We are a worshiping community where everyone matters, everyone is loved, and everyone belongs. Everyone!
|
|
Dear Friends,
In our my studies of the scriptures this week, I have been drawn to our Old Testament reading from Micah. Especially this verse from Micah 6:8 - He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Whenever I hear this verse, I reminded of a parishioner at my church in Dallas. He was a greeter and the friendliest and most kind person you have ever met! He was so loving, in fact, that his greeting duties could not be contained to inside the church building. Every Sunday you would see him in the parking lot, waving and saying hello to newcomers and church members. He would help you with your kids or anything you needed to bring in from your car. He would help with outreach supplies for the food pantry or goodies for the coffee hour or simply with your diaper bag or kiddos. He just always seemed so happy to meet you and so glad you came to church that day! Oh and did I mention it didn't matter if there was rain or sunshine? He was just as happy to see you on the grey days as the bright and brilliant ones!
Oh how I miss him! But oh how thankful I am for his faithful witness of loving kindness and humble servitude! He still inspires me to this day. I want everyone (member or visitor) who comes to St. Nick's to feel this kind of welcome and love.
It's scary to come to church for the first time as a visitor. If you are wondering about just how scary watch this painful but hilarious clip from The New Adventures of Old Christine. In this episode she has been invited to church and obsesses over it. In this clip we see all the obstacles that churches can hold. It is funny, sad, and awkward. And I imagine it is true! Not everybody knows the church rhythm and what's required and that makes church hard and scary. Coming to church is a courageous and vulnerable move.
At St. Nick's we work hard to be an approachable, comfortable, non-fussy place to worship. We are trying to focus on the important things - you and God in Jesus Christ. Whenever we come together as a church, that is, whenever two or more of us are gathered together to learn, eat, pray, worship, serve, walk, or laugh, we are growing in grace, friendship and love with one another and with God in Jesus Christ.
In the summer of 2019, Jeremy and I met with about a dozen or so families to begin to dream of a new church in the Bulverde/Spring Branch area. We talked about being a Joy filled community that would empower people to recognize their ability to bring hope, joy, and love into the world. We wanted to be a church where we could try new things and make space for multi-generational relationships. We prayed to be a place where people could come to be healed, renewed and inspired. A place where people would not be afraid or intimidated but find warmth, acceptance, and the life-changing love of Jesus.
It is so humbling and truly awesome to see how God's spirit has worked so mightily over these last few years! With each passing day, God is forming us and drawing us closer to one another and to Jesus. We are already and always becoming disciples - followers of Jesus. Some days I can't wait to see how our ministries will grow and mature. Will we have people like my friend from Dallas who recognized his greatest gift to God was to welcome people into the church and spread joy and love? Will we have children and youth empowered to lead in the congregation to serve and know they bring hope to our weary world? How many (more) faithful people will come up to me and say "I want to start a new ministry" and seek me out to make sure it fits our vision and vibe here at St. Nick's? Which one of us will make embrace loving kindness and be a parking lot greeter? The possibilities are infinite - just as God's miraculous powers are infinite and inspiring.
So I will leave you with this scriptural response (from the Book of Common Prayer pg. 102) from Ephesians - Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.
Yours in faith and hope,
Beth+
|
|
Baby Shower - Sun. Jan 29th |
Join us after the 9:30am worship service to celebrate Elizabeth (our lead singer) and Chase (our Audio tech and Children's Choir Teacher) and their little bundle of joy - baby Emily! If you would like to gift them with diapers sized 1, 2, or 3 or bring them your favorite children's book - you are welcome to bring either of those gifts.
We will also be offering light refreshments as we celebrate their future baby and their ministry with and to us!
|
|
|
|
|
Join Rev. Beth and Jeremy for a morning of caring for our church property. We will begin at 8am with coffee, donuts, and kolaches. Our projects - fix loose tables, drain outfall, fix bulbs on roof, cut down and throw away dead bulb strands, organize garage, clean windows, blow acorns and leaves, weed side yard, pick up trash, clean kitchen - including grill if possible, sweep and mop, wipe down tables and chairs. All ages are welcome to come and help - Rev. Beth always has projects so even our littlest can help us and learn to be good stewards of their church! |
|
Feb. 5th - Annual Meeting |
There will only be one worship on Feb. 5th at 9:30am. After 9:30 we will have our annual meeting where we celebrate the past year, look to the future, and connect with one another. Text Rev. Beth at 214-213-0739 to RSVP |
|
|
|
|
All women and teen aged girls are invited to St. Nick's on February 10th at 6pm for a woman's event. Join us for a catered dinner from Gennaros. We will have an outreach activity for a women's prison and time to gather together in friendship. We have a sign-up sheet for donations of a few items, and while this dinner is free, we will have a donation basket to cover some of the cost of the food. Please RSVP to Montana at 979-257-0079 by Feb. 3rd |
|
Sunday, January 29: The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12
Collect for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany:
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
|
|
 |
Sunday Worship
Invite your friends, family, and neighbors! All are invited to worship with us.
8:30am - Outdoor Worship
9:30am - Indoor Worship
|
|
|
|
Bible Study
Tuesdays, 7-8:15pm
We are continuing our walk through Matthew. We are on Chapter 8 and all are welcome to come and join us for our study and to pray compline afterwards.
|
|
|
|
|
Praying in Color
Wednesdays, 9:30am
This small group meets to study scripture together. If you are interested in a Lectio Divina study that combines art, conversation and study - this group is for you! |
|
|
|
Holy Hangout
Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30pm
This week Mrs. Brackett is going to help Rev. Beth and Mrs. Jena with Holy Hangout as we play games, continue to learn about followers of Jesus (disciples) and do a super fun craft!
|
|
|
|
|
Dinner Church
Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm
We are celebrating the Lunar New Year with a Chinese meal. Bring your favorite Chinese dish, and if you want to make your own and don't have a recipe, you can check some out here or here. |
|
|
|
Bible Journaling
Thursdays, 9:30am
Come and read the passages of the week and journal in your Bible. Color your thoughts as you discuss the scriptures and how to apply them to your life.
Contact Missy for more info at 210-262-3664.
|
|
|
|
|
Men's Lunch Small Group
Thursdays at noon
Bring your own brown bag lunch, or grab lunch at a local eatery and join in fellowship with other men from our St. Nick's community!
|
|
|
|
Women's Bible Study
Thursdays, 1-2pm
Contact Rev. Beth for the zoom link to study this week's Gospel reading. All women are welcome to join in the study.
|
|
|
|
Ministry Opportunities at St. Nick's |
|
Items wanted:
Sodas
Juices for kids
Sparkling Waters
Individual Bags Cookies and Crackers
Non-peanut butter granola bars
Napkins
|
|
|
|
|
Sign-up at this link to help us with Sunday Worship jobs. You can provide goodies for hospitality, be a greeter, reader, altar set-up and av team member. All ages are encouraged to participate in our ministries.
Here is a list of opportunities -
-
Hospitality - provides food and drinks.
-
Greeter and Offertory - Greets, helps with nametags, counts donations.
-
Readers and Chalice - 1st reader reads the scriptures, 2nd reader reads the prayers. If a child is signed up to read, the parent can help with communion or another adult can help.
-
Audio Team - helps with sound needs.
-
Video Team - helps with the video and online worship.
-
Altar Team - helps with set-up and clean-up of 9:30am worship.
January 29th and April 29th are special days. They are 5th Sundays which means they are children and youth-led days. Please sign your children/youth up to help with any of the jobs listed above.
As always, you can reach out to Rev. Beth with questions at 214-213-0739 and sign-up here at Sign-up Zone
|
|
Financial Peace University |
|
Come and join Ruth McBride for Financial Peace University. Ruth is a Money Coach and is offering this nine week course. The participants will meet from 6:30 to 8:00pm on Thursdays at St. Nicholas. There is a fee for the supplies, but the church has scholarships if needed. Please RSVP to Rev. Beth at 214-213-0739 if you are coming to the class. |
|
|
|
|
2265 Bulverde Rd.
Bulverde, TX 78163
Phone: 214-213-0739
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
