The Story of St. Nicholas
Hundreds of years ago, Nicholas lived in a seaside town named Myra, which is in the country we now call Turkey. Ever since he was a small child, Nicholas loved God more than anything. He studied hard, prayed often, and followed Jesus by helping the poor.The people of Myra loved Nicholas so much that when their old bishop died, they immediately elected Nicholas to replace him. He served them well for a long time.
Nicholas was loved for one reason. He loved. He loved God and God's people so much that he would do anything for them.
Here is a story about Nicholas that has been passed down through many generations.
There was a man living in Myra who was very poor. This man had no wife, but he had three grown daughters who lived with him.
In those days, when a young woman got married, she had to bring money or property with her into the marriage. This is called a dowry. If a woman didn't have a dowry, she would never marry.
This man was so poor that he had no money for his daughters' dowries. And he didn't have enough money to support them either. He had, he believed, only one choice: to sell his daughters into slavery. Nicholas heard about this terrible situation. Late one night, Nicholas crept to the man's home and threw something through the window. It was a bag of gold—enough to pay the dowry for his oldest daughter.
The man was overjoyed, and his daughter was too. She married, but her father was still left with a problem. Two, to be exact. What about the two younger daughters? Sadly, he prepared to send them away.
Nicholas returned one night and again threw a bag of gold through the window. The father rejoiced. But he wondered who was helping him and why.
Of course, Nicholas didn't want the man to know. He knew that it's best to help others without letting them know we're helping them. If we help others in this way, we help because we truly want to and not because people will praise us for it.
But the father was determined. He had one daughter left and no money for a dowry. He certainly hoped he would be helped again, especially because he wanted to find out who was doing it. So he locked the windows and watched out the door.
Nicholas still wanted to help, but he didn't want to be seen. So, in the back of the house, far from the father's sight, he dropped the bag of gold for the third daughter right down the chimney!
The bags of gold are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas.
- http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/st-nicholas-welborn/
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Community Opportunity December 11-13 (Thurs. Fri. Sat.) The last couple of years we have joined area churches in helping with the Season of Giving outreach. Season of Giving is not happening this year, but there is another opportunity for you and your family. It's called the Christmas Clearing Council and they are looking for volunteers in their Toy Shop. Please go to christmasclearingcouncil.org and click on Volunteer. It will direct you to see what time slots are available and to sign up online.
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THE BLESSING TREE
It is now up in the atrium. Please stop by and take an "ornament" and write down your name and the number of the ornament you select. Further instructions can be found on the ornament itself. Gifts are needed back by Sunday, December 14th.
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FOOD PANTRY AND SOLES FOR JESUS COLLECTIONS
In case you weren't aware, we have a collection point in the foyer for the Waukesha Food Pantry, and one in Uptown for shoes to be donated to Soles for Jesus. We collect all year for these ministries.
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Nursery News During the cold and flu season, our nursery is being disinfected weekly and paying attention to symptoms of illness to keep it a well baby area. If you are parents of nursery age kids, would you consider volunteering once a month to help with our growing baby population? Please see Amy Prebil in the nursery or email amyprebil@gmail.com with questions or interest. |
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Treehouse Treasures Our church family is growing! Many babies have come and will be coming in the next few weeks/months. We would love to bless our new moms with a gift bag filled with newborn items (diapers, wipes, baby bath items, onesies, gowns, or swaddlers). Amy Prebil organizes this and has set up a Treasure Chest back in our nursery area to accept item donations. |
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THIS WEEK |
NEXT WEEK FUN & GAMES 6:00 p.m. - DOWNTOWN KIDTROPOLIS Are the cold days keeping your kids cooped up in the house? Bring your family to have some good old fashioned fun with your church family. We will have board games and puzzles so the kids can play in groups, as well as some other creative activities. We will have these monthly playdates throughout the winter for kids ages 3 through middle school. You are encouraged to stay and play with us, but if your child is five or older, they are welcome to join us on their own. No need to sign up, just come and join us downstairs.
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Downtown Kidtropolis (our preschoolers) will have a part in this fun evening as well. A cupcake reception will follow.
Our kids have been practicing during both services each Sunday.
Please note there will be 2 additional practices:
December 6 and December 13 from 2-4 pm.
Our Downtown Kids will also have an extra practice on December 13 at 2 pm.
**We need 2 wooden spoons per child for the musical. If you can help with this, please drop off spoons at the Uptown Check-in Desk.
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES AT WFA:
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Have a great week!
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