We are a JOYOUS Community of faith! |
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Dear Friends,
I always loved bedtime when my boys were little guys. It wasn’t just that they were exhausting, and the end of the day was a blessed event but they were also so clever! Our ritual at night was to read a Bible story, a bedtime story and say our prayers.
Of course, because children are masters of putting off bedtime, they always knew how to work more stories into our routine. One would scan the room for books and remind me which ones were my favorite while the other one would begin to remind me about all their favorite Bible stories, knowing full well, that I would give in to reading more than one bible story a night. “Mommy, we love Noah, and David and Goliath, and the Baby Jesus. Let’s read more stories, won’t that be fun? Let’s learn, won’t that be fun?” I like to think my little guys truly loved these stories and recognized their power, and weren’t just working me to prolong bedtime.
Okay, they were working me to prolong bedtime! And I gave into this manipulation with a hopefulness that the bible stories would become familiar to them and live within them. My hope for them was that one day they would recognize Bible stories in their everyday lives. That is my hope for all of us. What would it be like to have images of the Good Samaritan pop into our head every time we greet a stranger or give money to Salvation Army Bell Ringers? What if when we see heroic sports movies like American Underdog or Remember the Titans, we also see and hear the story of David and Goliath?
The Bible, our scriptures, are the living and breathing word of God. The stories are just as relevant today as they were years ago. We have the privilege of learning them and letting them capture our imaginations as they form and transform our lives. Our worship is organized in such a way, that our stories become embedded in our lives and in our memories.
Every year during Advent and Christmas we hear the stories and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. Every season of Lent we prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus. Every Easter season we hear of the various resurrection stories of Jesus where he meets his disciples in their fear and grief. These are our family stories. These are the stories we tell around our table, the altar. These are the stories that bring us closer to one another and God in Jesus Christ.
I also hope these are the stories we learn to interpret and share with our friends and family. One of my favorite interpretations of the Christmas story is told by children and youth from St. Paul’s Art and Media Ministry in Auckland, New Zealand. You can watch the Christmas story and smile at the brilliance of children telling this story from their perspective.
As we enter this next week before Christmas, I pray we embrace the stories of Mary and Elizabeth, of Shepherds and Angels, and a little baby born and laid in a trough. I pray we can thank God for the familiarity of the stories but also welcome new insights as we see and hear them with fresh eyes and ears and open hearts and minds. You never know, it may be that the holy spirit prompts us to read more and more bible stories, whispering in our ear - "Won’t that be fun?!?"
God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Beth+
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Comal County Sheriff's Office Gifts |
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Thank you so much for the mugs, cocoa, and goodies. Our goal was 100 mugs and we have over 150 to bring to the Comal County Sheriff’s department!
They are wrapped and ready to be delivered. We will be bringing them to the Sheriff’s office on Wednesday, December 22nd. Meet up at St. Nick’s at 9:00am to load mugs and get directions. We will arrive at the Sheriff’s office at 10am to hand out their presents. Afterward, everyone is invited to lunch in New Braunfels.
All ages are welcome to come and spread Christmas cheer!
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Thank you to everyone who has been giving to The Share Center. The Share Center (sexual health and reproductive education) is an organization in our community whose mission is to serve the needs of those facing unplanned pregnancies, requiring sexual health services & education or those seeking to learn more about parenting.
We have been collecting newborn lotion, Size 5 and 6 diapers, and rattles/toys/teethers. We will be collecting these items for them the whole month of December. You can place them in the big black and white box shaped like a present near the Prayer Wall.
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Caroling in the Community |
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Thank you to those who came out to caroling in the community! Your time and talent are appreciated! |
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Disaster Relief through Episcopal Relief and Development |
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The tornadoes that swept the mid-Mississippi Valley were devastating, killing at least 90 people and leaving thousands without infrastructure or homes. We are choosing to help by supporting ERD (Episcopal Relief and Development) efforts to provide relief and support. You can make a donation to ERD disaster relief on their website.
In addition to monetary help, please join us in lifting these communities up in prayer:
God… Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
–Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints, Church Publishing: New York, page 733
O God, our times are in your hand. In the midst of uncertainty lead us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and hope. Walk with us through difficult times; watch over us in danger; and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and mourn. And finally remind us that you have promised never to leave us so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
–The Rev. Lyndon Harris, from the Episcopal Diocese of New York disaster preparedness plan
You can also add your own prayers and petition on our Prayer wall in the sanctuary.
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This Week (And Next) at ST. NICK'S |
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Men's Lunch Small Group
Thursdays, 11:30am
Stop by a local eatery to pick up lunch or have some leftovers from Dinner Church and come to St. Nick's for Bible study and fellowship.
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Sunday Worship
December 19 & 26
All are invited to worship with us.
8:30am - Outdoor Worship (unless freezing, raining or drizzling)
9:30am - Indoor Worship
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Advent Activity
Stay after the 9:30 worship service and we will hear the story of The Legend of the Poinsettia and create a special all-church collage for Christmas.
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Deliver Gifts to Comal County Sheriff's Office
Wednesday, December 22
Join in as we spread Christmas Cheer. We will be bringing our presents to the Comal County Sheriff’s Department. Meet at St. Nick’s at 9am to load cars and get maps to the Sheriff’s office. And stay for lunch in New Braunfels after our visit.
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Don't forget to put our first Christmas Eve worship in our new space on your calendars! Invite your friends and family to celebrate the birth of Jesus. |
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Small Groups and Weekly Activities |
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Small Groups and weekly activities will take a Christmas break and resume the week of January 12th.
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Church Administration and Volunteer Information |
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Volunteer Helpers Sunday AM |
St. Nick’s is a multigenerational Community of Faith. All ages are welcome to serve as greeters, altar guild helpers, and readers. If your child or youth has an interest in serving and helping at St. Nick’s, please click on the link below and sign up for a Sunday. Let us empower our children to be ministers and grow in faith through service to our Lord. |
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2265 Bulverde Rd.
Bulverde, TX 78163
Phone: 214-213-0739
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