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May 11, 2014 The Third Sunday
after Easter Day
Mother’s Day
8:00 a.m. Holy Communion
8:45 a.m. Parish Breakfast*
8:50 a.m. Prayers for the Church*
9:15 a.m. Christian Education*
for all ages
10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer*
10:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel*
followed by second hour Sunday School at 10:50 a.m.
11:15 a.m. Optional Elementary Children’s Program
during sermon*
11:45 a.m. Children’s Choir*
11:45 a.m. Children’s Mother’s
Day Parties*
5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer*
Bible Study & light refreshments following in
Koslow Library
*Nursery
The Lectionary
Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a,51-60
or Nehemiah 9:6-15
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
Psalm 23
Volume 34, Number 19 May 9, 2014
THE MESSENGER SAINT ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Unborn children and pregnant women who are not being supported by their community to bring their baby’s life to full term are in a defenseless position in this world. Both need our support. The health of any society that would call itself a “culture of life” should be judged based upon the treatment of its most vulnerable. Women who have already been hurt by the lie that an abortion can make them “not pregnant” and restore them to who they were before their crisis need just as much help as the pregnant in peril and the unborn. A woman is never the same once she is pregnant, whether the child is kept, adopted or aborted. Because of their ability to bear children, women are at the forefront both of bearing the damage of the culture of death, and forging the way to a new culture of life. If we can support them with our willing hands and feet through Christ, we can place more women in position for the latter option.
Pope John Paul II makes this point in his encyclical, The Gospel of Life, when he writes in paragraph 99,
“In transforming culture so that it supports life, women occupy a place, in thought and action, which is unique and decisive. It depends on them to promote a ‘new feminism’… in order to acknowledge and affirm the true genius of women in every aspect of the life of society...I address to women this urgent appeal: ‘Reconcile people with life.’ You are called to bear witness to the meaning of genuine love...a mother welcomes and carries in herself another human being, enabling it to grow inside her, giving it room, respecting it in its otherness. Women must first learn and then teach others that human relations are authentic if they are open to accepting the other person: a person who is recognized and loved because of the dignity
which comes from being a person and not from other considerations, such as usefulness, strength, intelligence, beauty or health. This is the fundamental contribution which the Church and humanity expect from women. And it is the indispensable prerequisite for authentic cultural change.”
Janet Morana, now the Executive Director of Priests for Life, was ministered to following her post-abortive crisis. Later she, together with Priests for Life, helped to found the Silent No More Campaign in conjunction with Georgette Forney from our own organization, Anglicans for Life. Janet states, “To be pro-life is to be pro-woman. We do not say, ‘Love the baby and forget about the mother.’ Rather we say, ‘Why not love them both?’ We can and we must. To harm one is to harm the other; to love and
AHEAD OF MOTHER’S DAY…A REFLECTION FOR THE SILENT MOTHER by Mrs. Molly Bryant, Head of Pro-Life Ministries at SAFW
But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. I Peter 2:20-21
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serve one is to love and serve the other. The destinies of mother and child are inextricably bound to one another.”
At Saint Andrew’s, we are blessed that we belong to a culture that supports women and the unborn. We would offer our resources to support any woman in doubt of her ability to bring a child into the world. We would care for and nurture any woman hurt by the loss of her baby through abortion and use any means necessary to help bring her closer to the healing love that only Christ can bring. We must, as His body, boldly support any woman in peril.
Continuing from Janet Morana’s message, “Pro-woman is not simply a project, strategy or package for the pro-life message. Rather, it is that message. Whenever someone speaks up for the equal dignity of the unborn child, that person is advancing the status of women. Whenever someone reveals the horror of
abortion, that person is counteracting the exploitation of women, so many of whom are deceived into thinking abortion is no horror at all. Whenever the pro-life message is advanced, women are ennobled. For that we will continue to work, and in that we rejoice!”
Saint Andrew’s is a safe place for mothers, the born and unborn.
Interested in joining us in the St. Andrew’s Pro-Life, Pro-Woman ministry?
Hurt by abortion and in need of love and healing?
Pregnant and in need of support?
Contact Molly Bryant at [email protected]
Top row, l to r: Megan Williams, Virginia Goshe, Donna Bronstad, Dr. Dickson Middle row, l to r: Jacob Reece, Sam Woodson, Caroline Watkins Bottom row, l to r: Willing DeMott, Henry Harveson, Bishop Iker, Grace Elizabeth Cauble, Mary Elizabeth Murrin, Caroline Staniford, Meredith Lambert
Youth Confirmands
Grace Elizabeth Cauble
Willing Cannon DeMott
Henry Herold Harveson
Meredith Elaine Lambert
Mary Elizabeth Murrin
Jacob Brent Reece
Caroline Breed Staniford
Caroline Grace Watkins
Samuel Patrick Woodson V
Adult Confirmands
Donna Steen Bronstad
Virginia L. Goshe
Megan Ruth Williams
Congratulations to
our Confirmands!
On May 4th Bishop Iker confirmed a class of nine youth and three adults during his annual
official visitation to our parish. It was a wonderful day! Congratulations to the following:
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RALLY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCHRALLY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
Saturday, May 17, 2014 2 p.m. at City Hall Plaza in front of Dallas City Hall
A chance to speak out and raise awareness for our
persecuted Christian brothers and sisters around the world
For more information, contact Karen Ferrer at 817.472.8334
For more in depth
information about the
persecution of the church
in our world today click
here for a list of links on
the events page of the St.
Andrew’s webpage.
“I’ll believe it when I see it!” “Seeing is believing!” “The check is in the mail.” “Show me the money!” What is it with this generation, the last or even the one before that demands verification, confirmation or some sign for the truth? Do you believe that the check is in the mail” or do you need more proof? “Show me the money.” “Give me some indication (sign) that you are good for your word.”
Often times there do need to be “credit inquiries” and often times just a faint sign can re-establish one’s spirits. Decades ago two young women were living in New York City, one a working girl, the other a student. Living in a hotel for women and on a strict allowance. Their lives were far from the glamorous sound of “living in New York!” Easter was approaching and homesickness was sinking in with thoughts of being home with the family and church celebrations. Traveling home was not part of the budget so being the big sister I consoled my little sis by suggesting we purchase a flowered hat and attend the 5th Avenue Easter Parade. After all, we were in New York and isn’t that what New Yorker’s do? Easter 1969 will long be remembered as the day we awoke and the biggest snow storm had hit the city. Blankets of snow carpeted the streets with no signs of visible transportation…no cars, no buses, no taxis, and no Easter Parade! Not to allow anything to snow on our parade, my sister and I put on our snow boots and our new Easter bonnets and headed out to view the winter wonderland only to discover no signs of anyone open for business except for one restaurant, The Sign of the Dove. This was a well known venue popular with many and a bit pricy for a working girl and a student on a limited budget. But being the big sister and not wanting to let my sister down, we journeyed in not the least bit embarrassed sporting our floral hats in the cold of the spring. I do not recall what we ordered, but I do know that we felt warmth and comfort in the peaceful setting of The Sign of the Dove a long way from home.
Fast forward to Easter 2014 which unlike the dreary cold Easter of ’69 was a gloriously beautiful day with the welcoming warmth of the sun. Welcoming because it had been a long and cold winter season. For weeks one had looked for some visible sign that spring was near…some proof, be it a blooming flower or a bird preparing a nest…some indication or sign. As I opened the door to the sanctuary greeting worshipers I could not help but feel the same
warmth, the same comfort and the same peace experienced decades ago in New York. Suddenly my eyes caught a glimpse of a male dove on the left upper side of the vestibule eying his mate who was busy tending to her nest. The sign of the dove… an indication spring was near. The sign of the dove…proof of the Holy Spirit. The sign of the dove… confirms His peace.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was
opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
Matthew 3:16
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said,
‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31
“...do not be faithless, but believing” “Blessed are those who have not seen
and yet believe.”
“Peace be with you”
WOMEN’S MINISTRY: The Sign of the Dove by Marsland Moncrief
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Rejoicing in and Learning from our Children by Judy Mayo
“Let the little children come to me…” “They brought young children to Christ,
that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.’ And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” - Mark 10:13-16
I love these words about children, straight from the lips of our Lord. You will recognize the above biblical passage as one of those found in the Service of Holy Baptism in our 1928 Prayer Book. We have all seen beautiful pictures in Bible storybooks – and in paintings as well – of Jesus looking lovingly at children gathered around him, delighted to be in his presence. He noticed children, took time for them, and showed great kindness and respect for them, often healing them and even raising them from the dead. Children, in turn, seemed to sense and feel Jesus’ genuine and deep love and concern for them.
One of our goals in Children’s Sunday School, and indeed in our overall children’s ministry program, is simply that our children will see and feel Christ’s deep love for them, reflected through our clergy, teachers, helpers, chaplains, and activity directors, and that their experience at church will be a very joyful and positive one. Our children’s ministry teachers and workers are a multi-talented group, but the common denominator is that they truly do love and enjoy the children of our parish. Please pray for them and thank them for their joyful, selfless ministry! They serve because they love our children. Thanks be to God! Also, I can tell you (from comments from our teachers and from personal experience), that we adults also learn a lot from the children of our parish. Their sometimes unexpected questions and open, honest, unencumbered approach to life can be refreshing and can make us think through our own faith in a more probing way.
Mite Box Report I am delighted to report that our 2014 Lenten mite box offering totaled $4,561.54. This represents a most wonderful ingathering. Thanks so very much to all children, youth, and adults of our parish who participated in this offering! The offering is benefitting the Hispanic mission congregation, Iglesia San Juan Apostol, our diocese’s very first Hispanic congregation. Fr. Loyo and his people will be able to use this money to cover a couple of
very specific, practical needs. I shall personally deliver the check to Fr. Loyo on May 10. Thanks again to all of you who were a part of this offering.
Great Day at San Juan Apostol God gave us a bright, clear, beautiful day for our outreach event at San Juan Apostol on April 26. It was a lively, joyous day from
beginning to end. There was a huge crowd from San Juan present and several of our parish families as well. (Spring sports, unfortunately, claim many of our parish children on Saturdays from March to May.) San Juan’s parish house was a beehive of happy activity... arts and crafts, music, Bible storytelling, etc. Megan Breedlove told the story of Joshua and Jericho in Spanish and English, and had the children marching around the room, fully engaged and excited. Megan’s Spanish is impeccable! Molly Bryant and Nancy Komatsu were “all over the place,” helping in the kitchen and replenishing craft supplies, etc. Guy Pharis and Fr. Loyo sang with gusto and delight, played their guitars, and drew both children and adults into their songs in wonderful ways. Their music was such a blessing! To round out the day, everyone had lunch together, and children then went outside for a giant Easter egg hunt of well over 1,500 eggs. Many, many thanks to those who made this event possible and supported it, either through advance preparations or on-site help or both: Melissa Pelton and Peggy Rush who made posters and flyers for the event; Nancy Komatsu who helped greatly with publicity, made sandwiches, and helped on-site in many ways that day; Karl and Nancy Komatsu and Guy Pharis who helped to transport all the supplies to San Juan Apostol for the event, and Guy who took time to practice and coordinate music with Fr. Loyo; Charlotte Laker, Nancy Komatsu, Melissa Pelton, and Wendy and Emilio Golden who made LOTS and lots of sandwiches for the event, and Charlotte who donated the bread for the day; Melissa Pelton, Wendy and Emilio Golden, and our Sunday School children who decorated and filled hundreds of Easter eggs; Megan Breedlove who did biblical storytelling, brought her children, and helped in countless other ways; Molly and Julia Bryant who did whatever needed to be done on-site at San Juan; and the wonderful ladies, men, and youth of San Juan who helped with lunch and with the hiding of Easter eggs, etc. It was a delightful day of intercultural sharing and praising the Lord!
Mother’s Day Parties Let your children honor you with a small gift and a little feminine snack! Sunday, May 11 11:45 to 12:15 Preschool area and in Hallway outside Youth Room 3 in Ryan House “Honor your father and your mother….” Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16
VBS 2014 “Saddle Up with the Savior” ...on the trail with Jesus
July 14-18 9:30 to 12:30 daily
For: ages 3-12 Registration opens this Sunday. No registration fee. Guests welcome!
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Happy Mother’s Day! There is a small flower that lives on the dunes of Lake Michigan, the Trillium
They say if the plant were to disappear the dunes would soon wash away. It is
the threadlike roots of this delicate flower that hold the first grains of sand
together, so that hillsides and valleys can follow. The faith of our mothers
often like these roots, have shaped our own worlds of faith. Let us celebrate
with joy this special day!
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26
Trillium She sits so patiently upon the sand. Snow white face and yellow lips.
Stalwartly she holds this patch of ground beneath her feet, anchoring giant dunes in place.
They worry you know, little plant, that you might go and if you do your ground would shift
and soon the trees would follow you and then the valley where you sit would blow away upon the wind.
Who would think to look at you – a plant so small could have a job so tall.
Little flower you show my mother’s faith. that anchored me in time and place. Her beliefs created a world for me to step inside, to live a lifetime within.
Without her hope how different would my existence in this place have been. My life shall always be a sacred space carved in the shadow of her faith.
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May 11 Foster Parsell Grace Ray Maggie Pharis Stuart McLaughlin
May 12 Bruce Davis Olivia Melton
May 13 Joe Greenhill
May 15 Julie Clark Eric Hyden Stephen Bunten
David Diver James Runnels
May 16 Judy Koslow Susan Milatovic Will James Chandler Farquharson India Hearn Alex Moncrief Henry Harveson
May 17 Kate Kirtley Olivia Woodson Emma Rumfelt
Birthdays The flowers for Sunday, May 11 are given to the glory of God
at the Church altar in honor of the birthday
of Foster Parsell
and at the Chapel altar in memory of
Verna F. Rhoads & Alma M. Smith
and at the Children’s Chapel altar in thanksgiving for
Olivia Melton’s ninth birthday and in honor of all mothers
in St. Andrew’s Parish
Altar Flowers
NEWS FLASH!
ST. X CONNECT
Spring Planting
with Feed By Grace
Saturday, May 17th 9 am - noon, Unity Park
Parents, children are welcome!
Wear comfortable clothing,
tennis shoes and bring gardening
gloves, if possible. If you can
come, please reply to Beth Prim
so she can coordinate numbers
with FBG planners. This is a
wonderful opportunity for
mission work right here in our
own community.
Sundays’ Adult Ed From
April 27 through June 1
led by Dean William McKeachie:
Easter & Beyond in the
Acts of the Apostles & the Mission of the Church
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church
917 Lamar Street
Ft. Worth, Texas 76102
817-332-3191, Fax: 817-332-9724
Email: [email protected]
SAINT ANDREW’S MESSENGER is published weekly, except bi-weekly during the summer and the week after Christmas, by St. Andrew’s Parish. Periodical postage is paid at Fort Worth, TX. USPS 5898-90.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 917 Lamar Street Fort Worth TX 76102.
The Rt. Rev’d Jack L. Iker, D.D. Bishop The Rev’d Dr. R. William Dickson Rector The Very Rev’d William N. McKeachie Vicar for Parish Ministry The Rev’d Canon Ronald L. McCrary Director of Pastoral Care & Spiritual Formation
Kendall Felton Dir. of Student Ministries Jason Runnels Choirmaster Glenda Robinson Organist Elisabeth Gray McKeachie Harpist Judy Mayo Dir. of Children’s Ministries Marsland Moncrief Liaison to Women’s Ministries Angie Felton Nursery Facilitator Peggy Rush Editor/Publications
Mission Statement St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church exists to worship God in the beauty of holiness and in Spirit and truth; to win the lost to Jesus Christ and disciple every believer; to equip and empower every member for ministry; and to spread God’s kingdom through charitable, righteous works locally and globally.
Weekday Worship Schedule
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Thursday 7:00 a.m. Holy Communion
Daily Schedule
Monday, May 12
Tuesday, May 13 6:45 a.m. Men’s Devotion & Bible Study, Chapel & Koslow 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion, Chapel 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting, Koslow 6:30 p.m. Great Books, Koslow
Wednesday, May 14
12:00 p.m. Rector’s Bible Study, Koslow 1:00 p.m. FX Prep, Kitchen 6:00 p.m. FX Family Experience,* Moncrief 7:00 p.m. St. Andrew’s Choir Practice,* Choir Room
Thursday, May 15
7:00 a.m. Holy Communion, Chapel 7:00 p.m. Greek Class,* Koslow 11:30 p.m. Messenger Deadline
Friday, May 16
10:00 a.m. Women’s Council Meeting, Koslow
Saturday, May 17 9:00 a.m. Breakfast Prep, Kitchen 9:00 a.m. St. X Connect Gardening
Outreach at Feed by Grace, Offsite 2:00 p.m. Rally for the Persecuted Church, Offsite
Sunday, May 18 The Fourth Sunday after Easter Day 6:00 a.m. Breakfast Prep, Kitchen 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion, Chapel 8:45 a.m. Parish Breakfast,* Moncrief 8:50 a.m. Prayers for the Church,* Chapel 9:15 a.m. Christian Education for all ages,* Moncrief 10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer,* Church 10:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel,* Children’s Chapel followed by Second Hour Sunday School,* Sunday School Rooms 11:15 a.m. Optional Children’s Program during sermon,* Youth Room 3 11:45 a.m. Children’s Choir,* Choir Room 5:00 p.m. Choral Evensong,* Church followed by Eastertide Ice Cream Social with Champagne
* Nursery
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS please visit our webpage at www.st-andrew.com and go to Events,
under the Stay Connected tab.
Prayer Chain Requests Names may be submitted
to Carrie Brent at 817-738-6496
and/or Patti Parrish at [email protected].
Permission should be obtained before submitting the name of someone other than oneself.
Evening Prayer Sunday 5:00 p.m.
in the Chapel Refreshments & Discussion
in Koslow Library following the service.
Nursery available.
JOIN THE KINGDOM: MEET THE SHEPHERD Enter into the kingdom and be welcomed into an unbroken, ongoing relationship with the Shepherd. He offers a quiet place of peace and a guarded field of restoration. He fills and quenches. Even his reprimand is a comfort. We are hosted to the meal and the cup of eternal life that is prepared by the resurrected Shepherd himself. When we face our own death, we will not be forsaken
and need not be fearful. We will be accompanied by the shepherd and remain with him forever. His presence is all that matters. He completes the picture of our lives with the destination of a holy home. Picture him as the loving Shepherd. Feel the cool softness of his pasture. See yourself as his.
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Excerpt from Transforming Word by Suzanne Hearn Read more.
