In today’s appointed Gospel reading from Matthew, we read about how God seeks out the one lost sheep:
‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. (Mt. 18: 10-14).
You may ask, “What shepherd in his right mind would leave the 99 behind to find the one last sheep? Isn’t the shepherd exposing the other sheep to the wolves?” God does not view things the way we do. The 99 that the Shepherd leaves behind did not stray. They remain because they trust the Shepherd; they are in the enclosure of the Shepherd’s divine love. However, the one that has strayed is outside the enclosure; he is the one who is exposed to the wolves. We, the sheep of God’s fold, stray from time to time, and I for one am glad that He comes looking for me.
Let us pray: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and 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.
Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston is very happy to let you know that they are once again holding our Organ Extravaganza on Saturday, 3 December beginning at 7:30 p.m.
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
‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. (Mt. 18: 10-14).
You may ask, “What shepherd in his right mind would leave the 99 behind to find the one last sheep? Isn’t the shepherd exposing the other sheep to the wolves?” God does not view things the way we do. The 99 that the Shepherd leaves behind did not stray. They remain because they trust the Shepherd; they are in the enclosure of the Shepherd’s divine love. However, the one that has strayed is outside the enclosure; he is the one who is exposed to the wolves. We, the sheep of God’s fold, stray from time to time, and I for one am glad that He comes looking for me.
Let us pray: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and 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.
Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston is very happy to let you know that they are once again holding our Organ Extravaganza on Saturday, 3 December beginning at 7:30 p.m.
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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