From Ashley Harper-Oberle: Most people know that the legendary 'Santa Claus' is based on someone from history, whom we call 'Saint Nicholas.' But what do we really know about him?
Born some 280 years after Jesus in Patara in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), Nikolaos lived under the shadow of the Roman Empire during its time of transition from persecuting the faithful to nascent Christendom.
Orphaned at a young age by wealthy parents, Nikolaos received a substantial inheritance and was raised by his uncle, the Bishop of Patara.
Eventually, Nikolaos became a bishop himself, serving in the ancient Greek city known as Myra, located in modern-day Turkey. Ministering to the early Christian community here, he took to wearing red clerical robes.
He is said to have encouraged a culture of generosity among the people he served, saying "The Giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God's giving, by grace, through faith and not of ourselves."
Many tales surround Nikolaos' own legendary generosity, none more poignant than that of three young sisters and their impoverished father. In the sisters' time and culture, they were likely destined to a life of forced prostitution, with their father unable to pay proper dowries to potential suitors.
When Nikolaos learned of this, he intervened by providing an abundance of gold to each of the girls as they came of age, coming under the cover of night so as not to bring shame upon the family.
Their benefactor was a mystery to them, though the second girl, hoping similar gifts would be coming her way, allegedly set her stockings out the night before her birthday, which were in turn filled with gold.
When the final girl came of age, their father stayed up all night to see who this elusive gift-giver was. Nikolaos, crafty in his generosity, tossed his final bountiful gift through the chimney so as to avoid detection.
Various miracles were also attributed to Nikolaos (and his relics, or remains) in the following centuries; he was eventually recognized as a saint, and considered a patron saint of children, sailors, merchants, thieves, and pawnbrokers!
To honor him and his legacy, people around Europe in the Middle Ages exchanged gifts on the day of his death, December 6.
In time, stories of his generosity and miracles traveled the globe. Saint Nikolaos became known to many as Santa Claus aka “Saint 'Klaus.”
Renovations Updates: Parish Hall is completed! Thank you Deana Geuther, Cranz Nichols, Linda Myers, Carol Weathers, RG Guthrie and Susan Wallace. This Restoration Committee’s efforts were OUTSTANDING!! If you get the chance, stop by the newly renovated banquet hall and kitchen, etc. Spectacular results!
SUNDAY, December 17, 2023
Attendance: 39 In Church 10 Online 49 Total
Those scheduled to serve this coming Sunday, December 24th are:
And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, especially Sarah Buckner, Peggy Moore, Merle Juhnke, and Ruth Nibling, beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. We pray also for those who mourn their passing.
On December 24: It's the Fourth Sunday of Advent in the morning (10:30) and Christmas Eve in the evening (5:00). As we have done (or not done) in the past, we will not have a celebration on Christmas morning. Please join us after the 5:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve for a reception in the Choir Room. It will be hosted by St. Anne’s Guild.
We depend on your pledges for our operating expenses to keep Epiphany up and running. The money received from the 1-acre land sale is for capital improvements only. For example: a new air conditioning system, replacing doors, windows, painting, etc. The funds we received from the sale came with stipulations that the funds cannot be used for the daily operational expenses of our church. Our newly formed investment committee has invested wisely, and we plan to draw from the interest as long as possible. The generous funds we received from the Diocese in the form of Disaster Relief and the COVID Fund are to be used for the completion of our massive renovation projects from the plagues endured. Those funds have also been invested in a short-term CD. We are challenged with being good stewards. We deeply appreciate the gifts and pledges received thus far. Thank you.
Children who would like to attend “children’s services” during the regular Sunday services can meet with Nancy Heuss in Class Room “B” (next to the Library in the administration building). She will have Sunday Children’s Worship Bulletins for ages 3+ and ages 7+.
Bishop Kai Ryan will be at Epiphany on Sunday, January 21, 2024. That means Confirmations and Receptions in to the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in being Confirmed, or have a family member who might be, please contact Janet Wilton, Parish Administrator by email, [email protected] or call the office 512-756-2334. Father Michael and Ashley Harper-Oberle will set up classes to prepare you for that important step.
The Episcopal Church 2024 Year Calendar is in! You can purchase one up in the Narthex for $5 (to cover the cost of printing and shipping).
Please continue to pray for all in need of comfort, healing, and support. We are all God’s children and are called to serve Him in any way we can.
Janet Wilton Parish Administrator
“It’s Christmas Eve. It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be.” -- Good Housekeeping Quotes