St. Andrew's Lutheran Church

    Having trouble viewing this email? Click here   Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church   Come hear the dramatic story of Christ's  journey to the cross featuring professional actors, choirs, percussion and instruments Sunday, April 1, 2012 Services at 8:15 AM & 11 AM

Dear Friends,       Why does God allow suffering?  In the book of Job, a challenging and disturbing book of wisdom in the Bible (in case you thought from the title that this post was about learning from your employment!), we get a glimpse of how suffering can either destroy us or make us stronger.  It can lead us to despair or to a deeper knowledge of God's love.  Will you curse God when troubles come your way?  Will you question God's wisdom and mysterious will?  Will you let God be God and hang on in faith, wrestling with God but ultimately still trusting that God's ways, God's plans, and especially God's love are greater than our greatest problems.  Such a posture of faith is easier said than done.  We will reflect on this challenge at our midweek service tomorrow night (Wed.) as we examine "Job: When Bad Things Happen To Good People."  Worship begins at 7:30 with dinner in St. Andrew's Hall at 6:30.  Hope many of you will be able to

  Dear Friends,       Moses received the best education the world had to offer in the court of the Pharaoh, but God took another 40 years in the wilderness to help Moses learn how to lead.  Why is it so difficult to have patience when things aren't going your way or progressing as quickly as you would like them to?  And what might God be up to in the midst of such a long journey?  We will examine these questions and more tomorrow night (Wednesday) at our Midweek Lenten Worship as we explore "Moses: Still Wandering."    Worship begins at 7:30 with dinner downstairs in St. Andrew's Hall at 6:30.   Holy God, don't let me wander far from you.  When I find myself in the wilderness, teach me how to hold on and still believe.  Amen.

Dear Friends,       Last Wednesday at our Midweek Worship Service, Stacy Kyle Rea spoke about Jacob's wrestling match with an angel of the Lord and the ways that he held on and sought blessing in his life.  In last weekend's outstanding performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (the entire production was amazing - Thank you cast and crew!), we were reminded how, by God's grace, Joseph held on as God took something that was meant for evil and used it for good.  This Wednesday at 7:30 (dinner available in St. Andrew's Hall at 6:30), we will be looking at "Joseph, Wrong Place, Wrong Time" and how Joseph hangs on to God's promises.     Please pray for the Slack and Rubendall families that they too may be able to hang on to God's promises in the face of unspeakable tragedy.  Funeral Services at St. Andrew's Church for Maddox Slack will take place this Friday at 5PM with  family visitation at 3PM and for Janice Rubendall

Dear Friends,       Talk about an unfair contest!  Jacob held on all night.  He was in too much trouble to let go.  He wrestled with God all night long and as a the sun rose on the horizon Jacob asked for a blessing.  God gave him both a blessing and a new name.  As we wrestle with so many things in our lives, Jacob's story intersects with our faith journey as well.  I hope you can join us this Wednesday for our Lenten Midweek Service at 7:30 PM (Dinner at 6:30) as we reflect upon "Jacob: Still Wrestling."     Also, come hear about Jacob's son, Joseph, and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat .  This outstanding show involving over 90 people from St. Andrew's will be performed Friday and Saturday night at 7PM (Free will offering).  Remember that there will be no Saturday Service at 5PM.  Also remember that daylight savings time begins this weekend.  Before you go to bed Saturday night, spring forward (turn your clocks ahead by one hour.     Keep wre