Thanksgiving and Advent – St. Nick’s News Nov. 28, 2025

Full St. Nick’s News for November 28, 2025

Dear Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving! I just want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for you. For your laughter and prayers, for the way you show up for each other, for the way you embody the love of God in real, everyday ways. This little church in the hill country is a miracle—made up of ordinary people who love with extraordinary heart. Or as Haley put it in last Sunday’s sermon – we are a mighty superhero with a generous origin story.

As we step from Thanksgiving into Advent, I can’t help but think about the man whose name we carry—St. Nicholas. He wasn’t flashy or famous. He just quietly went around doing good—slipping coins into shoes, leaving food for hungry families, rescuing sailors from storms, helping children find hope again. He lived generosity like it was second nature, like it was the most natural response to God’s love.

And now, all these centuries later, we get to do the same.

This Advent, we’re launching our very first St. Nick’s Toy Drive! It’s our way of carrying on his legacy—making sure kids in our own neighborhood have something joyful to unwrap this Christmas. The toys we collect will go to families through Arlon Seay Elementary and Green Santa, the Comal County Sheriff’s Toy Drive.

You can bring your new, unwrapped toys to St. Nick’s anytime before Sunday, December 14.

Here are a few ideas that will bring big smiles:

– LEGO sets (Star Wars, monster trucks, race cars, airplanes, transformers)
Hot Wheels cars & tracks
Remote-control cars
Board games for 5-year-olds and up
Footballs & baseballs
‍ Toy kitchens & play food
Baby toys—rattles, plush animals, toys that make sweet little sounds
Barbie dolls, Barbie castle, and baby dolls
– Stuffed animals, plushies, & teddy bears
Art & bracelet-making kits
Lip gloss, hair brush sets, & small self-care gifts
– Skateboards & outdoor toys
Santa Claus stuffed animals (because who doesn’t love a soft Santa?)

It’s so fun to give presents and each toy is more than just a gift—it’s a piece of shared joy. It’s our love shared with someone in need of love and happiness. Perhaps a reminder for us that love still shows up in the simplest, most unexpected ways.

So this Thanksgiving, as we count our blessings and step into Advent, let’s live like St. Nicholas did—with hands open, hearts ready, and eyes looking for where God’s love can break through next. I’m pretty sure all that love God has is breaking through in you – in your life at home, in your community and here at St. Nick’s.

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Beth+