|
Dear Friends –
We are connected to and a part of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. This weekend we are electing a Suffragan Bishop. A suffragan bishop is an assisting bishop who helps the diocesan bishop in ministry, in vision, and in pastoral care of the clergy and lay leaders in the diocese.
Please pray for Lee, Matt, and Angela, the nominees for Suffragan Bishop. They are all faithful clergy in our church and have opened themselves up to discerning this call to leadership. It is a public and lengthy process. All three candidates have incredible gifts in ministry and clearly love the Lord.
In talking to one of the candidates, I had the chance to find out how they came to belong in and to the Episcopal church. They shared, " I was invited. I was twenty-something and I was invited to church. I had never heard of the Episcopal Church but was drawn in by the welcome people shared with me and the generosity they had with others. I was also invited into ministry. I was asked to help. My gifts were important. It changed my life."
Wow. Right? Wow! We have the power to change people's lives by inviting them to church or into helping us with our ministry. How incredible is that? With each passing day, I am convinced that we are all seeking meaning and belonging. We all want to be in a place where we are cherished and belong - loved and valued for who we are, who we have been, who we are becoming.
I can't help but wonder where I would be today if it had not been for the people inviting me to church and bible studies and women's retreats. I'm pretty sure my life would look a lot different. And today, being reminded by a candidate who is both courageous and full of God's grace, I give thanks for all the people in my life who had the courage to invite me to churchy things. So many different people helped me have experiences of God and made the way for me to come to know the unconditional love of God in and through Jesus Christ. Maybe that is true for you too...
I shouldn't be surprised by the power of an invitation. I mean, Jesus invited the disciples into ministry personally - we see that throughout the synoptic Gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke. And in the first chapter in the Gospel of John, we see the ripple effects of invitation. John the Baptist engages with Andrew and John, Andrew invites Peter, Jesus invites Phillip, Phillip invites Nathanael. Invitations mean something. They say, I want to spend time with you in this particular way. I want to share this important part of my life with you.
I hope and pray you know the power of your invitation to others. Your words, your willingness to include someone into your life of faith matters greatly. It could be the thing they need to see they have a place and a people who value them. They can have a people and a place where they are loved, cherished and belong. Who knows, they may be your bishop someday.
God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Beth+
| |
|
WORSHIP
This Sunday at St. Nick's
| |
|
Sunday, October 20: Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24
Collect for Proper 24:
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Amen.
| |
|
|
DINNER CHURCH - Wed. 5:30
October 23rd - Bring a ghoulish dish to share. Think deviled eggs, "spaghetti with eyeballs" and mummy dogs. If you want ideas for food here is a link for you at Unexpectedly domestic.
All are welcome to Dinner Church for a time of fellowship, food, and deepening friendships.
| | | |
|
|
|
Bible Verse of the Week!
In the book of 1 Samuel (16:7) in the Old Testament, the scripture says, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Trying to make a long story short, the time had come for Samuel to go to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint Israel’s next king. Samuel like Eliab, who was impressive in appearance and height. God guided Samuel to not look at his appearance but also at his heart. God was guiding Samuel to look for a man after God's own heart. David was God's choice. David is said to be "a man after God's heart." You can find 1 Samuel here at Biblegateway.com and read all about God's interaction with Samuel.
| | | |
|
|
Tech/AV Team
Every Sunday our faithful Tech/AV team makes sure we have sound, we are streaming online, and all of the slides are in order for us. They work tirelessly to help us worship and praise God.
Most of them have been working hard for us since the onset of the COVID pandemic when we had to go online and go online fast! They are always trying to improve the slides, the audio, and the visuals. They have an incredible amount of patience with our priests who love to walk and talk and tend to wander out of the view of the live-stream cameras.
Currently, the team is Mark, Nick, Chase, Howard, Patrick, and Jeremy. And sometimes Coen is a jr. apprentice and helper for the team. Just like many of our ministries, the team welcomes new people to join them. They are open to teens and adults to help and welcome those who are interested in learning about technology or who already have a love for it. If you are interested in helping with this very important ministry, please contact admin@stnickshillcountry.org
| | | |
|
SERVICE TO CHURCH AND WORLD
5K4JESUS & LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS!
| | |
|
Serving and Loving Others!
God is pretty amazing! This week we have collectively logged over 1200 hours in our 5K4J initiative. Way to go church!!!
Some of the community organizations that are being loved and served by you are Elf Louise Christmas Project, Abode - end of life care home, Mammen Family Library, Winding Branch Ranch, and Bill Brown Elementary.
It is a great joy to witness so much loved poured out in to our community. All ages are welcome to send in hours and we are always happy to support service hours for our children and youth.
| | |
HURRICANE HELENE AND MILTON RELIEF | |
|
Please support hurricane recovery efforts -
Episcopal Relief & Development mobilizes in coordination with local partners to provide assistance to those affected by Hurricane Helene and now also, Hurricane Milton.
Please contribute to the Hurricane Relief Fund to support relief and recovery efforts.
You can also join us in prayer for the recovery efforts.
Compassionate God, source of all comfort, we pray for the people whose lives have been devastated this hurricane season.
Bring them comfort, we pray.
Protect the vulnerable.
Strengthen the weak.
Keep at bay the spread of disease.
Have mercy on all those working to rebuild.
And may our response to their suffering be generous and bring you praise.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
— Adapted from Christian Aid, UK
| |
Thank you! & a few items wanted...
Thank you to everyone who has so graciously donated to our ministry with and for Arlon Seay Elementary. We have been delighted by your support, love, and care.
The refresh of the teacher's lounge is coming along. The team has been busy with meetings, cleaning, and organizing the space. God willing the refresh install day will be October 12th.
We are hoping for a few donations of bagged coffee and individual bagged snacks. We have had a wonderful supply of Keurig cups, tea, stir sticks, and creamers donated.
Thank you again for your support of this ministry!
| |
SIGN-UPS FOR SUNDAY MINISTRIES | |
|
All ages can sign up at this link
You can volunteer to be a reader, greeters, hospitality hosts, acolytes, and altar team member.
You can contact Rev. Beth if you would like to serve and have questions. Remember, as an intergenerational church - all ages are encouraged to lead and serve.
| |
|
SAVE THE DATES - UPCOMING EVENTS | |
Mid-Winter Camps
NEW!
January 3-5, Mid-Winter I: 6-12th grade
January 10-12, Mid-Winter II: 2nd-5th grade
Get ready to start the new year with an amazing weekend at Camp Capers! Mid-Winter Camp is a weekend for reuniting with friends from summer camp, making new ones, growing and learning in faith, campfires, outdoor games, singing, worship, and more. With our
new structure of ages per weekend, games & teachings will be scheduled in a way that is appropriate for each age group.
Registration costs
$175; scholarships are available.
| | |
|
2265 Bulverde Rd.
Bulverde, TX 78163
Phone: 214-213-0739
| |
| | | |
