Shifting Gears

Dear Friends,

    As we enter the month of June with weddings, graduations, and vacations posted on the calendar, many also embrace a change of pace for the summer weeks ahead.  Even here at St. Andrew's, the calendar looks a little different as many of our leaders seek rest and renewal.  However, our calling to lift up Jesus to the community in Worship, Education, and Service remains throughout the year.

Worship  -

This Sunday, we begin our summer worship schedule with one service at 9:30 AM.  This week,  many of our Sunday School children will be assisting with the leadership of worship as we give thanks to God for all that they have learned and shared over this past program year.  Come join us for this spirited celebration with refreshments to follow.

Education -

Vacation Bible School is coming to St. A's June 19-22 from 9 AM - Noon.   If you are available and would like to help, please contact Janice Stickley in the church office. 

Service -

 Hospitality is needed for Lemonade on the Lawn this summer following each 9:30 Worship.  Pick a Sunday and sign up to serve lemonade / iced tea and cookies (please plan to bring napkins and cups as well) for about 50-60  people.  This is a great way to encourage staying connected as a community during the summer months.  Sign up on the sheet in the narthex or call the church office for available dates. 

  As we get into the heart of vacation season and as more of our St. Andrew's community will be away over weekends, we will be offering occasional mid-week services of Holy Communion in our outdoor chapel (and inside if weather conditions are not favorable).  Worship will have a more casual feel outside and will be less than an hour in length (It does get dark!).  Also, these services will not be recycled versions of Sunday worship.  They will have their own simple music, a spoken liturgy and different readings and message from Sunday.  This summer, we will be focusing on the Psalms (which during the church year are simply sung without background, explanation, or reflection).  So even if you are here on Sunday, here's another opportunity to gather again to grow in faith.  We will be sending e-mail reminders to the congregation when we get closer to the dates but here is our midweek schedule for this summer (Mark your calendars).  Worship is on the third Wednesday of each month.

 Psalm 23 - June 21 @ 7PM

Psalm 91 – July 19 @ 7PM

Psalm 98 – August 16 @ 7PM

 God's richest blessings in the summer ahead.  See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

standrewslutheran.com

enterthebible.org

pray-as-you-go.org

A Prayer for Pentecost

Dear Friends,

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.

standrewslutheran.com

enterthebible.org

pray-as-you-go.org

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An Easter Prayer

Holy and Living God,

You continue to confound  our expectations and surprise us with your redeeming power in our lives.  Come among us, risen Lord.  Reveal yourself to us that we may know with confidence that nothing in all creation, not even death, can separate us from your love.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

A word of thanks to all of you who offered your hearts and hands and voices to a deeply moving Holy Week and a joy filled celebration of the Resurrection.  It was exciting to see an increase in attendance at special services throughout Lent and Holy Week this year, especially among those who are newer to our faith community.  Several people experienced the three days of Holy Week for the very first time and were so glad they did. 8:15 Worship  attendance on Easter Sunday was the largest we have seen in many years. Indeed hearts were touched and lives were lifted up through the celebrations of this past week. We are truly blessed. Continue to pray for those who were unable to be with us on Sunday, the sick, the struggling, the hospitalized, the homebound, and the dying.  Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, especially those who are persecuted for the faith.  Pray for our faith community, that empowered by the risen Christ, we would be grounded in faith and growing to serve.  This Sunday in worship, we will be reminded of the ways that risen Christ meets us right where we are with his promises and his peace.  I am so grateful and incredibly blessed  to serve among you.  See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

standrewslutheran.com

enterthebible.org

pray-as-you-go.org

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, wonderful music, and a first glimpse of the resurrection.

Easter Sunday – 8:15 and 11:00 AM:

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

   

Lent Begins

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 Worship – This Wednesday March 1

Noon Time 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.

7:30 PM –

Worship with Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion – including music from our choir and liturgy to prepare us for the 40 days ahead. 

Midweek Lenten Series 2017 (Wednesdays at 7:30 PM)

Lenten Midweek Themes 2017 (Reformation 500) – Luther's Small Catechism

2017 marks the observance of the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation.  In honor of that anniversary, our Midweek Lenten Series this year is built around Luther's Small Catechism.  The Small Catechism was designed as a teaching tool of the faith, not just within the church but within the home. This booklet contains a simple explanation of the 10 Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Sacraments, as well as basic prayers for morning and evening at home.

March 8           Ten Commandments      Exodus 34:1-9,27-28

March 15         Apostles Creed               Ezekiel 36:22-32

March 22         Lord's Prayer                  Matthew 9:6-15

March 29         Holy Baptism                  Romans 6:1-14

April 5              Holy Communion           1 Corinthians 11:23-26

"Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."  See you in church.

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

standrewslutheran.com

enterthebible.org

pray-as-you-go.org