We All Need A Reminder

The Epistle reading for today is taken from Paul’s letter to that troubled Church in Galatia.  There is anguish in his voice:

Friends, I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.  (Gal. 4: 12-20).

The Galatians took Paul in when he was ill, apparently with an eye infirmity.  They treated with love and care even to the point that they would have torn out their eyes and given them to Paul.  But something went wrong in Galatia.  What was it?  They strayed from the Good News of Jesus that Paul had proclaimed to them.  The Galatians were being enticed by other missionaries to add the observances of the Jewish law, including the rite of circumcision, to the cross of Christ as a means of salvation.  Once again, Paul tells them the truth about the Good News of Christ.  All of us, from time to time, need to be reminded of the truth of the Gospel.  We all need to be reminded that the Holy Spirit has called and is calling Jews and Gentiles alike, that is all people, to belong to the one family of Abraham, equipping them to believe the Good News of salvation in Jesus, and that faith being the one identifier of membership within this family which lives in love with one another witnessing to God’s love to the world around.

Let us pray:  O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the  nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh;  and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

164^thDIOCESAN COUNCIL: 8& 9 February in Houston, Texas. The Episcopal Churches on the Island will host the 165th Diocesan Council in 2014.

SEASIDE SENIORS AT ST. AUGSUTINE’S SUTTON HALL, Thursday, 21 February 2013.

REMEMBER TO BRING A FRIEND ON THE 2^ND SUNDAY FOR THE CONTEMPORARY JAZZ SERVICE AND ON THE 4^TH SUNDAY FOR THE TRADITIONAL JAZZ SERVICE.

The Painted Church Tour—only 6 spots left: We will travel to Schulenburg (about a 2 hour ride), tour 3-4 churches, have lunch and return to St. Augustine.

Departure Date: Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 7:30 a.m.

Depart From: St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church, 1410 41st St.

 

Cost: $20 to cover tour and lunch

There are only a few spots left so email ms.walk.1@hotmail.com or call Ms. Allen at 832-244-1817to let her know if you are interested.

MARDI GRAS AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S HOSTED BY OUR KING & QUEEN OF MARDI  GRAS, BILL & TAMMIE TAYLOR, in Sutton Hall on Tuesday at 6 p.m., February 12.

ASH WEDNESDAY IS FEBRUARY 13, Ash Wednesday Liturgy with the Imposition of Ashes at 6 p.m.

LENTEN PROGRAM: Starting at 6 p.m. with the Way of the Cross, Eucharist, light supper and then the program with—

Feb. 20: The Rev. Allen Robinson, Rector of St. James in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Galveston native and a son of St. Augustine (1410 41st St.)

Feb. 27: Br. Michael Gallagher, OSB & Fr. Peter Funk, OSB, Benedictine Monks and Co-Founders of Holy Cross Monastery at Grace (1115 36th St.)

Mar. 6: Ms. Kathy Culmer, Storyteller & Diocesan Mission Funding Coordinator at Trinity (2216 Ball Ave)

Mar. 13: The Rev. Canon John Newton, Diocese of Texas Canon for Lifelong Christian Formation, at St. Augustine (1410 41st St.)

Mar. 20: The Rev. Pittman McGehee, Priest, Author & Jungian Analyst, at Grace (1115 36th St.)

Mar. 27: The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, at Trinity (2216 Ball Ave)

3^rd ANNUAL ST. AUGUSTINE’S BIG MISTA & FRIENDS BBQ ON SATURDAY, 28 APRIL 2013:  Thus far, we have the following people working on the BBQ:

         Pat Tate: Liaison between the Church and the BBQers

         Alicia Gaskin & Melva Pope: Tickets

         Stacy Putman: Publicity

         Janie Richardson, Idell Guidry: Kitchen

         Bill Taylor: Securing permit for street closure

         Angela Lemons: Arranging for security

         Michelle Allen and Becky VanDerAu have also volunteered to help.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Marilyn and her entire family and Dave.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550