Tuesday, April 12, 2011

You Don't Hear Much About Being Saved These Days

FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST ON PALM SUNDAY: CAROL FREEMAN WAS ORIGINALLY SIGNED UP; HOWEVER, SHE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO BREAKFAST ON THE 17TH, PALM SUNDAY. I WOULD ASK THAT WE MAKE IT A “POT LUCK” BREAKFAST. JUST LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT YOU WILL BRING SO THAT WE DON’T DUPLICATE. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

On this Tuesday in the fifth week of Lent we hear from the tenth chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans:


Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Rm. 10: 1-13).

In today’s world, and even in today’s Church, one does not really hear much about “being saved.” You and I certainly cannot “be saved” by our own actions; Paul tells us that we cannot “earn” our salvation. Rather, being made “right” with God (righteousness), or what Paul also calls “salvation,” is a gift from God. We call it “grace.” As Christians who profess faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, you and I are called to bear witness to what we believe. We bear witness not only by what we say, but by how we live. Sometimes our actions proclaim who Jesus is much more loudly than words.

Let us pray: Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


NETS FOR LIFE:
We have about 8 nets thus far and our goal is 50. Spread the word and do what you can.


CALENDAR REMINDERS


Next Wednesday, 13 April at 6:00 p.m. we will meet at Grace for the Lenten program where we will experience the Covenant Players.


S.A.S.S. (St. Augustine Spiritual Support group)
for those whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS meets every Thursday starting at 6:00 p.m. with a pot luck dinner. Let others know of this ministry as well.


HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:

Palm Sunday: Procession with Palms & Eucharist Rite II: 9 am
Maundy Thursday: Foot Washing, Eucharist & Striping of the Altar: 7 pm
Good Friday: Stations & Good Friday Liturgy: 3 pm


PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST,
especially Liz Mack and Caroline and Randy Furlong as Randy undergoes surgery today for his cancer treatment.


Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

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