The 11th Anniversary of 9-11

Today is the 11th anniversary of the horrific attacks on our shores by terrorists who took nearly 3000 lives at the Twin Towers in New York City (2 aircraft), the Pentagon (1 aircraft) and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania (where the passengers on United flight 93 took action against the terrorists).

 

9-11 is one of those days where people ask: “Where were you on that day?” I had just landed in Dallas, Texas and was walking down the jet way when I saw the results of the first impact on the TV monitor at the airport. As the rest of the nation, I did not know what had just happened.  As the day progressed, the horror unfolded as a colleague and I drove to Houston in a car we had rented to go to a meeting.  The skies were silent as there was no air traffic.  People were dazed and walked in a state of unbelief: how could something like this could happen here?  Was there more to come?

 

Where were you on that day?

 

Where are we as a nation today?

 

Let us pray:  Almighty God, bless your beautiful world. Comfort all of those who still grieve because of the events of this day.  Lead all leaders from falsehood, into Truth and Justice. Guard and defend your children. Re-kindle in all the citizens of your world, the fire of your love, and inspire us to love one another, and to be peace-makers. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

The Lord’s Prayer Study begins this Sunday at 11:00 a.m.  Materials will be available. Please come and join this study and grow in your faith.

 

Our regularly scheduled  Bishop’s Committee Meeting is this Sunday starting immediately after the Eucharist.  Items on the agenda will include: (1) Biehl Garden update; (2) Sutton Hall use update; (3) financial report; (4) the Bell Tower historical space; (5) update on pest control; (6) update on hiring culinary students from Galveston College for Sunday breakfasts.  I invite everyone’s participation to share in the decision making of our faith community.

 

Art Show begins Saturday, 22 September with a reception at 6:00 p.m.

 

St. Vincent’s Day celebration on 29 September with Eucharist at 10:00 a.m.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Patricia, Spurgeon, and all of those who lost loved ones on this day 11 years ago.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550