St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brady, TX

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brady, TX Welcome home. We are really glad you are here. Come on in! Without you there is no church. St. Everyone that passes through our doors is welcome here.

​"For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures..." The Episcopal Church is not the building, not the service, not the pomp or attire, it is people, people just like you. For many people, walking into a new c

hurch for the first time can be a formidable experience, full of wonder but also full of uncertain ties. Paul's is more than a lovely building; it is a loving and growing family. You do not need to be born into the Episcopal tradition, nor do you need to be someone of much religious background or church experience. Our worship is unique, but it reaches out to a great variety of people on many different levels. We hope that your first experience at St. Paul's will be pleasing and one that you will not forget, but most importantly we hope that you feel welcome here. If you are searching for a parish, we would like St. Paul's to be a community you could call your church home. If you are visiting, we love having you with us and you are always welcome back.

09/06/2026

SUNDAY, September 6
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Romans 13:10. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

According to Rev. Dr. Google, the word "love" is mentioned frequently in the Bible, approximately 310 times in the King James Version and 690 times in the English Standard Version. With that many mentions, you'd think we would have this word and at least some of its meanings down pat. Well, think again.

Love is a challenging concept. It's easy when looking at a newborn grandson, perhaps harder when the boss doesn't think you deserve a raise. Easier again when you swing your partner around the dance floor, much harder when an unhoused person approaches you. Yet Paul uses the word love 150-200 times. In Romans 13:10, he gives us a wonderful prescription: "Love does no wrong to a neighbor." Imagine what it would look and feel like to begin each day wrapped in a robe of love. Think of love that's easy: a beloved spouse, a longtime friend, a flower beginning to bud. Then imagine your love not doing wrong to the broadest definition of neighbor.

MOVING FORWARD: How does loving another challenge you?

PRAY for the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria

Exodus 12:1-14 and Ps 149 OR Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Ps 119:33-40 | Romans 13:8-14 | Matthew 18:15-20

from Forward Movement dot org

09/05/2026

SATURDAY, September 5 KATHARINA ZELL, Church Reformer and Writer, 1562

John 10:16a. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.

Over the years, I've heard several sermons about this parable, with the emphasis on Jesus as the shepherd willing to lay down his life for his flock. Several verses after Jesus states that he is the Good Shepherd are these words from John, which invite me to think about the sheep that were of the flock, yet for whatever reason, do not belong.

Although I grew up in the church, I have many friends who did not. But I strongly believe they are part of Jesus's flock, too. With these friends, I may use non-religious references or share experiences they're more familiar with than biblical ones. But it's curious to me that one of these friends often uses the phrase "gospel truth" to make a point, and another offers an "amen" when he agrees with me.

Perhaps they are the sheep not obviously in the fold, but nevertheless in the flock. In these words from John, I hear Jesus calling me to help bring these friends to the fold, to witness to the love of Christ, so they can listen to his voice and come to know the Good Shepherd.

MOVING FORWARD: How will you share Christ with those "outside the fold?"

PRAY for the Diocese of Bentiu (South Sudan)

Ps 30, 32 * 42, 43 | Job 22:1-4, 21--23:7 Acts 13:26-43 | John 10:1-18

from Forward Movement dot org

09/04/2026

FRIDAY, September 4 PAUL JONES, Bishop, 1941

Psalm 31:4. Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, for you are my tower of strength.

I have sung in several choirs and always enjoy how music can inspire people to let loose, even in the often-solemn confines of the church and its rituals. I love seeing how music moves people during the singing of communion hymns. I enjoy seeing parishioners walk to and from the altar, mouthing the words of a familiar hymn or singing out loud with a stirring refrain. It's as though they're being pulled out of a net they didn't realize they were in, like the music is reaching inside and allowing release while at the same time providing the cadence for celebrating the gift of eucharist.

The Book of Common Prayer shines a light on the importance of music in worship in the prayer For Church Musicians and Artists: "Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty..." (p. 819). These very glimpses so often take us out of our nets. Hallelujah!

MOVING FORWARD: When did you realize something previously hidden was holding you back? How did you move forward?

PRAY for the Diocese of Benin (Nigeria)

Ps 31 * 35 | Job 19:1-7, 14-27 | Acts 13:13-25 | John 9:18-41

from Forward Movement dot org

09/03/2026

THURSDAY, September 3 PHOEBE, Deacon

Psalm 37:33. The law of their God is in their heart, and their footsteps shall not falter.

Psalm 37 is filled with encouragement to trust and to be patient. There are examples of how righteousness and humility pay off, and how wickedness is dealt with, sometimes harshly. The psalm offers reminders that living a righteous life will keep us safe and, for those who live a righteous life, justice will be ours.

Verse 41 encourages us: "But the deliverance of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble." There's a challenge to holding discouragement at bay, to waiting patiently, hoping, and believing that living righteously will soothe our anxieties and lessen our fears. How appropriate that this psalm occurs on a day that honors Phoebe. The collect for today calls her a "deacon in your church and minister of your Gospel" and prays that we might be granted the same grace so "we too may take the Gospel to the ends of the earth."

I envision Phoebe having the law of God in her heart and Jesus's love centered in her body, being sure-footed as she freely shares these gifts in her first-century world.

MOVING FORWARD: In what ways have you embraced the law of God?

PRAY for the Diocese of Beni (L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo)

Ps 37:1-18 * 37:19-42 | Job 16:16-22; 17:1, 13-16 | Acts 13:1-12 | John 9:1-17

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09/01/2026

TUESDAY, September 1 DAVID PENDLETON OAKERHATER, Deacon, 1931

Job 26:8. He binds up the water in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not torn open by them.

Sometimes, after my morning Daily Office reading, I walk the streets of my small neighborhood.

This time outside, just before dawn, allows me to experience an unusual quiet as the dark sky gradually gives way to the new day. I like to stop in the darkest area of the cul-de-sac and scan the sky for any "new" appearances. The moon and a few stars are in their places, so the one feature I can count on changing is the movement of the clouds. On some mornings, they're wispy, transparent, still, then moving idly at other times, low sometimes, and then, when I'm really fortunate, thick and foreboding with the promise of a coming storm. These are bound up with water, but how and when they'll be torn open is a mystery that I love contemplating.

The science behind clouds and rain seems straight- forward, and yet every appearance reminds me of the most complex backstory in the most engaging mystery I've ever read.

MOVING FORWARD: Consider how one of God's many mysteries might order your day.

PRAY for the Diocese of Belize (West Indies)

Ps 26, 28 * 36, 39 | Job 12:1; 13:3-17, 21-27 | Acts 12:1-17 | John 8:33-47

from Forward Movement dot org

08/31/2026

MONDAY, August 31 AIDAN OF LINDISFARNE, Bishop, 651

John 8:23. He said to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are from this world, I am not from this world."

Jesus makes a sharp distinction between himself and those in authority. His indictment of them reveals the tragedy of a life trapped inside a box of faithlessness and small-mindedness, forsaking the love of God. Though the authorities declare that they represent God, Jesus tells them they are missing God entirely. They and he live in two completely different worlds—below and above.

We may shake our heads at these clueless frauds. And yet, have we examined our own hearts lately? Are we so tied down by our earthly concerns that we can't look above to the life Jesus lived, the life he calls us to live? Are we so caught up in our needs and wants, our own insistence that we're right, that we miss living full lives with God?

Let us live "above" with Jesus—not forsaking our earthly life, but breaking out of our self-constructed boxes, looking beyond this world's horizon to follow him wherever he beckons. And then, "you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32).

MOVING FORWARD: Invite someone to join you in living "above" by giving them a copy of Forward Day by Day.

PRAY for the Diocese of Bauchi (Nigeria)

Ps 25 * 9, 15 | Job 12:1-6, 13-25 | Acts 11:19-30 | John 8:21-32

from Forward Movement dot org

08/30/2026

SUNDAY, August 30
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew 16:25. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

You are working diligently to become a healthier, stronger, and more authentic person. I commend you. A big part of this process is to become your self as God created you to be—not the way that your self became corrupted, damaged, and false earlier in your life, whether because of your own choices or others' actions. This process can be overwhelming. We can fall prey to the fear that we'll never make it and scramble to fix the sore places with unhelpful methods.

If you're in a place like this, examine how you're trying to save your life. If Jesus is not part of the process, it will be fruitless. If you're trying everything you can to live a whole and authentic life, to "save your life" without his guidance and empowerment, you'll end up losing it.

Giving up your life to Jesus is the only way to find real life. And working through this process spiritually will give you the power to do that. Then you will find life indeed.

MOVING FORWARD: Do a checkup on your spiritual growth and personal authenticity. Are you moving in the right direction?

PRAY for the Church in the Province of the West Indies

Exodus 3:1-15 and Ps 105:1-6,23-26,45c OR Jeremiah 15:15-21 and Ps 26:1-8 | Romans 12:9-21 | Matthew 16:21-28

from Forward Movement dot org

08/29/2026

SATURDAY, August 29 THE BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

John 8:12. I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

Years ago, some people were trapped in an office building during a nighttime power outage. They were told to go down the stairs. Without working emergency lights, total darkness engulfed them. Carefully, each person felt their way step by step against the wall. After a few minutes of this terror, someone remembered his wristwatch glowed when he pushed the stem. Remarkably, he led everyone down the stairs using the glow of his watch to light the way.

The light of a single candle can shatter the darkness. But Jesus's light is far brighter than a glowing wristwatch or flickering candle. He shines healing on the dark areas of pain in our hearts. He shines hope in the dark spaces of fear in our souls. He shines wisdom in the dark corners of ignorance. He shines forgiveness and love in the dark holes of emptiness, hate, and anger we hide within us.

Jesus is the light of the whole world. His light is warm and inviting, and it's shining on you now. Can you see it?

MOVING FORWARD: Light a candle and meditate on the love of Christ.

PRAY for the Diocese of Bathurst (Australia)

Ps 20, 21:1-7(8-14) * 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117 | Job 9:1; 10:1-9, 16-22 | Acts 11:1-18 | John 8:12-20

from Forward Movement dot org

08/28/2026

FRIDAY, August 28 AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, Bishop and Theologian, 430

John 7:37b-38. Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.... "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."

I once took my young children whitewater rafting, telling them how fun it would be to rush along the river. I hadn't reckoned that North Georgia was suffering a severe drought. We climbed into a rented truck-tire innertube with a plywood sheet lashed to the bottom to sit on, and off we went. But the water level was so low that there was no "white" to the whitewater. We'd float a few feet, then I'd have to climb out and pull them in the heavy inner tube across exposed rocks, with the plywood hitting my shins. They had fun; me, not so much! I kept telling them, "I'm sure the water ahead will be deeper!" We never did find enough water to move us.

Sometimes that's how our hearts feel: the spiritual water level is low. "Rivers of living water" have slowed to a trickle, and we end up frustrated, exhausted, and bruised. If we're not sensing the Spirit flowing through us, we might be missing Jesus's invitation: "Anyone who is thirsty, come." Deep, pure refreshment awaits us.

MOVING FORWARD: How will you let Jesus satisfy your thirst today?

PRAY for the Diocese of Bath and Wells (England)

Ps 16, 17 * 22 | Job 9:1-15, 32-35 | Acts 10:34-48 | John 7:37-52

from Forward Movement dot org

THURSDAY, August 27 THOMAS GALLAUDET AND HENRY WINTER SYLE, Priests, 1902 and 1890John 7:24. Do not judge by appear...
08/27/2026

THURSDAY, August 27 THOMAS GALLAUDET AND HENRY WINTER SYLE, Priests, 1902 and 1890

John 7:24. Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.

The religious leaders are angry with Jesus when he dares to heal a man on the Sabbath. Rather than seeing the powerfully transforming miracle in a human life, they see only the law Jesus has ignored. Jesus begs them to rethink their priorities, but it's a lost cause.

This reminds me of a situation I learned about right after 9/11. In the aftermath of that tragedy, a minister friend participated in an interfaith service, offering a prayer to share consolation and hope to grieving people. But his church forbade public prayer when non-Christians were present. In seeking the greater good, he had broken his church's rule. Though the denomination's leader had given him permission to participate, many called for his dismissal. Over the next two years, he was forced to defend himself before numerous church committees and courts.

Are you holding so tightly on to some rules, even good ones, that you're failing to "judge with right judgment?" If so, remember: when the Spirit moves us to reach out, even if a rule must be broken, our faith demands obedience. Such obedience gives life.

MOVING FORWARD: What rules need to be broken today in the Spirit of love?

PRAY for the Diocese of Barrackpore (North India)

Ps 18:1-20 * 18:21-50 | Job 8:1-10,20-22 | Acts 10:17-33 | John 7:14-36

from Forward Movement dot org

Address

1105 S Blackburn Street (PO Box 1148)
Brady, TX
76825

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(325) 597-1330

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