St. Nicholas' NewComer Class Wednesdays August 22, 29, & September 5, & 12

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1 ** RALLY DAY MINISTRY FAIR AND PICNIC Sunday, August 19 th The Bible in 90 Days St. Nicholas' NewComer Class Wednesdays August 22, 29, & September 5, & 12 Sundays beginning September 16 th **A new Newsletter begins in September! Please contact the Parish Office if you wish to receive a printed copy. AUGUST 2018 Vol. 11 No. 3 The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of Northwest Texas The Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer, Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Nancy Springer, Rector The Rev. Tom Burns, Deacon

2 St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 4000 W. Loop 250 N. Midland, Texas Office Hours: M-Th 8:30am-4:30pm Saturdays 9:00am-12Noon Website The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer The Bishop of Northwest Texas The Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Nancy Springer Rector The Rev. Tom Burns Deacon VESTRY Mr. Joe Cobb, Jr, Sr. Warden Finance Committee Liaison Mr. Robert Norrgard Jr. Warden, Facilities Landscape Committee Liaison Ms. Joan Whitt, Clerk Outreach Liaison Dr. Pamela Howell Pastoral Care Liaison Ms. Sally Stafford Children s Education Liaison Dr. Michael Jordan Greeters, Ushers, Liaison Ms. Chris Newman Worship Committee Liaison Ms. Beth Rubin Children s Godly Play Liaison Parish Life Committee Liaison Gifts and Memorials Liaison Mr. Jeffrey Hewett, Chancellor Mr. Matt Maguire, Treasurer Staff Mr. Darryl Knapp Organist/Choirmaster & Lay Ministry Coordinator Ms. Sharon Gerald Bookkeeper Letters from St. Nicholas is published free of charge monthly (USPS ) by St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 4000 W Loop 250 N Midland, TX POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: Letters from St. Nicholas 4000 W Loop 250 N Midland, TX from the Rector.. Fruit Bearing Twigs I m sure most of you have heard me say (at least I m hoping you ve paid enough attention to recall me saying) that we are the St. Nicholas twig of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, having added to our Presiding Bishop s phrase the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement. But, just what do Bishop Curry and I mean by these statements? As for Bishop Curry, he explains what he means in a wonderful video on The Episcopal Church s website here: episcopalchurch.org/jesus-movement. He says, Jesus launched this movement when he welcomed the first disciples to follow his loving, liberating, life-giving Way. Today we participate in his movement with our whole lives: our prayer, worship, teaching, preaching, gathering, healing, action, family, work, play, and rest. The Episcopal Church traces our history back to the original apostles and Christ s church born by the power of the Holy Spirit in a house in Jerusalem some years ago, what we now celebrate as the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2). We grew from the Church of England that branched off during the English Reformation in the mid- 1500s. We also acknowledge and appreciate that many other groups have branched off in their practices of worship and interpretation of scripture into doctrine. I picked the word twig as a descriptor for our place on this branch of the tree of God s creation because the twig is the part that bears the fruit being fed by the tree through the branch. We are created and called by God to bear the fruit of his kingdom: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). continued

3 When we live our lives fed by the tree these will be the fruit we bear, the way we behave in this world as witness to an alternative kingdom that will never be defeated. This is The Way Jesus taught his disciples by his words and actions. This is The Way he teaches us. I believe that we cannot truly know who we are and who God is calling us to be without also knowing where we come from. Our story as God s people goes all the way back to creation as told through the writings of the prophets and poets of the Old Testament, continues with the books and letters of the New Testament, and into the first 2000 years of the Christian church. To help us all learn more about where we come from, I invite all of you to join in on two formation offerings this fall. The first being the (New)Comer Class. Whether you are a cradle Episcopalian or just wandered in, or are anywhere in between, I promise you will learn something new. We will discover where we come from and why we worship as we do, and discuss who we are and who God is always calling us to be as the St. Nicholas twig. This 4 week class will begin on Wednesday, August 22 at 6:30pm in the Parish Hall. A light supper (donations accepted) and child care will be provided. The second event will require a significant commitment, but I assure you it will be worth it! Beginning in September, we will read the entire Bible together in 90 days YES, 90 days. Cover to cover. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. Together we can do it and we will be blessed by our efforts. It creates a strong foundation for going deeper in Bible study because you will know the whole story. And, as an added benefit, you will be able to amaze your friends at parties with such facts as: Methuselah was the oldest man in scripture at 969 years old; Ehud was the first left handed man mentioned; the actual number of wise men is not given; and my favorite, Dogs are mentioned 41 times, ostriches twice, and not a single cat or elephant is mentioned (nothing against either, just a fact). See how much fun it will be! The Bible in 90 Days will begin the week of September 16, meeting at 11am on Sundays and 6:30pm on Wednesdays. You only need to attend one session a week but I wanted to give folks an option to encourage more of you to join in. You won t regret the time you give to this. Please make plans to participate in both of these courses. We will grow together in our walk with Jesus and be better equipped to bear the fruit we were created to bear. God s peace, Mother Nancy+ As God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17, NRSV

4 Rally Day is Sunday, August 19 th AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 2 Sherilyn Brown 4 Joanne Weber 11 Deacon Tom Burns 16 Lesli Pemberton 19 Michele Cobb 21 Janet Considine 22 Zay Buck 24 Chris Buck 27 Paul Dingus 27 Cookie Huxley 30 Susan Wilson AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES 4 Nelda & Carvel Mills 5 Frankie & Bill Clarkson 8 Cookie & Dave Huxley 19 Janet & Corby Considine 19 Kristy & Lesli Pemberton Please notify the Parish Office if there is an omission or change. Thank you. Parish Prayer Requests Prayer Ministers pray every Sunday with any member of the congregation who has special prayer requests. They are found at the back of the church near the double doors during Communion. The Prayer Ministers also pray during the week for the congregation, for our clergy, for our church and those parishioners in special need. Parish Prayer Requests ~ Will, Tommy, Jerry, Jo, Tina, Elisabeth, Jonathan, Noel, Karen, Sue, Derrill, Ross, Jimmy, Jenny, Robbie, Joy, Fran, Victorio, Kim, Glenda, Ray, Troy, Fred, Dylan, Joan (Jo-ann), Wanda, Tana, Darwin, Ben, Tom, Cynthia, Rachel, Daniel, Ann, Nancy, Brandy, Gregg, Isaac, Tisha, Wells Family, Ronnie, Linda and Family, Janie, Kathy, Colleen, Chalfant Family, Charlie, Alexandria, Chris, Kaylene, Gary, Addison, Bobby, Jessica, Donna, Vivian, Sarah, Kellie, Marge, Ernest, Peggy, Jane, Maryann, Susan, Gwen, Sydney, Kathey, Dean, Coral, Sandra, Nikki, Clyde, Shirley, Latonya, Lani-Sue, Margaret, Timothy & Family, Raymond & Family, Craig, Tanya, Kalee, Debbie, Jenn, Richard, Terry, Kellie, Hazel, Tomasine, Sharon, Jessica, Don, Cathey, Elizabeth, Qanna, Emmory, John, Jennifer, Kellie, Carol, Lisa, Kati, Pamela, Jim & Family, Denise, Frankie, Doug, Adriana & Family, Darla, Jessie, Hall Family, Riddle Family. For those in the Armed Forces ~ Jordan, Robert, Stephen, Karen, Gabriel, Isaac, David, Daulton, Charlie, Luke, James, Mika, Tres, Josh, Jacob, Christine, Noah, Jackson, Aaron, Nicholas, Adam, Margarito, Kenton For the Departed ~ David Dunbar, Jim Shaw We are updating our parish prayer list. Prayer requests are on the reverse side of the white Visitor Information card. Short term requests are for one month, and Long term requests are for six months. Please let us know if we inadvertently removed your prayer request. Thank You.

5 St. Nicholas' (New)*Comer Class Wednesdays August 22, 29, & September 5, & 12 *we don't want anyone to feel new for very long! Whether you are a cradle Episcopalian, brand new to the church, or anywhere in between, all are welcome, Really! Join in a lively discussion about the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement. In this 4 week class, we will talk about where we came from, who we are, why we worship as we do, and who God is always calling us to be. 6:30-7:30pm, St. Nicholas' Parish Hall If you wish to be confirmed into the Episcopal Church at Bishop Mayer's visit in December, tis class will prepare you. If you don't know what that means, come to the class and find out! In conjunction with the class, we will have an Instructed Eucharist on Sunday, September 9 th. "If it isn't about Love, it isn't about God." ~ Bp Michael Curry The Bible in 90 Days Sundays beginning September 16 and ending December 16 Wednesdays beginning September 19 and ending December 12 Folks can chose which session they want to attend each week, on Sunday or Wednesday. The two sessions each week will cover the same material. You really CAN read through entire Bible, and Bible in 90 Days (B90) makes it possible. B90 is a group oriented, Bible reading plan that engages people in a 90- day, cover-to-cover reading of the Bible. Reading just 12 pages a day in a specially designed Bible, with weekly teaching videos, and group accountability combine to make a life changing experience. Churches across denominations, prisons, drug rehabs, corporate Bible studies, neighborhood small groups almost a quarter million people have used B90 successfully. So turn your aspiration into inspiration! You Are a Gift by Linda Buskirk from Episcopal Café.org So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built upuntil we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4: (NIV) This message is a reminder to vestry members, altar guild members, deacons, Sunday school teachers, members of all committees and commissions property, capital campaign, stewardship, outreach, etc. and to the head of the food pantry, YOU are a gift to the church. If you are like me, you might not think of your volunteering as a call. It might

6 have been your idea, you thought, to use your financial expertise on the endowment board. Or perhaps you just couldn t say no when asked to serve on the annual school backpack project. But let s give God some credit and the glory for positioning His people for service. Christ himself has equipped you and GIVEN you to His church! You ve been called. Let us pray that our work together helps fulfill the mission of the church as found in our catechism, echoing Ephesians 4: 11-13: The mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. Book of Common Prayer, pg Your leadership role might not seem to be exciting, but I believe it is to Jesus. Whatever you are doing, do it with the idea that your work should exemplify the Gospel, and bring people to unity with God and with each other. Wow! Now that s a calling! 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ God Willing The Right Reverend J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of Northwest Texas, will institute the Reverend Ricardo Ramirez Lopez a Vicar of la Iglesia Episcopal San Miguel Archangel on Tuesday, the 28 th day of August, the Feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo, at seven o clock in the evening. ~~~~ Iglesia Episcopal San Miguel Arcangel 907 Adams Ave Odessa, Texas Your prayers and presence are requested. Reception following. ~~~~ St. Nicholas Parish A New Pictorial Directory! PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS RALLY DAY PICNIC IS SUNDAY AUGUST 19TH Tuesday, September 25 th & Wednesday, September 26 th Everyone will receive a phone call from the Parish Office for your seating. There is No cost or obligation to purchase photos.

7 Godly Play News for our children! We have a growing group of children who are excited and eager for class each week. It is inspiring to see them learning the stories and developing favorite lessons. Godly Play may be designed for children, but it has something for everyone. I have learned as much as the students. Children s Choir immediately follows Godly Play in the Nave. Two volunteers are needed for class each week. The teacher is responsible for the lesson and the assistant keeps everything running smoothly. No experience is needed! It is a fun opportunity to serve our church family. I am available anytime to answer questions about the program. We need a few more volunteers. If you are interested, I would love to visit with you. ~Sally Stafford, Children s Christian Ed July Jubilee Food Pantry Saturdays 9:00am August 11 th & 25 th Volunteers are always welcome! The pantry is located at 3311 Andrews Hwy. There is a green bin in the Welcome Center for donations of Tuna fish and peanut butter. Thank you. ~Linda Jordan The ECW at St. Nicholas is looking for a re-start! The Episcopal Church Women organization is so much more than organizing receptions. The National ECW board developed the following Vision statement: "Our vision for all women of the Episcopal Church is that we become a vibrant blend of all ages, coming together as a peacemaking, healing part of the church" with the hope and goal to offer women the opportunities at the local, diocesan, and national level opportunities for spiritual growth and ministry. If you would like more information and want to be involved in this re-start, please pick up an information packet in the Welcome Center and contact Mother Nancy. Stay tunes for the date of our first organizational meeting. Please also explore the national ECW website: ecwnational.org. Summer Sunday Fellowship Have you considered helping out with Sunday Fellowship? The Kitchen Angels are always looking for help in providing coffee hour goodies and cleaning up afterwards. If you would like to help out please consider signing up for any available Sundays or just staying after to help wash dishes. The Sunday fellowship sign-up sheet is in the foyer next to the stewardship envelopes. If you are interested in bringing goodies just write down your name and preferred contact information on the sheet. More than one person can provide goodies or help on any specific Sunday so feel free to sign up with others. If you have any questions please talk to Jessica Stewart on Sundays or contact her by at

8 or phone at Weekly Outreach Plate Offering First Sunday ~ Rector s Discretionary Second Sunday ~ Outreach Third Sunday ~ Deacon s Discretionary Fourth Sunday ~ Episcopal Relief and Development Fifth Sunday ~ Fellowship BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP A group for adults who are experiencing grief and loss of a loved one. Encouragement and basic coping skills offered in this 6-week series of classes. Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm Sessions: August 13 th, September 10 th, October 15 th. HANDLING THE HOLIDAYS This two-session workshop offers support and a guide for how to plan for the holidays without your loved one. Mondays, 6:30 8pm. November 5 th and 12 th A Note of Thanks HOSPICE PROGRAMS GRIEF 101 Mondays, 12Noon 1pm A one-hour class held quarterly offering basic grief information on how to cope with the death of your loved one. September 10 th, December 10 th I would like to thank St. Nicholas Parish family for your loving kindness during this difficult time with the passing of my mother, and for taking care of my responsibilities during my absence. You did a wonderful job. Your support has given me time to grieve without having to worry about the Office. Your thoughtfulness, love, and concern, have been greatly appreciated, and a comfort. In Christ s love, Darryl Knapp

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10 2018 AUGUST MINISTRY ROSTER SUNDAY 9:30AM AUGUST 5 TH Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost SUNDAY 9:30AM AUGUST 12 TH Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost SUNDAY 9:30AM AUGUST 19 TH Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost SUNDAY 9:30AM AUGUST 26 TH Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a Psalm 51:1-13 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6: Samuel 18:5-9, 15, Psalm 130 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 Psalm 111 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6: Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, Psalm 84 or 84:1-6 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69 Lector OT Corby Considine Edna Hibbitts Sydney Bryer Kimberly Meyers & Psalm EM Reader Jeff Hewett Patrick Street Beth Rubin Russell Meyers EM Prayers Harris Kerr Jeff Hewett Patrick Street Kristin Maguire LEV Altar Guild Vicki Kerr Scot Marter Patrick Street Sydney Bryer Joan Whitt Nicole & Jonathan Jordan Mary Beth Anton Scot Marter Acolyte Dusty Ellis Dusty Ellis Dusty Ellis Dusty Ellis Fellowship Joanne Weber Mack & Edna Hibbitts RALLY DAY PICNIC The Meyers Jane Wolf Flower Bonnie Kelley Bonnie Kelley Norma Viney Sydney Bryer Guild Godly Play Sally & Phillip Stafford Rebecca Nicholson L Matt Maguire Megan Buck L Jonathan Jordan Laura Morrow L Wes Perry Greeters Matt Maguire Becke Willis Norma Viney Michele & Joe Cobb Prayer Cindy Manley Cindy Manley Cindy Manley Cindy Manley Ministers Newcomer Jane Wolf Janet Whitman Jane Wolf Janet Whitman Sound Nicholas McRae John Todd John Todd Joe Cobb Ushers Bryan Duplantis Janet Whitman Bryan Duplantis Linda George Chris Buck Bryan Duplantis Bryan Duplantis Janet Whitman Vestry Beth Rubin Sally Stafford Robert Norrgard Joan Whitt Michael Jordan Robert Norrgard Michael Jordan Beth Rubin EM Wednesday 5:30PM AUGUST 1 ST GREEN Joseph of Arimathaea Patrick Street James 1:17-18 Psalm 16:5-11 Luke 23:50-56 Wednesday 5:30PM AUGUST 8 TH GREEN Pamela Howell Jeremiah 31:1-7 Psalm 121 Matthew 15:21-28 Wednesday 5:30PM AUGUST 15 TH WHITE St. Mary the Virgin Patrick Street Isaiah 61:10-11 Psalm 34 Luke 1:46-55 Wednesday 5:30PM AUGUST 22 ND GREEN Beth Rubin Ezekiel 34:1-11 Psalm 23 Matthew 20:1-16a Wednesday 5:30PM AUGUST 29 TH GREEN Pamela Howell 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 Psalm 128 Matthew 23:27-32

11 ST. NICHOLAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4000 W. Loop 250 N. Midland, TX Periodical Postage PAID at Midland, TX Monthly Newsletter (USPS ) AUGUST 2018 St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 4000 W. Loop 250 N. Midland, TX All are Welcome, Really! Sunday Service 9:30 AM Holy Communion Wednesdays at 5:30 PM Healing Service & Eucharist In the Chapel Phone (432) The Mission of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church is to Reflect the Love of Christ and to Respect the Dignity of all People. Website The Episcopal Church welcomes you!