobb, Sr. Warden
Robert Norrgard, Jr. Warden
Darryl Knapp, Organist/Choirmaster &
Lay Ministry Coordinator
Sharon Gerald, Bookkeeper
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St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church | 432-694-8856 | stnicks@stnicksmt.org www.stnicksmt.org
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