We are a worshiping community where everyone matters, everyone is loved, and everyone belongs. Everyone!
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Dear Friends,
This has been a heartbreaking week. Since Tuesday evening, I have had Romans 8:26 rattling around in my head and settling in on my heart. Romans 8:26 says, Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. Most of us are familiar with the verse that uses the word sighs instead of groanings but this translation feels more appropriate for this week. I have not been sighing, but rather, crying, lamenting, raging, and groaning. I have looked at all of these as my prayers to God this week. I am guessing, you are sharing in these prayers too.
I think our Bishop said it well in his letter to the diocese when he shared,
"Words of outrage are not enough to express our hatred of this evil done to little children who simply went to school this morning. Expressions of sorrow scarcely touch the depth of families’ grief tonight. There is nothing we can say today to comfort the parents, siblings, and grandparents whose lives were left in ruins by this evil violence.
What we have to offer is ourselves. To turn ourselves, our hearts and minds, to those who are suffering in Uvalde – to reach out our hands to lift up and to extend our arms to embrace – this is what we have to offer, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and following him in whatever ways are available into the pain and brokenness of our brothers and sisters in Uvalde and at St. Philip’s Church. We have received power to love and to resist hatred.
And we can pray. We must pray. Ignore the cynics, and pray with all your heart. Let your cries reach to the heavens. Let your anger and despair be your prayer. And listen to God answering in return. Look for God’s tears revealed and listen for his perfect and righteous anger. Give yourself over to opportunities to join in the Spirit’s work of binding up and healing. Love with all you’ve got, and never, ever surrender to the darkness."
Love with all you've got, and never, ever surrender to the darkness. Important words for us to hang on to as we sigh and groan our prayers. Important words for us to be mindful of as more news comes out about the Uvalde School shooting. Important words to be mindful of as we realize that we are all grieving. And as a friend wisely pointed out this week, everyone grieves differently. As we collectively grieve, there are some things we can do to help one another and the Uvalde community.
First, give yourself permission to turn off the news or get off social media. It is okay to take a break and go for a walk. Create some art, play with your kiddos or pets, call a friend to laugh and find joy.
Second, consider helping if you are able. The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas is inviting congregations to collect a special offering to benefit individuals and families affected by this tragedy. Donations sent to the diocesan office will be given to St. Philip's Church in Uvalde to disperse as needed for the relief and healing of individuals and their community.
Congregations and individuals can give online, at dwtx.org/give, by texting the word "Uvalde" to (210) 796-6805, or by mailing a check made out to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas with "Uvalde Response" on the memo line to the address below.
*Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
Attn: Uvalde Response
P.O. Box 6885
San Antonio, TX 78209
Third, offer your prayers for Uvalde and the victims of this violent crime;
O God our Father, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust your beloved children of Uvalde to your everlasting care and love, and bring them fully into your heavenly kingdom. Pour out your grace and loving-kindness on all who grieve; surround them with your love; and restore their trust in your goodness. We lift up to you our weary, wounded souls and ask you to send your Holy Spirit to take away the anger and violence that infects our hearts, and make us instruments of your peace and children of the light. In the Name of Christ who is our hope, we pray. Amen.
May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, empower us through your Holy Spirit to be witnesses of your love, compassion and forgiveness in the aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting. We pray that your Holy Spirit will lead those who minister to the grieving and suffering families of the nineteen children and two teachers who died.
Give us, O Lord, the courage to walk through the valley of the shadow of death as we mourn this horrific tragedy. Guide us to to respond according to your will, even as to be Christ’s light to this broken and sinful world. All this we plead through Jesus Christ our Lord who died to set this world free. Amen.
Fourth, given that we are a church whose patron saint is for Children, I commend to you the resources compiled by our Bishop's deputy for Christian Formation. You can find them here. Parents and their children and youth, especially need our love and care during this time. Learning how to talk to children about violence and undertanding their needs is a good thing for all of us to know, not just teachers and parents.
This is not an exhaustive list. There are many more ways for us to care for one another and many more responses demanded of us in the wake of this evil act of violence done to little children. But for now, we must hold on to the words, Love with all you've got, and never, ever surrender to the darkness. Love each other dearly and with everything you've got! Love our children dearly and with everything you've got! Be stubborn in your love, be stubborn in your joy, be stubborn for the Lord and for one another.
God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Your very stubborn Pastor - Beth+
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Thanks to everyone who came out to help with Musik in the Park! The Hitmen 8.0 were a big hit with their eighties playlist. The giant jenga and cornhole games were a big hit too!
Musik in the park will return in September and we look forward to continuing to meet our neighbors and spend time together!
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Thank you to everyone who has so graciously given to Provisions Food Pantry!
We continuously collect items for them and are filled with gratitude for the work they are doing in our neighborhood.
Throughout the summer we will continue to collect the following needed items:
Tuna
Canned Veggies
Canned Beans
Canned Tomato Products
Chili
Beef Stew
Peanut Butter
Jelly
You can also leave donations at St. Nick’s in the kitchen under the shelves by the sanctuary wall.
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Sunday, May 29: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter:
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
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Sunday Worship
Invite your friends and family! All are invited to worship with us.
8:30am - NO Outdoor Worship this Sunday or next Sunday!
9:30am - Indoor Worship
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Prayer Group
Wednesdays, 9:30am
Come pray in color with us! We are doing a A time of prayer and contemplation through words and art on the page.
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Last Dinner Church!
Wednesday, June 1
5:30-7:30pm
Invite a friend and join us for breakfast for dinner, prayer and fellowship. We always have activities for the kids and conversation for adults. Tons of laughter and joy too!!!
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Women's Zoom Bible Study
Thursday, June 2
11:30am
Women's Bible Study via Zoom. We study and discuss the upcoming Sunday's Gospel reading. We wil be meeting until the end of June.
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Sunday June 5
9:30am Worship only
Let the fun begin! Pentecost is when we recognize the Holy Spirit in our lives and celebrate the birth of the Christian Church. Following our combined worship time at 9:30 am everyone is invited to a family picnic and game day. Bring your favorite picnic side (barbecue meat and strawberry shortcake will be provided) to our potluck festivities, invite friends and family, and join us for yard games and art. Rev. Beth will have a fun painting activity as well. Don’t forget to wear red, orange, or yellow!
If you would like to provide a yard game for the day or volunteer to help with setup or clean up, please contact Haley Bankey at haleynbankey@gmail.com or text 210-842-7741.
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June 29-July 1, 5:30-7:30pm
and July 2, 9:30am
We will be having a multi-generational Family Vacation Bible School at St. Nick’s this year. All families (with kids and teens and those without) are invited to come join us for Joy Camp. Joy Camp is about Jesus, Others and You! We will be learning how we are called to create, pray, and bless others at this four day event.
June 29-July 1 will be in the evenings, 5:30-7:30pm. We will eat dinner together, learn, play, create, and sing. On Saturday July 2nd, we will have waffle church at 9:30am and then go off to have a day of fun!
Look for sign-ups via email and at church and contact Rev. Beth at 214-213-0739 with questions.
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Church Administration and Volunteer Information |
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A great big shout out and Thank You! We want to acknowledge the ways you are helping us grow into the church God has called us to be…
Thank You – to everyone who is signing up and stepping in to help with Sunday Morning ministries. Your service to help Sundays run smoothly is a gift to all of us!
Thank You – to everyone who has been coming, providing food, setting up, and cleaning up for Dinner Church! The conversations, prayers, and laughter are great memories in the making!
Thank You – to Darren, Elizabeth, MIke and Howard, our musicians. You all provide us with inspiration week after week and we are so grateful! And a big thanks to Darren for the Sanctus we are now singing at St. Nick’s! So beautiful and again, so inspiring!!! You all are teaching us to make a joyful noise!
Thank You – to our tech teams. Thank you to Mark, Jeremy, Chase, Howard, and Patrick, for all the hard work you put in week after week! Your work to make sure our musicians and worship can be heard in person and seen and hear online is a beautiful and faithful gift for all of us!
Thank You – to our kiddos, congregation, and Miss Emily who help fill our social media with great art and prayers! We believe our social media is a way we share the love and joy of God. Our prayers, artwork, educational snippets, and pictures are ways we hope to inspire and engage people to know they are loved by God and us. Thank you also to the people who are sharing our posts and inviting others to follow us. We were able to reach over 90,000 people through our socials this past month. We believe the hope and joy we are spreading makes a difference in people’s lives! Thank you for being a part of sharing the Good News of Jesus online!
And, if you want to help out and simply haven't signed up yet, you can sign-up here!
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Hospitality Info -
Thank you so much to Tom and Hillys who have been helping with hospitality this past month! The kids especially seem to like the donuts and other goodies!!! If you would like to help with hospitality on Sundays, it is an easy way to serve your church by bring snacks, drinks, kolaches, or donuts.
You can sign up for a Sunday in July or August to help with Hospitality. You can sign up at church or you can sign-up here!
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2265 Bulverde Rd.
Bulverde, TX 78163
Phone: 214-213-0739
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