Memorial Day - 9:30 Worship Begins

Dear Friends,

For those of you who are getting through this week by looking forward to an extended weekend, rejoice that we have such a gift as we transition into beautiful weather and the summer months ahead.  However, I encourage you to remember to give thanks this weekend for the reason we have this holiday in the first place.  Let us give thanks to God for those members of our armed forces who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that we enjoy.  Also, if you see someone in uniform in the days ahead, thank them for their service to our nation as well.

If you find yourself around a special meal with family and friends on Monday or if you find yourselves gathered around the barbecue, take time to say grace giving thanks for our many blessings.  Also, feel free to print out and read the following prayer as well:

Almighty God, you are our strength and our shield.  We give you thanks for the men and women of our armed forces, past and present, especially for those who have died while serving.  May their sacrifices serve the cause of peace, and may our nation be ever grateful for their service.  With your wisdom and strength guide our military's leaders, and give to your people a desire for justice and peace.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

We pray for safety in your travels and if you are in the area, we hope you will have the opportunity to join us for Sunday worship.  Remember that we begin our summer schedule this weekend with one service at 9:30 AM.  This Sunday, we will also have another installment of "Ask the Pastor"  as the message will be shaped by your anonymous questions about the Bible, Church History, Liturgy and Worship, St. Andrew's, or faith and daily life. Come with your questions or simply listen and learn from the questions of others.   

By the way, as we collect the many hymn requests submitted in recent weeks, there were some that were requested repeatedly.  We will be singing several of them on Sunday, including Holy, Holy, Holy,   Here I Am, Lord, and the Battle Hymn (Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory)  

A blessed week and weekend to you all.  See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

A Prayer for Pentecost

This Sunday we celebrate one of the three great festivals of the church year, the Day of Pentecost.  Coming 50 days after Easter and ten days after the Ascension of Our Lord, it is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit to Christ's followers, the birth of Christ's Church in the world, and our mission together. Historically, Pentecost has been a huge celebration in Europe, where church celebrations take on the tone of Easter here in the States.  Because Pentecost tends to fall over graduation weekends or Memorial Day (but not this year!), our celebrations tend to be more intimate and subdued.  However, in no way does this diminish the importance of this day in the life of Christ's Church. For that may have been the first Pentecost but there have been many more since that time as God's Spirit continues to work in, with, and through us for the sake of the world.

  If you are going to be in worship, here or elsewhere, this Sunday, wear something red as we celebrate the coming of the Spirit.  May God continue to  bless us. empower us, and guide us for the joys and challenges of the journey ahead.

Holy Spirit, come upon us.  Breathe new life into us.  Help us to share this new life in what we do and say.  You are our Creator.  Help us to be creative.  You inspire us.  Help us to inspire others.  Help us to build up rather than to break down.  Help us to be renewed and refreshed when we are torn down and tired.  Call us by your Spirit into the way of New Life, through the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

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Opportunities for Growth in the Easter Season

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for a deeply moving Holy Week and a beautiful, joyous celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord.  Sunday was a day of reunion and hope around Word and Sacrament and wonderful music from our choirs.  We have heard many words of thanks from folks who have not worshiped with us for awhile and from people who were worshiping with us for the very first time.  For all of you who led, served, or worked behind the scenes, many thanks.

Easter is not a day but a season of joyous worship and opportunities for growth.  The adventure continues...

This Sunday Adult Education resumes downstairs in the Jerusalem Room at 9:30 AM as we study the Gospel parallels, comparing and contrasting stories as told by different Gospel writers, while looking at what the differences mean

for them and us.

Looking ahead, Inquirer's Class for those seeking information about St. Andrew's will be held on April 15th and April 22nd . If you or anyone you know is interested in joining St. Andrew's or just learning more about our faith community, please meet me on the above dates at 9:30a.m. in the narthex (church lobby). Reception of new members will be held Sunday, May 6th .

Also, we are calling all women to join us on April 14th at 9 AM as we wrestle with "Overcoming the SuperGal Syndrome" A delicious breakfast buffet will be served followed by music led by our own Soulful Strings.Outstanding  guest speaker Lori Hynson will help you to laugh, learn, and de-stress Come for a delightful morning and bring friends! Please sign up on the  bulletin board in the narthex  or contact the church office to reserve your spot.  Family, friends, and co-workers are encouraged to attend.

In the weeks ahead, we look forward to commissioning our Stephen Ministers, welcoming Pastor K to the pulpit, celebrating Mothers Day, and Confirming several of our young people while celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit, the birth of Christ's Church in the world, and our mission together.  Continue to pray for the people and mission of St. Andrew's as we journey through the changes and challenges of the months ahead.  See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

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Easter Worship

 Easter Vigil – Liturgy of Light, Word, Baptismal Remembrance, and Holy Communion at 5:00 PM

In this historic, deeply symbolic service, we are reminded of the great acts of God from Creation to Exodus to Resurrection.  God's saving grace is proclaimed, then light fills the church as that grace fills us.  Come and experience profound readings and song, and a first glimpse of the resurrection.

Easter Sunday – 8:15 and 11:00 AM:

With word and sacrament, prayer and song, choirs and brass, we rejoice at the empty tomb. Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed! 

   

Lent 2018

Dear Friends,

        At the heart of the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Christ.  On one side of this event and it's remembrance are the 40 days of Lent (not including Sundays), a time of preparation for the celebration of our Lord's passage from death to life.  On the other side are the 50 days of Easter, a time of proclaiming and rejoicing in our redemption.  Right in the middle of it all is Holy Week including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, days in which our attention is riveted on Christ's death and resurrection.  The entire 90 days is best seen as a whole viewed from two sides, from the cross and the empty tomb, each incomplete without the other.  Listed below is a schedule of Lenten observances in the weeks ahead: 

Ash Wednesday - February 14  - Come join us as we begin this season of renewal  seeking strength for our daily lives.

-  Noontime Devotion – A brief service of scripture, reflection, confession, and imposition of ashes. This is an opportunity for spiritual preparation and reflection in the middle of a work day. This is also a good worship opportunity for seniors who do not venture out at night and pre-school parents and grandparents transporting children (as well as those of you who have Valentine's Day plans!)

- 7:30 PM – Worship with Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion

Lenten Dinners are held here at St. Andrew's at 6:30 PM. preceding our Lenten Services. We invite you to join us for fellowship and a hot meal before the service. There will be sign-up sheets on the bulletin board in the narthex each week with the menu posted. Please sign up so we know how many to plan for.

Midweek Lenten Series 2018 (Wednesdays at 7:30 PM.)

The Lord's Prayer ~ A Guide to Daily Living

February 14 -  Hallowed Be Thy Name: Matthew 6:5-13 (Ash Wednesday)

February 21 -  Thy Kingdom Come: Luke 4:16-21

February 28  - Thy Will Be Done: Matthew 26:36-46 (Pastor Stickley)

March 7 - cancelled (snow)

March 14 -  Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-35 (Pastor Kochenderfer)

March 21 -  Daily Bread: Matthew 6:25-34 (Pastor Willauer)

March 29 Temptation (Maundy Thursday)
March 30  - Evil (Good Friday)

April 1 -  Kingdom, Power & Glory (Easter Sunday)

"You awaken us to delight in your praise; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you" – St. Augustine