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

The Early Church: A Time of Excitement

Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles finds Philip preaching the Good News and baptizing:

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. (Acts 4: 26-40).

Reading about the Early Church is exciting to me. God’s angels, His messengers, send the Apostles here and then they are sent there. They are running from Jerusalem to Samaria back to Jerusalem and then to Gaza, all at the drop of a hat. They simply go to where they are called, and everywhere they go, they preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. People, like the Ethiopian eunuch, who kept the treasury for the queen of the Ethiopians, immediately converts and desires baptism. How exciting is that! Imagine the power of the Apostles’ presence, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the world. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people today would respond in the same way as the Ethiopian eunuch? Imagine a community so filled with the Holy Spirit that people flock to join.

Let us pray: Loving Father, send Your Holy Spirit to fill our hearts so that we may draw others to Jesus Christ. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

The Rev. Helen Appelberg will be with you this Sunday. Mary and I will be in West Texas checking in on my Mom and Dad.

St. Augustine Weekend:

Saturday, 28 August 2010 at 6:00 p.m. dinner celebrating the new facilities and in honor of St. Augustine’s Feast Day. (We ordered a new “Episcopal Church Welcomes You” sign. Hopefully, it will arrive before the 28th.)

Sunday, 29 August 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Eucharist Rite II celebrating our patron saint, St. Augustine of Hippo.

Rally Day, Sunday 12 September 2010: Rally Day is a Sunday set aside, usually at the end of summer, where members of the Church are invited to join ministries within the Church, for example, Altar Guild, Fellowship, Education, Lectors, etc. Please join us for Rally Day.

The Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show beginning 25 September.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, and especially Roylene Lemons, Cindi Clack, Liam Moloney, all of those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad and most especially those from St. Augustine, for those who are traveling, for the ill, and for 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

You Cannot Sell and Buy God's Grace

In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about Peter and John going to Samaria, and the laying on of hands:

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.” Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.”

Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans. (Acts 8: 14-25).

Simon the Magician, whom we heard about yesterday, saw what power flowed from the laying on of hands, but he did not understand what the gift of the Holy Spirit it really meant. Simon offers Peter and John money for the power of the Holy Spirit. He wants to buy it, but God’s grace cannot be purchased. God’s love and mercy cannot be bought. It is a gift freely given. Simon failed to understand that.

There is a word which derives from Simon the Magician and this passage in Acts, “simony”. “Simony” is the making of profit out of sacred things, and the buying or selling of the sacraments. This was an issue which helped spark the Reformation (in the 1500s) when, with the blessing of Julius II and then Leo X, the Bishops of Rome (the Popes), the Roman Catholic Church sold “indulgences” which were a full or partial remission of temporal punishment (time in purgatory) due for sins which had already been forgiven in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession). People would line up to buy an indulgence, a get out of purgatory free card. The purchaser would receive a document, no doubt suitable for framing, and he would be free from any punishment because of sin.

The money from the sale of indulgences was used for a building project, the Papal Basilica of St. Peter’s in Rome. The Reformers, Martin Luther of Germany in particular, saw the error in this and were very vocal against this practice. The Reformers, like the Apostles in Acts, knew that God’s grace is a gift freely given. The Reformers preached that those who were vested by the Church to confer blessing, namely priests and bishops, and who sell God’s free gifts were acting contrary to God’s infinite generosity.

Let us pray: Almighty God and Father, your gave us the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who preached the forgiveness of sins and told the world of Your great love. You also gave us the Holy Spirit to be our constant companion and guide. Let us be ever thankful of the gifts You have freely bestowed on us and may we share Your gifts with others, not looking for return. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

St. Augustine Weekend:

Saturday, 28 August 2010 at 6:00 p.m. dinner celebrating the new facilities and in honor of St. Augustine’s Feast Day. (We ordered a new “Episcopal Church Welcomes You” sign. Hopefully, it will arrive before the 28th.)

Sunday, 29 August 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Eucharist Rite II celebrating our patron saint, St. Augustine of Hippo.

Rally Day, Sunday 12 September 2010: Rally Day is a Sunday set aside, usually at the end of summer, where members of the Church are invited to join ministries within the Church, for example, Altar Guild, Fellowship, Education, Lectors, etc. Please join us for Rally Day.

The Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show beginning 25 September.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, and especially Roylene Lemons, Cindi Clack, Liam Moloney, all of those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad and most especially those from St. Augustine, for those who are traveling, for the ill, and for 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

Proclaiming the Risen Christ to the World

Today’s daily reading continues in Chapter 8 of the Act of the Apostles, and we hear about Saul, who was there when they killed Stephen and his approval of the crowd’s actions:

And Saul approved of their killing him.

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.

Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place. (Acts 8:1-13).

As so the persecution against the Christians began led by Saul of Tarsus. He went into people’s homes, rounded up the Christians and threw them into prison. But the Apostles did not hide; they went on proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and doing His works. The Apostles went to Samaria, a region inhabited by mixed remnants of the northern tribes who worshiped God. Those who encountered the Apostles also had an encounter with Christ. Jesus touched their lives using the Apostles as His hands and feet and serving as witnesses to Christ's life, death and resurrection. The people they met were transformed by the love of Jesus.

How are our lives transformed by encountering the Risen Christ? Are you and I instruments of Christ’s transforming love? Where have we fallen short of being true witnesses to the power of the Resurrection in our lives? Have we opened our hearts to God's Grace in our lives?

Let us pray: Loving Father, open our hearts to receive the love that Jesus offers to us, and transform our lives by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that we are formed into instruments of Jesus’ love. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

St. Augustine Weekend:

Saturday, 28 August 2010 at 6:00 p.m. dinner celebrating the new facilities and in honor of St. Augustine’s Feast Day. (We ordered a new “Episcopal Church Welcomes You” sign. Hopefully, it will arrive before the 28th.)

Sunday, 29 August 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Eucharist Rite II celebrating our patron saint, St. Augustine of Hippo.

Rally Day: Sunday 12 September 2010: Rally Day is a Sunday set aside, usually at the end of summer, where members of the Church are invited to join ministries within the Church, for example, Altar Guild, Fellowship, Education, Lectors, etc.

The Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show beginning 25 September.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, and especially Roylene Lemons, Cindi Clack, all of those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad and most especially those from St. Augustine, for those who are traveling, for the ill, and for 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