Weekly News - September 17th

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Hello Friends!

I hope and pray you are well!

Today has been one of those days where I am in awe of God and the brilliance of life. I am especially in awe of the depth of our biblical stories and scriptures. So often it is easy to think that a story has one meaning or one message, but really our scriptures are living, breathing stories that hold a depth of meaning for each of us as individuals and meaning for us as a corporate body - the church. This Sunday we will read Mark 9:30-37 that has been often used to encourage the care of children but holds so much more meaning for us when it comes to caring for all God's people - especially caring for the least in our midst. Verses 35-37 read, Jesus sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

On Sunday, I will share my thoughts on the depth of this passage, but here I want to focus in on what many have focused on - the care and welcome of children. Again, this passage is about more than that, but I do believe, whole heartedly, at St. Nick's we are to welcome children in our worship, in our lives, and as full members who have ministry and gifts to offer us and the world.

At St. Nick's we proclaim to be a JOYOUS community of faith

We are a community deeply committed to living JOYOUS lives.
We are committed to Loving Jesus and reaching out to Others with authenticity and grace.
We are a church for all ages - Young and Old – and every age in between.
We are United in the love of Jesus Christ and live our lives being Sent to serve our community.

We are commited to being a church for all ages. We are commited to recognizing and embracing that all ages are able and called to share the love of God which offers hope and joy to a world in need.

Just this past week in worship we had this lived out in our PrayGround. Our PrayGround is a sacred space where children can experience God's holiness through worship with liturgical toys, books, and activities. This space, is not a playground for children, but is a sacred spot in the beauty of our sanctuary where children show us their experience of God's presence in their lives.

After this past Sunday, a member of our congregation remarked, "I was in so much awe of our children. They were focused on following the service with reverence and had paid so much attention to worship, they event knew to keep the chalice covered like you have been doing. They treated the chalices and other vessels with respect and not as toys." Another commented that our children in worship know they are ministers.

It occurs to me, that we have created a space for our littlest ones to practice their faith. They can share communion with one another, and teach the stuffed animals (lovies) to pray, and read the stories of God to one another and the lovies. They share and care for one another in their PrayGround.

I pray that our entire sanctuary becomes a PrayGround for all of us. I pray that we not only welcome our little ones, but learn from them. Let us take heart that we can practice our faith too. Give yourself permission to try on new ministries, and participate in new small groups. Who knows, maybe you are even called to start a new ministry here at St. NIck's!

I pray, that as a community of faith we can practice meeting new friends, and caring for one another. That we will embrace reading God's stories to our families and friends. I pray we will invite our neighbors and our friends into our community to show them that there is hope in this world and it is found through the love, grace, forgiveness, and joy of the Lord.

I pray that we will practice and live out our faith like children. Full of joy, love, reverence, and willingness to be a little playful and prayerful.

God's peace, love and blessings,

Beth+

PRAYER WALL AND LENDING LIBRARY

One of the new additions in our space is our Prayer Wall and Lending Library. When you enter our sanctuary you will notice a warm and inviting space just to your right. This is our new Prayer Wall space and Lending Library. This space is an area for you to "Pray it forward" and be a prayer warrior for someone in need. You can add prayers when you need them, and pray for others who are in need as well.

In addition to holding and lifting each other up in prayer, we have a little library of books to borrow. We even have a section on prayer and faith practices to help all of us grow in our walk with Christ.

You are also welcome and encouraged to share your prayer requests with Rev. Beth directly. You can text her at 214-213-0739 or send a prayer request through our St. Nick's website.

Setting up our Prayer Wall!

A prayer for us!

How to Pray it Forward!

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

Bulverde Musik in the Park Facebook Page

We have been invited to host a children's tent/craft table at Bulverde's Musik in the Park this Saturday. Musik in the Park is held at The Bulverde Community Park, located at 29815 Bulverde ln, just down the street from St. NIck's. Some of us are just going to enjoy the music and meet neighbors and others will be helping with the St. Nick's craft tent. Set-up is at 5pm and the music starts at 6:00pm. We will be making Kindness Rocks - because the world needs more kind! We will also have a make your own pet rock and pet rock bed for children with an invitation to our Blessing of the Animals on October 3rd. We would love to see you on Saturday! Whether you come for the music, the craft, or the making of new friends - we know we will have a great time together!

You can check out the BSBAC web site here

Service Event - Septemer 25th

We have been invited to help Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center (BSBAC) get ready for their 21st annual craft show and their Festival of Trees. We are headed to the center on Friday, September 25th to help them prepare. We will join them from 9:30am to 12:30pm to help and then head over to Hatch for lunch. Looking forward to seeing you and helping our Bulverde community.

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PROVISIONS FOOD PANTRY

We have been invited to help our neighbors (literally right next door) at Provisions Food Pantry. They are in want of prayer partners and encouragers. If you would like to be in the rotation of people who pray and share a reflection contact Rev. Beth or sign-up here. St. Nick's is scheduled for every Monday at 9am and every Wednesday at 9:30am to share a prayer and reflection. You can also check out the Provisions website to see other volunteer opportunities.

SERVING AT ST. NICK'S

One of the ways we show our love for God is to serve our church. We have many ministry opportunities on Sunday Mornings for people of all ages. You can be a reader, a chalice bearer, a greeter, hospitality team member, a Tech helper, or help setup and clean up as an Altar Team Member. You can sign-up for these ministry roles here.

If you are looking to serve in any of these areas, here is a brief look at the ministries -

Hospitality Team - you help make cofee, bring refreshments, and connect with guests coming to St. NIck's. You help usher during our worship if needed and assist with cleaning up after our worship and fellowship time are finished.

Greeter and offertory Team - you help greet guests and help them with name tags, and any new event information with St. Nick's. You also help with the counting and handling of money at the end of our worship.

Readers - you help lead worship reading the scriptures and prayers. All are welcome to read and this is a wonderful way to serve as a family.

Tech Team - you are our behind the scene helpers, keeping our online worship going and helping with slides and audio support during worship.

Chalice Bearers - our preference is to begin to have two chalice bearers at the 9:30am worship service. Currently, we ask that you wear a mask while serving in this capacity and your role is to offer people wine while saying "The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation."

Altar Team - you make sure we have communion bread, wine, linens and candles ready for worship. You help Rev. Beth track supplies, and set-up and clean up the altar.

You can serve individually or as a family. Children who are able to read can become readers, teens who are tech savy can help with slides, and we can all pitch in to help St. Nick's become who God is calling her to be! Contact Rev. Beth with any and all questions. You can train for these roles with her after worship on Sundays.

Oh and if you are wondering why no sign-up for the 8:30am worship? We are loving the Come as You are/Show up and Serve/Dog Friendly vibe we have going on, so we are keeping it casual.

Remember - St. Nick's is a place where everyone is welcome to use their gifts and talents and share their love for God and one another. We are a place where everyone is welcome, everyone is loved, and everyone belongs. Everyone. We are also a place where everyone is welcome to serve. Everyone.

Our 8:30am Come As You Are/Dog Friendly Worhsip outdoor on our Front Porch Patio. Join us for our friendly and casual worship where everyone is welcome.

Our 9:30am Worship has communion and music, our PrayGround and loads of warmth and love. Come praise God in our inspring space with joyous people.

St. Nicholas Episcopal Church

2265 Bulverde Rd.

Bulverde, TX 78163

Phone: 214-213-0739