“if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.”
- Isaiah 58:10 NRSVUE

“[The Lord] gives food to the hungry”
- Psalm 146:7 NRSVUE

“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me”
- Matthew 25:35 NRSVUE

It seems that the last thing many of us in the United States of America has a problem with is too little food. Although, as a member of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church and School you may be aware of the Bayou City Blessings ministry. This ministry gives meals to children that are on free lunch programs so that they might have food over the weekends and holidays.

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” - Luke 1:26-38 NRSVUE

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a NRSV

In his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul speaks these words in the knowledge that those in the church of Thessalonica have been faithful to God since Paul first preached and taught them about the Good News of Jesus the Christ. In fact, Paul laments that he had to leave and had not been able to return for a visit and even sent Timothy to be with them for a while. The letter laments that Paul is not with them and yet is full of loving encouragement for the church to continue in the manner they follow the way of Jesus. A letter of encouragement and thanksgiving.

The very word Eucharist comes from the Greek eukharistia which means thanksgiving. While during the service of Eucharist we are not celebrating the meal shared by the early colonists and the indigenous people of the America’s we are offering thanksgiving to God. And while we are thankful for the many blessings of this life health, housing, food, employment, and the like, do you wonder how can we also be thankful in all circumstances including sickness, homelessness, hunger, and unemployment for example?

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18b-20 NRSVUE

This is the Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus is telling the disciples what they are to do: make more disciples. How is that done? Well, baptism of course. It is the original and consistent manner anyone joins the Christian community of believers. It is the mark of the Holy Spirit which can never be erased or removed. You are God’s own forever.

Walk in Love is the name of our stewardship campaign this year. I am looking forward to Holy Spirit doing amazing things in the future. And that takes time, talent, and treasure. In the spirit of stewardship, the finance committee is providing an update for our current year pledging with a forecast to where we will be financially by the end of this year, 2024.

During this stewardship season as we pray about what treasure to share with the church’s mission to teach and spread the Good News of Jesus, I would also ask that you consider your time and talent as well. All three of these, time, talent, and treasure are needed to further the mission of Holy Spirit.

Time and talent are vital gifts. They help with treasure as we do not need to hire out for some of our programming. They allow us to be flexible as some ministries are seasonal and do not need to hire a full-time person. When you volunteer your time and talent you become more integrated into the life of the church and there is a deeper sense of belonging. You learn more about the faith of the church and your own faith. You become a part of why we are here: to plant and water the Kingdom of God in the hearts of the people we serve leaving fertile ground for God to grow faithful people into disciples.

Dear Holy Spirit Family, 

The recent storms and the destruction they have caused have most likely evoked memories of Harvey and Beryl. Let’s continue to pray for all those who are affected by the recent storms and offer support. One way is through the Episcopal Relief & Development organization. As is written on their website, “Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with partners to support people affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Hurricane Relief Fund is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery. Please contribute to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund to support long-term recovery efforts.” Thank you.

 God’s Peace,

Mitch+