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For the week ending

March 9, 2024

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Join us for worship



March 10, 2024

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Holy Eucharist Rite I


Numbers 21:4-9

Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22


This Sunday we are going to depart from our usual worship: In observance of the season of Lent, we will be using the more penitential Rite I, rather than our usual Rite II.


Older members may recognize the more archaic language of Sunday's litany, and that there will now be the invitation to kneel in many places. (Please adapt this invitation to your own physical needs.)


If you'd like to know more about why we are using Rite I during the season of Lent, join us for Adult Forum at 9:00 a.m.




And don't forget, this Sunday

Adult Forum

March 10, 2024 9:00 a.m.

Lent


The Adult Forum series will move into a discussion of the liturgical season of Lent and its meaning in the spiritual lives of Episcopalians. Join us at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.


If you would like to read the (really quite interesting) primer on Rite I that has been used for Adult Forum recently, please click here.


SNICK

March 10


After the service, St. Nicholas Kids will learn about St. Patrick and his significance in history and legend. Then David Johnson will read some narrative poems from his book The Main Streets of Nazareth, and lead a discussion about life during the time of Jesus.

New Alarm and Entry System is Now in Place


We now have entry codes for anyone who regularly needs to get into the church. These were sent out via email on Wednesday, March 6. If you feel you need a code and did not receive one, please contact the office by phone or email.


If you do not have an entry code, please do not attempt to enter the building if someone with a code is not already in the church - you will set off the alarm!

The church office will be closed Monday, March 11.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Prayer Requests


Your prayers are asked for Dwight New; for the continuing recovery of Gene Wells and Jewell Wells; for Ashley Patel; and for Patricia.

Easter Flowers


The season of Lent brings the opportunity to donate toward an abundance of joyful altar flowers at Easter.


Donate in honor or in memory of a loved one, in gratitude for a blessing in your life, or for any reason you like. Donors will be noted in the Easter service bulletin.


Envelopes are available in the narthex, or you may donate through Vanco here.

Wanted: Childcare Provider


We are currently seeking a responsible adult to provide childcare in the nursery during Sunday Services and the occasional special event. This is a paid position, and there are training requirements. Contact the church office to express interest and receive the job description.

St. Thomas will offer a screening this Sunday, March 10, at 5 pm of a new feature-length film about the first women to be ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church - The Philadelphia Eleven.


The Episcopal Church was slow to ordain women. Resolutions to allow the ordination of women came up at General Convention in 1970 and 1973. Both times, the resolutions were defeated. Supporters decided to take action another way. Three retired bishops agreed to take part in an ordination service. Eleven women who had been preparing for ordination were "irregularly" ordained on July 29, 1974 in Philadelphia. In 1976, General Convention finally approved the ordination of women.


While the film focuses on the Episcopal Church, it is really a film for the whole Church. It depicts the courage of these women and bishops who had to defy the structures of the Church in order to follow Jesus faithfully. It invites us to ask what may need to change in the Church today in order to follow Jesus faithfully in our time.


Admission is free. A hot dog supper will be provided (including a vegan option). Donations will be accepted but not required. A brief discussion will follow the film, ending at 7 pm.


Click here for more information and to register.

Allende’s The House of Spirits is next for Book Club


March 13

after Evening Prayer


Book club members were impressed with Everything I Never Told You. It was sad to see a family fall apart because they could not tell the truth about themselves, but Celeste Ng wrote a moving and eloquent story.


We chose for our next book Isabel Allende's first novel, The House of Spirits. Published in 1982, it is a multi-generational family saga that blends magical realism with political turmoil. Centered around the Trueba family, the narrative spans decades in an unnamed South American country.


Our next meeting is Wednesday March 13 following Evening Prayer at 5:00 p.m. Please join us. Everyone is welcome even if you haven’t read the book.

The Tank is Running Low at BackSnacks


BackSnacks is running low on funds these days. If you are a supporter of this St. Nicholas program, which helps feed Harris County kids from food-insecure families when they go home from school for the weekend, please consider a small donation this Sunday. (Be sure to note "BackSnacks" on your check - or, donate through Vanco here.)


Many thanks for your generosity.

First Sunday Brunch - Hosts Needed


We need a host for next month’s First Sunday Brunch (April 7), as well as for June. Elaborate dishes are not a requirement, but our brunch is becoming quite popular and attendance is robust – consider teaming up with someone to host.


If you are interested in hosting a First Sunday Brunch, remember to sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board. There is a separate sheet in the narthex to RSVP to attend each brunch.

A New Addition to the Butzon Family!


Introducing Simon Arthur Huey Butzon, Mar 3, 2024, 8 lb., 14 oz.; 20.5 inches.


Welcome to the world, bright, beautiful and beloved little soul!


Attention: Lay Ministers


In an attempt to get an up-to-date idea of who would like to be a lay minister in the coming months and when they would like to serve, Erin has created this very simple Google Form survey. Experienced lay ministers and lay ministry-curious are welcome to submit this form. Please communicate your interest and availability to serve via the form or by email to Erin by Palm Sunday.


Thank you for your contributions to St. Nicholas' worship services!

A Big Thank You

to Carleen Frokjer and Gus and Teri Lind, who made donations to the Rector's Discretionary Fund in celebration of their special occasion.

The Rector's Discretionary Fund is one of the ways we at St. Nicholas share the love of Christ in our community, by helping our neighbors with their utility bills.

You can make a celebratory donation using the envelopes in the narthex.

GIPL Action Alert: Save the Okefenokee Swamp


Our five-year fight to stop strip mining near the Okefenokee Swamp has reached a critical stage!

 

Earlier this month, Georgia's Environmental Protection Division (EPD) issued draft permits for Twin Pines, LLC to mine titanium along Trail Ridge—a vital barrier protecting this Sacred Place! Scientists and other experts agree mining in this location will threaten the swamp’s water levels, increase wildfire risks, harm wildlife, and release toxic contaminants into nearby surface and groundwater.

 

We have just 60 days to make as much noise as possible to stop this development. Join us in calling on Gov. Kemp and the EPD to deny these permits by sending them an email.


Click here to act.

There are more Shopping Days planned for other populations: Families in Transition and Foster Care Families can shop on March 19 - 21; and unaccompanied youth can shop March 26 - 28. Look for more information as the shopping dates approach.

Are you curious about the Church's response to the conflict in the Holy Land?

Click the image above for information.

Visit our website

The minutes for the February meeting of the vestry are available by clicking here.