the VOICE M StewardSHIP is the call to manage the many gifts that God gives us each day to , Saint Andrews May 2018 Along the Way

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1 , Saint Andrews LUTHERAN CHURCH the VOICE What s inside... Along the Way... 1 Calendar Congregation Collaborations Congregation Council. 8-9 Discipleship Ministries. 4-8 Fellowship, Groups, and More Health and Wholeness Ministry...13 Ministry Team Outreach and Servant Ministries Pastoral Care... 2 Reflections... 3 Serving in Our Community Sunday Servers Thank You... 3 Worship and Liturgical Arts... 2 Sunday Worship 8:30 am and 11:00 am Discipleship Hour 9:45 am May 2018 Along the Way ission. The word is central to our life together at Saint Andrew s. Let me illustrate it--- M StewardSHIP is the call to manage the many gifts that God gives us each day to sustain us in life. More so, to propel us into the world to share the good news of Jesus; ServiceSHIP is a word I learned this past week. It is the arm of reaching out. We think of that in terms of our core outreach and servant values: housing, hunger, education. Those are the places that go all the way from a housing group, Imagine Housing, to a box of cereal in the Corner of Blessing; FellowSHIP can include all of the above. We are a talkie congregation. I think of the Sunday arriving and staying and leaving. No one left out, everybody included in, and often I am not the last one to leave our campus! We just love to be together. RelationSHIP is the net product and fruit of ALL of the above. This is the most amazing part of being a part of a family of faith. We see it every day on our campus. It is amazing to see the connections made in every corner. Let me illustrate: On Tuesday, April 24, when I came to church there was a line out to the parking lot. A huge gathering of women signing in for a day of playing Bridge. Card players gathering and there were dozens who gave an offering to play in support of Medic One. They were those who first created the 911 response system in Bellevue. In the room where many who are here at other times too. And they recognized that our congregation is a key support network for the Bellevue Fire Service. A community outreach that brought us a cohort of people who lived in our hospitality and learned that this Christian community relates well within and to the ends of the world. It happens every day on our campus and most importantly on the Lord s Day. MissionSHIP is the ground in Christ for all that we do. Thousands of peoples lives are touched by you, by us every day at Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church. Thanks for being a part of the plan! Part of the family! Part of a people who know and live out of our basic confession that Christ has died! Christ is raised! Christ will come again! See you in church! Pastor Jim McEachran Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church th Ave SE Bellevue WA Phone: Fax: The Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church newsletter is a free monthly publication. Bridge Disability Ministries Dinner Sunday, May 4 See page 14 a G h t r e.. E. n c o u r Affirmation of Baptism/ Confirmation Sunday, June 3 9:30 am worship service See page 4 a g e... E q u i S p... e n... d

2 Worship Texts May 6 Acts 10:44-48 Psalm 98 1 John 5:1-6 John 15:9-17 May 13 Acts 1:15-17, Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 May 20, Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Romans 8:22-27 John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 May 27 Isaiah 6:1-8 Psalm 29 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17 Music Rehearsal Times Chancel Choir Thursdays, 7:00 pm Handbell Choir Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Worship Bulletins and Notes and Audio Podcasts of Sermons can be found at sermons.salchome.org Worship and Liturgical Arts Altar Guild Luncheon The Altar Guild is holding its annual offsite luncheon and meeting at JoAn Eklof s house on Saturday, May 19, at 12:00. JoAn will provide the main dish. Please bring something to share. Meet at the church at 11:15 am to carpool. RSVP to JoAn Eklof or Karin Eklof. Thanks! Communion Bread Everyone is invited to bake bread used in the Eucharist on Sunday mornings. The sign-up for all of 2018 is available. You can sign up online for a specific Sunday. Links to the sign-up website and to the recipe for Luther Bread are both on the Saint Andrew s website; go to SALChome.org and scroll down to Bake Communion Bread. Contact coordinator Jill Nichols-Hicks for more information. Summer Worship Schedule begins June 3 One worship service 9:30 am followed by a time of fellowship Welcome and Worship with Children There are a variety of resources to welcome children in worship. These include a worship summary form for kids (available in the Narthex), prayer/offering cards for kids (in the pew racks), Little Disciples Tips in the bulletin on how to engage children in worship, and a spot set aside just for kids on the east side of the Sanctuary. Children may borrow Spark Bibles (available in the Narthex) during worship to follow along with the lessons and parts of worship. Rong Rong Chinese Folk Choir Concert The Rong Rong Chinese Folk Choir rehearses at Saint Andrew s on Saturday mornings. They invite everyone to their concert which will be held at Saint Andrew s on Saturday, June 9, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. The Choir has provided 10 complimentary tickets to this concert. If you would like one, call or stop by the church office. Baptisms Eleanor V., April 22 Thomas V., April 22 Weddings None Memorial Services None Committals None Pastoral Care 2 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018

3 .... on Waiting Rooms Reflections.... by Lowell Arneson Doctor Countryman was appropriately named. He was a country doctor in the small town of Grafton, sixty miles from our home. Due to road conditions and our older vehicles, this was at least a 2 hour drive. My parents had great confidence in Dr. C. and considered him our family doctor. Each fall, Dad would drive us to Grafton for our annual visit. We would be on the road in the morning as soon as chores were done. Dr. C s office didn t take appointments, so the routine was to simply arrive, check in, and wait. I began to grasp what this was all about around age seven or so. My mother, my two older sisters, and I would get checked in, and then stake out our space in the waiting room. Oh, yes... the waiting room! I do not hate things or people, but I can say that I came pretty close to hating that waiting room. Mother would bring along a brown bag type lunch, with treats and other little surprises, but we often would wait for 3 or 4 hours before seeing the doctor. Too long. Totally boring. Fortunately for me, in 2 or 3 years I was excused from these trips. I guess I was so healthy that I could be treated from a distance. This was my introduction to waiting and waiting rooms. Have you thought of how much of our lives has been spent waiting? We wait for buses, trains, boats, and airplanes. We wait for doctors, lawyers, and accountants. We wait for cars to be repaired. We wait for babies to arrive and older kids to come home. We plant our gardens and crops and wait for the harvest. We wait for hurts and wounds to heal. We all live waiting lives. Is there something about waiting we should be aware of and thinking about? Perhaps. We have let the concept of waiting take on a negative sense that in many cases is self-created. Do we need to live with this distaste for waiting? I think not. There are even things that we may learn from waiting if we give them a little attention. First, not all waits are the same. They can be ranked and prioritized. Some things we wait for are totally voluntary. These are waits for things that come with a reward, like waiting to get your hair done. Then there are waits for necessary items like medical procedures, which we accept based on our good judgment. The aggravating kind of waiting is what is imposed on us for no reason that we can understand. Second, we learn to plan better. This is what separates adults from juveniles. Youth hate to wait, often out of boredom. Adults use their experience, world view, and frame of mind to plan for avoiding or mitigating waiting. Third, waiting should teach us patience. Patience is one of the great virtues, and when practiced usually results in a relaxed and contented spirit. Waiting with a relaxed and contented spirit can make waiting an enjoyable time. Waiting, in general, doesn t require a lot of brain power, so when we wait, our minds are quite available for other use. I have found that it is an excellent time for some spiritual exercise. Prayer, reading, and contemplation don t require a lot of material or preparation. Scripture writers often use the word wait which can also mean abide or anticipate. That is staying with or looking forward to. The prophet, Isaiah, uses it in Chapter 40: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Thank you for the prayers, mail, flowers, and plant while I was recovering from a fall. I am recovered except for some Tylenol for a while. Sandy Pratt Easter Breakfast Many thanks to those that participated and donated to our Easter Breakfast. We had a goal of raising $1,000. We raised $1,875 this year. Thank you! The God Squad (High School) Mission Team Thank You Prayer Partners for Lent We had many uplifting comments during and after the Prayer Partner Reveal on April 8. So many people expressed appreciation for the program and the event. Thank you to Pastor McEachran for facilitating and bringing the whole group together. Thank you to Mikel Oswalt who brought the lovely spring flowers for the tables What a nice donation to make! Also thanks to all the hands that decorated the tables and brought healthy snacks to serve. My favorite comment was what someone said about having a prayer partner helped them to renew their prayer life because they did promise to pray for someone. I m sure that made God happy! Blessings, Cheryl Jurrus May 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 3

4 Discipleship Ministries. The vision of Discipleship Ministries is To gather, encourage and equip all people through active learning, how to embody faith in Jesus as they are sent into the world. Discipleship Hour on Sunday Mornings 9:45 am every Sunday morning, with classes for everyone age 2 through adult! Check the Sunday bulletin and Narthex monitor for locations. Grab some coffee, tea, or cocoa and join in - our faith journey never ends! Youth... Please note: The final day for Discipleship Hour classes is Sunday, May 20. Join us at worship service on May 13 to honor our Sunday Church School, ABC, and CrossWalk teachers and volunteers. Discipleship education classes are offered every Sunday Morning at 9:45 am for children and youth age 2 through grade 12. Sunday Offering Last year the students of Saint Andrew s voted to have their Sunday offerings go to support Lutheran World Relief (LWR). This year their offerings will continue to support LWR with the funds being designated for Bihar, India. Parents, please help your children remember to bring an offering each Sunday for collection during Discipleship Hour. The class with the highest participation will be rewarded with Krispy Kreme donuts each quarter! Sunday Church School (SCS) All children ages 2 through Grade 5 are invited to join our Sunday Church School classes. All classes are downstairs in South Hall. The SCS office is located on the lower level near the Narthex stairs. Students who are new to our congregation are asked to come to the SCS office to register and be welcomed to your class. CrossWalk CrossWalk is focused on youth in grades Got questions? Join us each Sunday at 9:45am in the youth room (Room 319) for coffee, cocoa, donuts, and conversation. On the last Sunday of each month, gather in the youth room for Oasis, a time for our high school students to rest, color, and enjoy a movie. Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation (ABC) Classes are geared toward students in grades 6-8, and are held on Sundays at 9:45 am. Those students new to our congregation should contact Director of Discipleship Ministries Emily Harrow or Pastor McEachran. Four students will Affirm their Baptism on Sunday, June 3, at the 9:30 am worship service. Please pray for Izzy Clarke, Seeley Lester, Alex Stedman, and Jake Wilkes as they prepare for this step in their faith journey. Teachers We have wonderful and dedicated teachers for our children during the school year, but we always welcome new volunteers! If you are interested in serving as a teacher or substitute, or would like more information, please contact Director of Discipleship Ministries Emily Harrow, emily@salchome.org or Videos of Discipleship Hour Classes Video and audio recordings of Sunday adult discipleship classes are available online for approximately four weeks following the class. Links to videos can be found on the Sunday Morning Discipleship webpage, adulted. SALChome.org. 4 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018

5 Adults...at 9:45 am Discipleship Ministries ~ Sunday April 29 Hands-on Prayer Facilitator: Emily Harrow, Director of Discipleship Ministries Attend an hour of prayer with a variety of stations and different ways to experience prayer. April 29 Stepping into Prayer (Faith Stepping Stones for Parents of Two-Year-Olds) Facilitators: Lois Nelson, Kari Henderson Simple prayer pillows are made, and presented to the children during the 11:00 am worship service on April 29. May 6 Mexico Presenter: Pastor Elizabeth Rawlings Pastor Rawlings is the Lutheran Campus Ministry Pastor at the University of Washington (called The Sanctuary). She has led a group of students from The Sanctuary on an alternative spring break trip to Mexico. She will share her experience and other ways the Sanctuary is sharing the light of Christ in the UW community. May 6 Stepping into Affirmation of Baptism (Faith Stepping Stones for Parents of Fifth Graders) Facilitators: Lois Nelson, Kari Henderson This spring session provides a time for parents to discuss the transition from elementary school to middle school, and to ask questions about academics, time management, and social issues. Session two is held in the fall of the students sixth grade year, and focuses on the faith development of middle schoolers. Students are presented with a Catechism in the fall of their sixth grade year. May 13 Stepping into Adulthood (Faith Stepping Stones for Parents of High School Seniors) Facilitators: Lois Nelson, Kari Henderson Ongoing discussions include how to support high school seniors in their faith journey as they transition to college or the workplace. We look forward to meeting with our parents to talk about the next steps for their children as they get ready for life after high school. High school seniors are blessed and presented with a quilt/gift from their family on June 10, during the 9:30 am worship service. May 13 I-90 Ministries Presenter: Pastor Wesley Telyea Pastor Telyea will lead us through a discussion on ministry within our communities along the I-90 corridor. With fewer Washington residents claiming any religion at all, what advantages do we have in mission? How do we share the light of Christ in the land of the nones? May 20 Trivial Pursuit: Sunday Server Style Facilitator: Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland Join us for a trivia game about Sundays at Saint Andrew s. We ll play an interactive game to find out what s involved in putting our services together and the secrets behind what you see and do. Note: This replaces the scheduled Sunday Servers training. Questions? Contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland at or sherry@salchome.org. May 27 Fellowship Coffee, chatting, confections! May 27 Bylaws Discussion Facilitators: Congregation Council Vice President Art Gurtel and Linda Powell See page 11. Faith Stepping Stones Coordinators: Lois Nelson and Kari Henderson Faith Stepping Stones offers classes and gifting opportunities to assist parents in fulfilling their promises made at baptism to: 1) teach the Lord s Prayer and Ten Commandments; 2) place the Holy Scriptures in the hands of their children; 3) provide instruction in Christian faith so the children may lead a holy life. Sessions for parents are Sundays at 9:45 am Stepping into Prayer (2-year-olds).... April 29 presentation of Prayer Pillows: April 29, 11:00 am service Stepping into Adulthood (High School Seniors)... May 13 presentation of quilts/gifts: June 10, 9:30 am service Stepping into Affirmation of Baptism (Fifth Grade).... May 6 presentation of Catechisms: Fall 2018 Stepping into the Church (Eighth Grade) Affirmation of Baptism/presentation of Bibles: June 3, 9:30 am May 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 5

6 Tuesday Morning Bible Study Every Tuesday, 10:00 am 11:00 am 322/Conference Room Presenter: Pastor James McEachran We are studying the Letter to the Hebrews with the theme: Jesus is the Way into the Truth that is Life.. For ten weeks we will be Word-Diggers seeing the connections between the First Covenant and the New Covenant. There are those who say that the old is in the new concealed and the old is in the new revealed. How do we understand and learn the ways that God s promise in God s story reaches into our lives today in Christ. Bring your favorite translation and invite a friend! Discipleship Ministries Early Sunday Morning Bible Study Second Timothy Sunday, April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29 7:15 am, 322/Conference Room Facilitators: Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen On April, Jean and Marvin wrap up their series on the Pastoral Epistles. Coffee, fruit, and sweets are provided. If you have any questions, contact Jean. We learn together. Vacation Bible School (VBS) God s Gardeners: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Respond Co-Sponsored by Saint Andrew s and Our Savior Lutheran Church (Issaquah) Vacation Bible School (VBS) Plan to join us Monday-Friday, July 9-13, 2018 for Vacation Bible School at Saint Andrew s! VBS is 9:00 am - 12:00 noon each day. This year we will offer extended care from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm. We will partner again with the congregation of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Issaquah. Classes are for 4-year-olds to youth entering 7th grade in Fall Older youth and adults are key to the success of VBS by volunteering to help with teaching, games, crafts, music, and more! Help is also needed before VBS to prepare materials. Sign up to help with an to Emily Harrow or online at If you register before July 1, the cost is $15 per student age 4 through grade 4, $25 per student in grades 5-7, or $35 family maximum. To register and/or volunteer, visit SALChome.org or check the table in the Narthex. Contact Director of Discipleship Ministries Emily Harrow, emily@salchome.org or , for more information. Extended Care Extended Care for the week of Vacation Bible School (July 9-13) is available from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm for members of Saint Andrew s. Extended care is intended for families whose parents work full time. Please refer to the extended care form in the Narthex for more information or contact Emily Harrow. Cost: $100 per child. 6 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018

7 God Squad Youth in Grades 9-12 May Youth Weekend at Holden Village Friday-Sunday, May 18-20, 2018 Cost: $100 (Scholarships available. Ask Emily Harrow for more information.) We will gather dark and early on Friday, May 18, at 4:00 am and will return late on Sunday, May 20. Please pray for this group of young people as they engage in service and build community. Discipleship Ministries GOD SQUAD is Grades 9-12 Sheep and Shepherds Families with children age Birth through Grade 5 Little Lambs Fellowship Sunday, May 13, 9:45 am, 210/Nursery Parents of children under two, please join us in 210/Nursery for fellowship on the second Sunday of each month. The youngest Sheep and Shepherds families are invited for snacks and coffee, visiting, and play time. Come for all or some of the time. Sheep and Shepherds SHEEP and SHEPHERDS are FAMILIES with kids ages birth through Grade God Squad Mission Trip Contact Emily Harrow, emily@salchome.org or , for more information. July 21-28, 2018 GOD SQUAD is Grades 9-12 This summer we will learn about the Blackfeet Nation and work with them to serve in their community in Montana. Learn more through the information packet available in the Narthex and online at highschoolmission.salchome.org. Our next Mission Trip meeting is Sunday, April 29, from 12:15 pm - 2:15 pm. Fire Force Youth in Grades 6-8 Spring Retreat We will enjoy a beautiful spring weekend at Warm Beach in FIRE FORCE is Stanwood, WA, May 4-6. We will Grades 6-8 spend time getting to know one another and learning about prayer. Please pray for this group of young people as they learn to pray and build community. For those who are signed up, completed forms and $60 are due on Sunday, April 29, to Emily or the church office. Contact Emily Harrow, emily@salchome.org or , for more information. Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to these youth who celebrate in May! Ian S...5/02 Soren L...5/03 Mikayla H...5/05 Christopher H... 5/11 Seeley L... 5/11 Isabella C...5/13 Josie M...5/13 Andrew C...5/15 Zachary A...5/20 Vishal E... 5/25 Harper S...5/26 Livi M...5/30 Jakob W...5/31 May 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 7

8 Easter... Discipleship Ministries Week-O-Fun... God Squad and Fire Force youth packed emergency food bags for Hopelink and spent a day at Family Fun Center in Tukwila Congregation Council, Committees, and Initiatives Committee Council Liaison Committee Chair Executive Scott Lester, President Art Gurtel, Vice President Stein Dolan, Secretary Joni Barrott, Treasurer Pastor McEachran Building and Property Dick Swaisgood John Nelson Communications Ben Johnson Kendra Mills Discipleship Ann Thorpe Joyce Kasper Ministries Jean Wahlstrom Beka Gordon, Youth Representative Finance Dick Szabo Brady Kasper Joni Barrott, Treasurer Health and Wholeness Vanessa Wilkie Stella Nieman Beverley Watt Karen Grams Human Resources Scott Lester Brent Hicks Outreach and Servant Ministries Marshall Erling Marlyn Thorpe Congregation Council Committee Council Liaison Committee Chair Stewardship Karen Grams Andy Hogle Jill Nichols-Hicks Worship and Liturgical Arts Pastor McEachran Sharon Gurtel Initiative Council Members Discipleship Ben Johnson Dick Swaisgood Vanessa Wilkie Beka Gordon Marshall Erling Vision Dick Szabo Scott Lester Ann Thorpe Jean Wahlstrom Building Dick Swaisgood Scott Lester Art Gurtel Stewardship Karen Grams Stein Dolan Joni Barrott Jill Nichols-Hicks 8 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018

9 At the April 9 Council Meeting... Congregation Council Pastor McEachran led worship with devotional words on Mark 6: Pastor McEachran expressed appreciation of the Leadership Transition Team: This Team is working to ministry team for Holy Week and Easter worship and prepare a path for an announcement of Pastor McEachran s activities, and of the Congregation Council for its resignation date, and to develop a plan for moving toward a leadership. He shared that the Prayer Partner Reveal on call process for a new pastor(s). They are in April 8 was rich with sharing of experiences and building communication with the Northwest Washington Synod as of relationships. He was privileged to be a part of the work progresses. The Council reviewed discussion points interview team for the Fire Chief for the City of Bellevue. and encouraged each other to pray for the Team, Pastor Pastor shared that his work with the Wilburton Gateway McEachran, the congregation, and staff as this work Citizens advisory Committee is complete, and that 250 proceeds. units of affordable housing are included in the final plans Initiatives: Four initiatives have been identified as areas for that neighborhood. of focus for the first months of 2018: discipleship, vision, New members to the congregation have been received building, and stewardship. Each Council member is in February and March. The Council accepted their committed to at least one initiative. membership: Trudi Gertis, the Brender family (Nick, The Vision initiative group is in the process of Amanda, Opal, and Walter), Anna McLeod and Ella collecting ideas, information, and resources. McLeod Cyprian, and Leslie Johnson and William Johnson. The Building initiative group is planning to work with Finance: Treasurer Joni Barrott reported that March had the Finance Committee to assess the congregation s a positive cash flow of $ year-to-date income is financial ability to support a building remodel as less than expenses, but not more than was expected. Easter currently designed. This group will also continue to offering was over $10,000. The Finance Committee is communicate with the architects. examining and revising the duties/responsibilities of the Emily Harrow was pleased with Easter breakfast and is Finance and Audit Committees for the Saint Andrew s grateful for the volunteer support she had. Preparations for Constitution. Vacation Bible School (VBS) are underway and registration Saint Andrew s Constitution Updates: Art Gurtel and is open. VBS will be held at Saint Andrew s and is cohosted by Saint Andrew s and Our Savior Lutheran in Linda Powell have been working on a constitution Bylaw revision to the Council member voting process. Issaquah. Both Fire Force (grades 6-8) and God Squad The Council voted to recommend that the (grades 9-12) have retreats in May. Week-O-Fun congregation approve the addition of a Bylaw to the activities include packing emergency food bags for Constitution which states: If fewer than the required Hopelink and going to the Family Fun Center in Tukwila. number of candidates are elected on the first ballot, Dr. Will Simpson thanked the congregation s choirs and the candidates not elected shall remain as candidates musicians for Holy Week and Easter music. He is on a second ballot. If fewer than the required number preparing music for the orchestra, who will provide of candidates are elected on the second ballot, worship music on April 29. additional ballots shall be conducted until candidates Susan Hegedus shared that the new format of bulletin for all open positions on the Congregation Council announcements debuted on Easter Sunday, April 1, and are elected; but, beginning with the third ballot, the encouraged Council members to work with their candidate receiving the least number of votes on the committees to review bulletin and newsletter preceding ballot shall be eliminated as a potential announcements. candidate and removed from the ballot. The congregation will vote on this proposed addition at the Semi-Annual meeting on Sunday, June 10. The Council voted to recommend that the congregation approve a change to section C of the Constitution. The change is to replace the term Youth Ministry Committee with Discipleship Ministries Committee. The congregation will vote on this proposed change at the Semi-Annual meeting on June 10. Packets containing reports from all committees are available in the church office; ask Office Administrator Mary Mills if you would like to see them. Minutes from Council meetings are in the office and on the Saint Andrew s website: visit May 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 9

10 Dorcas Circle orcas Fellowship, Groups, and More! ircle Dorcas Circle is about service and fellowship as we support Lutheran World Relief, Compass Housing Alliance, and other charities. Dorcas Circle meets on the first Tuesday of every month, from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon in 302/Fellowship Hall South. Our next two meetings are May 1 and June 5. Dorcas Circle welcomes help in the following ways: Donate crochet thread, embroidery thread, flat sheets, cotton, or cotton blend fabrics. Donations can be placed in the Dorcas basket in the Narthex. Cut quilting fabric into 10 1/2 squares at home and/or sew the squares together at home. Join us at our monthly meetings to assemble and sew quilts. Sewing skills are not required, and you are welcome to drop-in at any time. If you have any questions please contact Linda Willenberg. Young Adults Coordinator: Carolyn McKenna Young adults of Saint Andrew s (all who have graduated high school and older) get together for dinner at 6:30 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, either at a restaurant or at someone s home. Our next dinner is May 9 at Bento Box in Overlake. Please RSVP to Carolyn McKenna by Monday, May 7, if you plan to join us! Dorcas Circle Needs Sheets Dorcas Circle uses sheets to back quilts that we create for Lutheran World Relief. We particularly appreciate colored sheets and sheets with patterns. New sheets and used sheets in good condition may be placed in the Dorcas collection basket in the Narthex. All sizes are welcome. Please contact Linda Willenberg if you have any questions. Thank you for your support of Dorcas Circle. Linda Willenberg W.E.B.S. (Women s Evening Book Study) Wednesdays, through May 23 7:00 pm, 322/Conference Room Facilitator: Cheryl Jurrus Women s Evening Book Study is reading another book about India! Join us for lively discussion, prayer, laughter, and inspirational readings. Our book choice is Secret Daughter by Gowda. Asha, adopted out of a Mumbai orphanage, is the child that binds the destinies of two women. We follow both families, invisibly connected until Asha s journey of self-discovery leads her back to India. At W.E.B.S., we don t just read books---we delve into them, study them, apply them to our own experiences, and look for God s work in our world and our lives. We also share what s happening in our own lives, pray, discuss, share, laugh, and have fun together! All women are welcome. Contact Cheryl Jurrus, for more information. Older Wiser Lutheran Saints (O.W.L.S.) The O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser Lutheran Saints) meet (typically) on the third Tuesday of the month for a potluck lunch and interesting programs. May 15: Discard, Donate or Dollars! Find out how to declutter your office, home, garage and life with expert Katie Munoz at the May 15 O.W.L.S. luncheon. Katie, founder of Moving Forward, Inc., will have you laughing while teaching you tricks to get a handle on your stuff. Whether you re getting ready to move or just clean your closets, her humorous talk will give you the tools to take control or the process. Potluck and social begin at 11:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. No sign-up or RSVP required. Thank you to our hosts: Pat and Paul Kaald. Just come and if you can, bring a dish to share. For more information, contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, sherry@salchome.org or Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018

11 Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting The Semi-Annual meeting of the congregation will be held Sunday, June 10, at 10:45 am (following the 9:30 am worship service.) At this meeting, we will... Share notes from the Synod Gathering on June 2 Receive updates from the Leadership Transition Team and Pastor s resignation Vote on Constitution Bylaw Changes and look forward to the Annual Meeting A reminder regarding those on the Nominating Committee Receive updates on Council Initiatives (Stewardship, Discipleship, Building, Vision) Acknowledge staff Hear updates about Committees and Programming Because there are items requiring a vote, a quorum is needed, and every voice and vote counts! See you there! Fellowship, Groups, and More! Congregation Council Member Election Bylaw Changes Discussion In preparation for a vote on proposed Bylaw changes at the Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting on Sunday, June 10, Art Gurtel and Linda Powell will be facilitating a discussion on Sunday, May 27, between 9:45 am and 10:45 am in 322/Conference Room. The proposed changes being recommended to the congregation by the Congregation Council include a new Bylaw which modifies the Council member election procedures and a committee name wording change. The proposed new Bylaw is intended to eliminate lengthy multiple ballot elections. If interested and available, please join Art and Linda in 322/Conference Room on May 27. Saint Andrew s is Reading Books about India! Everyone is invited to read a book about India! W.E.B.S. (Women s Evening Book Study) and the Outreach Committee have a list of recommended books about India. There is a poster and handouts in the Narthex about these books. Everyone is invited to choose a book, read it, and begin a conversations with others. Learn more about India and make connections with people at Saint Andrew s! The suggested books are: The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar Two women (employer and maid) in Bombay and the bonds they share. The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda In India in 1984, destitute Kavita secretly carries her newborn daughter to an orphanage to save her from being killed. She is adopted by a family in California and eventually finds a way back to her birth country. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy Family saga, forbidden love story, and piercing political drama, lush, lyrical, and unnerving. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri Indian family immigrates to US, clash of cultures, assimilation, traditions from Calcutta. Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry Set in Bombay in the mid-1990s, Family Matters tells a story of familial love and obligation, of personal and political corruption, of the demands of tradition and the possibilities for compassion. Sold by Patricia McCormick An unforgettable account of sexual slavery as it exists today. The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright A child living in poverty in India is kidnapped, placed in an orphanage, and adopted by a family in the U.S. It is a true story, and the boy grows up and searches for his identity. The Golden Son by Shilpi Somaya Gowda A glimpse of what life might be like for someone arriving in America from a small Indian village. Parental expectations clashing with personal hopes and dreams. Look for the poster in the Narthex. Sign up for the book you are reading to begin conversaiont! May 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 11

12 Pushing the Envelope... for Montana The 2018 God Squad Mission Team is Pushing the Envelope for Montana during the month of May! Help them reach this fundraising goal of $5,050. You can support the team by purchasing envelopes displayed on the bulletin board in the Narthex beginning Sunday, May 6. The team will offer 100 envelopes for purchase, numbered You pay the number on the outside of the envelope. Want to donate $30? Grab envelope #30! Did someone beat you to it? Grab the #28 and #2 envelopes! Alternatively, you may split a large numbered envelope with another congregation member. When all the envelopes are purchased, we will raise $5,050! Thank you for supporting our students in mission as they prepare to serve and learn on the Blackfeet Reservation this July. Saint Andrew s Ambassadors The church has adopted an Emergency Operations Plan. As part of that, we are looking for volunteers for a new Sunday Server position: Ambassador. The job description is to keep a watchful presence in the Narthex during services, and to be helpful hosts (where is the bathroom, etc.). Training provided. Please contact Facilities Manager Kurt Lutterman for more information, kurt@salchome.org. Become part of our Fellowship and Family! The Saint Andrew s congregation is a faith community powered by a belief that God s love offers us a chance to do amazing service through many activities and volunteer opportunities. Our extended family provides ongoing fellowship for all ages. For more information on how to join, contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, or sherry@salchome.org. Tuesday Morning Men Every Tuesday 6:30 am 7:30 am, Room 212 Facilitator: Dick Swaisgood Join Saint Andrew s men as they gather for coffee, conversation, some prayer, and early morning snacks at 6:30 am each Tuesdays. Questions? Contact Dick Swaisgood. Fellowship, Groups, and More! Graduates!! Each year, we like to recognize those who are graduating from high school and college, and note what their plans are for the next chapter of their lives. Please let us know! Send the information about your graduate to Communications Specialist Susan Hegedus, susan@salchome.org or , by Monday, May 14 to be included in the next issue of the VOICE. All Church Retreat 2018 Mark your calendars! Our annual All Church Retreat is Friday-Sunday, August 17-19, 2018, at Mt. Rainier National Park! For those who do not wish to tent camp, we recommend reserving an RV spot at Cougar Rock Campground or a room at the National Park Inn at Longmire, mtrainierguestservices.com/accommodations/national-parkinn/. Reservations should be made as soon as possible. For information on Cougar Rock Campground go to: Holden Village -- July 2018 Agroup from Saint Andrew s is going to Holden Village this summer (July 15-20, 2018)! Over 40 folks are signed up to go for fellowship, great food (homemade bread), hiking in the mountains, well-planned day programs for children and youth, Bible study and special interest forums, crafts and pottery, worship each evening, pool and bowling, outstanding ice cream and popcorn, and unexpected hilarity!! If you are interested in being a part of this trip, contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, or sherry@salchome.org, to get put on the waiting list. Holden Village is a year-round Lutheran Christian center in the North Cascade mountains. For more information, visit Memorial Garden Vases Saint Andrew s has vases available for use in our Memorial Garden. The plastic vases are stored in a waterproof tub just behind the Columbarium wall. The vases have a stake on them, and can be pushed into the rocks or dirt in front of the engravings on the wall. The vases can hold a few flowers, a small bunch, or flags. Once the flowers have passed their prime, they will be removed and the vase returned to the tub for its next use. If you have any questions, please contact Facilities Manager Kurt Lutterman, or kurt@ salchome.org Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018

13 Zzzz s... Health and Wholeness by Dr. Vanessa Wilkie, N.D. How many of us have counted down the minutes until our work lunch break, just to escape to our cars and take a brief nap to regenerate for our afternoon duties? If you re nodding your head, chances are you ve experienced this. Coupled with the desire for mid-day snoozes is the inability to fall asleep in the evenings to prepare for the coming day. This never-ending cycle is perpetuated by our (un)intentional neglect to our body s desires to get a good quality sleep. In my practice, when anyone comes to me with new concerns, I always focus on what I like to refer to as the pillars of health, and one of those is sleep. In order for our bodies to work optimally during the day, we need to have detoxed and healed from the previous day s comings and goings. This can only happen if we sleep enough hours with good quality. The two main hormones that control sleep are melatonin and cortisol, and work in opposite ways. Melatonin should be high at nighttime, whereas cortisol levels are desired to be low. As natural light decreases, this signals our melatonin level to increase, thus promoting sleepiness and the winding down period that happens before bedtime. Cortisol is known in part to be the hormone of stress; as most of us know, when we try to go to bed after an argument or a stressful event, it takes a longer while to come down and be prepared for sleep. This is because our cortisol levels have been pushed higher, where they should be optimally lowered. There are a few things that we could do to promote what we define as sleep hygiene: We want to keep our rooms darkened. This means drawing window coverings, eliminating flashing lights, and most of all, keeping our cell phones off. Melatonin rises with darkness, so if we fiddle on our phones in hopes of creating sleepiness, we are actually doing ourselves more harm than good, by telling our bodies that we are in daytime. Creating a clean and hygienic sleeping environment will lower cortisol levels. Positive smells, such as freshly laundered sheets and lavender sachets under pillows, can decrease cortisol levels and help promote falling and staying asleep. Additionally, cleaning the surface of your mattress with baking soda monthly can help with drawing out moisture. Just let it sit for several hours, then vacuum out the excess baking soda. In addition, there are a few herbs and supplements that have been known to help with the process of falling and staying asleep. A few of these include melatonin, herbs from the mint family (catnip, lemon balm, peppermint,) magnolia tree bark and ashwagandha. As with any supplement, if you are on prescription medications, please talk to your healthcare provider before starting any of these, as contraindications do exist. Listen to your body when it tells you it wants some time, because odds are, it s telling you for a reason, and sleep is one of the most important things you should pay attention to. KnitWits (Knitting as Witnesses) Saint Andrew s KnitWits (Knitting as Witnesses) is a fellowship group whose primary mission is to provide items of comfort that are knit or crocheted. Their on-going projects include prayer shawls, baptismal blankets, lapghans, baby blankets, chemo caps, hats, wash cloths, sweaters, and scarves. The work of the KnitWits hands keeps many people warm and reminds them that someone cares. KnitWits meets once a month on a Sunday. ALL are welcome to join at any time! Their next meeting is Sunday, May 13, at 9:45 am in 322/Conference Room. Dianne Chong is the KnitWits Coordinator. Parish Nurse Hours Tuesdays, Room :00 am - 1:00 pm Blood Pressure Screening Sunday, May 6 9:30 am - 10:30 am, in Room 212 Healing Prayer Stations for individual prayer Sunday, May 20, during Holy Communion Blood Pressure Screening Come for BLOOD PRESSURES to be taken the first Sunday of each month. Health care professionals will take your blood pressure and discuss concerns. Location: Room 212 (the former library). Do let us help YOU be healthier. May 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 13

14 Our Core Ministries... Core Outreach Ministries of Saint Andrew s are specific areas of ministry which congregation members are most involved in with various resources, including time, expertise, and financial resources. Our Core Outreach Ministries fall into five categories: ~ Affordable Housing/Homelessness ~ Hunger ~ Christian Education non-profits ~ Local Ministries ~ Global Missions The members of the Outreach and Servant Ministries Committee are: Joyce Arnold, Marshall Erling (Council Liaison), Dave Marcrander, Pastor McEachran, George Miller, Becca Piel, Debbie Szabo, Dick Szabo, Marlyn Thorpe (Chair), and Jean Wahlstrom. Ministry Prayer Focus Outreach and Servant Ministries Each month, as a congregation, we pray for one of the ministries we support and partner with, in the world and in our community. In May, we ll pray for Lutheran World Relief (LWR), an organization that works with local partners to provide lasting solutions to poverty, injustice and human suffering. They focus on two main areas: agriculture and emergency operations. They work to improve the lives of millions of small-scale farmers and their families, helping them adapt to and mitigate the effects of changing weather and environmental conditions. Their emergency operations often go on for years after the initial disaster, helping communities cope with and recover from emergencies in ways that promote lasting improvements in people s living conditions. Saint Andrew s supports the mission of LWR with donations of quilts and Personal Care Kits, through sales of Fairly Traded Coffee and Chocolate, and through support of farmers families in Bihar, India. Learn more at and Bridge Disability Ministries Dinner Becomes a Media Event We need you at the Bridge Disability Ministries Dinner here at Saint Andrew s on Sunday, May 6. Bill Munson, the Spiritual Connections Coordinator, recently ed us that a camera crew from PBS will be filming the dinner for the series, Visionaries, hosted by Sam Waterston. Visionaries produces and distributes media that inspires people and communities to make positive social change. Learn more at We gather at 3:30 pm to welcome our Bridge Ministries guests. We need volunteers in the kitchen, greeting people, and just participating. Sign up in the Narthex or contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, sherry@ salchome.org or LifeWire Gala and Auction Lifewire invites everyone to its World of Hope Gala and Auction on Saturday, May 5, to benefit survivors of domestic violence and their children in our community. It will be held at the Meydenbauer Center, NE 6th Street, Bellevue, beginning at 5:00 pm with a reception and silent auction. Dinner and live auction begins at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $200. For information contact Samantha, extension 249 or samanthart@lifewire.org. Baskets of Promise Outreach The Baskets of Promise program, sponsored by the Health and Wholeness Ministry Committee, helps to fill the Personal Care Kits that are sent to Lutheran World Relief (LWR). The kits are sent to areas of the world where an emergency has occurred and people are left with very little. The kits supply basic items for survival. Our goal this year is to fill 150 kits. You can help us reach that goal by donating the following items. Items donated by April 29 will be included in our spring shipment that will be sent out in early May. bath towels (light-weight, maximum size 52 x 27, dark color) bars of soap (4-5 ounces in original packaging) toothbrushes (adult sized, in original packaging combs (large, sturdy; please no picks ) nail clippers (metal, attached file optional) Donations can be placed in the basket near the elevator in the Narthex Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018

15 Food of the Month - May Early in the year, Hopelink asked us to collect size 6 diapers because they were in desperate need. They were getting a delivery from Eastside Baby Corner (EBC) every two weeks, but they would be gone in 3 days. So, in February we collected a total of 948 size 6 diapers. This really helped. Now for at least the next three months they won t be getting any size 6 diapers from EBC. So, the need is even greater now and they have asked if we could collect these again. So, for May we will be collecting: Size 6 diapers Baby Food GiveBIG Boxtops for Education Outreach and Servant Ministries GiveBIG is Wednesday, May 9. Sponsored by the Seattle Foundation, this is a one-day online giving event to raise funds for nonprofit organizations serving our area. Saint Andrew s supports several of the nonprofits participating in GiveBIG... Compass Housing Alliance Congregations for the Homeless Eastside Baby Corner Eastside Legal Assistance Program Friends of Youth Hopelink Imagine Housing Lifelong LifeWire Lutheran Community Services Northwest Pacific Lutheran University Samaritan Center of Puget Sound The Sophia Way University of Washington Campus Ministry Any matching funds that these organizations have arranged can increase the impact of individual donations. To donate, visit givebigseattle.org on or before May 9. In December 2016 Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen volunteered for a month at the Navajo Lutheran Mission (NELM) in Rock Point, Arizona, an ELCA project. The Mission School has asked if Saint Andrew s would participate in this easy way to secure needed school supplies and equipment. Please cut out and bring those little coupons found on various food containers (General Mills products and others). Collect and put them in the envelope attached to the bulletin board in the Narthex, labeled BOX TOPS. These small coupons really add up to enable these children to get a better education!! To learn more, visit Collections Dorcas Circle, Health and Wholeness Ministry, and Outreach and Servant Ministries welcome your contributions for Lutheran World Relief, Compass Housing Alliance, and Congregations for the Homeless. Lists of needed items are in the baskets near the elevator in the Narthex. Donations can be placed in the same baskets. Be a Driver for Chicken Soup Brigade Saint Andrew s is a distribution hub for weekly deliveries of meals for Chicken Soup Brigade (Lifelong). Meals and groceries are picked up at Saint Andrew s on Thursdays and delivered to homebound chronically ill individuals on the Eastside, providing them with needed nourishment. The delivery window is 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday afternoons with around 2 to 4 stops. The total delivery time is usually about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Additional volunteers are always welcomed. Choose to be a driver in the rotation or to be a substitute driver and cover weeks where regular volunteers are on vacation. Training provided. If you are interested in serving in this way, contact Outreach and Servant Ministries committee chair Marlyn Thorpe. Volunteer with The Sophia Way The Sophia Way assists women from homelessness to independence. They have an overnight shelter for 22 women to sleep, a Day Center that is open to drop-ins, job search, casework, and an office. The Sophia Way helps homeless women journey toward independence and a home of their own. Volunteers are needed at the Day Center (on the lower level of St. Luke s Lutheran Church, 3032 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue) to sort donated items they receive, and to help ensure the women there have the clothing they need. To volunteer or for more information, contact their volunteer coordinator Tara, The Sophia Way welcomes donations of clothing, personal items, food, and other essentials. A current list of needed items can be found at org/immediate-needs/. Drop off your donations at Sophia s Place (on the lower level of St. Luke s Lutheran Church) from 8:00 am - 11:00 am and 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm. Meals are also needed; visit donate-meals/ to sign up or for more information. Contact Joyce Arnold for more information.. May 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 15

16 Outreach and Servant Ministries ~ Global Imagine Housing Volunteer Opportunities Imagine Housing is seeking volunteers with daytime availability to support our residents! We need 3 volunteers to help transport donations of kids items from Eastside Baby Corner (in Issaquah) to our Kirkland, Bellevue, and Issaquah communities on Thursday mornings. We also need 3 volunteers on Fridays to transport food boxes from Hopelink in Kirkland to our Kirkland residents who are unable to travel to the food bank on their own. Are you interested in getting more involved in directly supporting Imagine Housing residents, or know someone who might want to get involved? Contact Kathryn, kathrynj@imaginehousing.org or extension 17, for more information or to sign up. Thank you for everything you do for our residents! We are grateful for your partnership and support. Tanzania Funding for MGLSS and University Students MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School (MGLSS) is located on the outskirts of a Monduli, Tanzania, a village about 45 kilometers from Arusha. It is a project of The Diocese in Arusha Region of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania and Operation Bootstrap Africa. The school opened in This residential school for daughters of the Maasai and other semi-nomadic people supports girls education. Today, over 300 girls from impoverished backgrounds are part of this nurturing, supportive educational community. In a Tanzanian girl s life, education makes all the difference. Many MGLSS students rely on scholarship funds to pay for their education. Several individuals and groups at Saint Andrew s contribute to scholarships of these students. Graduates of MGLSS who continue their education also need scholarship support. If you would like to sponsor a student, contact the church office. However, ANY donation amount is welcome at any time, as these scholarships are needed every year. Contributions can be made by check to Saint Andrew s with MGLSS Scholarship or MGLSS Post-Secondary Scholarship in the memo line. All funds are collected and forwarded to OPERATION BOOTSTRAP AFRICA (OBA). You can also contribute directly to OBA online, or by mail. For more information about MGLSS and the young women who are being educatated there, contact Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen. Bihar, India Project Bihar/Lutheran World Relief Bihar is a global mission field which is engaging us in significant, multi-year outreach in Northeastern India as part of a sponsored mission through Lutheran World Relief (LWR). The goals are agricultural improvements, year-round food security for the family, empowering women in the community, and increasing incomes for families. Our involvement will be with nine congregations throughout the United States, including three Washington congregations (The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Olympia; Trinity Lutheran Church, Freeland; and Saint Andrew s). Saint Andrew s has a Project Bihar/LWR working group that has defined three major components in our mission: communication, engagement and giving. If you are interested in joining our Project Bihar/LWR Working Group contact Marlyn Thorpe. Project Bihar Prayer Bookmarks You will notice Project Bihar Prayer bookmarks in your hymnals. Use them in the hymnals and/or take them home and pray for the highlighted family and their community. Thank you for praying and blessing each of these Bihar, India families. Remember in prayer this continuing outreach ministry. Contributions can be made to Saint Andrew s with Bihar-LWR in the memo line. Learn more at Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018

17 Congregation Collaborations Saint Andrew s is in relationship with our Synod and area congregations! Here are some of the ways we are collaborating with other Lutherans in our community: Pulpit Exchange: On Sunday, May 13, Saint Andrew s and Our Savior Lutheran will exchange Pastors. Pastor McEachran will preside and preach at Our Savior; Pastor Telyea will be at Saint Andrew s. Vacation Bible School: Saint Andrew s and Our Savior Lutheran are teaming up to host Vacation Bible School (VBS): July 9-13, See page 6. Timber Ridge Worship Gatherings: Saint Andrew s and Our Savior Lutheran have members who live at Timber Ridge. Members of both congregations are invited to worship gatherings. Imagine Housing Project at Saint Luke s Lutheran: Sixty-three units of affordable housing will be built by Imagine Housing on property at Saint Luke s Lutheran (3030 Bellevue Way NE). Half of the units are designated for the homeless; 20% for the disabled. Groundbreaking was December 12. Synod Gathering at Saint Andrew s Who Is My Neighbor? NW Washington Synod Gatherings June 2 at Saint Andrew s, Bellevue OR June 9 at Bethlehem, Marysville 8:30 am - 4:30 pm In lieu of a traditional Synod Assembly business meeting, we will gather for conversation, learning, worship, and engagement around the theme, "Who is My Neighbor?" There will be three forum times featuring 16+ topics to help us discover and explore what it means to be a neighbor. There is no limit on the number of attendees per congregation, so we encourage you to send as many members as possible. The two events will be nearly identical, so choose the date and location that works best for you. Forum topics range from global music to earth ministry; from congregational hospitality to community partnerships; from listening to leadership; from human trafficking to being ally and advocate for our neighbors of different color, orientation, economic status, faith, or nationality. More information may be found at Cost is $40/person, includes materials & lunch. Registration will be open April 2 - May 15. May 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 17

18 May 2018 For current information, visit and click on the Calendar link Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday th Ave SE Bellevue, WA Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA May 2018