Today’s Epistle from the First Letter to Timothy, we hear what the sacred author has to say about the qualities bishops and deacons should have:
The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way— for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:1-16).
That’s good advice for those discerning who the next bishop may be in a diocese, or who should be ordained as deacons. Clergy in general, be they deacons, priests or bishops, should provide a good example not only to those whom they serve, but to everyone else. They should strive to live their lives as Jesus would have them do in all things and at all times. The same thing should also apply to those who call themselves Christians. Everywhere you go, and everything you do, you do as a Christian. One does not step in and out of being a Christian. You and I are Christians from the time we get up in the morning to the time that we go to sleep and everything in between.
Let us pray: Loving Father, help us to become more and more like Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that we may help to transform the world more and more into Your Kingdom. Send Your Holy Spirit, we pray, to sanctify our lives so that we may be a blessing to others. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
History Project. As discussed this Sunday, 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.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
20 February, Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. service, Bishop’s Committee Meeting.
19 February, Saturday from 1 pm to 3 pm: Jo Soske and Karen Lehr's ministry takes them to the Rio Grande Valley where they teach English to the children who live in the Colonias. You can be part of that ministry by making sock puppets for the children to use. We will have a sock puppet making day at St. Augustine's--all socks welcome (clean of course). Please join in on the fun and the reaching out!
MARDI GRAS FUN AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S: Stayed tuned for a new tradition at St. Augustine's 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 all those in nursing homes.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way— for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:1-16).
That’s good advice for those discerning who the next bishop may be in a diocese, or who should be ordained as deacons. Clergy in general, be they deacons, priests or bishops, should provide a good example not only to those whom they serve, but to everyone else. They should strive to live their lives as Jesus would have them do in all things and at all times. The same thing should also apply to those who call themselves Christians. Everywhere you go, and everything you do, you do as a Christian. One does not step in and out of being a Christian. You and I are Christians from the time we get up in the morning to the time that we go to sleep and everything in between.
Let us pray: Loving Father, help us to become more and more like Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that we may help to transform the world more and more into Your Kingdom. Send Your Holy Spirit, we pray, to sanctify our lives so that we may be a blessing to others. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
History Project. As discussed this Sunday, 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.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
20 February, Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. service, Bishop’s Committee Meeting.
19 February, Saturday from 1 pm to 3 pm: Jo Soske and Karen Lehr's ministry takes them to the Rio Grande Valley where they teach English to the children who live in the Colonias. You can be part of that ministry by making sock puppets for the children to use. We will have a sock puppet making day at St. Augustine's--all socks welcome (clean of course). Please join in on the fun and the reaching out!
MARDI GRAS FUN AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S: Stayed tuned for a new tradition at St. Augustine's 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 all those in nursing homes.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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