Dear Friends,
As our family prepares for this weekend's New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations with family and friends, we have much to be thankful for in 2011 and much to look forward to in 2012. You, the people of St. Andrew's have much to do with this. We are truly blessed! And 2011 concluded in wonderful fashion for our faith community. Between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we had well over 600 people in worship, including some new faces and returning ones who we hope to see more of in 2012. A big thanks to all of you who have volunteered so much of your time in this Advent and Christmas season. Also, a huge word of thanks is extended for your financial support. Your incredible generosity has brought more blessings to people in this community than you will ever know.
This weekend, our worship schedule has been designed to accomodate many of your New Year's Celebrations.
Tuesday, December 27
Thursday, December 22
A Blessed Christmas
Dear Savior,
Thank you for coming on this night so many years ago. Thank you for meeting us in a manger in love and humbleness. Thank you for reaching out your hand to fill us with mercy and forgiveness. Thank you for sending us angels to announce your birth so that there would be no doubt as to your majesty and goodness. Be born in our hearts today and everyday. Come Lord Jesus.
Well, if you missed St. Andrew's Christmas pageant this past Sunday, you missed out on something really special. What a beautiful, fun, and moving way to tell the Christmas story.
Thank you for coming on this night so many years ago. Thank you for meeting us in a manger in love and humbleness. Thank you for reaching out your hand to fill us with mercy and forgiveness. Thank you for sending us angels to announce your birth so that there would be no doubt as to your majesty and goodness. Be born in our hearts today and everyday. Come Lord Jesus.
Well, if you missed St. Andrew's Christmas pageant this past Sunday, you missed out on something really special. What a beautiful, fun, and moving way to tell the Christmas story.
Thursday, December 8
Busy Weekend Ahead
We will start in St. Andrew's Hall at 6:30 PM where we will divide into two groups, one to carol in the neighborhood where we will be inviting others to join us for Christmas Eve worship and one to Park House where we will bring Christmas joy and peace to residents. We will gather together again in St. Andrew's Hall for cookies and hot chocolate.
Saturday Evening Christmas Canata - 5PM
Familiar and new Christmas Carols with a string quartet, handbells, flute, organ, percussion, a choir of adults and children, and moving narrations of the Christmas story. Bring family and friends. Soup supper to follow in St. Andrew's Hall
Sunday Worship 8:15 & 11 AM - "Ask the Pastor"
The message this morning will be shaped by anonymous questions from the congregation. If you have a question about the Bible, church history, worship, St. Andrew's, or faith and daily life, bring it along. Even if it isn't addressed in worship, Pastor will be in touch with you (confidentially) in the weeks to come to discuss your question.Blessings to all of you in this Holy Season.
See you in church!
Peace,
Pastor Mueller
Pastor Mueller
Tuesday, November 22
What Time Is It?
"For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dear Friends,
Each November by looking at the calendar, I understand that in theory that I should be getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, in past years as Christmas decorations sit alongside Haloween costumes in stores throughout October, I must confess to being a bit distracted and maybe even singing a few bars of the Chicago song, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" If the truth were told, how many of us would admit that Thanksgiving for many has become yet another rushed weekend of food, football, shopping, and travel?
Dear Friends,
Each November by looking at the calendar, I understand that in theory that I should be getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, in past years as Christmas decorations sit alongside Haloween costumes in stores throughout October, I must confess to being a bit distracted and maybe even singing a few bars of the Chicago song, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" If the truth were told, how many of us would admit that Thanksgiving for many has become yet another rushed weekend of food, football, shopping, and travel?
Perhaps it is time to slow down, set some priorities, and spend some time enjoying and giving thanks for the many God given blessings of our lives: food, family, friends, material possessions, talents, and the gift of time itself. Perhaps it is time for us to once again take time to really give thanks to God the giver of all good things. Here are a few suggestions of how we can give thanks:
Thursday, November 10
Weekend Reminders
Fall Clean Up Day - This Saturday from 9AM - Noon
Looks like we will have crisp, dry weather as we gather to do some raking, bagging, and landscaping work around our property. Many hands make light work and a shorter morning. Our property committee will provide food and drink. Please bring rakes, gloves, and gardening tools if you have them. This is an opportunity to get to know others in the St. Andrew's community a little better while putting our best face forward to the broader community. Hope to see many of you on Saturday.
Planned Giving Seminar
On Sunday at 9:30 in Jerusalem Room (downstairs from church lobby), Mr. John Kochel will be here from Thrivent to provide a presentation on how to not only give generously but to give smart. As you think about charitable giving and estate planning, there are ways to maximize benefits to your family, your church, and other non-profit organizations. Grab a cup of coffee and join us downstairs for this presentation and free resources.
Pictorial Directory
This is the last weekend to sign up to have your picture taken for the new church directory. Appointments are available on from November 16-19 as well as November 23.
See you in church!
Looks like we will have crisp, dry weather as we gather to do some raking, bagging, and landscaping work around our property. Many hands make light work and a shorter morning. Our property committee will provide food and drink. Please bring rakes, gloves, and gardening tools if you have them. This is an opportunity to get to know others in the St. Andrew's community a little better while putting our best face forward to the broader community. Hope to see many of you on Saturday.
Planned Giving Seminar
On Sunday at 9:30 in Jerusalem Room (downstairs from church lobby), Mr. John Kochel will be here from Thrivent to provide a presentation on how to not only give generously but to give smart. As you think about charitable giving and estate planning, there are ways to maximize benefits to your family, your church, and other non-profit organizations. Grab a cup of coffee and join us downstairs for this presentation and free resources.
Pictorial Directory
This is the last weekend to sign up to have your picture taken for the new church directory. Appointments are available on from November 16-19 as well as November 23.
See you in church!
Peace,
Pastor Mueller
Pastor Mueller
Thursday, November 3
Like Breakfast?
There are two opportunities coming up to start your day with a good meal and some great company.
1. Pancake Breakfast this Saturday - from 7-11AM in downstairs in St. Andrew's Hall with proceeds to benefit Bear Creek Camp Scholarship Fund
2 - 4 years old free
5 - 11 years old $1.00
12 - 64 years old $ 6.00
65 years and older $5.00
Invite family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this great annual event.
2. Men's Breakfast on Saturday Nov. 12th - 7AM at Keystone Grille on Ridge Pike near Mt. Kirk Ave. Enjoy a good breakfast, conversation, laughter,and a brief devotion, and still be out the door to get on with your day by 8:30 AM. A sign up sheet is posted on the narthex bulletin board near the water fountain. You can also respond to this e-mail if you are planning to attend.
Also coming up...
All Saints Celebrations in Worship this weekend - Saturday at 5PM and Sunday at 8:15 and 11AM
Christmas Cantata Saturday December 10 at 5PM - We are still looking for adult singers, especially tenors and basses. Rehearsals will be on Monday nights in November, plus Monday December 5 from 7 - 8:30 PM. Dress rehearsal is Saturday December 10 from 10AM - noon. Contact Laurie Mueller (laurie.s.mueller@gmail.com) for more information. If you are not a singer, but you make a great soup, we are also looking for crock pots of soup for a dinner to be held afterwards in St. Andrew's Hall. Sign up in the narthex or contact Betty Jane Green. If neither singing nor cooking is your gift, just come and enjoy the music of the Christmas season on December 10 at 5PM. There will be an RSVP sign up in the narthex for those attending so that we know how much food to prepare.
See you in church!
Peace,
Pastor Mueller
Thursday, October 27
Sharing Our Gifts
Dear Friends,
Over the past few weeks in worship, we have taken time to give thanks to God for our many gifts, including our Lutheran heritage. We have discussed Luther's understanding of stewardship, justification, two kingdoms, and vocation. This week, in what should be a truly inspiring celebraion, we will look at the concept of the priesthood of all believers. The constant reminder throughout these weeks is that we all have gifts to offer for the good of St. Andrew's Church and the kingdom of God.
Over the past few weeks in worship, we have taken time to give thanks to God for our many gifts, including our Lutheran heritage. We have discussed Luther's understanding of stewardship, justification, two kingdoms, and vocation. This week, in what should be a truly inspiring celebraion, we will look at the concept of the priesthood of all believers. The constant reminder throughout these weeks is that we all have gifts to offer for the good of St. Andrew's Church and the kingdom of God.
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