The appointed Gospel reading for today is taken from Matthew’s Gospel and it is an admonition to those who profess to follow Jesus:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes! (Mt. 18: 1-7)
Children are trusting. To be a follower of Jesus means that we must place our trust in him. This is difficult for adults who may be calloused and cynical; nevertheless, Jesus asks you and me to put our trust in him even when it may be difficult to do so. It requires humility. Then Jesus issues a warning to those of us who profess to be his followers. When we fail to put our trust in Jesus, and place our trust in ourselves and our institutions, we can become a stumbling block to others. When we put ourselves ahead of Jesus, we can cause scandal to others. Sometimes those of us in the Church who profess to be Jesus’ followers fail to provide an example of trust. How have we failed; how have we been a stumbling block to non-believers?
Let us pray: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Friday night adult art class - this Friday the 18th, from 6 pm to 8 pm with wine and snacks. It is a group project: a banner for Advent. This class is free.
Saturday morning art class, we will be making Christmas ornaments on Saturday the 19th from 10 am to noon. This class is free and open to ages 10 and up. Come help make ornaments for the church tree, a few for your home and some to give as gifts.
Ladies Bible Study – The group meets Sundays at 4:00 pm. Please feel free to attend whether or not you have met with this group in the past – you will be welcomed!
Would you like to host breakfast one Sunday? There are Sundays available on the schedule for November and December if you are interested in hosting breakfast fellowship. Just sign up on the calendar posted in the kitchen and include your phone number. Questions? Talk to Jo Bremer, 409 621-6153.
Thanksgiving Day Pot Luck Lunch-Sunday, 20 November after the service. Please bring a dish to share. We will also have a brief Bishop’s Committee meeting.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially the family of Benita Willey who was buried today, Catherine and Walter who were married on Friday, Luke and Nikki who were married on Saturday, and Kelly and Andy who will be married this Saturday, all of those seeking work, the ill, those who are alone, 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
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes! (Mt. 18: 1-7)
Children are trusting. To be a follower of Jesus means that we must place our trust in him. This is difficult for adults who may be calloused and cynical; nevertheless, Jesus asks you and me to put our trust in him even when it may be difficult to do so. It requires humility. Then Jesus issues a warning to those of us who profess to be his followers. When we fail to put our trust in Jesus, and place our trust in ourselves and our institutions, we can become a stumbling block to others. When we put ourselves ahead of Jesus, we can cause scandal to others. Sometimes those of us in the Church who profess to be Jesus’ followers fail to provide an example of trust. How have we failed; how have we been a stumbling block to non-believers?
Let us pray: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Friday night adult art class - this Friday the 18th, from 6 pm to 8 pm with wine and snacks. It is a group project: a banner for Advent. This class is free.
Saturday morning art class, we will be making Christmas ornaments on Saturday the 19th from 10 am to noon. This class is free and open to ages 10 and up. Come help make ornaments for the church tree, a few for your home and some to give as gifts.
Ladies Bible Study – The group meets Sundays at 4:00 pm. Please feel free to attend whether or not you have met with this group in the past – you will be welcomed!
Would you like to host breakfast one Sunday? There are Sundays available on the schedule for November and December if you are interested in hosting breakfast fellowship. Just sign up on the calendar posted in the kitchen and include your phone number. Questions? Talk to Jo Bremer, 409 621-6153.
Thanksgiving Day Pot Luck Lunch-Sunday, 20 November after the service. Please bring a dish to share. We will also have a brief Bishop’s Committee meeting.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially the family of Benita Willey who was buried today, Catherine and Walter who were married on Friday, Luke and Nikki who were married on Saturday, and Kelly and Andy who will be married this Saturday, all of those seeking work, the ill, those who are alone, 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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