The Saint Andrew’s

M e s s e n g e r

Cont’d. on page 2

Volume 35, Number 12March 27, 2015

March 29, 2015Palm 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.Holy Communion*

with Children’s Procession and Mite Box Ingathering

11:00 a.m.Second Hour Sunday School for preschool*

11:15 a.m.Optional Elementary Children’s Program

during sermon*

11:45 a.m.Children’s Choir*

5:00 p.m.Evening Prayer

with Holy Communiondiscussion and light

refreshments following in Koslow Library

LectionaryThe Liturgy of the Palms

Mark 11:1-11aPsalm 118:19-29

The Liturgy of the Word

Isaiah 45:21-25 Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Philippians 2:5-11

Mark [14:32-72] 15:1-39 [40-47]

Psalm 22:1-21 or 22:1-11

I have always loved the post-resurrection account of Jesus with his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, cooking breakfast for them after their great haul of fish (John 21). Can you picture it? A charcoal fire glowing, and the Lord himself standing there on the beach, with outstretched arms, inviting his dear friends and followers to come eat breakfast with him? Can you even begin to imagine what must have been going through the minds of those men? Breakfast with the living Lord, now raised from the dead and walking, talking, and eating with them!

But this wonderful account is probably most memorable for Jesus’ interchange with Simon Peter following breakfast. Three times he asked Peter if he loved him, and three times Peter assured him that he did; but what were Jesus’ poignant words to Peter after each question? You doubtless remember them: “feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep.” This threefold charge to Peter was, in some ways, a reinstatement of him to Jesus’ flock after Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest. But repetition is also a way of emphasizing just how important something is; any parent or teacher knows this. Jesus was, on that shore so many years ago, charging Peter – and all of us, by extension - to feed his lambs and tend his sheep, to share the Gospel message with those near and far, to show them by example the Lord’s deep care and concern for them, to go preach and teach and minister in his name; to be Jesus’ arms, feet, and heart for them.

One priest in our diocese who, with his congregation, has taken that charge of Jesus to Peter quite literally is Fr. Sergio Diaz, recently named Canon Diaz by Bishop Iker, who has reached out with his mission church, the Anglican congregation of Iglesia San Miguel, to hundreds of people in the southeast area of Fort Worth and far beyond, for well over a decade now. The story of San Miguel is quite a remarkable one, and obviously God is blessing the hard work of Canon Diaz and his people, who are living out the Gospel in very concrete ways, and ministering to “the Lord’s sheep” with genuine love and compassion and with great joy.

Canon Diaz came to our diocese from Matamoros, Mexico, in 1999, at the invitation of Bishop Iker. With the guidance of the Bishop, Canon Diaz started a Hispanic congregation, called Iglesia San

Miguel, which held masses at 1 p.m. on Sundays at St. Michael’s Church in Richland Hills, beginning July 4, 1999. Until 2003, San Miguel met there. Also, until the spring of 2004, “Fr. Sergio” (as many people still call him), offered Spanish masses at the Church of Ascension & St. Mark’s in Wise County and at St. Anne’s in Lake Worth. For a while he was like a circuit rider, offering services at all three congregations, quite a distance apart, every Sunday.

In 2004, the Diocese offered a good size piece of land, purchased through its capital campaign for “church planting,” and located on East Fairfax Ave. in the southeast area of Fort Worth, to Fr. Sergio and the congregation of San Miguel. The property (a good choice in a heavily Hispanic area) included a very modest home, a couple of storage buildings, and a three-car garage. Many of you know the rest of the story. Fr. Sergio and his hard-working people converted this three-car garage into their church, which they still use today. For the first year they were on Fairfax Ave., they went door to door many weeks and months, inviting people in the neighborhood to come to their services. And they worked long and hard to improve the house and to plant beautiful gardens. Before long Christ Church, Plano, gave two modular buildings to San Miguel, and San Miguel paid to have them made functional. These now serve as Sunday School and VBS classrooms for children and youth.

San Miguel now has around 300 families, and about 100 children and youth. It offers three Sunday services at 8:00, 11:00, and 1:00. The parishioners are about 50% from the neighborhood and 50% from other areas. They have fed “the Lord’s sheep” in countless, very effective ways these past years, and they are continuing to do so. They are some of the hardest working people, and also some of the most

Feeding God’s Sheep and Tending His Lambs:The Story of Iglesia San Miguel

by Judy Mayo

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Brothers and Sisters, Americans and Marylanders, on this Maryland Day and Feast of the Annunciation, we gather in remembrance of Philip Calvert, Anne Wolseley Calvert, and an unknown infant Child of God, in thanksgiving for the discovery of their buried remains and their forthcoming re-interment, and in honor of all sons and daughters of liberty, religious and political, the living and the dead and the yet unborn, in whose symbolic shade, past, present and to come, we dedicate these three crosses, crafted from the Liberty Tree of Maryland which itself shaded our forebears through many generations. With gratitude, humility, and continuing commitment to liberty of conscience, of word, and of deed, we offer prayer and praise to the Lord of Liberty, saying... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

On behalf of all bearers and sharers of liberty, on the shores of Maryland and throughout this “new world”... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

In hope of human freedom here, and divine fulfilment hereafter, for all persons, races and nations... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

In honor of sacrifice in life and death, corporate and solitary, through many generations... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

For past and future humility and courage, in war and peace, in challenge, danger, and uncertainty... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

To this Free State of Maryland, to these United States, and to all Nations on the Lord God’s earth... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

For the unity of this Republic, one Nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

In “manly deeds” and human brotherhood, in time and beyond time, in history and eternity... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

By “womanly words” and motherly love, birthing and nurturing each new generation... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

For the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the King of kings and Lord of lords... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

By Him through whose divinity and humanity, born of Mary, the way of the cross became the way of life... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

Through the providence of His Holy Spirit, from before the foundation of the world itself... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

For the Peace of Jerusalem, on earth as in heaven, in the name of freedom unfettered for all... These crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!”

For these and all God’s mercies, His grace and His glory, in this life and in the life to come... May His Holy Name be praised and these crosses proclaim: “Fair liberty, see! Be free!” Now and unto the Ages of Ages! Amen.

joyful, I have ever known. They continue to offer Thanksgiving meals to the entire neighborhood, and last summer partnered with the Tarrant Area Food Bank, to provide breakfast and lunch, as well as child care and activities, to children in the neighborhood who would otherwise be home alone in the summer. They offer Alpha and VBS to anyone who can come, as well as weekly Bible studies, and much more. They give with all their hearts, but most of them have quite limited material possessions, and at present they have several very pressing needs.

Friends, this is where we come in! Our Lenten Mite Box Offering this year will go to San Miguel. This historic offering is for all ages, all generations! Your offering, whatever the amount, will make a difference. The ingathering of the offering will be this Sunday, Palm Sunday, during the 10:30 service. Bring your Lenten boxes this Sunday! If you wish to write a check, make it payable to St. Andrew’s, clearly noted “mite box offering.” Let’s band together and help the good people of San Miguel to “feed the Lord’s sheep and tend His lambs” in their part of His kingdom!

“Manly Deeds, Womanly Words”by Dean William McKeachie

The words quoted above are the traditional translation of the antique Italian motto of George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, adopted by the Colonial Province and subsequently the State of Maryland: Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine (nowadays officially rendered in more politically correct terms as “Strong Deeds, Gentle Words”). As a sometime Rector of Old St. Paul’s Church, the Mother Parish of Baltimore, I have been privileged to lead participation annually by non-Roman Catholics in commemorating what is known as Maryland Day, March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation), the date on which in 1634 the colony’s first settlers, under the patronage of Cecil Calvert, made landfall. Freedom of religious conscience lies at the heart of that commemoration, as it does (albeit sometimes contentiously!) in the history of Maryland. This year I composed and led recitation of the above “Litany for Liberty” in Baltimore this past Wednesday. During the ceremony three crosses, crafted from the remains of Maryland’s ancient Liberty Tree (recently felled), were dedicated for use in the re-interment of the remains of three 17th century members of the Calvert family (recently discovered) near where the original settlers landed.

A Litany for Liberty on Earth as in Heavenby Dean William McKeachie

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Women’s Ministry: Ding-Dong, the Wicked Witch is Dead!by Marsland Moncrief

“Ding dong the wicked witch is dead!” Almost everyone can probably recall the Munchkin characters singing this march-style number in the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz (composed by Harold Arlen with the lyrics written by E.Y. Harburg). The group of songs celebrated the death of the wicked witch of the East when Dorothy’s house is dropped on her by a tornado. The sequence begins with Glinda the good witch of the North encouraging the fearful Munchkins to “come out, come out, wherever you are” to meet Dorothy, who fell from a star named Kansas so that a miracle occurred. Dorothy begins singing that “it really was no miracle”; it was the wind that brought the apparent miracle. The Munchkins soon join in and sing joyfully, perhaps not really understanding how she got there, but happy at the result. Glinda tells the Munchkins to spread the good news that “the wicked old witch at last is dead!”

The story of The Wizard of Oz makes it clear that there are good witches and then there are bad witches. Both have their own style of dress and both demonstrate their “powers” in different ways. The good witch is beautifully attired and uses her powers for charming and protecting, while the wicked witch clad in black uses her evil destructive powers for self-gain. How are you using your powers? For self-gain or for the good of others? Is there a witch/evil/idol in your life you wish to be rid of? Are you wishing for a miracle to allow you to come out, come out, wherever you are so you can start spreading the Good News? Who is the “wind” beneath your wings?

No one else was so completely sold out to the devil as Ahab, for his wife Jezebel encouraged him to do every sort of evil. 1 Kings 21-25

Jezebel, a word that’s seldom capitalized when it refers to a morally corrupt woman, is the Biblical name for a “wicked witch of the East.” Scholars have called her “the wickedest woman in all the world,” as well as “the Lady Macbeth of the Bible.” So here we have the baddest Bad Girl of the Bible, bad to the bone. She was Queen of Israel, a Queen with an attitude, and very proud of her pride! But it was her personality and her past-not her position alone-that made her dangerous. She was raised and trained in Baal worship, and during the years of her reign, she forced Baal worship on her subjects, a practice which involved the use of incense and sacrifice, sometimes of innocent humans (Jeremiah 19:5). Sexual immorality, temple prostitution, even the sacrifice of children were the order of the day.

Jezebel was killing off the LORD’S prophets. 1 Kings 18:4

Jezebel loved power and used it in every possible, manipulating way: on her subjects and even her poor, pitiful husband, King Ahab. Liz Curtis Higgs (Bad Girls of the Bible) lists some of Jezebel’s attributes along with some of her downfalls:

Attributes:

➢ She had a finely tuned mind.➢ She had a boldness and courage.➢ She had strong leadership abilities.➢ She had an assertive personality.➢ She had a royal lineage.

All that sounds good, except Jezebel twisted that queenly list of traits for the glory of Baal. She grabbed her broom stick and off she rode:

➢ She used her bright mind to devise evil schemes.➢ She used her courage to commit murder.➢ She used her assertiveness to draw people away from God.➢ She used her queenship to manipulate her subjects.

Jezebel’s story does not have a happy ending. While husband Ahab had repented Jezebel never did. She was beyond repentance, by her own choice. She practiced witchcraft in the sense of being under the influence of a spirit-Baal-other than God Almighty. Proud, vain and defiant to the end, she intended to go out looking her best, prepared for burial if necessary.

Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. 2 Kings 9:30

‘Throw her down!’ Jehu said. So they threw her down… 2 Kings 9:33

Details of Jezebel’s death are found in 2 Kings 9:30-37. Almost too graphic to describe, although it can be said that Jezebel had “gone to the dogs”, literally, and no tears were shed as her servants shoved her out the window. Ding-dong, the wicked witch is dead!

Liz Higgs cites “Jezebel stands out because she was a gifted woman who had every opportunity for greatness. Instead, she threw her chances out the window to embrace a foreign god who-when push came to shove-could not save one of his most devoted followers from a terrible end.”

Throughout her story (1 Kings 16:3 - 2 Kings 9:37), Jezebel proves to be strong willed, domineering, quick to criticize, eager to take charge, slow to relinquish control, sharp tongued, stubborn, overly ambitious, impatient, and unwilling to admit defeat. Adding a few more: heartless; ruthless and dangerous. Some hit closer to home than one might wish. Are there any that you might identify with?

If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it. 1 Peter 3:10-11

Maybe you don’t identify with pushy Jezebel, but maybe she is like someone you know or have known. Oh, the Jezebels I have known! And who could forget Bette Davis as Jezebel; or the “Queen Bee” in school; and then there was the customer I waited on; and then there was Mrs...and Mrs...! Oh, the Jezebels I have known! Are you desiring to come out, come out where ever you are, out from that “powerful spell” of that wicked witch/Jezebel in your life? How do you desire your story to end? As having “gone to the dogs”, or as having a heart for God? Lent is a time for renewal. A new story can be told, and you can have a happy ending. HE can perform miracles and HE will give you the power encouraging you to come out, come out where ever you are. He will provide the wind beneath your wings.

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Children’s Ministry: Holy Week and Easter-The Greatest Love Story on Earthby Judy Mayo

Children’s Footsteps through Holy WeekWe are about to enter the week that “rocked the world,” very literally. None of us can ever fully comprehend the depth of love and sacrifice displayed during that amazing week over 2,000 years ago. A number of chapters in all four of the Gospels are devoted to the events of this week. Through teaching and special events and programs offered at church, we hope to make this week come alive in the hearts and minds of our children, in ways they can understand and remember. God’s blessings to all of you this Holy Week!

Palm Sunday “Map”Palm Sunday (March 29) is upon us once again. Please note our “map” and children’s plan for this day: We will have Children’s Sunday School as always, beginning at 9:15 a.m. We will be going over the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week in class. At 10:10 a.m., all children (including preschoolers) will go with their teachers to the hallway outside the Gift

Shop and McFarland Lounge, to prepare for the Palm Sunday procession in the 10:30 service. Children who desire may slip on a Bible-times drape, and all children will have the chance to carry banners of all sizes and shapes and palm fronds. The Palm Sunday procession is a wonderful sight! Since pre-K children are involved in the Palm Sunday procession, there is no preschool chapel service on this Sunday.

The 10:30 service will include the Mite Box IngatheringChildren may decorate their boxes with greenery and flowers if they wish. Before the mid-point in the service, all children (as well as teen youth and adults) will have the chance to bring their boxes forward to place in the large wooden cross at the front of the church. The offering this year will go to benefit the mission congregation of Iglesia San Miguel, which has a number of pressing needs. Canon Sergio Diaz and the good people of San Miguel have become dear friends of our parish. See the front page article in this issue for more information about San Miguel. If you wish to write a check, please make it payable to St. Andrew’s, clearly noted “mite box offering.” Thank you for caring, and for sharing with those in need.

A friendly donkey will be present in the courtyard, as a nice visual reminder of Jesus’ triumphal ride into Jerusalem on a donkey on the first Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-11). After their time in the 10:30 service, all children will have a chance to pet the donkey before continuing their Palm Sunday studies and celebration. Don’t miss this most wonderful day!

Family Way of the Cross ServiceThis is a very reverent, beautiful service, planned especially for children, youth, and families, and held at 6:00 p.m. on Good Friday evening. Kendall Felton and I are working together on planning this service, which is

really a very moving devotional experience. The service begins in Moncrief Hall, then travels through the courtyard and into the church, ending in the Shuman Chapel. Service participants make ten stops along the way, where there are special readings and prayers. There are also simple object lessons along the way for children, and teen youth can serve as acolytes and helpers. A special guest from outside our parish, Iris Noon, will be playing the piano and organ for us that evening. This is a very memorable “walk with Jesus” along His way of sorrows, the road to Calvary. If your children or youth would enjoy reading or acolyting that evening, please contact Kendall (kfelton@st-andrew.com) or me (jmayo@st-andrew.com). The nursery will be open for the benefit of very young children that night. All ages will find this service very beautiful and meaningful.

Plans for Easter DayMany good things will be offered for the children of our parish to celebrate Easter Day, the day of resurrection and the “Queen” of all festivals in the church year. Some special scenery, including a roadway leading to an empty tomb, will be laid out in Moncrief Hall. During the Sunday School hour before church (9:15 to 10:15), children of all ages can be firsthand participants in a special program titled “Walk to the Empty Tomb.” We will also be singing Easter hymns, and children can decorate Easter lilies, crosses, and butterflies. Younger children who come to church later in the morning will have the chance to participate in this program, if they desire, during the time of the sermon. Preschool chapel will be woven into our special Easter schedule and program that morning. Parents will receive detailed notes about all of this. Immediately following the 10:30 service, an Easter egg hunt will be held in the courtyard. We will provide Easter sack-baskets for all the children. What a glorious Easter Day it will be!

Phillip Ross with Briggs DeMott at the children’s Passover Seder during Sunday School, March 22.

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Altar FlowersPalm Sunday adornment

at the Church and Chapel altars for Sunday, March 29,

is given to the glory of Godin thanksgiving

for the Triumphal Entry of Christ upon the Way of the Cross,

and at the Children’s Chapel altarin honor of

the eighth birthday of Briggs Mayo DeMott

•Remember to turn in your

Easter Lily orders before April 1.

BirthdaysMarch 29

Carole DuffieldDuane McDaniel

Sean ClairDylan York

Jackson Anderson

March 30R. William Dickson

Gaylord LummisChris Wilson

William PennyJulia Bryant

March 31Jim HildebrandJustin Waldrop

April 1Debby Crow

Rickey Brantley

April 2Madelynn Sill

April 3Ben Parker

Hannah McDanielLeland Prowse

April 4Elaine HelmAnne Kane

Karen PressleyPatty Vories

Lindsey Breedlove

Spy WednesdayWednesday, April 1

12:00pm - Holy Communion with music for cello, harp, and organ

Maundy ThursdayThursday, April 2

7:00pm - Holy Communion & Foot Washing, Bishop Iker Preaching9:00pm - All-Night Prayer Vigil in Shuman Chapel

Good FridayFriday, April 3

8:00am - Morning Prayer in Shuman Chapel, concluding All-Night Vigil12:00pm - Seven Last Words from the Cross: The Three Hours6:00pm - The Way of the Cross: Family service

Easter DaySunday, April 5

8:00am - Holy Communion (Shuman Chapel)10:30am - Holy Communion (Church)

Holy Week Services

All-Night Prayer Vigil in the Garden of Repose

April 2, 9:00 p.m. to April 3, 8:00 a.m.

A sign-up poster for the Prayer Vigil is located in the foyer of the parish house or you may sign up online under the Events tab. There is no limit to the number who may come to pray, and it is desirable to have at least one person at each shift. A

security guard will be posted outside the chapel throughout the night. For those unable to make the trip to the chapel,

please consider joining us in prayer from your home.

The vigil will conclude with Morning Prayer at 8 a.m. on Good Friday.

“Could you not watch with Me one hour?” Matthew 26:40

Wednesday, April 86 - 8 pm

Moncrief Hall

Mass of CollegialityOne of the wonderful traditions of Holy Week in our diocese is the annual Mass of Collegiality.

Tuesday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m.at St. Vincent’s Cathedral,1300 Forest Ridge in Bedford

Lay people are invited to attend this beautiful and very moving Communion service. Because our clergy will be attending, there will be no Tuesday Noon Communion service in the chapel that morning.

Maundy Thursday

Chapel Set-UpThe Altar Guild invites

volunteers to help decorate Shuman

Chapel on Maundy Thursday, April 2, at 10:00 am, to

transform it into the Garden of Repose for our All-Night Prayer Vigil later that

evening. Donations of cuttings from your yards, ferns, potted plants, and hanging baskets, anything to give the effect of a

garden are appreciated.

Saturday, April 4 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Prep, KitchenSunday, April 5Easter Day6:00 a.m. Breakfast Prep, Kitchen8:00 a.m. Holy Communion, Chapel8:45 a.m. Parish Breakfast, Koslow8:50 a.m. Prayer Troop,* Chapel9:15 a.m. Christian Education for all ages,* Koslow & Sunday School areas10:30 a.m. Holy Comunion,* Church11:00 a.m. Preschool Second Hour of Sunday School,* Preschool Rooms11:15 a.m. Optional Elementary Children’s Program during sermon,* Moncrief 11:45 a.m. Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, Courtyard

* Nursery available

Weekday Worship ScheduleTuesday12:00 p.m. Holy Communion Thursday7:00 a.m. Holy CommunionDaily ScheduleMonday, March 30Tuesday, March 316:45 a.m. Men’s Devotion & Bible Study, Chapel & Koslow10:30 a.m. Mass of Collegiality, St. Vincent’sWednesday, April 1Spy Wednesday12:00 p.m. Holy Communion, Church12:45 p.m. Lenten Luncheon, Moncrief7:00 p.m. St. Andrew’s Choir Practice,* Choir RoomThursday, April 2Maundy Thursday10:00 a.m. Set Up Garden of Repose, Chapel7:00 p.m. Holy Communion & Foot Washing,* Church9:00 p.m. All-Night Prayer Vigil (guard on duty), ChapelFriday, April 3Good Friday8:00 a.m. Morning Prayer, Chapel12:00 p.m. Seven Last Words from the Cross: The Three Hours,* Church6:00 p.m. The Way of the Cross: family service,* Moncrief, Church, Chapel

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 Formation

Kendall Felton Dir. of Student MinistriesJason Runnels, PhD ChoirmasterGlenda Robinson OrganistElisabeth Gray McKeachie HarpistJudy 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.

For More Information on Eventsplease visit our webpage at

www.st-andrew.com and go to Calendar & Events, under the Get Connected tab.

Evening Prayerwith Holy Communion

Sunday, March 29 5:00 p.m.

in the Chapel

Refreshmentsand discussion in Koslow

Library following the service.