Speaking From Personal Experience

The Daily Prayer of the Church continues with the Acts of the Apostles and we hear Peter, who in the past had foot in mouth disease, today is eloquent in his preaching of the Good News of Jesus because he is sharing his own personal experience of Jesus Christ who died for Peter and rose from the dead:

 

Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

 

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days. (Acts 10:34-48).

 

The Good News of Jesus has a way of filling people’s hearts, filling all of those empty spaces that we yearn to fill with the knowledge that we are loved.  Peter and the rest of the Apostles spoke from their own experience regarding how Jesus loved them so much so that he gave his life not only for them, but for the people who heard Peter preaching, and for us today who heard those words again from those who has experienced Christ in their lives. 

 

Let us pray:  Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMIDNERS

 

From Lee Runion: We will not be having the Friday night art and wine class because of an opening at Lawndale Gallery that Lee will be attending. Saturday the art room will be open from 10 am to 1pm for anyone who wants to come. This will be an unconstructed free time to work on whatever projects you want to, or want to finish.

 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so, and you can help Lee out this summer with the art week, please do so.  We have 8 children signed up thus far.  If you know of someone who would like to attend, please encourage them to sign up with Lee.

 

Seaside Seniors: Thursday, 18 July 2013 for lunch, and dancing in the evening from 7 pm to 9 pm.

 

Summer Adult Christian Education: Contemporary Moral Issues.  I’ll have handouts this Sunday and we will begin the Sunday after.

 

Please pray for everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550