The account of Paul’s travels continues in the Acts of the Apostles today, and we hear the Christian faith is referred to as “the Way”:
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.
He entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out boldly, and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. When some stubbornly refused to believe and spoke evil of the Way before the congregation, he left them, taking the disciples with him, and argued daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. (Acts 19: 1-10).
The term “the Way” was first used in Acts 9:2, and it refers to “the true way of the Lord.” It was one of the earliest names for Christianity. It is an apt name for those who follow Christ because our faith is a journey. When I look back on my life, I am ever amazed at the presence of God in my life. God has always been present to me even though I may not have been aware of it at the time. I was baptized with water as a child and brought into the family of God, and in the eighth grade I was confirmed just as described in today’s reading with the laying on of hands by a bishop. I was embraced by God’s loving arms as a child at baptism, fed by Christ throughout my life in the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit has been my companion on the journey. Each of us has had a similar experience. You and I walk with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Let us pray: Gracious Father, thank you for being there for us even though we may not have realized it at the time. You have been present in times of joy and in times of sorrow. You have carried us when we could not walk on our own and laughed with us when we rejoiced. May we be ever mindful of Your presence in our lives. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
25 September, Celebration at St. Vincent’s House at 10 a.m. with Houston’s Heroes and then at 11:00 a.m. health walk with refreshments after.
25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”. The opening reception will be at 6 p.m.
26 September at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Eucharist Rite II celebrating St. Vincent’s House. Given these hard economic times, people are more and more in need of help at St. Vincent’s. For Sunday’s service, please bring food items to help stock the food pantry at St. Vincent’s House.
2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets are $7 per plate. Please contact Melva Pope for tickets.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, people undergoing special medical concerns, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, and those who have no one to pray for them.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.
He entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out boldly, and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. When some stubbornly refused to believe and spoke evil of the Way before the congregation, he left them, taking the disciples with him, and argued daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. (Acts 19: 1-10).
The term “the Way” was first used in Acts 9:2, and it refers to “the true way of the Lord.” It was one of the earliest names for Christianity. It is an apt name for those who follow Christ because our faith is a journey. When I look back on my life, I am ever amazed at the presence of God in my life. God has always been present to me even though I may not have been aware of it at the time. I was baptized with water as a child and brought into the family of God, and in the eighth grade I was confirmed just as described in today’s reading with the laying on of hands by a bishop. I was embraced by God’s loving arms as a child at baptism, fed by Christ throughout my life in the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit has been my companion on the journey. Each of us has had a similar experience. You and I walk with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Let us pray: Gracious Father, thank you for being there for us even though we may not have realized it at the time. You have been present in times of joy and in times of sorrow. You have carried us when we could not walk on our own and laughed with us when we rejoiced. May we be ever mindful of Your presence in our lives. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
25 September, Celebration at St. Vincent’s House at 10 a.m. with Houston’s Heroes and then at 11:00 a.m. health walk with refreshments after.
25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”. The opening reception will be at 6 p.m.
26 September at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Eucharist Rite II celebrating St. Vincent’s House. Given these hard economic times, people are more and more in need of help at St. Vincent’s. For Sunday’s service, please bring food items to help stock the food pantry at St. Vincent’s House.
2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets are $7 per plate. Please contact Melva Pope for tickets.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, people undergoing special medical concerns, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, and those who have no one to pray for them.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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