SPE ie i 4 NGS Dr. Robert Fowler graduated with a B.S. from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, his Masters from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary of Fort Worth, Texas in December 1983 and his Doctorate of Ministry from the Tyndale Theological Seminary in May 1990. He has served as the Chair of Cult Studies, taught extensively in the discipline and has authored several books including, “The Cultic Seduction of Black Americans”, “What the Bible Says About Healing”, and “The Marriage Maze”. Dr. Fowler is a sought after lecturer and campus speaker. Dr. Fowler has developed and organized ministries and auxiliaries that have made an impact on both the Church and secular community. Dr. Fowler is a sember’° of many organizations, such as: the Oklahoma Baptist University, the Lawton Ministerial Alliance, the N.A.A.C.P. and the Las Vegas Ministerial Alliance and Leadership Africa. Dr. Fowler is a man that couples a strong love for people with a determined vision from God. He combines the integrity of proper biblical interpretation with the zeal of a preacher to the end that services are electrified with the presence of God. Dr. Fowler is leading Victory Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada to become "A Church on the Move" for Christ in both the Christian and_ secular community. Currently, he is the Senior Pastor of Victory Missionary Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is married to the former Ms. Joyce Ann Mitchell of Fort Worth, Texas and they have two sons. Ele. eas’ Bie? ‘ itm ow gi wv (7 ts ~~ " ibe. gut, — i aS Paced y p > al me se): gta yee: Poe HRY ig rh | Pastor Bais 27 tp Anniversay Senice Maul Master & Mistress 22, L007 at 3. 30pom of Ceremany) “entrance of Pastor Fe Mur. Raber & Sis. Deedee Duffin & Sis: France A. eeee Catuary &e “Victowy Baptist Choirs RD ca ee oe ie ll a Special Cee ee UEC a a ee Uiestta’ Sokor tai Anniversay ee a | cee Catuary Combined Chair oe Sis. Christine Jones ee ee ................ ae... Sis: Peggy ‘Wrght/New ay a AN 9... GMM ee evn Ae he re Ge, 622i, = = Sis. Shauna Rahertsow Generation of Gaspel emer Catuary Combined Choir RR RM Te 8 a ohana a ee he Deacans & Ushers ee Pastoral Staff eRe cio.) el “Rev. Cimathy Wright A... bliaianonpecteoront “Victowy ree Baptist Church Chair Pastav A ee Special Fipscidtion 2. Call far\Special Gifts: ‘Closing }. Wr. Remarks Deacons Bro. Richard & Sis. BH’ Lorah Tyler Ce 0 i Offering ee one cee ee Special by Ue eee ee MN UG Dauis Ratt & Benne Benediction Ratent Fauterv es Pastaral Staff & Sis. Johnnie Mae “Wynne Excerpts from The Occasion 1999 Twenty-five years ago we saw the faces of Pastors and their members, and our Christian friends who came to share with us their love and prayers in our celebrating the first Anniversary of Pastor Davis, and you are with us again today. It was truly a great day, it was a good day, it was a spiritfilled, up-lifting day for all of us, as we joined together in singing praises and thanking our Heavenly Father for allowing us to make ita year. It was a new beginning and we had high hopes. Today means so very much to Calvary because we have seen in our Pastor aman who Seeks to do his best, who is keen, active, wide awake and aggressive. He is ever watchful of himself. His influence filters through human love and sympathy. To us that meant success from our failure, a lesson of comfort, strength and encouragement was real again in our Church. Day and night, night and day he showed us how to do the Masters will sincerely. He has always been there for us. For this cause we count our blessings, daily. Visualize these magnificent years; they have become history. Pastor Davis has been sowing seeds for twenty-five years with Calvary and we thank God for His amazing grace that has sustained our leader. Love, loyalty and prayers bound us together as a Church family. Our Pastor is not Just an ordinary man, he is a man who was sent by God to make better Christians in Calvary. You can see the results of his labor. And most of all, he has given us the best twenty-five years of his life. —Sis. Lula L. Henry. The Occasion 2001 Not much has changed . . .He’s now given us the best twentyseven years of his life. His hair is a little grayer, his step a little slower, his love for us overwhelming. He’s leading us towards a brighter future, he still has a vision, and we are seeing the results of his labor, he is still led only by God. He is “A Man with A Divine Purpose—Growing A Congregation with Loving Compassion. ” Challenges always remain. We pull him in many directions, but he labors on. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see. Thank you Pastor Davis for twenty-seven years! Keep on keeping on! — The 2001 Anniversary Committee Our Thanks! A special thank you to Pastor Robert Fowler and the Victory Missionary Baptist Church congregation for sharing in our anniversary celebration of 27 years to our Pastor France A. Davis, to visiting Pastors & ministers, church families and friends and to Calvary Baptist Church for your gentle Christian spirit of friendship and love. May God continue to bless each and every one of you. SE SE HEE Se EE SE ae Se EE EER EEE ES Oe ee EEE EE EE OE EO OE KE OH We invite our guests to Join us downstairs for sharing and fellowship! HOH HE HK Anniversary Committee Co-Chairs: Bro. Greg Lang & Sis. Committee Members: Ademola Adetule James & Glenda Anderson Anthony Bennett Robb Benns Karen Bradakis Donald & Anita Brown — Pauline Brown Belle Cope Robert & Deedee Duffin Lula Flake Viola Goff Pat Gray Alzie Green Ptoshia Green Valerie Green Mary Harris David Hollins Dinitri Jackson Doriena Lee Edward Miller Carolyn Morrell James & Sylvia Morris Patricia Otiede Bettye Pittman Laura Eady-Popwell Jackie Robertson Brenda Turner Sharon Carter-White Rev. & Sis. Timothy Wright Johnnie Mae Wynne Tanya Lang Old Time Religion here are many ways to measure the three-and-a-half decades France Davis has spent as pas- When Davis first learned he would be moving to Salt Lake City, he called ahead to arrange an apartment rental. When he in Salt Lake City. At three serper week, he’s delivered more than landlord looked at him and told him she no longer had anything for rent. tor of Calvary Baptist Church vices | CITYWEEKLY.NET | 5,000 sermons to his congregation. That congregation, which numbered about 150 when he took over in 1974, has expanded to around 900 in 2009 and is still growing. The small church building at 532 E. 700 South has been replaced by a large state-of-the-art facility on State Street that runs ning programs from every day. His parishioners remember y)7a) morning until eve- actually showed up at the apartment, the More than 25 years later, Davis ran into a top official of the LDS Church he knew and mentioned he was looking for a place to build a new church. Given the reputation. Davis had established in the community over the years, the official told Davis he’d nave the LDS Cnurch’s property department cali him the next day. The church might Davis’ 35 years in terms of the J number of times he stayed up all night by = <= = the bedside of an ail- = ZzQO pit, Davis’ tenure can Zz U Lud ing member. Beyond UO be the pul- in the counted number of courses he has taught at the Lud ea) <= University of Utah, the laws he helped change, the results of his work in the larg- er community, the books he has written, : the five scholarships that bear his name, the awards he has received or the numer- 20 | APRIL 23, 2009 | CITY WEEKLY | ous boards he has served on. . On a more personal level, Davis and his wife Willene can chart the time in having successfully raised three children in Salt Lake City. Or perhaps consider how Salt Lake City arms in praise during a service. with Davis on the sale. So another way to view Davis’ impact in Utah is to see he went from there being “no room at the inn” to becoming such a trusted member of the community that the most powerful organization in town was itself has evolved in response to his constant advocacy: Two stories from Davis’ willing to go out of its way to help him. However the 35 years are counted, Calvary Baptist Church will celebrate the Davis himself helped create. wife, life, which at first blush may not seem to be related, illustrate just what sort of change France Davis, above; at right, a member of the congregation lifts his helped Davis locate a property it owned, sold it to Calvary Baptist, and even worked service of. Pastor France Sister Willene Davis Davis, this and his coming (See info box.) on Sunday THAT 70S SHOW: THE VERSION afternoon. UTAH To get a_ sense of what Davis has achieved and how much Salt Lake City has changed he says. He and his wife decided to stay and (a mission that would become the title of his book), with a focus on both spiritual and stand what things were in 1974. When a landlord refused to rent to him, he had no recourse because there was no . get three “Are you a Mormon?” followed by, “What’s the weather like?” and tion in the LDS Church community?” finally, stand hold a priesthood posi- the larger, more well-connected churches in town weren’t required to do. (Once again, he helped get that changed.) CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH celebrates the 35th anniversary of his parents hold the - priesthood in the state’s_ predominant _ religious denomination in 1974. (Davis didn’t get that changed, but the LDS Church did amend its doctrine in 1978.) “I had to be crazy,” he says with a laugh as he looks back on it. $15 for children. Nevertheless, Davis was concerned that there seemed to be what he calls a “brain drain” of black talent at the time, with people in the community leaving to pursue educational and professional opportunities else- “When we got here, we discovered Utah needed as much help as it could get,” 1964, out for Tuskegee Jr., Malcolm he to speak subjects However, change was coming, and Davis became part of it. In for tickets or information. there certain could prove fatal.” Day Productions at 801-557-0867 It was on because, “He knew that a word misplaced, an incautious disclosure, Contact Emma Houston of Brighter sacrifice.” where. on his with parents, $27 he from set University in Alabama. met Martin X, Stokely Luther Carmichael King and other notable activists and ended up joining the civil-rights movement. His journey would later include a military tour of duty in Southeast Asia as well as a degree in rheto- ric from University of California, Berkeley. (Davis holds six degrees in all, including two master’s degrees.) Things changed drastically when )) yes, that same Brian Hesleph. “God #@ working with choirs.” Gladys Hesleph continues to be a regular performer at _ has always been a big part of my life,” B® he says, “and I've just always loved the age of 84. “Music is a big part of what we E as preaching,” says Anthony Bennett, Story Told his father’s reticence of two beginning partof the worship service. The choir processional is the tonesetter. It’s the prelude leading up to the main event. It gets people moving toward the sermon.” “Music is as integral to worship an 83-acre farm. Much of the farm had been inherited from Davis’ Grandmama Lula, who had started as a sharecropper and gradually saved up enough money to buy her own land. Davis was raised in the Jim Crow South and remembers in his autobiography France Davis: An American event with a cost of $30 for adults, “In those days, there were a lot of issues to be worked on. Coming to Salt Lake, first of all, was a sacrifice. Deciding to stay was a raised consisted do here,” Davis says. “The choir is the in that small town of Cooper’s Town, Ga., the eighth of the nine children -Acelebration banquet is planned for Friday, April 24, at the West Valley And even if he’d wanted to, as an City Cultural Celebration Center. African-American, Davis wouldn’t have The dinner is a pre-paid ticketed been allowed _ to ally work on those cam- can you ent phases of his life— work relentlessly. Davis was born in 1946 in the Davis serving the church witha music F 4 throughout the differ-- the Rev. France and Sis. Willene to honor him. would eventu- | Up againstallofthat, Davis did the one thing he had learned to do have the state set aside paigns as well.) 2% “LATE TO BED; EARLY TO RISE’ special service on Sunday, April 26, _ It would have been inconceivable at that at 5:50 p.m. The church also hosts time that the city would one day name a street . quest speakers for the 8 and after Martin Luther King Jr.—much less — Jla.m. services, a day (Davis “How to live the her teenage son Brian. _ Today, the Calvary Baptist music » program consists of five different choirs and the numerous musicians who accompany them. Overseeing it gall is Minister of Music Brian Hesleph— i) questions: Davis remembers the local Boy Scout organization had a rule that one had to something in 1974, people—organist Gladys Hesleph and people where he was from, and inevitably fair-housing law in the state. (Davis helped get that changed.) He also’ found Calvary Baptist was paying property taxes, music program. When Davis took over African-American congregation in the heart of Mormon-dominated Utah in the mid-’7os seemed far-fetched. When Davis attended national Baptist conventions, he would introduce himself, tell like when he took over to be a scout leader. (He helped get that changed, too.) the most notable is the growth of its the concept ofa preacher trying to build an over the Baptist Calvary Baptist Church has experi| enced many changes during the 35-year tenure of Pastor France Davis. One of educational development. From both inside and outside of the state, years, it helps to under- at Calvary UTAH’S SOULFUL SECRET: CALVARY’S GOSPEL CHOIR he set out to build a congregation he hoped would become, “a light in the midst of Zion” — | director of the Inspirational Choir. _ “Music is what brings them here. I’ve seen arches become stagnant tee they lose that component of the worship.” The integral tone-setting that packs the’ pews is on display any Sunday at Calvary Baptist. The service opens with the choir marching in through the aisles as the congregation stands and repeats various phrases from the opening song while a five-piece band plays. The choir members march up to take their place behind the pulpit and launch into a song that gets everyone clapping with the music. Just a few minutes into the service, the choir has brought the congregation into the service and has everyone feeling enthusiastic about what's to come. The Inspirational Chole has. performed at the 2002 Olympics, for gatherings held by Robert Redford at Sundance, at the Stadium of Fire, in a Showtime movie, and has also done background work for the likes of Gladys Knight and Christina Aguilera. In February, the choir performedi in Ogden and Salt Lake By at an Excellence in the Eommunity showcase. Throughout the years, Sica s choir and music program have provided Spporhiniies ee singers and musicians growing up in the church. Courtney Smith began playing a keyboard at : age 3, started studying under Calvary’s organist at 6 and was playing for services at 8. He has gone on to pursue a degree in music composition at the University of Utah and is known as an accomplished jazz pianist. However, on Sundays, he can still be found at Calvary paving the keyboards for the choir as well as singing. He's also a big fan of gospel music in Utah—which has been a well kept secret to the rest of the world. “It is not a well-known fact that there are ae African- American based hoches ‘in this valley, and they have very good music,” he says. “Utah’s not known for that—black churches where the musicians know how to play really well. | post some of it on YouTube and people can’t even1 believe that Le is even aeenng at all in Utah, never 1 ‘mind how - good itis.” _ aaa : : © : ; Smith can i: say, without a trace of. irony, “Nywas blessed by God torhe born ond raised here in this tradition.” In terms of the vocals, Anthony Bennate B cbursels; by singing gospel music, n it” Ss more. important how you feel the words relate to you and your experience. People find a place — _ they've been. It deals with the human heart, and agony and triumph.” That's. why, beyond = _ the enjoyment of the performance, Bennett can say, “No matter what's going on in my life, those are the songs | look back on. They’ ve carried mee through difficult times and moved me from sorrow to being excited.” As for the future, Brian Hesleph notes, “People are huneee for ee music. es : other churches ess 2: “ae music." "At the ssame time, ae By 1g | influenced ee pectoae 3gain, given 7 oe ‘growth aptsCake change iis the one constant. music progr over. thease | LAN'‘ATSSMALI | service (SMAN1 39V | ONINIG | VWANID | DISNW | special | ATW3SM ALID | a LZ | 6002 ‘Ez TIddvV weekend with a Friday night banquet and SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 4 WORLDSBK.COM Chainplerehig 29-34 May 2009 Plus, In terms of the LDS Church, Davis notes the “official change in policy” in 1978 was already at the church, and Davis took over in 1974. much more willing to sit down with others an important first step, and over the years, “lve seen a change that they (the LDS Church) have become more accepting of other people and other church groups.” sat in on some interviews to help find a He particularly notes that the leadernew pastor. However, several months later, ship of President Gordon B. Hinckley “repCalvary recognized the best candidate was | resented a new perspective. Hinckley was From the beginning, Davis set an ambitious schedule for himself. Besides doing the regular work of a preacher, he has taught communications and ethnic-studies courses at the University of Utah and advocated for change in the larger community. “He’s on every conceivable board throughout the Tooele PRESEN Davis went from Berkeley in the late’6os to Utah in the early ’7os, arriving in Salt Lake City in 1972 as a teaching fellow and graduate student. In 1973, he became interim pastor for Calvary Baptist until the church could find a full-time pastor, and he even ep 8. HANNSDIee state,” jokes the Rev. and talk. He wasn’t as hard-line.” As for the celebration of Davis’ anniversary, The Church Scott who live here.” In the political arena, what had once seemed implausible suddenly became reality as Davis a Rolodex I’d ask him the bedside of a member all night. No starting time. No quitting time. It’s just as’ tome as it takes.” The Rev. Harold O. Fields Sr. of Salt Lake Church has known Davis for decades. He says the one lesson he learned from Davis in tending to his own flock is, “To make sure that I stay sensitive | CITYWEEKLY.NET | 22 | APRIL 23, 2009 | CITY WEEKLY | to the people and be compassionate.” Davis says he gets by with five hours of sleep a night and jokes, “My wife says I live at the church.” His 1the riders CHANGING MILLER MOTORSPORTS Davis, who works in scores his penchant for hard work. “He’s late to bed and early to rise,” she says. “I wish he’d take some time for himself, but I don’t think he knows how. I’ve learned that, because he’s been called by God, my responsibility is to make sure he has the opportunity to do what God called him to do.” yr d Superbike! : CALL 435-277-RACE ° MMPTIX.COM Willene Calvary’s ministry for the elderly, under- THURSDAY, MAY 28 FROM 6PM — ENERGYSOLUTIONS ARENA PRE-SALE $25, DAY OF EVENT $35 Meet wife PARK politicians Davis’ quantify ence Whenever Baptist to come rolling in. “It is nearly impossible to about all of the things he did for me, he’d say, ‘You’d do it for me wouldn’t you?” Sister Lula Henry, who has been a member of Calvary Baptist for 62 years, says, “I have never heard Pastor Davis say he was tired. There are times when he’s stayed 'by Unity com- years of service have Deacon Robb T. Benns Sr. “On the worst day of my life, I looked up in the hospital, (NEWS! A&E | DINING | CINEMA | MUSIC | ranking honoring in their times of need City’s leaders respect of some of the that has been most impressive. “The pastor was always there,” says MILLER MOTORSPORTS PARK BRINGS YOU THE BIGGEST BLOCK PARTY TO HIT SLC other most powerful people in Utah. Statements from Utah’s highest noted, for his parishioners, it has been his quiet, steady presence there. munity and the way, he earned the nity have been justly he was with change laws, policies and attitudes. Along in the greater commu- and worked ministers in his brain of mam-. moth proportions.” While Davis’ activities and achievements Tickets: mmpTIX.com 435-277-RACE _ for at Calvary Baptist Church. His sincerity and determined support of the community is a significant asset to all to keep track of all of the different people he interacts with. “He have 35th Saints, wrote, “We congratulate Pastor France Davis on his many years of service City, who also marvels at Davis’ ability must spokesman of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Tom Goldsmith of the First. Unitarian Chureh of Salt Lake Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge Trotter, SALT LAKE CITY As France Davis continued to work year after year, things began to change, not only at Calvary Baptist but around Utah as well. the differ-— the great Utah icon, France Davis, has made in our community,” Gov. Jon Hunstman Jr. says. “France gives us all a reason to consider what it is we are doing to contribute to those around us. U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, writes, “Reverend France Davis is a true Utah treasure. The contributions he has made . . cannot be overstated.” : And from U.S. Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, “I’m not a member of his congre-">~ gation, but I’ve had occasion to go to him for some counsel and have appreciated his friendship and support.” CHANGING BAPTIST CALVARY Henderson, who grew up in the church, Calvary Baptist was founded in 1892, and for most of its 117 years, was a predominantly black church. For many: of the members, it was an important refuge in a largely white society. Sister Leslie remembers that when her family moved from downtown Salt Lake City to the suburbs, “Suddenly, the faces were not the same. The church was very important to us because that’s where you congregated with the African-American community for purposes of fellowship.” While the church continues to provide that experience notes, been “This for its members, congregation has an inner-city, downtown church,” and the demographics Davis always kind of of down- town have changed over the years. Davis ErGIVEN-THE CITY:S. AFRICAN-AMERICAN OMMUNITY A REASON TO SHOUT HALLELUJAH BY GEOFF A Mirren ees +3 se ; ars Afar sf ssinceoctatlemnenmnimanetn cn WES ev ERE Ey eet. fe ia ‘ = er E Ata rss Santos, age . ” 1 Dn i a s AMS ate he eeerst ee ' phat b: -. oo ainn, 2 wi eae 2m FAL. erin 5 : Nh At f ® salnahs caine, IVE ¥s Stave g GRIFFIN Worship ae Discover ‘Visi | IONAL CATHEDRAL Programs News Shops Support Utah Major State Day Sunday, February 27, 2005 Photography by Lloyd Johnson Photos from Service: 1|2|3|4/|5]|6]|7 News Release | Sunday’s Sermon | State Day Calendar | Back to State Days Click on the photos for larger version (225 dpi) The Rev. France Davis, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, delivered the sermon as guest preacher at Utah State Day, held as part of the Cathedral’s outreach to all states and faiths. Pastor Davis addressed the congregation from the historic Canterbury Pulpit, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his last Sunday sermon on March 31, 1968, and from where the homily at Ronald Reagan’s state funeral was given on June 11, 2004. African-American those just as alive in Salt Lake as it is in Georgia.” commu- Davis regularly African-Americans nity into the church. “People erroneously think Calvary Baptist is a black church, but it’s not true,” to Utah. When Community advocate Pamela Atkinson, who helped — coordinate services for Hurricane Katrina evacu- AfricanAmericans still make up a distinct majority of the Calvary con- gregation, but there is a notaother races. of At ees who brought were from people from New Orleans to Utah, recalls that it was Davis who “made a recent Sunday service, about half of the new convert _ baptisms were peo- Louisiana aware Salt Lake can be a friendly and ple of Caucasian or about this Hispanic descent. inviting place.” “We believe in the inclusion of all God’s children,” Willene Davis says, “because that’s what God expects his children to do.” In summing up his 35 years here, Davis says, “This is a =eane we've been good to us.’ enjoyed. It’s When asked about what the future holds for him, Davis, age 62, says, “I’m not old “THIS 18 A PLACE WE'VE ENJOYED” enough to retire. I still have a lot to do to Even though Utah has presented its chal- lenges for Davis, he has a response to those outside the state who have asked him, “How can you stand to live in that community?” “I tell them the distance from Georgia to Salt Lake is the same as from Salt Lake to Georgia,” he says. “It’s no different. There’s make a difference wherever I can. | I made a commitment to be faithful to my calling. I Hl [ ds S Giant Lam Selection! sah Shipment Antiques, Fairies & Fantasy are no worse here than any other place.’” nity.” presence they ask him place, “We tell them, ‘Life is good. There are lots of opportunities here. Problems Goldsmith notes. “France has deliberately tried to grow a diverse religious commu- ble receives visits from considering moving Unigue Bilts lop kevelof Trolley Square (602 east 300 south) SO! -932-284-F- pee aw ahaa @yahoo. com et rey" Xs COSCO 2 OCS Oi Oh OY. 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STATE © 888.391.3322 © MARKMILLERSUBARU.COM €z | 600Z ‘SZ WNudV responded beyond PKA ves FOR ALL PEOPLE Worship NATIONAL CATHEDRAL Visit Programs News Shops Support Utah Major State Day Sunday, February 27, 2005 Photography by Lloyd Johnson Photos from Service:1|2/3|4|/5|6|7 News Release | Sunday’s Sermon | State Day Calendar | Back to State Days Click on the photos for larger version (225 dpi) The Rev. France Davis noted that desert-dwelling Utahans pray each year for sufficient mountain snowfall and runoff to fill their reservoirs. Similarly, the state’s settlers were in search of spiritual sustenance, as are many people today. Worshipers who embrace God will find those thirsts quenched, Davis said. “God has a perpetual spiritual well,” Davis said. “It springs full and it is eternal in its supply.” PEOPLE WANTED TO DRINK A sermon by the Rev. France A. Davis at Washington National Cathedral Utah Major State Day Sunday, February 27, 2005 Lent III “And there was no water for the people to drink.” Exodus 17:1b “The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water.” John 4:11 Topic Sentence: When the people of God are thirsty, God has living water to quench their thirst. Introduction When I was growing up, there were three ways to get a drink of water. You could go to the open face well and draw with a bucket. Or you could go to the pump and prime it. Or you could go to a sealed suction well and turn on the tap. Utah is desert land. Water is essential to our existence. Each year we hope and pray that enough snow will fall in the mountains, melt, and run off to fill the reservoirs so that everybody will have enough to drink. Thirst in Biblical Times The children of Israel had been delivered from Egyptian bondage and are now wandering in the wilderness. “And there was no water for the people to drink.” (Exodus 17:1b) They are thirsty and want water to cool their parching tongues. Moses has not been any help. They seemed to have forgotten how they got where they are. They felt deserted and that they were worst off now than before. They had an emptiness that they just could not get fulfilled. So they scolded their deliverer and complained: “Give us water that we may drink.” (Exodus 17:2) It was about this time of day, mid-day when the woman of Samaria came to Sychar to get water from Jacob’s well. She came with an empty bucket and an empty life and was thirsty. She did not know the weary man sitting on the well. She wanted to have a drink. Thirst in Our World There is an unquenched thirst in our world today. People are looking for a drink to satisfy their need. They want to know where they can find healing water for their incurable diseases. They want to drink cooling waters for the unbearable heat of homelessness and hunger. They want to drink waters of peace in the midst of wars and rumors of wars. What hinders us from finding the drink we need? We are hindered by lack of knowledge. The Israelites did not know what Moses or God was doing. The woman at the well did not know “the gift of God or who it was that saith to her, Give me to drink.” (John 4:10) We are hindered by lack of access. The children of Israel did not have a rod and the woman at the well did not know what Jesus would draw with. We are hindered by lack of faith. The wilderness wanderers did not believe Moses could help them and the woman at the well did not know who Jesus was. | Daikts Fists ee LLOYD JOHNSON, WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL QO “Sonat CS > QO = § e 2 ~~ O YD tS § S = The Re v. France Davis of Ca gives the sermon on Utah Day at the Wash i ston National Cathedra I The R t. Re v. Carolyn Tanner C. Ca thedra } | rish, bis hop of the Epp iscopal D IOCESE O f Utah , DTS S/ ided Utah ’S congress ional delegation and other Utahns In the na tion ’$ Capital were invited to attend. os 2 ‘Mountainwest Minority Reporter & Sentinel, August 9, 1991 7 if r Be: Sermon .- of the i if ” “& message featuring a minister ~ in our Utah and Idaho — communities.” Rev. Fiance A. aie Two Branches John 15:2,5 the source of our beTHE TRUE VINE IS JESUS THE CHRIST. — faith. our - ing, the author and finisher of the keeper, God the FATHERIS THE HUSBANDMAN — the maker, human beyou, about er togeth reason the vinedresser. Today, we will 7 the branches. onship. If you have ex_Every believer in Jesus Christ has. new relati longer are you ings, | No _ perienced the new birth, your position has changed. and depend on God. lean independent. Now you are dependent. You must to the Master. No longer No longer aré you your own. Now you belong and married, and the two ed engag are you are you loose and free. Now the branches.’’ (15:5) - are now one. Jesus said, ‘“I am the Vine, you arethe offshoots. The vine hes are ‘The vine is the main stem. The branc The vine is bigger and the ions. extens are hes branc The . source is the The branches cannot stand alone. stands vine The branches are smaller. and the disciples. The Master alone. So that there is unity between the about this get their strength from the Vine. When Jesus talked | branches are affairs Our ...”” me in h branc l relationship, He said, ‘‘Every specia | his affairs. His affairs are our affairs. branches. And they are Notice if.you will that there are two kinds of | are as different as night and day. No amount of wishful | not the same. They make them i of scheming and conniving, of excuse making will i thinking, es. branch two. are | the same. There h is unfruitful. It looks like the First, according to our test, one brancany fruit at all. It wears the same ce produ not does It g isn’t. reahthinbut the fig tree, there is no fruit Like but does notdo the same thing. - name fruit, it is good for nothing. ce produ not does it se Becau ) _ onit. (Luke 13:6-9 unfruit: the difference trims the -. It is, therefore, cut away. He who knows ful branch off. | name, talking the game. - JT wonder if some of us are not just wearing the We are reminded in fruit. any ing produc t withou same the - and looking do not produce are and unity opport have another passage that these who For ‘“he who puts fire. d in the fit for nothing butto be cut off and burne kingdom.’’ (Luke the for fit not is back ~ his handsto the plow and looks 9-62) of water. It is like a child away So, this first branch is like a fish t outgasoli ne.’ ‘This: branch.does._not do It is like a car withou a home, fruit, is worthless and good for nothing: — 1 s anything, beat is a bearer . But thanks be to God for a second branch. This second branch excellent more and richer and more bear to ues contin ~ of fruit. It bears and best. It its at be always to branch fruit. The Vinedresser encourages this dly repeate and d cleanse is branch The on. attenti of level gets the highest pronow will it out, putting and pruned. While it is already producing ~ duce and put out even more. the Vine. —y — f Pe Sat the branch to There is fruit here because of the closeness of the trouble that comes line, discip g prunin the with comes - And more fruit in the tender with and makes for spiritual strength and fertility. We who are peace, patience, kindness, hands of God can bear more fruit— love, joy, 3) faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galations 5:22-2 “Which branch are you? -- Are you connected to the True Vine? Are-you bearing fruit for the Kingdom? ‘PROUDLY COUNTING the touchdown symbols on his football _ helmet for Pirjo Kemppainen of Finland, who attends Box Elder | High School is Victor Jackson, captain of the Ogden Hi gh School _ Football Team, (from left). Lf | 7 |