March, 2013 Exalt Educate Equip Evangelize Extend Issue #233

FROM THE DESK OF BISHOP FELIX ORJI:

Ash Wednesday February 13 Holy Communion & Imposition of Ashes 6:30 am 12 noon 7:00 pm

Wednesday in Lent Lunch with Teaching Series 12 noon Holy Communion with Teaching Series 6 pm

February 20 “I Am the Bread of Life” – John 6:35-40 Bishop Felix Orji

February 27 “I Am the Light of the World” – John 9:1-41 Rev. Cindy Anderson

March 6 “I Am the Good Shepherd” – John 10:1-21 Deacon Mike Pomeroy

March 13 “I Am the Way, Truth, and Life” – John 13:36-14:7 Deacon Daphne Orgeron (Continued)

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March 20 “I Am the Resurrection” – John 11:25-26; John 12:9-26 Dr. Bob Tipton

Holy Week

Palm Sunday - March 24 Holy Communion at 8 & 10 am

Maundy Thursday - March 28 Holy Communion & Stripping of the Altar 7:00 pm

Good Friday - March 29 Stations of the Cross 6:30 am and 5:45 pm Good Friday Liturgy 5:00 pm

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil & Baptism 7:00 pm

Easter Sunday One Service at 10:00 am only

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Deacon Daphne: Daphne Orgeron

By Dan O'Rourke News Anchor/Reporter, KTSM TV, El Paso Times

Hope, prayer and hard work changing lives for El Paso's homeless

EL PASO — You can give a man a fish, or you can teach him how to fish. The El Paso Rescue Mission is do-ing both: providing food, shelter and clothing in a crisis, and also teaching people carpentry skills, offering them a chance for something they want so badly--an independent life. In what director Blake Barrow calls "life-saving work", the carpentry shop covers a vast area of two buildings at the mission on West Paisano, beneath the large twin silos which read "Jesus Lives". Indeed, the project represents a path toward independence for workers who succeed. Trained in a range of car-pentry equipment, they earn money by building furniture, both for the expanding mission itself, and for sale to the public. At arts and crafts markets, El Pasoans can buy the same dressers, trunks, and children's furniture that come out of the workshop. The Rescue Mission is also identifying new markets. It can't build tree planters fast enough to meet the demand by local nurseries. For a person who gains refuge at the mission, the carpentry trade is good work--if they can get it. At this place where everyone arrives with their life in chaos, they don't get a job just by asking. Blake Barrow explains, "We run a 13-week relapse prevention program, a drug and alcohol program here at the mission, and the people who go through that program have the first shot at getting a job in here. I want people who show they'll actually do something to improve their lives, and then we give them the opportunity for em-ployment." Even more impressive than the long hours of work are the stories of personal redemption. Every work day be-gins and ends in prayer, with members of the work crew holding hands in a circle. In these moments, El Pa-soans who have lived their lives isolated in their addictions come together to form a community. As she feeds lumber into an industrial sanding machine, Tammy reflects on the miracle of getting this second chance. Actually. she expected to be dead by now. "I've been a junkie since I was nine years old. I've been drinking alcohol since I was five. I've been a prostitute since I was 13. I've been in prison and institutions. But this place believed in me. This place saved my life." After a couple of false starts in the Rescue Mission's sobriety program, Tammy became serious. But then some-thing else hit hard: the need to show up daily and take personal responsibility for the first time in her life. "A job? I could prostitute and make in two hours what I make here in a week. Why would I want the job? Why would I want to pay rent or do anything except run in the street? God. God. That's the answer to every question in my life". Meanwhile, Karima's working her first day in the carpentry shop. After dropping out of UTEP after one semes-ter, she was doing drugs, dancing in strip clubs, and worse. Judge Bill Moody sent her to the mission under terms of her probation. Moody and Barrow had spoken, and decided it was an opportunity for the older woman, Tammy, to mentor the 21-year old. (Continued next page)

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And Tammy does teach her, not about sanding two-by-fours, but about the difficult choices a woman needs to make in order to live correctly and with dignity. Karima says, "Now I do feel better about myself. I'm starting to have more respect for myself and I'm starting to look forward to the future." Could this begin to change our minds about what it means to be homeless? Certainly, many present the stereo-typical image of a man or woman reaching for handouts at traffic stops. But at the El Paso Rescue Mission, many are trying, and trying very hard, to become useful and productive citizens. Tammy powers down the sanding machine where's she's worked nonstop for two hours. "I look forward to coming to this place. Today, I know that I'm worth it. I'm respected at my job. But most of all, I respect Tammy."

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Lay Pastor David: David Basch

Modern day Arianism

Arianism, simply defined, is the belief that Jesus Christ was not equal with God the Father, but was a created being. In the fourth century the Cappadocian fathers, St Basil and St Gregory of Nazianzus (along with Basil's brother Gregory of Nyssa and John Chrysostom), fought against Arianism. It is worth examining the heresy of Arianism today. Heresies are like weeds. They keep coming back. The thing is, they come back in different guises. In the fourth century Arianism was part of the great debate over the divinity of Christ and therefore the definition of the Holy Trinity. Today Arianism takes a different form, and comes to us in the guise of humanism. By 'humanism' I mean that belief system that takes man as the measure of all things. This humanism is a conglomeration of different mod-ernistic beliefs, but the summary of it all is materialism-- that this physical world is all there is, human history is all that matters and the advancement of the human race in this physical realm is the only thing fighting for. Arianism today is an interpretation of Christianity according to this whole materialistic, humanistic philoso-phy. Clearly, Jesus Christ as the Divine Son of God and the co-eternal second person of the Holy Trinity does-n't really fit. Instead Jesus is a good teacher, a wise rabbi, a beautiful example, a martyr for a noble cause. At most he is a human being who is "so fulfilled and self actualized that he has 'become divine'." To put it another way, "Jesus is so complete a human being that he reveals to us the divine image in which we were all created--and therefore shows us what God is like." There is a sense in which this "divinization" happened to Jesus as a result of the graces he received from God, the life he led and the sufferings he endured. This watered down Christianity is our modern form of Arianism. The cultural context of the heresy and it's ex-pression is different, but the essence of the heresy is the same as it always was: "Jesus Christ is a created be-ing. His 'divinity' is something that developed or was added to his humanity by God." The difference between Arius and the modern heretics is that Arius was actually explicit in his teaching. The modern heretics are not. They inhabit our seminaries, our monasteries, our rectories and presbyteries. They are the modernist clergy who dominate the mainstream Protestant denominations and who are too many in number within the Catholic Church as well. Many of them don't even know they are heretics. They have been poorly catechized from the start. Their be-liefs about Jesus Christ have remained fuzzy and out of focus. They hold their beliefs in a sentimental haze in which they vaguely feel that what they believe is "Christian" but would not want to pin it down too much. This is because they have been taught that dogma is "divisive". They deliberately keep their beliefs vague, and focus on "pastoral concerns" in order to avoid the difficult questions. They have been taught that dogma is part of an earlier age in the church and that we have matured and moved on from such nit picky sort of questions. "God, after all, can't be put into a box. He's big-ger than all that..." Nevertheless, they feel totally at ease reciting the Nicene Creed every week and celebrating the (Continued next page)

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Nativity of the Son of God and the great Paschal Triduum--using all the words of traditional Nicene Christian-ity, while re-interpreting those words in a way that would please Arius. So when they speak of Jesus Christ the Divine Son of God they really mean what I wrote above--"That in some beautiful way he was such a perfect human being that he reveals to us what God is like." The Virgin Mary then becomes "A good and pure Jewish girl who dealt with her unplanned pregnancy with great courage and faith." The crucifixion becomes "The tragic death of a young and courageous fighter for peace and justice". The resurrection means that, "In some mysterious way, by following his teachings, the dis-ciples of Jesus continued to believe that he was alive within their hearts and within history." Now what really interests me is that these modern day Arians (and I'm sure the same could be said of the fourth century version) are not wicked and filthy sinners. They're nice people. They're articulate, educated peo-ple. They're well off people. They're well connected people. They're good, solid respectable "Christian" peo-ple. Heck, even the emperors were Arians in their day. They're the people on top of the socio economic peck-ing order. Furthermore, their Arian version of the faith seems so much more reasonable and sensible and credi-ble than the intellectually scandalous orthodoxy of Basil and Gregory and the historic church down through the ages. But I'm with Basil and Gregory today. I recognize these heretics for what they are: wolves in sheep's clothing. They might present as nice, respectable, prayerful and sincere Christians. That's OK. But they're heretics. They're liars, and the people who believe their lies the most are themselves. If they have their way, and if their subtle heresies prevail they will destroy the faith. Therefore they are my enemies. I want to hold to the historic Nicene faith with Basil and Gregory and with the saints and martyrs down the ages. I don't mind a bit if the world thinks this faith is "antique" or "quaint" or "unfortunately rigid" or "too dogmatic" or "inaccessible to modern Christians". The Arians probably made all those same arguments too. I affirm the Nicene Creed and I don't mind saying "consubstantial with the Father" and I hold to the clarity and simplicity of the words and don't think they need to be "re-interpreted."

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Bob Tipton: Resident Scholar

JUST LIKE GOD Bob Tipton

It was a beautiful evening in Mitilini. The breeze off the Aegean was cool, the twilight made a soft image of the rho-dodendron, and the fruit punch was delicious. The two men sipped their drinks as they talked. Eliud, the older man, was listening intently to the young traveler’s tale.

“Sir, what you say is interesting, but I heard something about it before. When I was in Rome, a centurion came back

to Rome and told us about his time in Palestine. Now that has to be the toughest assignment a soldier can get. Those Jews are the touchiest people on earth, and they can boil over in a mad frenzy at the least provocation. But Brutus’ story is unbelievable! He had to do a crucifixion, which is bad enough. But this one was weird. I wrote down his own words—let me read it to you:

It was the strangest thing you can imagine. Early in the morning before the feast, the High Priest and his bud-

dies, the Sanhedrin, caught a rabble-rouser trying to stir up trouble for the nation. Anyway that’s what they said.

They took him to Pilate’s Hall of Judgment like they planned beforehand. Then Pilate balked, asking specifically

what the fellow had done! All they could do was sputter. They didn’t have a good answer and everyone knew it.

So they said he would cause a big riot or a rebellion if they didn’t get rid of him. And when Pilate waffled, they

threatened him with their own riot and a bad report to the Emperor. This is how they browbeat Pilate into crucify-

ing this Jesus; so we crucified him.

Crucifixion is a dirty detail, but someone had to do it, and I drew the short straw. If we didn’t do it right, we’d

be killed. So we did it right. It was surprising, though, because he went fast. Sometimes they last a couple of

days, but he went in a few hours. And he was different in other ways. Usually they curse us, and the judge, and

the whole government, and anyone else they can think of. But not him! It was freaky. He prayed to his God for us

to be forgiven because we didn’t know what we were doing. And he told one of the others we crucified, a real

scum bag if I ever saw one, that they would be together in paradise—as if either of them would be going that di-

rection!

And the priests were bonkers! They came laughing and putting him down. Then his mom came, a nice looking

lady with a young Jew that looked pretty decent. That Jesus told his mom that the kid would take care of her, and

he agreed. Things were getting a bit rowdy for a while—that is, until it got dark. Man, it got so dark at noon, it

was about the darkest dark you every saw. We had to use torches to make sure there was no trouble.”

Finally he screamed out something about Eli—whatever that meant—and just popped off. It was weird. The

sun came out and things seemed to be settling down. Then Pilate sent word for us to off the guys. Well, we broke

the legs of the two that were still alive and they didn’t last but a bit. But one of the guys stuck his spear into the

side of that Jesus guy, and blood and water came out. It was ugly. Then while we were taking them down, Pilate

sent a Jew—Nicodemus, I think—to get the body of Jesus. He and another rich guy took down the body and car-

ried it off to a cemetery. I went along to be sure they put it out of sight. They had spices and stuff to wrap him up

like a mummy, and put him into one of those rock cave-like tombs. And we helped them roll the slab in place over

the door. I noticed it was a brand new tomb with nobody in it. Then the Jews took off and we went back to the

barracks and checked out.

Now most of that was normal, of course. But those Jews went really batty! They came tooling over to the gov-

ernor and told him this Jesus said he would rise from the dead! They kept blowing this smoke until they spooked

Pilate. So he rousted us out again and put us on guard at that tomb. He and the big-wig Jews came down with us

to seal that rock shut—imperial seals, too! Man, if we didn’t keep that safe, we were gonners!

Guarding a tomb in the middle of a garden is really boring! But we were stuck there with nothing to do but watch a

tomb. Anyway, we stayed alert because there was a lot of gossip about his having some sort of powers beyond normal.

And we got really nervous out there. Sabbaths

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days are totally dull—but we were on high alert. Then we really had to be careful in the night. They said that

something would happen before morning—his followers would cause a riot or sneak in or something to steal his

body. The priests said they would then cause a revolution by saying he had come back from the dead to lead the

Jews in a rebellion against Rome.

Toward morning, while it was still dark, it happened. I get the shivers just thinking about it. It was so still you

could hear the crickets chirping. It was a beautiful cool spring morning. Peaceful. Until it happened!

First was the earthquake, then the things appeared! They were bigger than men and armed. We were knocked

down by their coming and dazzled almost to death by their power. They were shining bright as the sun. And you

could feel their power like a hammer hitting us all over. Down we went, every one. Scared? I never was so

scared in my life even in the worst battle. I couldn’t move, much less fight or run. And then it got totally quiet.

Eerie quiet. The tomb was open, but we didn’t see anything.

That’s when we went running to the Jews’ high priest and told him what happened. He rousted out some of

his guys and they cooked up a story for us. We were to say that his followers came and overpowered us and stole

his body. Now that was a crock! And we told him so. But he gave us all the money we wanted and promised to

get us out of any problems with the governor and officers of the legion. So that is what we told everyone while we

were getting drunk.

“Now, Titus, that’s the story that Brutus told us. But he was as screwy as any battle fatigued drunk you can name. And he got out of the legion and probably drank himself to death. Now you are trying to tell me that Jesus was dead—but that He came back to life. And you talk about witnesses! Come now, you want me to believe Brutus got it right? What makes you believe Brutus’ yarn?”

Titus answered: “Eliud, it is all true as Brutus told it, but that was just the beginning. He didn’t know the rest of the

story.

I remember that Sunday morning like none other. The women went down to the tomb and found it empty. They

came running back talking about having seen Jesus alive. We thought they were just hysterical females, you know, but

two of the men went down there and found the tomb open and empty, just like the women had said. In the late afternoon,

a couple came running into the house where we were staying with a wild story, too. They had been going to their home

and met someone who explained what was happening, saying it was all written in the Scriptures. They hoped it was true,

but. . . So they got him to stay to eat with them—then they recognized it was Jesus!

They were gabbling out their story when all of a sudden HE was there with us. The doors and windows were barred,

but He was there—and ate with us and told us this was the greatest thing that ever happened. He died for our sins and

God raised Him to live forever. For forty days, He was with us off and on—coming and going sudden like as if it were

natural. And we knew it was really Him in the flesh. Then one day He took us to the Mount of Olives and just rose up to

heaven! Two angels told us to wait for the Spirit in Jerusalem. And when the Spirit came on Pentecost, we started

preaching this message:

Jesus Christ is the sacrifice to take away everyone’s sins. We have to accept His sacrifice and His Lordship over us,

turning away from our sins, being baptized, and living in His Spirit. This news is for everyone. Won’t you accept

Jesus as your Lord and live for Him here so you will live with Him forever in heaven?”

“You are sure He accepts someone like me? And really gives a new life with Him? Yes, it sounds possible, sir. It rings true in every link! It is just like God!”

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FROM THE EDITOR:

I have not verified this so take it with a grain or two of salt. However, the conclusion makes sense considering

the shape our economy is presently in. This came in an email so the author is unknown to me.

I know lots of folks don't like Wal-Mart, but this is fascinating. 1. Americans spend $36,000,000 at Wal-Mart Every hour of every day. 2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute! 3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year. 4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target +Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined. 5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people, is the world's largest private employer, and most speak English. 6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the world. 7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger and Safeway combined, and keep in mind they did this in only fifteen years. 8. During this same period, 31 big supermarket chains sought bankruptcy. 9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world. 10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA of which 1,906 are Super Centers; this is 1,000 more than it had five years ago. 11. This year 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur at Wal-Mart stores. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 Billion.) 12. 90% of all Americans live within fifteen miles of a Wal-Mart. You may think that I am complaining, but I am really laying the ground work for suggesting that MAYBE we should hire the guys who run Wal-Mart to fix the economy.

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INTERCESSORY PRAYER: Jim and Martha Williams will be leading the Intercessory Prayer minis-try at St. Francis. Intercessory prayer will be offered in the library at 9:30am every Sunday morning. You are welcome to join. It’s a time to pray for God’s power and blessing on our Sunday service. I asked them to lead this ministry and highly recommend it to you. -Canon Felix

LAVERDE CASA GROUP: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 6:00pm Pot luck supper and bible study. We will be studying the book of James. Call Mike for more in-formation: 490-5402.

FLOWER CHART - A new flower chart sign up is posted on the bulletin board across from the gift shop. Sign up for flowers on the altar in memory of, in thanksgiving for, in celebration of, etc. The cost of a flower arrangement is $30 each. Call Sheila Huchton at 833-2382 for more information.

ADULT CHRISTIAN EUCATION: Meets downstairs in the conference room every Sun-day between 9:15 and 9:45 am.

FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH: Parish Prayer Meeting at 6:30 pm. All other Wednesdays: Evening prayer with homily at 6:00 pm.

YOUTH BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP: All junior and senior high youth are invited to participate. Sunday’s at 6:30 for dinner at the Church.

YOUNG ADULTS FELLOWSHIP: The Bishop has asked Jason and Stephanie Chapman to lead our Young Adults Fellowship. It will meet once a month. More information to follow.

SUNDAY LUNCHES: Cookies and drinks will be available after both services on every Sunday Ex-cept The First Sunday, which will now be the pot-luck lunch. If you can help, call Linda Gunter at 203-4275.

THE CHOIR NEEDS YOU! We are looking to expand every section of the choir. Consider a tempo-rary membership and then decide after Easter whether to stay on. You do NOT need to know how to read music to join. We meet at 6:45 Thursday evenings, rehearse, laugh, pray together, and care for each other. We would love to have you join us either temporarily or permanently. - Lea Magruder

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MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Now Studying Exodus. Meets Wed. at 7:00 am (after 6:30 wor-ship). Breakfast included! All men are invited.

COMMUNITY CORNER - Ways to Help

Angela Guevara Child Development Center – Rock babies and/or read to preschoolers

Kelly Memorial Food Bank – Donate staples for the hungry- beans, rice, cereal, etc. L B Johnson Elementary School –

Volunteer to mentor children once a month for 45 minutes beginning in the fall Rescue Mission – Provide bake goods the first Sunday of the month

Contact Sudy Todd for more information or to volunteer 490-5349 or sudyt@hotmail.com

PASTORAL CARE - Please pray for Ed Azar, Ann May, Kay Lassiter, Susan Smith, Heather Stevens, Ainsley Hines, Bill Bihn, Mary Lou Nelson, Karli Baldwin, Sharon Carr Leamon, Sharma Brown, Mary Jane Brown, Clif Stevens, Midge McReynolds, Ed Moore, Pat Tipton, Loretta Ackley, Gete and Barney Garbow, Jim Berg, Scott Smith, Krista Moore, Katherine Harrison, Lu Griswold, David Faulk, Judy Swanson and Car-rie Gutierrez,.

PRAY ACROSS THE MILES: If your children are away at school or getting into the work-force, they need prayer support. Join us to hold our children and each other before the Lord in an informal prayer group which meets every other Tuesdy (please note day change) from 6:00 to 6:30 pm at Mark and Martha Heath’s home: 5709 Bonneville. Anyone is welcome. For more information, call Nancy Hill, 479-5513.

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY: If you are unable to drive due to illness, recent surgery etc., please call the church office and speak with either JoAnn or Lea . We will try and find you a ride to church, doctor appt. etc.

CHURCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE: An exciting idea for decorating next year’s parish hall Christmas tree has been suggested. Yes, we know that is almost a year away, but as you are packing up your Christmas decorations, save a special ornament. Bring it to church in a sandwich bag (protected if fragile) and labeled as to how you would like your family identified-ie-Uphoff Family or all the family's names etc.. A red plastic box will be in Fries Hall; just place your ornament in it. For and questions, call Lynn Payne (584-2740) or Jim or Neva Uphoff. (581-1292).

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JUST FOR FUN ETC….

A ventriloquist is telling Irish jokes in Davy Byrne's pub in Grafton Street, Dublin, when, O'Leary, an irate Irishman stands up shouting, 'You're making out we're all dumb and stupid. I oughtta punch you in the nose.' 'I'm sorry sir, I...........' 'Not you,' says O'Leary, 'I'm talking to that little fella on your knee.' After due deliberation, the jury foreman stood up and announced, 'Not guilty.' 'That's grand,' shouted O'Gara, 'Does that mean I get to keep the money?' Hey," said a new arrival in the pub, "I've got some great Irish jokes." "Before you start," said the big bloke in the corner, ", I'm Irish." "Don't worry," said the newcomer, "I'll tell the jokes slowly."

Knock Knock Who's there? Irish! Irish who? Irish you a happy St. Patrick's Day

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Inside this issue:

EVERY WEEK AT ST. FRANCIS…

Sunday 8:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School 4:00-6:00 pm Youth Bible Study

Wednesday 6:30 am Morning Prayer & Bible Study weekly at the church. 7:00 pm Bible Study; Parish Prayer Meeting—1st Wed. of the month

Thursday

7:00 pm Choir Practice

CLERGY AND STAFF

BISHOP FELIX C. ORJI, Rector

THE REV. DAPHNE ORGERON, Deacon

THE REV. Dr. MYLES CALVIN, Asst. Priest

THE REV. CINDY ANDERSON, Asst. Priest

DAVID BASCH, Lay Pastor

THE REV. H. EUGENE MYRICK, Rector Emeritus

MIKE LAVERDE, Lay Pastor (Pastoral Care)

PAUL COLEMAN, Lay Pastor (Bible Study and

Discipleship)

STEVE ANDERSON, Lay Pastor (Evangelism and

Missions)

RANDALL CROSSLAND, Chair of Buildings and

Grounds

Dr. BOB TIPTON, Scholar in Residence

LEA MAGRUDER, Director of Music, Church

Secretary

JOANN CASPER, Parish Administrator

SONIA LOPEZ, Sunday School Director

LEA MAGRUDER, Secretary

VESTRY

Bill Burton, Sr. Warden

Bill Stevens, Jr. Warden

Mark Musgrave, Treasurer

Justin Benedict, Sonny Brown, Bill Burton, Jason

Chapman, Elvia Crossland, Sonia Lopez, David

Moody, Bernard Moye, Ron Munden, Kirk

Rosenlund, Pam Slusher, Melinda Skillern, Bill

Stevens, Kevin Coleman (Youth rep.)

* * * * FRANCISCAN : Editor; Jim Uphoff Staff; Neva

Uphoff, Loy Doty

From The Bishop Page 1

David Basch Page 3

Deacon Daphne Page 5

Bob Tipton Page 7

From the Editor Page 9

St Francis Happenings Page 10

Just For Fun Page 12

Child care is provided