The Gospel reading appointed for today is taken from the Gospel according to Luke. The Apostles’ discussion sounds like discussions that we might have heard (or even been a part of) at home, in the workplace, or heaven forbid, in church:
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Lk. 22: 24-30).
Sound familiar? Not much has really changed from the Apostles’ day to our own. People want to be on top of the heap; people want to win. But what does it really get you. Jesus tells them that a life of service is what counts.
Bishop Doyle just ordained 11 deacons last Saturday at Christ Church Cathedral. The preacher for the ordination was Bishop J. Scott Mayers of the Diocese of Northwest Texas. He challenged the ordinands and those in the congregation by asking: “Do you have what it takes to lose?” Jesus does not ask us do we have what it takes to win, but whether we are open to being vulnerable, to join with the cultural “losers”, to have the humility and the faith to put ourselves in Christ’s hands who has what it take to lose as we can see in Jesus’ cross. What it takes is love.
At St. Augustine, we have numerous opportunities to serve: Altar Guild (every Sunday), Art Classes (as announced on Saturdays), Community Garden (continuing), Fellowship Breakfasts (every Sunday), Food for St. Vincent’s House (continuing), Nets for Life, Prayer Shawls (continuing), S.A.S.S. (every Thursday for those impacted by HIV/AIDS), and St. Augustine History Project (continuing).
Let us pray: O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were being cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
26 June, the Second Sunday after Pentecost and traditional jazz by Chosen Vessels.
26 June 2011, Bishop’s Committee Meeting in Sutton Hall during the Fellowship hour.
8 July 2011 at St. Augustine’s Sutton Hall from noon to 3 p.m. S.A.S.S. will host “A 2011 Update: The Latest Info about HIV/AIDS” with Paul Simmons, RN, ACRN, the Executive Director of Center for AIDS Houston. Lunch will be provided free of cost, and the seminar is free of cost as well. Reserve your spot today at galvestonsass@gmail.com.
Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Evelyn McNeill.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Lk. 22: 24-30).
Sound familiar? Not much has really changed from the Apostles’ day to our own. People want to be on top of the heap; people want to win. But what does it really get you. Jesus tells them that a life of service is what counts.
Bishop Doyle just ordained 11 deacons last Saturday at Christ Church Cathedral. The preacher for the ordination was Bishop J. Scott Mayers of the Diocese of Northwest Texas. He challenged the ordinands and those in the congregation by asking: “Do you have what it takes to lose?” Jesus does not ask us do we have what it takes to win, but whether we are open to being vulnerable, to join with the cultural “losers”, to have the humility and the faith to put ourselves in Christ’s hands who has what it take to lose as we can see in Jesus’ cross. What it takes is love.
At St. Augustine, we have numerous opportunities to serve: Altar Guild (every Sunday), Art Classes (as announced on Saturdays), Community Garden (continuing), Fellowship Breakfasts (every Sunday), Food for St. Vincent’s House (continuing), Nets for Life, Prayer Shawls (continuing), S.A.S.S. (every Thursday for those impacted by HIV/AIDS), and St. Augustine History Project (continuing).
Let us pray: O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were being cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
26 June, the Second Sunday after Pentecost and traditional jazz by Chosen Vessels.
26 June 2011, Bishop’s Committee Meeting in Sutton Hall during the Fellowship hour.
8 July 2011 at St. Augustine’s Sutton Hall from noon to 3 p.m. S.A.S.S. will host “A 2011 Update: The Latest Info about HIV/AIDS” with Paul Simmons, RN, ACRN, the Executive Director of Center for AIDS Houston. Lunch will be provided free of cost, and the seminar is free of cost as well. Reserve your spot today at galvestonsass@gmail.com.
Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Evelyn McNeill.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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