February 5, 2012

Septuagesima The Fifth Sunday after the

Epiphany

8:00 a.m.

Holy Communion

9:20 a.m. Prayer Troop Service*

10:00 a.m. Holy Communion*

10:00 a.m. Preschool & K Chapel*

10:30 a.m. Preschool & K

Sunday School*

10:30 a.m. Grades 1-5

Sunday School*

11:15 a.m. Youth Confirmation Class*

(6th Grade)

11:15 a.m.

Fellowship Sunday Celebration &

Ministry Spotlight*

11:50 a.m.

Children’s Choir*

5:00 p.m.

Youth Super Bowl Party

*Nursery

Pondering the Heavens and Reflecting Upon the Church: An Icon of God’s Cosmic Redemptive Intentions

By The Rev‟d Dr. R.. William Dickson

Volume 32, Number 5

February 3, 2012

Cont‟d. on page 2

Sunday Scriptures

2 Kings 4:(8-17)18-21

(22-31)32-37

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Mark 1:29-39

Psalm 142

The The The

MESSENGERMESSENGERMESSENGER

For some months now I have been deeply, deeply fascinated by anything and everything having to do with the Hubble telescope and what it has shown us in recent years about our universe. Not so very long ago I picked up an amazing book at Half-Price Books entitled Hubble Vision: Further Adventures with the Hubble Space Telescope, 2nd ed. I was hooked! Most of the astonishing photos in this book can be found online for free through a google search. Try it. It will surely blow your mind. But I find myself wanting (more truly needing) to ponder deeply two astounding realities at the heart of that which we call the universe, or even more truly the heavens – its staggering immensity and the unimaginable distances between the heavenly bodies which inhabit it. And thankfully, my lovely Ginger, who is nothing but patient toward me about my various pressing curiosities has agreed to work with me through the 96 lecture course in the series of The Great Courses entitled “Understanding the Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy, 2nd ed.” taught by Professor Alex Filippenko of UC Berkeley. How exciting! As collateral reading to this course I have been enjoying two other books as well, a survey history of modern astronomy called The Day We Discovered the Universe by Marcia Bartusiak and a book which most experts date as the beginning of the modern age of astronomy, Edwin Hubble’s The Realm of the Nebulae. That book is his now famous series of lectures (the Silliman Lectures) delivered at Yale University in the autumn of 1935.

So what about this topic is so intriguing to me? As I said, the immensity and the relative emptiness of the universe. I believe these two well-established facts raise some profound theological and existential concerns at the very heart of the human predicament. First, let me establish both points. With respect to the immensity of the universe, Edwin Hubble wrote the following in 1935,

“The light-year is simply the distance light travels in a year. Since the speed of light is about 186,000 miles per second, the number of miles in a light-year is roughly six followed by twelve ciphers (5.88 X 1012 miles = 9.46 X 1012 km.)

Light reaches the earth from the moon in about 1 1/3 seconds; from the sun, in about 8 1/3 minutes; from Pluto, the outermost planet, in roughly 6 hours. The nearest star (Alpha Centauri) is at a distance of 4.3 light-years; the nearest nebula (Large Magellanic Cloud), about 85 thousand light-years; the faintest nebulae that have been photographed (limit of the 100-inch reflector) are at an average distance of the order of 500 million light-years.” (pp. 7-8)

Now I am sure that some of these numbers would be tweaked in 2012. But in general, the overall impression of the unimaginable immensity of the universe stands, fully demonstrated by numerous converging evidences. But what about its density? Why would I refer to this aspect as its relative emptiness? Once again, Hubble puts the matter right there before us,

“The nebulae are scattered at average intervals of the order of two million light-years or perhaps two hundred times the mean diameters. The pattern might be represented by tennis balls fifty feet apart. The order of the mean density of matter in space can also be roughly estimated if the (unknown) material between the nebulae is ignored. If the nebular material were spread evenly through the observable region, the smoothed-out density would be of the general order of 10-29 or 10-28 grams per cubic centimeter – about one grain of sand per volume of space equal to the size of the earth.” (p. 31)

God, in Christ, is making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as

a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Celebrating

100 Years in the

Stone Church!

Hal Lambert

Newly elected vestry members are Burl Henderson, Hal Lambert, Alann Sampson, Alice Waters. Our vestry officers are Frank Bowie, Sr. Warden; Alice Waters, Jr. Warden; Jane Bird, Clerk; Emmett Murphy, Treasurer; Bob Grable, Chancellor (Ex Officio); Paul Prater, Head of Finance (Ex Officio); Dick Moncrief, Liaison with the legal team (Ex Officio); Molly Bryant, Sr. Warden of Associate Vestry (Ex Officio). Delegates elected to serve our parish at the 2012 Diocesan Convention are Marsland Moncrief, Judy Mayo, Paul Prater, Steve Waters, Alann Sampson and Jo Ann Patton. Alternates are Hal Lambert and Ray Hebert.

Cont‟d. from page 1

2

Think about that last statement. The universe as a whole is as empty as a space the size of the earth having but a single grain of sand within it. Now that is almost absolutely empty. That is a density approaching null, a vacuum. If these things be true, then the two single greatest realities of the world in which we live are its vast immensity and its almost vacuum like emptiness. Now these facts must surely raise some questions in the mind of the philosophically sensitive. Indeed, it was C. S. Lewis’ reflections upon the universe (as so vast and so empty) which led him as a young atheist to his conviction that there could be no meaning to human existence, and thus no God to give it meaning. In the introductory words of his great work The Problem of Pain, he states,

“Not many years ago when I was an atheist, if anyone had asked me, „Why do you not believe in God?‟ my reply would have run something like this: „Look at the universe we live in. By far the greatest part of it consists of empty space, completely dark and unimaginably cold. The bodies which move in this space are so few and so small in comparison with the space itself that even if every one of them were known to be crowded as full as it could hold with perfectly happy creatures, it would still be difficult to believe that life and happiness were more than a by-product to the power that made the universe.” Lewis, C. S. (2009-05-28). The Problem of Pain (p. 1). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

To Lewis, very sensitive philosophical soul, the character of the universe in being so vast and so empty was suggestive of the insignificance, the meaninglessness of human existence. And an insignificant and meaningless human existence implies a universe in which there is no God. Now I believe Lewis was wrong at several levels in this earlier opinion. And clearly, later he changed his mind about this. But let’s save that discussion for another day. My main point, the theological point I wish to extrapolate from my astronomical musings upon the vast expansiveness of space and its relative emptiness is this -- humanity has an intuitive

awareness of two great existential problems, aloneness and emptiness. We may not have studied the subject of astronomy at all. We may never

have put our eyes up to a friend’s telescope and looked into the night sky to observe it. It is even conceivable that we have never ever viewed the astonishing vision of the universe provided by the Hubble telescope and available for easy viewing on the internet. Maybe we’ve never actually looked at the issue at all, intellectually. But I suggest to you our universe cannot help but whisper these great realities to our human souls. And those souls, inhabiting this particular universe, cannot help but sense their desperate aloneness and their profound emptiness. To put it another way, I think all life inhabiting this particular universe cannot help but have an almost desperate longing for closeness and intimacy with others. We need to be connected with others, or our lives will be unspeakably bleak and pointless. But thankfully, the remedy, God’s provision is more than adequate to the need. It is God’s intention to undo this cosmic alienation and

aloneness through the redemptive power of the death and resurrection of Jesus. And God has made of the church, the body of Christ, a little model, a little icon or image of this grand cosmic reintegration. And I believe this is the primary theme of the Letter to the Ephesians. I am convinced its thesis statement is found in Ephesians 1:9-10 that God, in Christ is making known to

us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. I am going to teach a study through the Letter to the Ephesians

beginning the second Sunday of February (right after the 10AM service). Ephesians is, in my view, the high point of Biblical revelation. It is a vertigo-inducing high. It is so high we might with good reason use the adjective “heavenly.” Please plan on joining me for a careful consideration of this most elevated revelation about God’s great redemptive work accomplished through his Son, and displayed in the church. And toward that end, please start reading the Letter to the Ephesians a number of times in a single sitting. That’s a great way to get a feel for it as a whole, as a book. Also, I recommend as collateral reading Bonheoffer’s book, Life Together. I intend to show that the inspired Apostle teaches explicitly in Ephesians that our life together is of eternal and cosmic significance. There you have it. That’s what we’re going to explore. I hope you will join me. Coming soon. February 12th. 11:15AM. Moncrief Hall. 7 weeks.

Burl Henderson

Alann Sampson Alice Waters

O Lord, our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be

ministered unto, but to minister; we beseech thee to bless all who,

following in His steps, give themselves to the service of their fellow

men. Endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage to strengthen

the weak and raise up those who fall; that, being inspired by thy

love, they may worthily minister in thy Name to the suffering, the

friendless, and the needy; for the sake of Him who laid down His life

for us, the same thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

ST. ANDREW’S WELCOMES OUR NEW 2012 VESTRY CLASS

DEAN in RESIDENCE and VICAR for PARISH MINISTRY

Dean William McKeachie‟s Annual Report

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Having “commuted” for two years back and forth from Charleston to Fort Worth while my wife looked and prayed for renters to give us cover, so to speak, for our house in South Carolina, we were amazed when a family from (of all places!) Texas, themselves looking to settle for a while in

Charleston, signed on the dotted line in August, and Lisa and James made the cross-country move at long last. They “got here as soon as they could” and have been blessed in so many ways by the Texas-sized hospitality with which God’s People at Saint Andrew’s have welcomed them into the life of this parish family, where Lisa is now Harpist in Residence! At the same time, your Rector asked me to assume added responsibilities myself as Vicar for Parish Ministry. In Anglican tradition and parlance, the term “Vicar” can signify a number of differing roles in ministry. Historically in the Church of England, Vicars for the most part are senior clergy who preside over geographically “bounded” parishes. In the American Church, the term is mostly used in a different way, reflecting its etymology, to signify one who “vicariously” represents another in carrying out particular duties of ministry; hence, your Rector invited me to be his “representative” or “stand-in” for certain aspects of Parish Ministry in the day in, day out life of Saint Andrew’s and when he is absent to preside over the parish staff. He himself has thus been freed more than would otherwise have been possible to fulfill his own vocational “gifts” of biblical teaching and leadership during these very challenging times of the shaking of our ecclesiastical foundations, on the one hand, and the forthcoming celebration of the centennial of the construction of Saint Andrew’s stone church building, on the other. Particular aspects of Parish Ministry with which I have been charged, and in which I have become happily active, include liturgical worship and the Ministry of Music, working collegially with our choirmaster Jason Runnels and organist Glenda Robinson (and the Harpist in Residence, of course!); Men’s Ministry in conjunction with our parish chapter of the international Brotherhood of St. Andrew; Faith in Action in conjunction with Ed Palm, Frank Bailey and Howard Lovett; the Great Books Club winsomely led by Alann Sampson and Bob and Marty Grable; supervision, in conjunction with the Junior Warden, of the Senior Sexton’s maintenance of the physical facilities and fabric of parish property; and, overall, the various categories of congregational life represented and coordinated by the Associate Vestry, this past year so ably led by Will Higgins. But here’s the scoop: in order for me, of all people, to be able even to think about shouldering such responsibilities, Dr. Dickson appointed LeAnn Rogers to be my administrative “minder” without whose proficiency, diligence, and irrepressible humor all would be lost! And in all of the above, the vision, conscientiousness, and encouragement of Dick Moncrief as Saint Andrew’s Senior Warden have been inspirational.

Through my continuing role with “Mere Anglicanism” in Charleston, as well as the opportunities afforded me here to contribute to Adult Education at Saint Andrew’s, I seek to be faithful to God’s call to be a bearer and sharer of His Word as evangelist, theologian, and witness to the wider world and church, all in the context of the increasingly pervasive ideology of secularization which, in both post-modern society and contemporary church life, is aggressively undermining “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3; but see the entire Epistle of Jude, the second to last book in the Bible and only 25 verses long!). MEN'S MINISTRY/ BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW

From among parishioners of St. Andrew’s more than 20 men show up, in season and out, every Tuesday morning at approximately 6:30 in their commitment to prayer, study, service, and sanctification - not to mention good food and fellowship – all under the auspices of the international discipleship group known as the Brotherhood of St. A n d r e w . M o r e participants would be warmly welcomed! We break at 8:00. During A.D. 2011, our reading and study, always rooted in the Holy Scriptures of God's Word Written, centered on examination in historical and theological detail of the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion as Anglican Christianity's key confession of doctrine. Complementing our weekly sessions of prayer and study, the men have participated in numerous mission projects, both local and global, including; Thanksgiving and Christmas food and clothing "drives" for the needy, undertaken in partnership with Iglesia San Miguel; Faith in Action outreach to the Fort Worth community at large, including our immediate neighbors at Fire House No. 2; and Anglican Relief and Development outreach to the four corners of the globe. In all of these undertakings, both spiritual and material, scores of parish families and parishioners in the pews have "stepped up to the plate" in more ways than one! Lay leadership has consistently and sacrificially been shown by Greg Whitehead, Robert Ferguson, Dennis Ward, and Guy Pharis among others, Howard Lovett as “point person” for Faith in Action and Nick Genua as our indefatigable “scholar/mentor” for the Tuesday study series! It is a privilege to serve as one of their Brothers in Christ. Thankfully submitted by your Brother in Christ, William McKeachie

Gentlemen, Start Your Smokers!

Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras is coming!

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Howdy, Y’all and Happy Rodeo as they say this time of year. Cowgirls and cowboys, this is what we become when Cowtown extends the welcome invitation for the annual three week run of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Regardless of whether one is born into it or not, everyone saddles up, ready for a good ride with hats, boots and other western attire. “Yee Haw”! Come one and come all….and they do. Live performances and entertainment provide thrills and spills as the crowds witness courageous contestants wrestle steers, team rope calves, ride bucking broncos (bare and saddle), females speed race around barrels, and young daredevils ride atop mad bulls! Even the side events have you sitting on the edge of your seat as trick riders, one eight years old, perform handstands and somersaults over and under the belly of a lightning fast horse! All this makes for quite a show, and in the end one realizes just what it takes for a good performance. You begin with the right attitude, and add a whole lot of courage as you prepare to hold on for dear life. Realize you cannot do it solo mio. It requires team work, a partner, that trusted someone you can depend on to steer you in the right direction, placing you in just the right position, working together to get the job done…and in the best time…perfect harmony for a winning score/performance. Perhaps one of the most outstanding performances of this year’s rodeo (the 116th edition) was the Grand Entry. This opening event has always been my favorite as it just seems to get one into the “spirit of the moment”. Billed as “Pageantry Meets Patriotism”, it is just that with a showcase of the night’s rodeo contestants, dignitaries, officials and beautifully attired young women carrying the six flags of Texas. The national anthem is sung with bursts of fireworks as the rodeo announcer speaks of how proud he is to live in America. It was this performance by famed national rodeo announcer Bob Tallman that you might say stole the show as he spoke of the privilege of living in the land of the free and home of the brave, and the importance of the role of faith in one’s life; nothing else matters if you have your faith in Jesus Christ. These concluding words, faith in Jesus Christ, had the enthusiastic audience cheering and applauding. The right attitude, the courage to go forth, to speak boldly, the dependence on Him, the right direction/position, the perfect timing, the perfect harmony all result in a winning performance with a perfect score. A grand, Grand Entry….Come one, come all!

Isn’t this what the season of Epiphany is about? Hearing the call and accepting the invitation? Isn’t this what Kendall Felton was stating in his sermon…that the call is to fellowship and union with Christ living faithfully in the calling? Isn’t this what Suzanne Hearn was expressing in her Transforming Word presentation…that calls can be confusing, but we should press on. We are called to look up and press on for the goal, changing perspective (attitude)

in order to live life as He desires? Even James, the half brother of Jesus was able to change his perspective and look up, living faithfully in the calling.

“For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” John 7:5

“Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles…….” 1 Corinthians 15:7

Accept the invitation and join the women on Thursday mornings for the Beth Moore study of James, Mercy Triumphs as we reflect on our needs and God’s grace and wisdom revealed to us by His spirit through the book of James. Allow His appearance to be known. He will show you how to have a winning performance.

It can be a beautiful ride as you saddle up for that grand, grand entry…..

Come one, come all! Happy Epiphany

Amen.

Women’s Ministry

“Y’all Come” By Marsland Moncrief

St. Monica’s Guild

Tuesday, February 14

10:00 a.m.

at the home of

Mrs. W. K. (Chissa) Gordon, Jr.

1100 Broad Avenue

Betsy Pepper will be speaking on the topic

“New Things Happening With

The Fort Worth Public Library”

If you have questions, please call

Betty Claire McKnight at 817-732-2363.

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

The Nutshell of the Gospel Message By Judy Mayo

The Essentials of our Faith

In Children’s Sunday School, we have just taken a look at the baptism of Christ and the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. (We are saving the account of the temptations of Christ - Matthew 4 and Luke 4- and how Jesus combated Satan in the wilderness, until the beginning of Lent). The last week or so, we have also focused on Jesus’ calling of His first disciples. The coming three weeks in Sunday School, we shall focus on some of the key teachings of Jesus, delivered during His early ministry, and also shall look at the “essentials of

the Gospel message and of the Christian faith.” With our elementary age children, we shall combine this with a careful and detailed study of the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. What exactly do we believe, and in whom do we put our faith and trust? What are some of the great Scriptures that back up the Creeds of our Church? When all else is stripped away, what and who is a Christian? Jesus used the most common, ordinary circumstances as teaching opportunities. He taught people on hillsides, on dusty roads, in boats, while breaking bread and while washing feet. We’ll look at some of these encounters and circumstances the next few weeks. We will also be encouraging our children (even very young ones) to memorize some of Jesus’ most simple and basic (but crucial) words and teachings. These next few weeks will lead up to our Lenten Study Program, which will begin February 26. Come along on this “journey with Jesus!”

Special Program February 5

Preschool and K children will look at the simple but wonderful account of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). They will enjoy a “pretend visit and meal with Jesus,” while also talking about how important it is to “hear His words” and pray to Him each day. In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, grades 1-5 will have a game of “Bible Football” for the first 30 minutes of their class time, followed by a 45-minute class session. We’ll divide the children into two teams (who can pick their names) and let you know the next week who won the “Bible

Bowl!” These students will also begin some of the studies listed above, during class time. Bring a friend!

Shrove Tuesday-Mardi Gras

Parish Family Party

February 21 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Moncrief Hall

Fun and Festivity for ALL ages!!! See flyer on page 6.

Our children’s ministry and men’s ministry will be working together on the arrangements, with

special thanks to Amy Hunter and Gretchen Green for chairing the kitchen arrangements. Mark this date now !!

Plans Coming Together for VBS 2012

We had a very productive VBS Planning Meeting on January 22. Some great plans are beginning to take shape for VBS ’12, to be held June 25-29. We will be announcing the theme of our homegrown VBS very soon! We invite YOU to come share in the dreaming, brainstorming and planning. Our next VBS lunch meeting will be Sunday, February 12, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Mark this date, and plan to come join us!

Scout and Camp Fire Sunday February 12

We will observe our parish’s annual Scout and Camp Fire Sunday on February 12. Jason

Runnels has arranged for our popular bagpiper, Jimmy Mitchell, to be with us that morning. We’ll invite all those who are currently involved with (or have been in past years) Boy Scouts, Girl

Scouts, and Camp Fire U.S.A. to come forward during the 10:00 service. All three of these historic organizations, begun in the early 20th century, emphasize worship of God, care for God’s world, patriotism, team work, integrity, honor, and service. Mark this date!

A few Bulletin Bloopers (not from our bulletins!)

The peacemaking meeting originally scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict. Don‟t forget next month‟s Prayer and Fasting conference. Registration is only $ 50, and that price includes all meals and snacks. Potluck supper Sunday at 5 p.m. Prayer and medication to follow. Ladies, don‟t forget the rummage sale. It‟s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. (Don‟t forget to bring your husbands!)

Have a chuckle! Proverbs 15:13

Daniel with the lion

Fun during parish meeting

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Thinking about the year ahead...

Kendall Felton, Director of Student Ministries

He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest, and earnest, and sacrificial (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together).

The new calendar year, the advance (even if slow) of Spring and the annual meeting conspire together to create all kinds of expectations for our life and ministry together at St. Andrew’s. Those expectations are not presumptuous (not in and of themselves anyway, or necessarily) or wrongheaded. We’ve all made plans, we all have hopes and dreams - a vision in our mind’s eye of what our community, our fellowship will look like, what it will feel like. Envisaging biblical community is a good spiritual practice and a normal impulse. We want our experience of life together to reflect its invisible reality. Taking it at face value, we simply want what God wants for us. But life together, in the Home and in the Church, is rarely what you imagine it will be. And if you are not careful (and

prayerful) your dream can sabotage the good things that are happening. Sometimes those good things are hard to spot, but they are certainly there, because “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) As we began this new year of life and ministry together we should be full of hopeful expectation about all that God will do in us, and among us, and through us. But we should not imagine that we know exactly what that will be like. Better simply to live in faith, hope, and love with robust joy. And pray :

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Senior Adult Ministry

by Rita Palm

EVENTS:

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Ash Wednesday

Sunday, February 26, 2012 Cruise transportation departs from Church parking lot at 7:00 AM. Please plan to be there at least 20 minutes ahead in order to stow luggage and get

last minute news. Have gotten a few calls regarding rides to the church the morning we leave. You will hear what time and who in a week or two. The return time to the church must remain flexible due to the different disembarking times from the ship. It most likely will be late afternoon on Sunday, March 4, 2012 when we arrive back at the church parking lot. We will have lunch after we leave Galveston. It has been suggested that we not leave cars in the parking lot for the week we are gone. You may wish to arrange for a

ride home from the church, but if this is not possible, please let Rita know.

Retirement living can mean

a multitude of things!

Recently there were several seniors discussing different living arrangement opportunities as one ages. The conversation got somewhat contentious. One gentleman was really angry that he and his wife had given their house to their grandson and moved into an independent retirement community. What was his complaint? He could not find any other men in the rather large facility who wanted to be friends, who mentally or physically were up to his speed, and he was terribly upset that all the single women “flirted” with him. Now he had been married for fifty-seven years and he told the group that he wasn’t looking for another woman. The listeners smiled or chuckled softly as he went on and on about how his community took anyone who was breathing. It became quickly obvious that he was lonesome and that the staff of the facility had not picked up on his need. One of the needs when one moves into a new environment is that

someone – staff, family, or another caregiver- pays attention to their expectations. Perhaps this gentleman needed to know if there was another mechanical engineer in the building, or someone in his same profession. What about a breakfast club for men only? Surely there was one other man in this large community who potentially could be a friend. In one city on the west coast there was such a person. He had moved into a community and had been almost the only man. He sought friends at a local church, a university through continuing education classes, the local YMCA, and a social club as well as the senior center in the neighborhood. He even approached the local college to see if he could be admitted to their graduate school program. Needless to say he had reached out in many ways. But what he found was interesting. There were multiple programs designed to reach people over the age of 50. They were springing up everywhere – except in churches. He said that he found that virtually every part of our society saw the age wave and was responding to it – but not churches. Over the years he had been very active in church - wherever he had lived. He recalled that he had not seen any church overflowing with seniors. One pastor challenged him to start a new church and design it specifically to reach seniors. He considered the suggestion. Was this a God provided opportunity? He categorized himself as a risk taker who in the past had not turned down new challenges. So off he started. This was to be a church where every member and friend in the congregation would be over the age of 50. That was nine years ago. Since then, he has watched amazing blessings from God in their midst. There were 23 in the core group and today there are more than 400 seniors attending each Sunday. Last year his congregation grew by 14 percent. Did he have a secret pile of cash to dole out? Did he have some new method of reaching seniors? What did he do that most do not do? Stay tuned.

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Fellowship SundayFellowship SundayFellowship Sunday

ALTAR FLOWER DONATION FORM In order to secure the desired date, please include your payment with this form placing them in the front office. A staff member will call you as soon as possible to confirm receipt and to verify if that date is available (or offer another date). Today’s date: _______________________ Date you want flowers on altar’s) ____________________ Your name: _________________________ Your phone number __________________ Indicate where flowers are to be placed: ______ Main Church altar - $115 ______ Shuman Chapel altar - $75 ______ Children’s Chapel altar - $10 Designate wording for Sunday bulletins and the Messenger? Whom are you honoring? (Example: In memory of… in honor of… in thanksgiving for, etc.) _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______ Check is enclosed _______ I have used “Pay Pal” on St. Andrew’s website

Join us Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. for supper followed by

studies and activities for all ages from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Nursery is available.

Great

Books

The St. Andrew’s Great Books

Club will be starting James

Hogg’s The Private Memoirs and

Confessions of a Justified

Sinner. Copies of this spiritual

and theological thriller are now

available in the St. Andrew’s Gift

and Book Shop.

The first session in 2012 of our monthly gatherings will be held on

Valentine’s Day! That’s Tuesday, February 14th, in Koslow

Library beginning with supper at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 5th After the 10:00 a.m. Service

In Moncrief Hall

Grace Guild will provide a lovely reception in Moncrief Hall. We'll have time to visit and to hear from Dr. Glen Petta, National Director of SOMA USA, a global missions organization, our featured St. Andrew's Ministry Partner for February. Please see page 9 of this publication for a unique opportunity for you to serve this wonderful ministry when they meet at St. Andrew’s for their Annual Board Meeting, February 13 - 15. Also, join us in welcoming Gavin Pate and his family to St. Andrew’s. Gavin will be Kendall Felton’s assistant in Student Ministries.

Donating flowers for the altars at St. Andrew‟s is a wonderful way to honor or remember loved ones or commemorate a special occasion and at the same time honor our Lord for the many gifts He has bestowed.

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Jesus Calls Us… Outreach and Serving Opportunities A regular column featuring information about St. Andrew’s Outreach and current Serving Opportunities

UNITY PARK MEMORIAL GARDEN DEDICATION Saturday, February 11th, 11 am

From our Ministry Partner, Feed by Grace, comes this news:

In the East Lancaster neighborhood, when a person dies, there is no funeral. There is no cemetery; there is no

place to gather and console each other; there are no words of prayer or comfort. The person is just gone, as

if they never existed. In January alone, two individuals have died from the East Lancaster community. For a

long time, the neighborhood has needed a way to acknowledge and remember a person who's lived in the

neighborhood but now has died. Therefore, Feed By Grace is establishing the Unity Park Memorial Garden.

A winding brick path will lead to two marble monuments, one for deceased homeless individuals and one for

deceased homeless veterans from our community. When an individual dies, a brass name plaque will be

added to one of the monuments to acknowledge his or her life. The monuments will be flanked by plants from

the Bible, each plant identified with a sign giving the Scriptural reference. The garden is bordered with holly

shrubs and paver stones. People can walk down the path and respectfully

acknowledge friends who have passed on.

On Saturday, February 11, 2012, at 11:00am, join Feed By Grace and our

homeless neighbors, as we acknowledge that all lives matter and we dedicate

the Unity Park Memorial Garden.

If you’d like more information about Feed By Grace, visit the web site

www.feedbygrace.org , or contact Frank Bailey (fbailey@bailey.grain) or Howard

Lovett (hwlovett@aol.com).

Showing Some St. Andrew’s Hospitality

for SOMA Visitors

National Board members from St. Andrew’s Mission Partner, SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad), are coming to Fort Worth from around the country for their annual Board meeting to be held at St. Andrew’s Febru-

ary 13th -15th. The group of 12 to 14 men and women will be hard at work on Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 to 5:30, and 8:30 to noon on Wednesday. We’d like to welcome them among us with some special snacks or treats and a supply of bottled waters on the days they are meeting. If you’d like to help contribute a favorite snack item or bottled waters, please contact Nancy Komatsu (calling@st-andrew.com) to arrange for drop-off either Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday, at your convenience. In addition to providing hospitality, the Board’s meeting at St. An-drew’s is a wonderful opportunity for parishioners to learn more

about SOMA and support our longtime Ministry Partner. Here are a few other ways you might want to be involved:

• come meet and visit with National SOMA Board mem-bers during their afternoon refreshment break on Monday, between 2 and 3 pm, upstairs in the Youth complex of Ryan House – no rsvp needed, just come on up!

• transport Board members to or from the airport (Sunday afternoon/early evening and/or Wednesday afternoon) – contact Glen Petta, gpetta@somausa.org, 817.737.7662

• offer prayer support on- or off-site during the Board’s meeting times – contact Glen Petta, gpetta@somausa.org, 817.737.7662.

To learn more about SOMA, you are encouraged to visit

the web site www.somausa.org, as well as join SOMA

National Director Dr. Glen Petta and his wife, Debbie,

during our First Sunday Fellowship in Moncrief

Hall, this Sunday, February 5th, following the

service of Holy Communion.

February 5 Geraldine Schmid Carly Creighton Robert Gallagher February 6 Frank Goss Don Goodwin Mary Parrack Griffin Young February 7 Ben Harveson February 8 Mary Ellen Doherty

Linda Austin February 9 Don Duffield Janis Remme Michaela Brown February 10 Adelaide Royer Celia Browning Jacob Reece Jackson Poulson February 11 Alexander Sudderth Annabelle Doswell

10

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church

917 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 Rector The Rev’d Richard Clark Pastoral Care The Very Rev’d William N. McKeachie Vicar Kendall Felton Director of Youth Ministries Jason Runnels Choirmaster Glenda Robinson Organist Judy Mayo Director of Children‟s Ministries Marsland Moncrief Liaison to Women‟s Ministries Rita Palm Director of Senior Ministries

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.

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

Prayer Chain Reminder:

Names may be submitted weekly to Carrie Brent at 817-738-6496 by 8 p.m. Sunday evening. Permission should be obtained before submitting the name of someone

other than oneself.

Weekly Worship Schedule Tuesday 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Thursday 7:00 a.m. Holy Communion

Daily Schedule Monday, February 6 12:00 p.m. Don Anderson, Moncrief Tuesday, February 7 6:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study, Koslow 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion 11:00 a.m. Altar Guild Mtg., Koslow 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting, Koslow 6:45 p.m. Women’s Evening Bible Study, Koslow Wednesday, February 8 9:30 a.m. Pre-ballet (ages 3-4), Moncrief 10:30 a.m. Beginning Ballet (ages 7-9), Moncrief 12:00 p.m. Rector’s Bible Study, Koslow 6:00 p.m. FX|Family Experience,* Moncrief 7:00 p.m. St. Andrew’s Choir,* Choir Rm. Thursday, February 9 7:00 a.m. Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study,* Moncrief 11:00 a.m. Texas 42, Youth Rm. 7:00 p.m. Greek Class, McFarland 11:30 p.m. Messenger Deadline Friday, February 10 Saturday, February 11 Vestry & Associate Vestry Retreat Sunday, February 12 Sexagesima The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany Scout & Camp Fire Sunday 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion, Chapel 10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer,* Church 10:00 a.m. Preschool & K Chapel,* Children‟s Chapel 10:30 a.m. Preschool & K Sunday School,* Preschool area 10:40 a.m. Grades 1-5 Sunday School, * Koslow & Elementary area 11:15 a.m. Youth Confirmation Class,* (6th Grade) Youth Rm. 4 11:15 a.m. Middle & High School Program,* (7th-12th Grade) Youth Rm. 11:15 a.m. Adult Education,* Moncrief 11:50 a.m. Children’s Choir,* Choir Room 12:00 p.m. VBS Planning Meeting,* Guild Rm.

*Nursery IMPORTANT

All events must be scheduled through LeAnn Rogers at scheduling@st-andrew.com, including those not held on church premises. You must receive a confirmation from LeAnn to be assured of a reservation before submitting it to The Messenger.

The Messenger deadline is the Thursday preceding the week of publication.

The flowers for Sunday, February 5

are given at the Church altar

in loving memory of

Doris Neuhaus Willis,

mother of Nancy Bennett

and at the Children’s Chapel altar

in loving memory of

Capt. George Markos,

heliocopter pilot, killed

at Pleiku,Vietnam, Feb. 7, 1965

Our Deepest Sympathy on the death of

Doris Neuhaus Willis mother of

Nancy Bennett January 25, 2012

Youth Super Bowl Party February 5, 2012 5:00 p.m.

at the church We’ll have snacks and cokes, of course.

Instead of the Madonna halftime show, we’ll have a devotional from a

guest speaker. Bring a friend! (There will be video games, board

games, etc. for those who don’t want to watch the game.)

Join us for fun and fellowship

Thursday, February 9 at

11:00 a.m. in the Youth

Room. No experience necessary.

Let the Games Begin!

I was lost,

but now am

found…

We have several

items that need to

find their homes. Please see the Lost

& Found table outside the office to

reclaim any items you may have left

at church this past year.