Today we hear from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians:
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. (2 Cor. 4: 1-12).
We are all “clay jars” carrying a precious treasure; you and I are ministers together of the Gospel, but we are all fragile. St. Paul tells us that “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.” From one clay jar to another, let’s be careful with each other, building each other up as we work together to build the Kingdom.
Let us pray: Although our outward shells decay, we are inwardly renewed each day, because the life and power of Christ indwells these fragile jars of clay. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REVIVAL! In the Episcopal Church? Sound a bit far-fetched? Not when you hear what The Very Rev. Rob Wright is suggesting. Rob is the Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta and an inspiring speaker on revivals, renewal and our Christian call to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. And, he is going to be with us on February 25 and 26. Hosted by the Galveston Convocation of Episcopal Churches, Rob will be at St. Thomas in Nassau Bay on Friday evening from 7:00-9:00 and at St. Christopher’s, in League City, on Saturday morning, February 26, from 9:00-12:30 to discuss with us how we can more effectively respond to that call. And you are invited.
In these days in which mainstream denominations and their people are struggling, St. Paul’s in Atlanta is thriving. What are they doing that we might find helpful? Come be part of this discussion and see. Rob was with us at our Annual Clergy Conference in October and quickly became the talk of the Conference. His style is inviting, plainspoken and equally applicable to all Christians. As a sign of the effect he has on groups of people his first workshop at Clergy Conference attracted 20-25 people - about average for the workshops. The next morning at the second session, folks having heard all the buzz the night before, there was an overflow crowd of 75+ people, spilling out into the hallway. He’s good, real good.
If you are available on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, better yet both, come see for yourself. You won’t be sorry; it will be time well spent.
HISTORY PROJECT. This month we celebrate Black History month. It is a time to remember the shoulders of those we stand upon who have been courageous in their fight for equality and freedom. St. Augustine's is an integral part of that history not only in the Diocese of Texas, but in the State of Texas. As a tribute to those who have come before us, and as a blessed reminder to those who will come after us, we are duty bound to capture the stories of the people who have made up St. Augustine. I would ask that you collect the stories of your families, photos and news articles so that we may record the treasures that are in our midst. We will need someone to spearhead this project--volunteers welcome!
CALENDAR REMINDERS
MARDI GRAS FUN AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S on FAT TUESDAY, 8 MARCH: Welcome a new tradition at St. Augustine's for Fat Tuesday, a true Mardi Gras celebration to be inaugurated by a famous Mardi Gras King and his Queen at St. Augustine’s!
Clothing is still welcome for the people of Lord of the Streets.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Karen Lehr for a speedy recovery, and Gladys Simon.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. (2 Cor. 4: 1-12).
We are all “clay jars” carrying a precious treasure; you and I are ministers together of the Gospel, but we are all fragile. St. Paul tells us that “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.” From one clay jar to another, let’s be careful with each other, building each other up as we work together to build the Kingdom.
Let us pray: Although our outward shells decay, we are inwardly renewed each day, because the life and power of Christ indwells these fragile jars of clay. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REVIVAL! In the Episcopal Church? Sound a bit far-fetched? Not when you hear what The Very Rev. Rob Wright is suggesting. Rob is the Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta and an inspiring speaker on revivals, renewal and our Christian call to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. And, he is going to be with us on February 25 and 26. Hosted by the Galveston Convocation of Episcopal Churches, Rob will be at St. Thomas in Nassau Bay on Friday evening from 7:00-9:00 and at St. Christopher’s, in League City, on Saturday morning, February 26, from 9:00-12:30 to discuss with us how we can more effectively respond to that call. And you are invited.
In these days in which mainstream denominations and their people are struggling, St. Paul’s in Atlanta is thriving. What are they doing that we might find helpful? Come be part of this discussion and see. Rob was with us at our Annual Clergy Conference in October and quickly became the talk of the Conference. His style is inviting, plainspoken and equally applicable to all Christians. As a sign of the effect he has on groups of people his first workshop at Clergy Conference attracted 20-25 people - about average for the workshops. The next morning at the second session, folks having heard all the buzz the night before, there was an overflow crowd of 75+ people, spilling out into the hallway. He’s good, real good.
If you are available on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, better yet both, come see for yourself. You won’t be sorry; it will be time well spent.
HISTORY PROJECT. This month we celebrate Black History month. It is a time to remember the shoulders of those we stand upon who have been courageous in their fight for equality and freedom. St. Augustine's is an integral part of that history not only in the Diocese of Texas, but in the State of Texas. As a tribute to those who have come before us, and as a blessed reminder to those who will come after us, we are duty bound to capture the stories of the people who have made up St. Augustine. I would ask that you collect the stories of your families, photos and news articles so that we may record the treasures that are in our midst. We will need someone to spearhead this project--volunteers welcome!
CALENDAR REMINDERS
MARDI GRAS FUN AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S on FAT TUESDAY, 8 MARCH: Welcome a new tradition at St. Augustine's for Fat Tuesday, a true Mardi Gras celebration to be inaugurated by a famous Mardi Gras King and his Queen at St. Augustine’s!
Clothing is still welcome for the people of Lord of the Streets.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Karen Lehr for a speedy recovery, and Gladys Simon.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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