The Saint Andrew’s

M e s s e n g e rVolume 35, Number 21May 29, 2015

Lectionary

Exodus 3:1-6Romans 8:12-17

John 3:1-16Psalm 93

or Canticle 2 or 13

May 31, 2015Trinity Sunday

8:00 a.m.Holy Communion

8:45 a.m.Parish Breakfast*

8:50 a.m.Praying for

St. Andrew’s*

9:15 a.m.Christian Education for

All Ages*

10:30 a.m.Morning Prayer*

10:30 a.m.Preschool Chapel*

10:50 a.m.Second Hour Sunday School for preschool*

11:15 a.m.Optional Elementary Children’s Program during the sermon*

11:45 a.m.Children’s Choir*

12:00 p.m.VBS Work Day

5:00 p.m.Evening Prayer

light refreshments & discussion in Koslow following the service

6:30 p.m.Youth SNL

*Nursery

Our aim at St. Andrew’s is to assist with spiritual formation and growth among parishioners in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Adult Education programs designed around our mission “to disciple every believer” are offered on Sundays throughout the year.

Adult Education: Sunday Mornings 9:15 - 10:15 in the Koslow Library during the summer.

Megan Breedlove will be leading the class. She is a wife and stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of five. She holds two master’s degrees

from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Marriage and Family Counseling and in Religious Education. She is also the author of three books

for moms, published by Revell (a division of Baker).

The Healing JourneyNew Sunday Morning Series

Sundays, May 31 & June 7

We can’t change the past...

But we can learn to trust God to provide healing and comfort, and to move us beyond the pain to a place of restoration.

We’ll explore what the healing journey looks like, and we’ll talk about what it looks like when we’re no longer bound by the past and can experience peace, joy, and new growth.

�

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O Tempora! O Mores!by Dean William McKeachie

“The past is a foreign country,” wrote the novelist L.P. Hartley: “they do things differently there.” Last week as I participated in Lance Lormand’s ordination to the diaconate, I could not but recall my own forty-five years ago, nor but reflect on how different both the world and the church now are from the way they were in 1970.

What are the main differences? Their name is surely legion! But generationally, the epithets “post-modern” and “millennial” seem apt; and in such terms, sociologists of religion report that biblical notions of sin and salvation simply fail to resonate with most post-modern, millennial Europeans and even, increasingly, Americans. A succinctly accurate, albeit implicit, paraphrase of biblical theology about sinful human nature is this 16th century aphorism by Montaigne: “We are double in ourselves ... so that we believe what we disbelieve and cannot rid ourselves of what we condemn.” Could there be a more perennially apt summation of chapter 7 of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans? By the same token, a wickedly true, albeit paradoxical, description of how civilization itself traditionally sought to mitigate sin is this maxim of La Rochefoucauld (a century later): “Hypocrisy is the respect vice pays to virtue!”Such realism about fallen humankind’s incapacity to live up to its truest self has recently been highlighted both in our Adult Education Sunday Series, on the one hand, and, more publicly and pruriently, by decisions and melodramas acted out in the wider world and church.In our Adult series, Jeff Anderson did a spell-binding job of demonstrating the extent to which biblical notions of sin and salvation already count for little with our culture’s movers and shakers and are therefore likely to count for even less with the next generation of college graduates and voters.Kendall Felton followed up by connecting the dots historically with the notorious nineteenth century figure of Oscar Wilde, whose poetry and prose -- in spite or, indeed, because of the yearning of his Christian soul -- vividly laid bare the tragic nemesis of his all too human narcissism and hedonism.Ironically, those very “isms” came to characterize the century following; yet at least four of Wilde’s works are worthy of the finest Christian literature in English: The Harlot’s House, The Picture of Dorian Gray, De Profundis, and The Ballad of Reading Gaol.If only Wilde himself (and subsequently our now religiously post-Christian society) had taken to heart in time the traditional yet compassionate, albeit now politically incorrect, outlook of Montaigne and La Richefoucauld and, indeed, the popular Edwardian actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell who, upon hearing of the indiscretions of the likes of Oscar Wilde, said: “,,, just don’t do it in the streets and frighten the horses.” And: “Oh dear me ... when you were quite a little boy somebody ought to have said ‘Hush” just once!”Many faithful Episcopalians tried to say “Hush!” to the promoters of moral and doctrinal apostasy in our former denomination, but by the turn of the new millennium it was already too late.

Because our own Diocese is historically, ecclesially, and legally identified as “Episcopal” many people are rightly concerned not only about what is taking place in TEC congregations nationally but about the confusion caused by the “Episcopal” moniker itself. Of course, the real Diocese of Fort Worth and Saint Andrew’s shook the denominational dust off our “feet” seven years ago, but in the popular mind the confusion persists. Hence the witness and the mission of Christ and of His one holy, catholic and apostolic church are compromised. Even if one tries to discount the human - and especially the media’s - tendency to inflate all things sentimental and sensational, the narcissism of a culture (and religion itself!) made over to satisfy the devices and desires of the human heart rather than the Law of God, needs to be called out for what it really is: a totem of the putative “brave new world” in which we now live, even in America, even in Texas. The national Episcopal Church touts itself as a ‘diverse but traditional’ community. But alas, just as in our secular society, so now in TEC, such terms have lost their authentic meanings, just as biblical truth about sexual complementarity and true conjugal mutuality, in Nature and in Grace, has been effectively jettisoned. Increasingly, neither the secular nor the “religious” norms of our streets, schools or synods have room for biblical truth, that very truth to which the great Reformation-era Anglican divine, Richard Hooker said primary “credit and obedience” alike are due.

The new “politically correct” definition of human nature has no more of a real, as opposed to self-defined and amoral, connection with biblical Christianity than Barbie Dolls have with what it means for the real Adam and Eve - and real men and women - to be created in order mutually to reflect the image and likeness of God.

Many photographs on the “society” pages of today’s newspapers mark exactly where the rubber hits the road in our new millennial, post-Christendom world. Nor should one doubt that this state of affairs will increasingly “hit home” for all of us, whether over cocktails at River Crest, at the Symphony in Bass Hall, in the galleries of the Kimbell, in the Kroger check-out line, maybe even at the Rodeo, and - it must be said - most poignantly, most challengingly, at inter-generational family gatherings.

How will you respond if, as and when your own kith and kin call you a “bigot” for affirming orthodox Christian faith and morals? As for me, acknowledging how far short I myself fall of Christian standards, I shall call on the shades of Montaigne, La Rochefoucauld, Oscar Wilde, “Mrs. Pat” ... and St. Paul! And I shall time and again pray the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

As for that pesky moniker “Episcopal” (of which we were once so proud!), it is surely moot or, rather, the least of our problems: even to profess and call oneself simply “Christian” may soon enough, in and of itself, put one beyond the pale. God help us all.

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Summer Sunday School 2015A new program of children’s studies for the summer months begins on June 7. This will tie in and correlate well with our VBS theme this year, and will continue and expand upon some of the overarching emphases and focuses of this great week. Our children’s summer studies have a simple but very important thrust and theme, “Trust and Obey … Day by Day.” We will be looking at some key narratives from both the Old and New Testaments… how men and women were asked by God to do certain things (and were equipped by Him to do the same), and how they sometimes followed the Lord’s directions well, but at other times decided to do things their way, suffering various consequences, but often turning back to the Lord ultimately. It is, of course, the very same with us today. Our heavenly Father loves us so much, and longs to have a close daily walk with us. When we turn away from Him, or simply ignore Him in the “busyness” of our lives, He (as in the image of the wonderful father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32), literally stands “at the gate of his home,” watching and waiting for us to come home, so that He can welcome us with His overwhelming love and forgiveness. This theme is repeated over and over again in Scripture. What an amazing Lord and Father we have! In addition to our weekly Scripture studies, we will feature a few special guests this summer, who will tell of some “adventures” they have had in their lives because they stepped out in faith and answered Gods’ call to serve Him. We will also give our children the chance to participate in a couple of meaningful outreach projects. On several Sundays, we will in addition engage in some lively, fun Bible Olympics exercises. It is going to be a wonderful summer! We realize the summer months include children’s camps and family vacations and travels, treasured time for recreation, rest, and “re-creation.” Godspeed and God’s blessings when you are away! When you are in town, come enjoy some very special things in Summer Sunday School! May we all heed our Lord’s invitation to walk with Him daily, thus setting valuable lifelong habits and patterns. May all of us, young and old, learn to “Trust and Obey…Day by Day” this summer!

May 31 - Special Treat: Sundaes on Sunday!On May 31, we have a special end-of-school year treat for our children. At the end of Sunday School, they can make an ice cream sundae to enjoy! (Teachers can help our preschoolers with this.)

Pre-K children will also have a lively time in Sunday School that morning as they re-enact St. Paul’s shipwreck (Acts 27, 28), complete with fun sound effects, in their Drama Room. And Dr. Berkeley Merrill, one of our most delightful and popular children’s speakers, will present a special year-end program for our students of elementary age. Come and bring a special friend on this day! You’ll be blessed all the way around!

VBS ’15: Super Volunteers needed & welcomed! VBS 2015 is just around the corner now! Preparations are in HIGH GEAR all over the parish house! We invite you to come help out, in some simple ways, as you are able. We’ll even give you a superhero’s cape! Children are busy painting superheroes’ banners, poster, and murals. They are colorful and delightful! We are not using or painting as many butcher paper cut-outs this year as in past years … but there are plenty of other things to be done. There are some styrofoam cut-outs to be painted (to be used in stairwells, etc.). Also, ladies, Charlotte Laker is preparing some crafts patterns (materials for capes, etc.) which can be done at home (just cutting, no sewing required). The week before VBS, there will also be several hallways to be decorated, along with classrooms, as final touches are

added to Moncrief Hall. All great and fun work, appropriate for St. Andrew’s own superheroes! Please call or email me for more complete and specific details as to just WHAT needs to be done WHEN. (jmayo@st-andrew.com; 817-717-1023; 817-988-8170). We are working in more task-focused groups this year, not as many BIG overall, generic VBS work days and nights.

Please note some of the following dates which have been set:VBS Homeroom Moms: Tuesday, June 2, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (nursery provided)

VBS Crafts Team: Tuesday, June 2, 11:45 to 1:00 (with sandwich lunch)

VBS Youth Helpers’ Training: Wednesday, June 10, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (pizza supper provided)

VBS Work Nights: Wednesdays, June 3 and June 10: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (nursery provided)

VBS Work Days: Sundays May 31, June 7, and June 14, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (These work days are come-and-go).

Children’s Ministry: “Trust & Obey” Day by Day!by Judy Mayo

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Sunday Night Live! is a ministry of St. Andrew’s for students 6th-12th grade. On Sunday evenings from 6:30-8 pm, we meet in the home of one or another of the families of our parish (and occasionally at the church) to worship together through

Song: we’ve put together booklets containing the lyrics of 22 traditional hymns (most ofwhich are drawn from our hymnal) and newer worship songs, which Scott Perry leads on guitarPrayer: our booklets include the Family Prayer: Evening section of our Book of Common Prayer (pages 589-593)Devotional: a parent of a given week’s host family or another speaker leads a brieflesson over a passage of scriptureFood: a hearty snack or light meal Fellowship and fun: the bulk of the our time is spent enjoying each others’ company! We occasionally organize games (and try to enjoy the weather while we still can!)

It is our hope that SNL provides an environment in which students can consistently hear the gospel preached and “dig down deep” into it (Luke 6.48); that we might devote ourselves “to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers,” (Acts 2.42) and learn to let the word Christ dwell in us richly, “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing

psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness” in our hearts to God (Colossians 3.16-17). Each week we send out an email to the parents

of our students with the address of the coming Sunday’s SNL, and give the students a handout with the same information during Sunday school, to hang onto or pass along (it’s well suited to bringing a friend!). We hope you will pray with and for us for the growth of our students into the likeness of Christ. We hope to see all of our students this coming Sunday night!

If you have any questions, please contact Kendall Felton or Scott Perry.

The flowers for Sunday, May 31are given to the glory of God

at the Chapel and Church altarsin honor of

Confederate Memorial Dayand at the Children’s Chapel altar

in thanksgiving forthe fourteenth birthday of

Catherine Elsey

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BirthdaysMay 31

Pat DuncanSarah Tempel

George ChevaillierJune 1

Susan DoyleKristi Newton

Victoria AndrewsElizabeth Haslam

June 2David FussellDavid Berzina

Ian SmithSimeon Arasaratnam

June 3Mildred Vinson

June 4Rob Belcher

Edward LangeJune 5

King PennyJune 6

Clifford MayerBaker ParkerLiam Felton

Altar FlowersSummer ScheduleBeginning Friday, May 22

the office will close at noon. Also, beginning the first week of June, The

Messenger will adopt a summer

schedule: the print edition will be published every

other week. We will continue to publish an eMessenger and a Web Messenger every week. You can sign up for the eMessenger online http://www.st-andrew.com/#/get-connected/calendar-events

The Church Life App will keep you plugged in wherever you go...

Summer is the perfect time to utilize the mobile Church Life App. When you are sunning on the beach or hiking the Appalachian trail, you can access members of your church family, check your giving history or make a donation with the touch of your finger and your favorite mobile device. To set up your member profile, just log on to the web, click the Login tab and follow the instructions. If you have questions, contact Molly Bryant mbryant@st-andrew.com.

Reservation FormName _______________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________City/State/Zip ________________________________________________Phone _____________________ Cell ______________________________Email _______________________________________________________ ☐ Single Occupancy ☐ Double Occupancy Name of roommate: ☐ I do not have a roommate. Please assign a roommate. ☐ Deposit of $400 is included with this form. Complete this form and return to the church office, or mail to:

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 917 Lamar Street, Ft. Worth 76102. Please include your deposit of $400. Payment will be your reservation. The balance is due by July 20th.

Qs? Canon McCrary214-663-7774

15th Annual Bishop Iker Challenge

June 5, 2015Squaw Valley Golf Course

in Glen Rose

Bishop Iker personally invites you to participate in this event. Don’t miss out on a great day of golf. You and/or your com pany’s involvement as a sponsor or partici pant will benefit our youth by helping to add new and upgrade the existing youth activities at Camp Crucis as well as provide 50 scholarships for qualifying campers.

To register go to: http://www.thebishopikerchallenge.com/

Sunday, June 7The Second Sunday after PentecostAcolyte Senior’s Sunday8:00 a.m. Holy Communion, Chapel8:45 a.m. Parish Breakfast, Koslow8:50 a.m. Prayer Troop Service,* Chapel9:15 a.m. Christian Education for all ages,* Koslow & Sunday School areas10:30 a.m. Holy Communion,* Church10:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel, * Children’s Chapel10:50 a.m. Preschool Second Hour of Sunday School,* Preschool Rooms11:15 a.m. Optional Elementary Children’s Program during sermon,* Youth Room 311:45 a.m. Children’s Choir,* Choir Room11:45 a.m. Fellowship Sunday,* Koslow 5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer, Chapel with discussion & light refreshments, Koslow6:30 p.m. Youth SNL, Offsite * Nursery available

Weekday Worship ScheduleTuesday12:00 p.m. Holy Communion (The first Tuesday of the month, Holy Unction will be dispensed.)Thursday7:00 a.m. Holy Communion

Daily ScheduleMonday, June 1Tuesday, June 26:45 a.m. Men’s Devotion & Bible Study, Chapel & Koslow10:00 a.m. VBS Homeroom Moms,* Guild Rm.11:45 a.m. VBS Crafts Team, Guild Rm.12:00 p.m. Holy Communion, Chapel1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting, KoslowWednesday, June 312:00 p.m. Rector’s Bible Study, Koslow6:00 p.m. VBS Work Night*7:00 p.m. St. Andrew’s Choir Practice,* Choir RoomThursday, June 47:00 a.m. Holy Communion, Chapel7:00 p.m. Greek Class, McFarland

Friday, June 512:00 p.m. Office ClosesSaturday, June 6

Prayer Chain Requests

Names may be submitted to Carrie Brent at 817-738-6496

and/or Patti Parrish at parrishuc@mac.com

Permission should be obtained before submitting the name of someone other than oneself.

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church917 Lamar Street Ft. Worth, Texas 76102 817-332-3191, Fax: 817-332-9724 Email: church@st-andrew.com

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 RectorThe Very Rev’d William N. McKeachie Vicar for Parish MinistryThe Rev’d Canon Ronald L. McCrary Dir. of Pastoral Care & Spiritual FormationThe Rev’d Lance Lormand Curate

Kendall Felton Dir. of Student MinistriesJason Runnels, PhD ChoirmasterGlenda Robinson OrganistElisabeth Gray McKeachie Harpist in ResidenceJudy Mayo Dir. of Children’s MinistriesMarsland Moncrief Liaison to Women’s MinistriesPeggy Rush Editor/Publications

Mission StatementSt. 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.

Visit our websitewww.st-andrew.com

for more on Calendar & Events, under the Get Connected tab.

June 15-199:30 to 12:30

Children ages 3-12

Prayer Troop ServiceSunday, June 7 at 8:50 a.m.in Shuman Chapel. This is a time of prayer for our

men and women in uniform.