Paul Sails to Perga

The Acts of the Apostles continues today with Paul’s sailing to Perga:

Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem; but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.” So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:

“You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.’ Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his work, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.’” (Acts 13: 13-25).

Paul who once persecuted the Christians is now spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. He tells the people assembled how God had provided Israel with leaders and kings. Now, God has sent Israel a Messiah, Jesus who is the Savior. Paul is aware that the Good News may not be well received by those to whom he is preaching it; nevertheless, he does it because the Holy Spirit has led him to do it. It is Paul’s calling to preach the Good News cost what it might.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, your Apostle Paul preached the Good News of the salvation you brought even though it was not easy for him to do so. Give us your grace so that we may proclaim your Gospel in our daily lives even though it may be difficult to do so. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

Sunday, 12 September 2010 after the service, we will celebrate the Rev. Helen Appelberg’s 80th birthday at Grace Episcopal Church’s Jinkins Hall after the 9:00 a.m. service at St. Augustine’s.

Sunday, 19 September 2010, Rally Day. You might be surprised to find out that you already participate in a ministry at the Church. Come and discover what is going on and what you can do.

25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.

2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, people undergoing special medical concerns, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, 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

With Prayer and Fasting

The Daily Office is making its way through the Acts of the Apostles, and today we are in Chapter 13 where we read:

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. But the magician Elymas (for that is the translation of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now listen—the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. (Acts 13: 1-12).

In today’s passage notice that the Apostles do nothing without first praying, fasting and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. They do not preach their own agenda (as does the magician and false prophet in today’s story); rather, they spend time in prayer seeking the will of God. Then, and only then, do they act.

We as a Church community are called to do the same. The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ. In order to preach the Gospel authentically, in order to live as the Body of Christ, we must seek God’s will through prayer. We must stop and listen to what God calls us to do. Sometimes this can be difficult, but it can be done. Prayer is the key. Being open to what God calls us to do, even if it may be uncomfortable at times, is what we must do, no differently than Paul and Barnabas.

Let us pray: Loving Father, open our hearts and minds to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Help us to be silent, help us to listen, help us to respond when we hear Your voice in our hearts. Give us the courage and the strength to do what You call us to do in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

Sunday, 12 September 2010 after the service, we will celebrate the Rev. Helen Appelberg’s 80th birthday at Grace Episcopal Church’s Jinkins Hall after the 9:00 a.m. service at St. Augustine’s.

Sunday, 19 September 2010, Rally Day. You might be surprised to find out that you already participate in a ministry at the Church. Come and discover what is going on and what you can do.

25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.

2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, people undergoing special medical concerns, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, 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

He Was Eaten By Worms and Died.

The reading from the Daily office continues today with the aftermath of Peter’s escape from prison:

When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!” And immediately because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark. (Acts 12: 18-24).

Herod was an angry man. He took his anger out on the Christians, on the prison guards, the people of Tyre and Sidon, and more likely than not on himself. Anger is a destructive force. It destroys those who are on the receiving end of someone’s anger. It also destroys the angry person. Anger eats away at who we are. Anger eats at us from the inside out. Acts’ description of Herod’s death is fitting, “he was eaten by worms and died.”

Do you ever let anger eat away at you? Do you lash out at others out of anger? Do you let anger control your thoughts and feelings? God invites us to let go of our anger and to turn it over to Christ who brings peace to our souls. If you are angry, give it over to Christ and ask for his peace which passes all understanding.

Let us pray: peaceful Father, you know that sometimes we put our energy into being angry rather than praising You for Your goodness and love. Jesus, who hung on the cross for us, forgave those who crucified him; Christ was not angry with them. May we follow Christ’s example and let go of the anger in our lives and be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we may be better followers of Your Son. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

Sunday, 12 September 2010 after the service, we will celebrate the Rev. Helen Appelberg’s 80th birthday at Grace Episcopal Church’s Jinkins Hall after the 9:00 a.m. service at St. Augustine’s.

Sunday, 19 September 2010, Rally Day. You might be surprised to find out that you already participate in a ministry at the Church. Come and discover what is going on and what you can do.

25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.

2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, 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

A Jail Break!

The story of the Early Church continues with the reading from the Acts of the Apostles today, and we read about the brutality of King Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great, who has James, the Son of Zebedee and the brother of John (you may recall Jesus called them the “Sons of Thunder”), killed, and Peter is arrested, but God has a surprise for him:

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.

The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the believers.” Then he left and went to another place. (Acts 12:1-17).

God has a way of surprising His people. When we least expect it, God brings something good our way. Here is the young Christian community. James is beheaded by King Herod Agrippa. Peter is arrested. Things are looking pretty grim, and you can just see the Christians’ heads hanging low. Then, what happens? Peter is tapped on the side by God’s messenger waking him, and the angel says: “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. God orchestrates a jail break! Peter couldn’t believe it. Was he dreaming? No, he wasn’t; he was out of prison. Then he goes to his fellow Christians, and they can’t believe it. Peter is out of jail! Just when things looked to be at their worst, God has a way of coming in and making things right. Jesus did it--first the crucifixion, then the Resurrection. Now God surprises Peter and the other believers. God does it for us too. Be on the lookout, just when things seem to be at their grimmest, God will surprise you with His love and generosity, maybe even breaking us out of the chains that hold us bound.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

Sunday, 12 September 2010 after the service, we will celebrate the Rev. Helen Appelberg’s 80th birthday at Grace Episcopal Church’s Jinkins Hall after the 9:00 a.m. service at St. Augustine’s.

Sunday, 19 September 2010, Rally Day. You might be surprised to find out that you already participate in a ministry at the Church. Come and discover what is going on and what you can do.

2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.

25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, 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

According to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea.

Today’s Daily Office reading continues with the Acts of the Apostles. We are in the eleventh chapter of Acts. After Stephen’s death and the ensuing persecution, some of the Apostles went to preach the Good News to the Gentiles (“the Hellenists”). Given the reference to Claudius, this most likely took place in 46 A.D. Luke writes:

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians”.

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11: 19-30).

God’s Word knows no bounds. It is open to Jews and Gentiles alike; people who at one time would not readily associate with each other. In the face of hardship, the “Christians” (“the followers of Christ”), “determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” They helped each other; they shared what they had with those who were in need. The Kingdom of God was happening in their midst. These Jews and Gentiles have one thing in common, they are followers of Christ. Even though their cultures said that they should not associate, they are joined together by Christ. God’s Word knows no bounds.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE ST. AUGUSTINE’S FEAST DAY A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS! A special thanks to the Gaskins, the Guidrys, the Taylors, Pat Tate and everyone else who worked so hard to make Saturday evening a true celebration of our history and our future. What a wonderful weekend this was! We had about 165 people for dinner on Saturday evening to dedicate the new facilities to the glory of God and in honor of Fr. William Bright-Davies and Fr. Fred Sutton. Sunday’s Eucharist culminated the festivities as we shared the Heavenly Banquet in the Body and Blood of Christ with the Revs. Helen Appelberg, Kern Huff and Pam Matthews.

A CHALLENGE: Bob Newding has offered a challenge! He has graciously said that he would purchase 50 stackable chairs for Sutton Hall if we could raise the funds to purchase 50 stackable chairs. If you are willing to take Bob’s challenge, please let me know.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

Sunday, 12 September 2010 after the service, we will celebrate the Rev. Helen Appelberg’s 80th birthday at Grace Episcopal Church’s Jinkins Hall after the 9:00 a.m. service at St. Augustine’s.

Sunday, 19 September 2010, Rally Day. You might be surprised to find out that you already participate in a ministry at the Church. Come and discover what is going on and what you can do.

2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.

25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, 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

Christ Lives, So Do We

The big day is here! On Saturday, 28 August 2010, nearly two years after the devastation of Hurricane Ike, on the feast day of St. Augustine, we will dedicate the rebuilt Parish Hall and the Education Wing.

At St. Augustine, we take very seriously the words from the Letter to the Hebrews: "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." Heb. 13: 1-2.

Come and celebrate with us. Celebrate the feast day of our patron Saint, the beautiful new buildings, and the fact that Jesus of Nazareth died for you and for me, and He was raised from the dead. We are a Resurrection people!

Let us pray: Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

The Persecutor Becomes the Persecuted

Yesterday's reading from the Acts of the Apostles recounted Saul's conversion experience. Saul persecuted the Christians with vigor; he was there when the crowd murdered Stephen the deacon. Now Saul encounters the Risen Christ, and his life is changed forever, as so is Christianity. Today we read about Saul's experience after his conversion:

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ All who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?’ Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus* was the Messiah.

After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (Acts 9:19-31).

Now the converted Saul cannot help but to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the authorities are out to get him now. The persecutor becomes the persecuted, and those that Saul once persecuted help him escape the clutches of the authorities. The last line of today's passage is very powerful: "Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers." The Church, the Body of Christ, is in peace and it is growing by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is something for us to contemplate. In the midst of adversity, the Church can grow if we are faithful to the message of Christ and are open to the working of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray: Dear Lord, when we face trouble, when we face difficult times, be with us as we preach Your Word, and may we be open to the Holy Spirit in our lives. Amen.

REMINDERS:

St. Augustine's Feast Day, this weekend with dinner on Saturday, the 28th of August at 6 p.m and continuing on Sunday with Eucharist at 9 a.m.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550