I believe that by my own reason and strength, I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord or come to him. Martin Luther

Transcription

1 , Saint Andrews LUTHERAN CHURCH the VOICE November 2017 Along the Way I believe that by my own reason and strength, I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord or come to him. Martin Luther What s By mid-october, we all sense the times are changing. And with the falling leaves, the chill, the rain and the wind, we are called into a time which continues to remind us that inside... we are in the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation. And the familiar words that become the Along the Way... 1 confessional clarity of those called Lutheran. Calendar But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and Congregation Council sanctified and preserved me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies Discipleship the whole Christian church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true Ministries faith. Fellowship, Groups, Grace, Faith, Scripture = Christ alone! And that entire focus is the work of the Holy Spirit. and I believe but the Holy Spirit, calls, gathers, enlightens. Pause and sense the missional Health and Wholeness direction of the Church we share in this place. Ministry I often share that we live our lives out of the center. It was the genius of Pastor Don Ministry Team Clinton and our Charter Members that the church would be in the round. In those days Outreach and Servant there was no instant access to media, and most communication happened by what we call Ministries snail mail. Slow, but sure. Pastoral Care Pastor Clinton kept reminding the Board of American Missions of the United Pathways to Renewal... 4 Lutheran Church in America that they were working with a Northwest architectural design. No A-Frames which was the fate of most new congregations out west. It was Reflections... 5 his sense that the Table of the Lord was the place of nourishment for a people witnessing Reformation to Christ and building a church in Eastgate. Serving in Our Community In this Christian church he daily and abundantly forgives all my sins, and the sins of Sunday Servers all believers, and on the last day he will raise me and all the dead and will grant eternal Thank You... 5 life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Worship and Liturgical Arts is becoming a time at the end of the Church Year---Reformation, All Saints, Christ the King. Soon and very soon, Advent and the promise that He is coming soon and just at the right time. For the time being, Jesus comes to us in Word and Sacrament. Worship is the center of Sunday our lives in Christ. Worship With thanks for Martin Luther and his Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostle s 8:30 am and 11:00 am Creed. His Small Catechism is a first responder in every time. Or, as he would write: This is most certainly true. Discipleship Hour See you in church and at in the Pathways Hub. 9:45 am 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. Time Change Remember to Fall Back! We return to Standard Time on All Saints Sunday, November 5. Set your clocks BACK one hour before going to bed on November 4. a G h t r e.. E. n c o u r a g e... E q u i S p... e n... d

2 Worship and Liturgical Arts Worship Texts November 5 Revelation 7:9-17 Psalm 34:1-10, 22 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12 November 12 Amos 5:18-24 Psalm 70 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 November 19 Zephaniah 1:7, Psalm 90: Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30 November 26 Ezekiel 34:11-16, Psalm 95:1-7a Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 Saint Andrew s Concert Series The Emmaus Trio Candle Light Concert December 2, 7:00 pm Bells of the Sound December 17, 4:00 pm Jazz Quartet February 11, 4:00 pm Will Simpson, piano, and Leslie Johnson, viola March 25, 4:00 pm The Emmaus Trio with Leslie Johnson, viola May 20, 4:00 pm Worship Service Captioning November 5, 11:00 am November 19, 11:00 am Music Rehearsal Times Chancel Choir Thursdays, 7:00 pm Handbell Choir Tuesdays, 7:00 pm The Saint Andrew s Concert Series begins with two Advent/Christmas concerts. All concerts are FREE and open to the public. Invite a friend! The Emmaus Trio: Candle Light Concert Friday, December 2, 7:00 pm As we approach the Advent/Christmas Season, the season can bring happiness, joy and promise. The season can also bring stress, and plenty of it. Many forces can pull at us. Time out, reboot! Join us Friday, December 2, at 7:00 pm for an evening of Mozart, Piazzola, Rutter, and Christmas favorites, played by the Emmaus Trio in the Sanctuary lit by candle light. Relax to an hour of beautiful music in a peaceful and spiritual setting. Reset your yourself and enjoy music that will feed your soul and mind. Mozart s Piano Trio in B-flat, two of Piazzola s Tangos, and several Christmas pieces make for a refreshing evening and start to the Advent season. A beautiful reception will follow in 301/Fellowship Hall. The Emmaus Trio is Karin Islip, violin; Lauren Root, cello; and Dr. Will Simpson, piano. Bells of the Sound: Peace on Earth Sunday, December 17, 4:00 pm eace on earth, goodwill to men! was the message the angels brought to the Pshepherds in the fields on that first Christmas Eve. This is the very essence of the Christmas spirit that fills us this time of year. Bells of the Sound will share this message as they present Peace on Earth, featuring traditional carols and songs of peace from around the world. Please join us on this goodwill journey to ring in the holiday spirit! Bells of the Sound is not your typical handbell choir. Under the direction of Shirley Lindberg, this talented group of musicians is a dynamic force in the handbell world - encouraging composers to create new works and advancing this exciting instrument into the mainstream of entertainment. They perform on one of the largest sets of handbells and chimes in the country. Visit for more information. Saint Andrew s member Vanessa Wilkie is a member of Bells of the Sound. Ushers Needed! Take a plunge into something new and try ushering. No experience needed, and training is provided. Signup sheets are on the bulletin board in the Narthex pick your date! Questions? Contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, sherry@salchome.org or Supper will be Served Advent mid-week worship services begin Wednesday, December 6. Join us at 6:15 pm, prior to the 7:00 pm service, for fellowship and a soup-andbread supper. The mid-week sessions are December 6, December 13, and December 20. Pastor Paul Hoffman is our devotional leader for these services. 2 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

3 Timber Ridge Worship Gathering Several members of Saint Andrew s live at Timber Ridge in Issaquah. Worship gatherings at Timber Ridge are planned; the next gathering is Wednesday, October 25, at 1:30 pm. Pastor McEachran and Pastor Wes Telyea from Our Savior Lutheran Church in Issaquah will lead worship. All are invited (members and friends of Saint Andrew s - whether you live at Timber Ridge or not!); inquire at the front desk to Timber Ridge when you arrive and they will direct you to the specific room location. Communion Bread Everyone is invited to bake bread used in the Eucharist on Sunday mornings. You can sign up online for a specific Sunday. The sign-up through December is now available. Links to the sign-up website and to the recipe for Luther Bread are both on the Saint Andrew s website; go to and scroll down to Bake Communion Bread. Contact coordinator Jill Nichols-Hicks for more information. Worship and Liturgical Arts Flowers The flower chart for 2018 will be posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex beginning November 5. Please take a moment to reserve your Sunday. Children s Choir Calling all students in kindergarten through middle school! You are invited to join us for Children s Choir as we prepare to sing on December 17 at both worship services. This is a great opportunity for you to be a very important part of our worship service that day. Plan to join us; we need your voice! Rehearsals are Sundays, November 19, November 26, December 3, and December 10, all from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Contact Children s Choir Director Erin Simpson for more information or to let her know of your interest. Welcome and Worship with Children There are a variety of tools to welcome children in worship. These tools 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. A worship summary form for all ages is printed in the bulletin. National Lutheran Choir Concert Recap and Thank You At the September 29 concert of the National Lutheran Choir, $15, was collected and will be matched by travel TV host Rick Steves to share equally with Imagine Housing and Compass Housing Alliance. From Pastor Kristy Daniels at Church of Steadfast Love at Compass Housing Alliance, to all who attended and donated: Thank you for your generous support of Compass Housing Alliance (and Imagine Housing) through your participation in the Reformation Event at St. Mark s Cathedral on September 29. What a beautiful event, many have told me that the music is still resounding in their ears and hearts. Thanks to everyone who made it such a great evening. The musicians, volunteers, hosts, everyone was so gracious and welcoming. Luther would be proud that you preformed your vocations so well! Your generosity has made a huge impact for those that we serve. Thank you and may your lives be filled with uplifting and beautiful music even as we work together for an end to homelessness. A donor base of individuals, congregations (including Saint Andrew s), institutions, and corporations raised $18,175 to make it possible for the concert to be offered as a free event and benefit. From Pastor Paul Hoffman, Chair of the Concert Steering Committee, to Saint Andrew s: Without your generous gift in sponsorship of the National Lutheran Choir, the beautiful concert we all enjoyed on Friday evening would not have been possible. thank you for your leadership in making this Reformation 500 benefit concert for Imagine Housing and compass Housing Alliance possible. As of this writing, the offering is right at the $15,000 mark, not counting the amazing Rick Steves match. We hope you will join us in celebrating the boost that this will be to the ministries of these two fine organizations and the children of God that they support. November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 3

4 Pa hways to Renewal Discipleship Ministry Building Pathways to Renewal athways to Renewal is our theme that serves to ground our Pmission forward in discipleship, ministry and planned initiatives, including a future capital campaign that will inform our commitment to a building remodel project. Discipleship: There is opportunity for engagement with committees, groups and the mission of this church and investment in Christ s work. This engagement is what stewardship and discipleship are all about. The Discipleship Ministries Committee includes Joyce Kasper (Chair), Emily Harrow (Director of Discipleship Ministries), Marshall Erling (Council Liaison), Emily Andresen (Youth Council Representative), Beth Donahoe, Stephanie Lester, Sonja Feldman, Jessica Allen, Janan Twito, and Mary Davis. Ministry: We have engaged a consultant - the Joshua Group - to work to develop a vision of Strategic and Transition Planning for Saint Andrew s. The Joshua Process will serve as a map for us in defining our strategic vision, where we want to go as a congregation, as well as inform our next steps in pastoral transition and ministry. Your engagement and participation are encouraged. The first tool, the Mission Assessment Profile (MAP) survey, is a critical element in guiding us forward. Joshua Group consultants will be at Saint Andrew s on Thursday, October 26, for the MAP Interpretation and on Friday-Saturday, October 27-28, for the Listening Interviews with individuals and groups. A Purpose Mapping Team has been formed to guide the Joshua Process. Members of this team are: Bill Brueggemann, Brent Hicks, Dana Nasby, Lois Nelson, Steve Gustafson, John Andresen, and Jessica Allen. Building: Congregation leadership is taking the next steps in informing and educating the congregation on our proposed building remodel. We will lay the foundation for preparing for a congregation vote on a capital campaign, but not without your help, questions and engagement. Room 212 has become the Pathways Hub with information about this path, including display boards with drawings from VIA Architecture. The building remodel team includes Lucy Sannes (Chair), Guy Feldman, Judy Gowdy, Dick Lee, Stephanie Lester, Pastor McEachran, John Nelson, and Dick Swaisgood. Pathways Hub (Room 212): The Pathways Hub is a center for conversation and to share questions and insights...we invite everyone to take advantage of the opportunity. We re excited about this new theme in discipleship, ministry and foundation building and how Christ will guide us on our Pathways to Renewal in Him. Questions can be directed to Congregation Council President Scott Lester. Opportunity for Additional Input: Interviews Here s your chance to offer additional input on the life and vision for our Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church Congregation! The Joshua Group (Pastors Jim Weckworth and Tom Jolivette) will be engaged in interviewing congregation members throughout the days and into the evenings of October 27 and October 28 (Friday and Saturday, respectively). The Purpose Mapping Team, consisting of seven Saint Andrew s congregation members (Bill Brueggemann, Brent Hicks, Jessica Allen, John Andresen, Dana Nasby, Steve Gustafson, and Lois Nelson), is at work contacting members to participate in these 30-minute interview sessions. If you feel called to offer your voice to this process, please contact Brent Hicks or Bill Brueggemann to schedule an interview. Thank you. 4 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

5 .... on Remembering Reflections.... by Lowell Arneson Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was a military doctor in the Canadian army, who early in the First World War, was assigned to an expeditionary force in Ypres, Belgium. Shortly, a friend and fellow officer was killed, and Dr. McCrae personally conducted his burial service, and saw him buried in the nearby cemetery at Flanders. Flanders was known for its prodigious growth of wild poppies. The next day, sitting in the rear of an ambulance looking out over the cemetery and his friend s grave, he wrote the poem In Flanders Fields: In Flanders Fields the poppies grow Between the crosses row on row. That mark our place; and in the sky The larks still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amid the guns below. The poem continues and essentially says, We are the dead, short days ago we lived... and now we lie In Flanders Fields. The War came to an end with the signing of an Armistice Agreement in 1918, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month 11AM, November 11, Each of the countries which had been members of the Allied Forces would make November 11 th a memorial holiday in their own manner. In Flanders Fields would be read ceremoniously at all Armistice events, and the red poppy became the symbol. In the U.S., Armistice Day evolved into Veterans Day, which now honors all veterans of all wars. In Canada, Dr. McCrae s homeland, Armistice Day evolved into what is the Day of Remembrance. I think that is one of the most beautiful holiday names anyone could come up with a Day of Remembrance! When you think about it, aren t all holidays really days of remembrance? Our monuments, plaques, and holidays call us less to celebrate than to remember. Memories and our ability to remember have to be one of God s greatest gifts to us. That is why it is so hard to watch loved ones and others lose their memory and their memories. Not all memories are good, of course, but it is still good for us to not totally forget or ignore or deny the bad. If you are a bit older, you may have noticed that over time, we do tend to remember the good, and less of the bad. We re just wired that way. This Veteran s Day, if some vets are out selling red poppies where you are, maybe it would be worth your while (and a donation) to get a red poppy to wear that day. Maybe someone who doesn t know the story will ask about it, and give you a chance to tell the story. Or not... but you can keep the poppy and the memory. Scripture has literally hundreds of admonitions to remember, remember, remember. Do not forget! Do not forget! Jesus, remember me. Do this in remembrance of me. Remember the Lord and His covenant with you. I thank God for all my memories, and especially my ability to still remember them. Think about yours. It is a treasure! Thank You Meal Support Thank You! For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35 In October Saint Andrew s had the honor of feeding and serving 35 men from the Congregations for the Homeless (CFH) shelter. There were over 50 volunteers this year including three Girl Scout troops, our God Squad and Fire Force youth, new volunteers and volunteers serving multiple times. This truly is a special opportunity that demonstrates faith and love not only to our Maker but to our fellow man as well. The men of CFH so appreciate and are touched by this act of fellowship and the volunteers are also blessed in the sharing of the meal with this community of men. I would like to give a Huge thank you to our volunteers: Joni Barrott, Sonja Feldman, Cheryl Jurrus, Pat Kaald, Krystal Kaald Bevel, Jean Wahlstrom, Marvin Kananen, Dave and Sherry Grindeland, Judi and George Miller, Ann Thorpe, Carl and Ingeborg Nims and Ingeborg s friend, Joyce and John Nelson, the Carmichael Family, our God Squad and Fire Force Youth, Dick and Debbie Szabo, the Health and Wholeness Ministry Committee, Stella Nieman, Janell Erickson, Dennis and Susan Hegedus, Claudia Browers, Dave Holzboog, Veda Moretti, Tom and Bev Anderson, Mark and Marlyn Thorpe, Susie Carney, James Carney, Gina Perez, Trudy Holly and their Girl Scout troop, Shermin Jaffer and Caroline Smith and Girl Scout troop 40085, and Taya Montgomery and her Girl Scout troop, and others unnamed who volunteers invited. Marlyn Thorpe, Outreach and Servant Ministries Chair November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 5

6 What Would Luther Do? Reformation 500 is the 500th anniversary of when Martin Luther wrote the Ninety-five 2017 Theses, challenging the practice of the Catholic Church with respect to indulgences. Luther sent the Theses to Albert of Brandenburg, the Archbishop of Mainz, on October 31, 1517, a date now commemorated annually as Reformation Day. Luther may have also posted the Theses on the door of All Saints Church, Wittenberg, probably in mid-november. There are several opportunities to mark this occasion, here at Saint Andrew s and in our community. Prepare to be fascinated, entertained and educated! Dr. Samuel Torvend, Professor of Religion at Pacific Lutheran University, will present a program about Luther and the Hungry Poor at Saint Andrew s on Saturday, October 21, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Dr. Torvend s book, an original and important reconstruction of the emergence of Luther s and the early Reformation church s response to the poor, gathers fragments from across Luther s early writings. Dr. Torvend finds that Luther s concern emerged early in his career, centered around hunger and the hungry poor, and was deeply rooted in his encounter with the Bible and with the sacramental character of the local church. If college classes were as much fun as Dr. Torvend s seminars, we would all still be in school. Dr. Samuel Torvend Please plan to join us for the session which will include plenty of coffee and treats and a light lunch. Sign up by contacting Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, sherry@salchome.org or W.E.B.S. (Women s Evening Book Study) Wednesdays, through November 15 7:00 pm, 322/Conference Room Facilitator: Cheryl Jurrus Join us for our Fall book selection Katharina Luther: Nun, Rebel, Wife by Anne Boileau. Learn about Luther s wife: her childhood, time at the convent, life as an ex-nun, and wife. It is based on historical facts and is timed to help us commemorate the 2017 Reformation Anniversary. We meet Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm and end promptly at 8:30 pm. Our Fall Session is October 4 - November 15. W.E.B.S. is the Women s Evening Book Study of Saint Andrew 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, attend plays and concerts, and get together for lunch or dinner occasionally. We pray, discuss, share, laugh, and have fun together! All women are welcome. Contact Cheryl Jurrus for more information. Tuesday Morning Men Every Tuesday 6:30 am 7:30 am, Room 212 Facilitator: Dave Marcrander All Saint Andrew s Men (SAM) are welcome to join us every Tuesday morning for study, faith growth, prayer, and conversation. We are studying Galatians, using a commentary written by Martin Luther. After Galatians, we will return to our Reformation focus for the remaining Tuesdays leading to the 500th anniversary. Please join us on Tuesday mornings at 6:30 am in Room 212, just outside the sanctuary. ALL MEN ARE WELCOME! Congregation Reformation Lunch Because of multiple activities, please note that the congregation lunch, scheduled for October 29, has been canceled. 6 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

7 Reformation Celebrations in Our Community An Evening with Rick Steves & Martin Luther Saturday, October 21, 6:00 pm Saint Luke s Lutheran Church, 3030 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue Saint Luke s is hosting travel guru Rick Steves and his documentary, Luther and the Reformation. Dessert and childcare included. A free-will offering will benefit Imagine Housing. Please RSVP to the church office, Oktoberfest hosted by Queen Anne Lutheran Church Sunday, October 22, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Queen Anne Beer Hall, Seattle Queen Anne Lutheran Church, will be hosting an Oktoberfest, complete with Luther trivia and a short presentation on Luther and Beer by Pastor Erik Samuelson. One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: Solemn Vespers on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation Sunday, October 29, 3:00 pm St. James Cathedral, 9th and Marion, Seattle On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther placed 95 theses or propositions questioning the Church s use of indulgences on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. That act is considered the flash point for the Protestant Reformation. The 500th anniversary observance is an opportunity for Christians of many denominations to pray for each other; to heal old wounds; and to continue along the path of encounter and dialogue. During this commemoration, Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, will be joined by Bishop Kirby Unti, leader of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All are welcome. Reformation Celebration at Saint Luke s Sunday, October 29, 5:30 pm Saint Luke s Lutheran Church, 3030 Bellevue Way NE Beer and Brats will be provided, and there will be a reformation hymns and hops sing-a-long. Please bring a side dish to share. An RSVP to the church office, , would be appreciated. Special beer glasses will be for sale to mark the occasion. For $15 you get an insulated keg shaped beer glass that has a Luther Rose and 500 Years of Reformation printed on it. Once cost is recovered, about $8/unit, the remainder of the funds will be donated to Lutheran Disaster Response. Reformation 500 Martin Luther Movie of the Month Martin Luther remains one of the most influential people in the history of Western civilization. It s no surprise, then, that filmmakers have periodically attempted to make movies about Luther. Here is a brief synopsis and review of the last in this series of films about the life of Martin Luther. Luther (2003) Directed by Eric Till; Luther played by Joseph Fiennes Available through Netflix The most recent of the major Luther movies, this is also in many ways the most watchable and the most holistic in terms of treating Luther s life. It does deal with his anxiety over finding a loving God, as any life of Luther must, but also shows that indulgences were present long before Tetzel, presents Katharina von Bora as a strong character, and extends to the important presentation of the Augsburg Confession in There are a few anachronisms, most obviously Luther preaching while (a) roaming among a congregation (b) seated by families (c) in pews--three of them right there!--but they are only minor flaws in an excellent presentation. The sets are impressive: Wittenberg is seen with the original tower on the Castle Church, and the Wartburg Castle, too, is seen minus the large tower that was a later addition. Plus, the general messiness of life in late medieval times is on full display. For overall help in understanding Luther s life and times, this is probably the best of the lot. by Martin Luther May your will come about on earth as in heaven. Thus far we have prayed that God s name may be hallowed by us and that his kingdom may prevail among us. These two points embrace all that pertains to God s glory and to our salvation; in which we appropriate God with all his treasures. But there is just as great need for us to keep firm hold on these two things and never to allow ourselves to be torn from them. In a good government there is need not only for good builders and rulers, but also for defenders, protectors, and vigilant guardians. So here also; although we have prayed for what is most necessary-for the gospel, for faith, and for the Holy Spirit, that he may govern us who have been redeemed from the power of the devil--we must also pray that God cause his will to be done. If we try to hold these treasures fast, we will have to suffer an astonishing number of attacks and assaults from all who venture to hinder and thwart the fulfillment of the first two petitions. ~ from The Large Catechism, explanation to the Third Petition of The Lord s Prayer November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 7

8 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! Adults... October 22 Reformation 500: The Augsburg Confession Presenter: Pastor James McEachran The Augsburg Confession, written in the midst of the Reformation tumult, is the core statement of what Lutherans believe. Pastor McEachran leads us through the sections of this important document of Lutheran theology. October 22 Stepping into the Stories (Faith Stepping Stones for Parents of Kindergarteners) Facilitators: Lois Nelson, Kari Henderson Kindergarten students will be blessed and presented with a Story Bible on Sunday, October 22, at the 11:00 am worship service. October 29 Reformation 500: Celebration Join us for a celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation! We will celebrate with games and a Luther Trivia. November 5 Finding your own Theology Presenter: Sue Houglum Sue Hoglum, former professor of Christian Education/ Early Childhood Education at Trinity Lutheran College in Everett, will lead us through a discussion on finding our own Theology. October 8 Stepping into Adulthood (Faith Stepping Stones for Parents of High School Seniors) Facilitators: Lois Nelson, Kari Henderson Our discussion includes how to support these students in their faith journey as they transition to college or the workplace. Students are blessed and presented with a quilt/gift from their family on June 10, November 12 Congregation Council Report Facilitators: The Executive Committee: President Scott Lester, Vice President Art Gurtel, Secretary Stein Dolan, Treasurer Joni Barrott, Pastor McEachran Join us for a conversation with your Executive Committee. We will discuss what lies ahead on the Pathways to Renewal at Saint Andrew s, and take your comments on where you see us going and how we can get there. November 19 Stewardship Commitment Fair * Fellowship and Treats $ Commitment and Mission and Ministry Looking Forward Together November 26 Advent Fair Facilitators: Sherry Grindeland, Beth Donahoe, Mary Davis Join us for the annual Advent Fair during the Discipleship Hour. Enjoy fellowship, treats, crafts and activities for all ages. Pick up your Advent devotional materials, too. December 3 Doomsday: Are You Ready Presenter: Pastor Timothy Weber Even non-christians coming into my office are wondering out loud-- Are these the end times? Sandwiched between the global crises, natural disasters, hackers hacking personal information, and one s own mortal fragility...we sit, we stand, we sleep, we live our ordinary days, with ordinary breaths...at least for the moment, a moment that might end long before we are ready. Join Dr. Timothy Weber, Shared-Time Pastor at Saint Andrew s, for this uplifting conversation. 8 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

9 Discipleship Ministries...Sunday Mornings Adults... Faith Stepping Stones Coordinators: Lois Nelson and Kari Henderson Faith Stepping Stones offers a series of 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 (and sometimes students) are Sundays at 9:45 am Stepping Into the Stories.... October 22 (Kindergarten) presentation of Bibles: October 22 at the 11:00 am service Stepping into Adulthood.... November 5, January 7, May 13 (High School Seniors) presentation of quilts/gifts: June 10 at the 9:30 am service Stepping into the Church.... March 11, March 18 (Eighth Grade) Affirmation of Baptism/presentation of Bibles: June 3 at the 9:30 am service Stepping into Prayer.... April 22, April 29 (2-year-olds) presentation of Prayer Pillows: April 29 at the 11:00 am service Stepping into Affirmation of Baptism.... May 6 (Fifth Grade) presentation of Catechisms: Fall 2018 Christmas Program Sunday, December 17, 11:00 am worship service All Sunday Church School and Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation (ABC) students are invited to participate in the 2017 Christmas Program on Sunday, December 17. We will meet for a rehearsal the morning of Saturday, December 16, at 9:00 am. If you are interested in participating in this year s Christmas program, please sign up in the Narthex or contact Sherry Grindeland, Sherry@SALChome.org or , by Sunday, November 26. 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 the church office. Youth... Discipleship education classes are offered every Sunday Morning at 9:45am for children and youth age 2 through grade 12. Please note that there will be no youth classes on Sundays, November 19 and November 26. Join the rest of the congregation in 301/Fellowship Hall for Commitment Sunday activities (November 19) and the Advent Fair (November 26). 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. Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation (ABC) Classes are geared toward students in grades 6-8. Classes for student in grades 6-8 are on Sundays at 9:45 am. Those students new to our congregation should contact Director of Discipleship Ministries Emily Harrow or Pastor McEachran. 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. November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 9

10 Discipleship Ministries Early Morning Sunday Bible Study Philippians Sundays, through November 12, 7:15 am, 322/Conference Room Facilitators: Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen Want a little more JOY in your life? Imagine sitting in prison and writing about the keys to true joy! That s where the Apostle Paul was when he wrote his LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS. Come, join Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen as they lead an Early Morning Sunday Bible Study (EMSBS) for seven sessions, October 1 - November 12, at 7:15 am in 322/Conference Room. Coffee and some edibles provided. Attendance is never taken and no exams are given, instead we laugh and learn together! Tuesday Morning Bible Study Every Tuesday, 10:00 am 11:00 am, beginning September /Conference Room Presenter: Pastor James McEachran etting into the Story of Jesus. We continue to read into the Gospels and their story of GJesus. We are now working at the Resurrection Narratives (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-13). Then, we will conclude this series by digging into the Birth Narratives (Matthew 1:1-2:23 and Luke 1:1-2:52). This series will conclude on November 14. A new series will guide us through John as we conclude the year looking into some of the Upper Room teachings of Jesus. Our theme will be Jesus and His Own. Youth Registration Forms We ask that all families complete a Youth Registration Form each year. This form gives us the information needed to help keep children safe while participating in Saint Andrew s activities. It includes medical information and permissions, and is used for all activities at Saint Andrew s for Complete one form per family. There is space for up to four children and it covers all youth from age 2 through Grade 12. Paper copies of the form can be found in the Narthex on the bulletin board near the church office, in the Sunday Church School office, and in classrooms. Return completed forms to the church office. The form is also ONLINE as an interactive PDF form; it can be found at Open the form and SAVE it to your computer. Open the saved form, complete the information, and SAVE it again. οο Please note: If you have a saved registration form with revised August 2014 (or more recent date) at the bottom, you can submit that form. Open it and update the school year and Today s Date, make any other necessary changes, and save. Either the form to info@salchome.org or print and return the form to Saint Andrew s. Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to these youth who celebrate in November! Ian M...11/03 Jakob M...11/04 Cade S... 11/07 Gavin J...11/13 Elisabeth J...11/14 Elinor F...11/15 Ella N...11/15 Jack H... 11/16 Kaylyn U... 11/20 Ainsley L... 11/22 Claire S...11/30 For All: Gingerbread House Decorating Party Sunday, December 3, 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm Our annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party is for the entire congregation! See page 12 for details and sign up in the Narthex. Vacation Bible School 2018 Do you love to plan ahead? Vacation Bible School is July 9-13, 2018, at Saint Andrew s! 10 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

11 God Squad Youth in Grades 9-12 God Squad Servant Event at Compass on Dexter Saturday, November 4, 11:15 am O GOD SQUAD is Grades 9-12 n Saturday, November 4, we will serve at Compass on Dexter (756 John Street, Seattle) and lead an excited group of kids in cupcake decorating and possibly other crafts. We will gather at Saint Andrew s at 11:15 am and return at 3:30 pm. Please wear closed-toed shoes. Sign up by Sunday, October 29, in the Narthex or by . God Squad Lock In Friday-Saturday, December 1-2, 5:00 pm - 12:00 noon Join us for winter fun December 1-2. On Friday we will meet at 5:00 pm at Saint Andrew s and enjoy the Bellevue Magic Season Ice Arena, Sock Samurai, and late night pizza with a movie! In the morning we will serve with the Chicken Soup Brigade as we pack bags of nutritious food intended for home bound people around King County. We will arrive back at Saint Andrew s at 12:00 noon White Elephant Gift Exchange Sunday, December 17, 9:45 am On December 17 during CrossWalk, we will enjoy a White Elephant Gift Exchange to celebrate the Christmas season. So search the depths of your closet, get rid of that Christmas sweater Aunt Sally got you last year, and bring your tacky, silly, ridiculous gift item (wrapped) to CrossWalk. Please spend a minimum amount of money on your gift. Ideally your gift will cost you $0!! Please sign up in the Narthex or by by Sunday, December 10! 2018 Mission Trip When: July 21-18, 2018 Join us this summer as we learn about the Blackfeet Nation and work with them to serve in their community in Montana. You may learn more through the information packet available in the Narthex and online at highschoolmission.salchome.org. To participate, complete the commitment form in the packet and return it by January 14, May Youth Weekend at Holden Village Friday-Sunday, May 18-20, 2018 Cost: $100 (scholarships available) We are headed back to Holden Village next spring, May Join us for an unplugged weekend of fun and fellowship. Please sign up by January 14! Discipleship Ministries...Youth Fire Force Youth in Grades 6-8 Fire Force Servant Event at Northwest Harvest Saturday, November 11, 11:00 am FIRE FORCE is Grades 6-8 We are headed to Kent to serve at the Northwest Harvest Warehouse. Northwest Harvest is the only nonprofit food bank distributor operating statewide in Washington with a network of 375 food banks, meal programs and high-need schools. Through this network, they provide more than 2 million meals every month. You can help by signing up in the Narthex to serve on November 11. We will gather at Saint Andrew s at 11:00 am. White Elephant Gift Exchange and Christmas Party Sunday, December 17, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm On December 17, we will enjoy a White Elephant Gift Exchange to celebrate the Christmas season. So search the depths of your closet, get rid of that Christmas sweater Aunt Sally got you last year, and bring your tacky, silly, ridiculous gift item (wrapped). Please spend a minimum amount of money on your gift. Ideally your gift will cost you $0!! We will also celebrate with a variety of fun and silly games. Sign up by or in the Narthex by December 10. Spring Retreat -- Save the Date Mark your calendar for a weekend away at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, Washington, May 4-6, Sheep and Shepherds Families with children age Birth through Grade 5 Family Game Night Sunday, November 12, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Join us for a family fun filled night with Bunco and Bingo on November 12. Bring your favorite potluck dish and get ready for an evening of laughter and making new friends. Sign up by November 5 More Events Gingerbread House Decorating Party: December 3... see page 12 Children s Christmas Program... see page 9 Rehearsal: December 16, 9:00 am Program: December 17, 11:00 am worship service Sheep and Shepherds SHEEP and SHEPHERDS are FAMILIES with kids ages birth through Grade 5 November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 11

12 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. October: Railroads Our October program will be a step back in time as Richard Anderson shows us how railroads changed everything. Richard is the executive director of the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie one of the premiere rail museums in the country. Come find out about the railcar in the museum s collection that served as a rolling church. Note: We will be meeting on October 24, the fourth Tuesday in October. The potluck lunch begins at 11:45 am. November: Park Founder will Speak Intolerance and prejudice bring out the worst in us, particularly when political leaders feed our fears with damaging labels and irrational accusations. We have a rare opportunity to hear firsthand about how devastating that combination can be at the November OWLS luncheon on November 21. Clarence Moriwaki will present History, Honor, Healing and Hope, a program about how some Americans were treated during World War II. Mr. Moriwaki founded the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association that was instrumental in creating a national park. Meet at 11:45 am for our potluck lunch. Have an idea for a program? Contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, sherry@salchome.org or No sign-up or RSVP required. And you don t have to be older, wiser or even retired to join us. See you there! Gingerbread House Decorating Sunday, December 3, 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm Our annual Gingerbread House Decorating party is for everyone - bring the entire family for an afternoon of creative fun! We will enjoy a potluck lunch and decorate gingerbread houses. Sign up in the Narthex. Please bring $10 for a gingerbread house if you sign up by November 19. If you sign up after November 19, don t forget to bring your house and candy to decorate! Please share a Potluck Item*: Last names A-G: Dessert Last names H-N: Main Dish Last names O-Z: Salad/Side Dish * You are welcome to use the kitchen, oven, and stove at 11:00 am if necessary. Fellowship, Groups, and... Men s Retreat MEN: Plan to gather for The Adventure of Faith at the Men s Fall Retreat on Friday-Saturday, November 3-4, at Valley Camp, North Bend. Pastor David Ellingson is our leader. The Bible is filled with journeys and adventures. Each of our lives is a journey/adventure. Pastor Ellingson will help us explore several lively biblical adventures as well as our own personal adventures and the ways God is with us... He will also share his experiences and learnings from kayaking the length of the Mississippi River. This year s Men s Retreat is co-hosted with Our Savior Lutheran Church in Issaquah. The cost is $50. Brochures with details and registration forms are in the Narthex or can be found online at men.salchome.org. Please register by October 29. Young Adults Coordinator: The Adventure of Faith 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 and 4th Wednesday of every month, either at a restaurant or at someone s home. Our next dinners are Wednesdays, October 25 (at the food court in Crossroads Mall), November 8 (at Sichuanese Cuisine at Overlake, NE 24th Street, Redmond), and November 22 (Friendsgiving Dinner at Sherry and Dave Grindeland s house). Please RSVP to Carolyn McKenna by the Monday before each dinner if you d like to join us! Contact Carolyn McKenna if you would like to host, or come, or if you want to be added to the Young Adults Facebook group. 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 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

13 All Welcome: Saint Andrew s Stampers, Stamping for our Staff Sunday, November 5, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm The Saint Andrew s Stampers will be gathering in 301/ Fellowship Hall North on November 5 to make cards for our staff to send to members in need (sympathy, thinking of you, welcome baby, etc). Anyone ages 12 and up is welcome. Come and make one card or several, stay for 15 minutes or the entire time. This is a fun opportunity to give back to our wonderful staff at Saint Andrew s. The cards will be ready to stamp and assemble. Bring a snack or sack lunch, unless you have already eaten. Contact Nancy R. Davis for questions or to let her know you are coming (you may also just show up). If you would like to be added to the Stampers list, contact Nancy. Other Stamping Opportunities Advent Fair, November 26, 9:45 am. There will be two stations. One will be a Christmas card with a beautiful Bethlehem cut out. The other will be a station for making gift tags. If you are available to help with either, or with prep ahead of time, please let Nancy Davis know. Sunday, December 10, 9:45 am; Hands and Heart Discipleship Hour. There will be stations set up to make Christmas cards for the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle. This is a non-profit that provides housing for families with children receiving services at Seattle Children s Hospital. God Talk among Friends: Small Group Fellowship Small groups have been formed and meet once a month for fellowship and conversation. We enjoy getting to know one another by sharing conversation, some God talk and dessert. Groups meet on Friday night or Sunday night monthly from October to May in someone s home. If you would like to be a part of a small group, contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, sherry@ SALChome.org or Indicate which night works best for you Friday or Sunday. All-Church Baby Shower for Jesus We will celebrate Epiphany the first Sunday in January (January 7) with a baby shower for Jesus. Plan to bring baby clothes and supplies in honor of Jesus. No need to wrap these baby gifts they will be going to Eastside Baby Corner to outfit needy and underserved families. More details to come in the next issue of the VOICE. Fellowship, Groups, and... Dorcas Circle orcas 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 November 7 and December 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. Holden Village in 2018 Is anyone interested in joining us as a group going to Holden Village next summer? All ages welcome!! We re going 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, the boat ride on Lake Chelan to and from, pool and bowling (set your own pins), outstanding ice cream and popcorn, and unexpected hilarity!! Holden Village is a year-round Lutheran Christian center in the North Cascade mountains. For more information, visit Prices for 2018 are not available as of yet, but groups of 15 or more qualify for special rates. The deadline for group reservations is December 15. Therefore, we are trying to see if there are a sufficient number interested and ready to commit for a week next summer. No date has been set, but it will probably be a week mid-june to mid-august. We would travel to the Village on a Sunday and leave the following Saturday morning after breakfast. Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen are willing to coordinate the logistics on our behalf. Families: check summer vacation and school schedules now. It can truly be a special experience for families. If interested, please contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, sherry@salchome.org or , or Jean and Marvin. November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 13

14 Health and Wholeness Giving Thanks for Those Who Serve in this Ministry by Stella Nieman, R.N., Beverley Watt, R.N., and Karen Grams, R.N., Parish Nurses Health and Wholeness Ministry Committee would like to thank the following members for their participation with all that has been occurring lately: Sandra Schade and Donna Nellist who stepped up to take blood pressures the first Sunday of October. We now do this deed in 210/Nursery and the attendance has picked up. We suggest that all others take advantage of our efforts to maintain your health. Beverley Watt, Donna Nellist,and Karen Grams who joined up to assist with the Flu Shot Sunday on the second Sunday of October in 210/Nursery, and to Mary Mills, Stella Nieman, and Susan Hegedus for helping with preparations. Nurse Leslie from the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association was the nurse administering the shots. Leslie has been with us two years in a row and we appreciated her effort for 28 people who took advantage of our offering. We plan our flu shot Sundays always for the second Sunday of October. So, perhaps next year you will plan on having your flu shot with us. A dinner for the men served in the Congregations for the Homeless shelter was provided on Monday, October 9, for 31 residents. We thank Stella Nieman and Donna Nellist as well as others who provided the food, Ruth and Craig Miller, Janelle and Carl Erickson, and Beverley Watt who also were the servers for lasagne, salad and rolls, fruit and cookies. No one left hungry. We especially want to thank Janell for her famous lasagne made from scratch. Thanks to those who packed 99 Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief on October 10. These kits will go to people who have experienced disasters in the world. Those participating were: Jan Benson, CJ Tatum, Nancy P. Davis, Janell Erickson, Pastor McEachran, Craig Miller, Ruth Miller, Stella Nieman, Art Gurtel, Sandy Schade, Donna Nellist and Lydia Folsom. Our next packing session will be on Tuesday, October 31, at 11:00 am. Anyone is welcome! 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. Over the last few weeks, donations have been sent to World Vision, One Nation Walking Together, and Warmth for Warriors. 50 black hats will soon be shipped to the MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School in Tanzania. During October, donations were also made to Warmth for Winter, Congregations for the Homeless, and Eastside Baby Corner. 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, November 12, 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, November 5 9:30 am - 10:30 am, in 210/Nursery Baptisms None Weddings None Memorial Services None Committals None Healing Prayer Stations for individual prayer Sunday, November 19, during Holy Communion Pastoral Care 14 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

15 Urgent Need for Personal Care Kit Items A plea was received from Lutheran World Relief for more Personal Care Kits to give to people in dire need living in refugee camps around the world. The Health and Wholeness Ministry Committee is now collecting items for our fall shipment of Personal Care Kits. Needed items are: SOAP (4-5 ounce bars, in original packaging) toothbrushes - adult size metal nail clippers large combs (no pick style combs) towels (20 x 40 to 52 x 27 ), DARK color Bring items to the basket near the elevator in the Narthex by Sunday, October 29, to be included in the next shipment. Help us to help others. Eastside Baby Corner Outreach and Servant Ministries 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, Dave Marcrander, Pastor McEachran, Karen Grams (Council Liaison), George Miller, Becca Piel, Debbie Szabo, Dick Szabo, Ann Thorpe (Council Liaison), Marlyn Thorpe (Chair), and Jean Wahlstrom. Ministry Prayer Focus 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 November, we ll pray for Bridge Disability Ministries, an organization that honors the God-given dignity and giftedness of people with disabilities. They build relationships to alleviate isolation through gatherings which connect individuals in group settings and retreats. Bridge also offers mobility equipment and guardianship services. Saint Andrew s supports Bridge Disability Ministries with Christmas gifts as part of our Love Tree outreach. Eastside Baby Corner (EBC) envisions a world where all children are healthy, safe and prepared to build their own futures. EBC does this by meeting basic needs of children, serving as a diaper bank, a clothing bank, and a food source for more than 800 kids each week. Saint Andrew s currently supports Eastside Baby Corner with budgeted funds and gifts through the Love Tree. EBC s most pressing needs are for new or gently-used jeans, size 5-8, and hats of any kind. To learn more about EBC, visit New Outreach Opportunity: Boxtops for Education Last December 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. Louise Oda has graciously offered to regularly send them on to the school. It may seem like too small an item to make a difference, but collectively, it really adds up to enable these children to get a better education!! Thanks for your help!! To learn more, visit or contact Jean Wahlstrom. Jean Wahlstrom, on behalf of the Outreach and Servant Ministry Committee 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 organization is in need of volunteers in the Day Center for sorting the donated clothes and items they receive, and for making sure the women visiting the Day Center have the clothing they need. The Day Center is located at St. Luke s Lutheran Church (3030 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue.) Volunteers need to attend an orientation. If you are interested in or want more information, please contact Tara, The Sophia Way volunteer coordinator, November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 15

16 Love Tree During each Advent season, we at Saint Andrew s have the special opportunity to brighten the holidays for many people with our LOVE TREE program. In the past, we have given gifts to folks in Bridge Disability Ministries, Eastside Baby Corner, Imagine Housing, and others. Gifts for Bridge Disability Ministries are collected in November. All of the other organizations will have gift tags on our LOVE TREE. Watch for it in the Narthex in late November! Questions or wish to help? Contact Joanne Baker or Carolyn Haralson. Foods of the Month - November This month in the Corner of Blessing we are doing something a little different. During November we are collecting food to go in Emergency Bags for the Hopelink food bank. We will be packing these bags as part of the Advent Fair on November 26. When someone comes to the Hopelink food bank in need of food and for some reason is not able to shop at the food bank on that day, they don t go away empty handed. They get an Emergency Bag. We will be packing two types of Emergency Bags: A one-person bag and a two-person bag. The contents are very similar with the two-person bag having more of some of the items. There are a number of items that go in each Emergency Bag. We will be collecting different items each week during November: November 5: Tuna, Pasta, and Pasta Sauce Canned Tuna (5-7 ounce, packed in water) Pasta (16 ounce package of dry pasta) Pasta Sauce (~24 ounce can of pasta sauce) November 12: Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Pudding, and Rice Peanut Butter (~16 ounce plastic jar no-stir) Instant Oatmeal packages (plain or flavored) Pudding Snack Packs (non-refrigerated) Rice (1 or 2 pound bags of rice white or brown) November 19: Soup, Vegetables, and Beans Canned Soup Canned Vegetables (~15 ounce green beans or peas and carrots) Canned Beans (~15 ounce black, pinto, or kidney) November 26: Catch-Up Extra of these items to complete more bags Bring donations to the Corner of Blessing in the Narthex, and plan to stop by our station during the Advent Fair to help pack bags! Thanks! Outreach and Servant Ministries Gift Bags for Bridge Disability Ministries Bridge Disability Ministries is a faith-based organization, located on the Eastside, with services to help people with disabilities. Every holiday season, within the Love Tree program, several Saint Andrew s families have each adopted a lady or gentleman. Each of those families then buys gifts for that person from a list that is provided. The list for each person will be matched with the Saint Andrew s family and be ready for pick up on Sunday, November 5, and the gifts must be returned to the church by November 22. There is a need for some new Saint Andrew s families to adopt one of the people this year. Please contact Joanne Baker if you would like to participate in this very special ministry. Socks and Warm Hat Donations to Benefit Compass Housing Alliance During the months of November and December Dorcas Circle will be collecting NEW socks and warm knit hats for Compass Housing Alliance. Your donations of NEW tube socks, crew socks, and warm knit hats can be placed in the box in the Narthex beginning November 5. Please contact Linda Willenberg if you have any questions. 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. Additional volunteers are needed. 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. 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 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

17 Tanzania Outreach and Servant Ministries...Global Why are Jean and Marv Going Back to Tanzanzia? Jean Wahlstrom now serves on the International Advisory Board for the PLASTER HOUSE, a part of the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. In February 2018 the Plaster House is having their first face-to-face board meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, and also celebrating the opening of the new dormitory and volunteer house. (Many Saint Andrew s members helped to fund those buildings in October 2016.) Marvin Kananen and Jean Wahlstrom will travel to Tanzania for this board meeting in February. The Plaster House is a rehabilitation center for postsurgery children, usually in casts (hence the term Plaster House ). For reasons of health and nutrition, many children cannot rehab successfully in their villages/homes while in casts. They need to stay at the center; the average stay being four weeks, the cost per student is only $4 per day. To learn more about the Plaster House, visit www. theplasterhouse.org and learn why those kids have a hold on our hearts. The Plaster House asks if we could provide the following items for children (aged 3-15): DUPLO blocks pencils scissors underwear (non-white) metric rulers socks (non-white) flashcards (math and English language) Bring items to the basket in the Narthex from November 5 through January 15, Marvin and Jean can carry about 150 pounds of supplies. If you have any questions, please contact Jean. MGLSS Students and Graduates Thank you for continuing to support students at MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School (MGLSS)! The current enrollment at MGLSS is 367 students in Forms 1-6. Enrollment at both O-level (Forms 1-4) and A-level (Forms 5 and 6) is the highest in the school s history. Saint Andrew s is contributing to the support of three university students this year who are MGLSS graduates: Agness Abraham at Makumira University, Ndini Nasira at St. Augustine University, and Evelyne Saitoti at the University of Dar es Salaam. These three students are all in their final year working towards their B.A. in Education and will graduate in November. The Saint Andrew s Tuesday Morning Men are supporting Naishiye Eliakimu who is in her second year at the University of Dar es Salaam. Of 367 students MGLSS, 187 are Operation Bootstrap Africa (OBA) sponsored or need sponsorship and 180 are paying students. Full year funding for a student in Forms 1-4 is $1000; in Forms 5-6, $1200. Funding is also needed for MGLSS graduates who are in or have qualified for university study ($2,500), for the nursing school ($1,000), and for teacher training ($1,200). ANY AMOUNT given is helpful. Make contributions by check to Saint Andrew s with MGLSS Scholarship or MGLSS Post-Secondary Scholarship in the memo line. All funds will then be forwarded to OPERATION BOOTSTRAP AFRICA (OBA). You can also contribute directly to OBA online, or by mail. Bihar, India Mission in Bihar...with 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. Task Working Groups from the three Washington congregations (The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Olympia; Trinity Lutheran Church, Freeland; and Saint Andrew s) are being formed. If you are interested in joining our Bihar Working Group contact Marlyn Thorpe. Spare Change for Water and Seeds Thanks Outreach and Servant Ministries thanks everyone who donated Spare Change for Water and Seeds to help our Bihar, India community. Donations totaled $1200 and will help farmers in Bihar plant and grow vegetables which in turn helps expand their diet, increase year-round food security, provides additional income for their children s education, and improves their family and community s economic situations! 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 November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 17

18 At the October 9 Council Meeting... The Council began with worship. Pastor McEachran s devotional words were on Mark 3: Council Initiatives: ο ο Pathways to Renewal Discipleship: Pastor McEachran encouraged the Council to be involved in activities and conversation. Ministry: The current focus is on the work of the Joshua Group, which is important work to frame our planning for the future. The Mission Assessment Profile survey had 128 respondents. The Joshua Group will be at Saint Andrew s October 27 and 28 to conduct group and individual interviews about our ministry here. Pastor McEachran noted the many areas of outreach the congregation has been involved in, including participation in the Congregations for the Homeless luncheon, apples in the parking lot brought by Vince and Doris Visaya ($2000 was donated which will go to the 2018 high school mission trip), Spare Change for Water and Seeds for Bihar, Mayors Day of Concern for the Hungry, welcome bags for Imagine Housing s Athene property, and attendance at the National Lutheran Choir concert. He also encouraged attendance at Discipleship Hour classes, and Dr. Samuel Torvend s program on October 21. Sherry Grindeland reported that the Older Wiser Lutheran Saints had fun assembling welcome bags for the new Imagine Housing property, Athene. She is promoting Dr. Samuel Torvend s program and the Blessing of the Animals service in the Bellevue community. Two small groups for fellowship have been formed and begin meeting in October. Dr. Will Simpson shared his appreciation for the orchestra participants. The American Guild of Organists (AGO) Seattle Chapter is holding an event for youth on November 4 at Saint Andrew s to introduce them to the organ. Dr. Simpson is dean of the Seattle Chapter of the AGO. Kurt Lutterman reported that he continues to work on the shed for emergency supplies and on implementation of the Emergency Operations Plan. The Council discussed the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and future emergency exercise drills, directing the EOP Task Force to plan an earthquake drill within the next six months. Congregation Council 2017 Congregation Council and Committee Chairs Building: The Building Remodel Team is focused on communicating, educating, and informing the congregation about plans and benefits of a building remodel. Room 212 has transformed into the Pathways Hub as a center for communications and conversation. No date has been set for a congregation vote on a remodel. οο The Nominating Committee will soon begin to seek a slate of candidates to run for Congregation Council positions in January. οο Constitution Updates: Work continues on updates to committee descriptions. Finance: There is a negative cash balance year-to-date. Work has begun to develop the 2018 Current Fund budget. Committees are active in ministry. 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 Committee Council Liaison Committee Chair Executive Scott Lester, President Art Gurtel, Vice President Stein Dolan, Secretary Joni Barrott, Treasurer Pastor McEachran Building and Steve Serex Property Communications Stein Dolan Kendra Mills Ben Johnson Discipleship Marshall Erling Joyce Kasper Ministries Emily Andresen, Youth Representative Finance Joni Barrott Brady Kasper Committee Council Liaison Committee Chair Health and Wholeness Vanessa Wilkie Stella Nieman Beverley Watt Karen Grams Human Resources Scott Lester Dianne Chong Outreach and Servant Ministries Stewardship Worship and Liturgical Arts Karen Grams Ann Thorpe Joni Barrott Jon Thorpe Andy Hogle Pastor McEachran Marlyn Thorpe Sharon Gurtel Deadline to submit items for the next the VOICE is November 6. Susan Hegedus, susan@salchome.org 18 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA November 2017

19 November 26 11:00 am Jon Thorpe Livi Myhre Izzy Clarke Erika Cottrell Mark Thorpe Jan and Kit Bowerman Karin Eklof, JoAn Eklof Sherry Grindeland, Ed Short 8:30 am Jean Wahlstrom Judi Miller Sonja Wetmore Nancy P. Davis Vrishtilata Erling Brett Nelson, John Nelson November Servers November 19 11:00 am Sharon Gurtrel Celeste Ackerbloom Ella Nickel, Ian Maland; Alaina Bland, Crucifer Kendra Mills Joni Barrott Brent Hicks, Alex Nichols-Hicks Karen Grams, Carla Smith Chad Oftedal 8:30 am Karen Grams Judy Gowdy Beka Gordon, Livi Myhre; Quinn Myhre, Crucifer Yvonne Heuving Roger Koskela Hal and Carolynn Ferris November 12 11:00 am Sue Short Jan Bowerman Hannah Wilcox Beverley Watt Marli Edde The Feldman Family CJ Tatum, Christine Koch Shirley and Dean Hobson 8:30 am Dana Nasby Diane Hogle Izzy Clarke Rob and Clare Moe Carolyn Ferris Lois and Curt Eckley November 5 11:00 am Shana Nielsen Livi Myhre Collin Feldman The Holmes Family David Mills Mark Davis, Quinn Myhre Ann Berglind, Ruth Miller Matt and Christine Camrud 8:30 am Tom Getzinger Art Gurtel Livi Myhre Diane and Andy Hogle Brett Nelson Mikel Oswalt, Sherry Grindeland Assisting Ministers Communion Assistants Acolytes Greeters Lectors Ushers Altar Guild Coffee Hosts Saint Andrew s Ministry Team Pastoral Staff The Reverend James N. McEachran, Senior Pastor jim@salchome.org The Reverend Timothy T. Weber, Shared-Time Pastor timwebertt@yahoo.com Ministry Staff Emily Harrow, Director of Discipleship Ministries emily@salchome.org Dr. Will Simpson, Director of Music Ministries will@salchome.org Sherry Grindeland, Fellowship Coordinator sherry@salchome.org Susan Hegedus, Communications Specialist susan@salchome.org Kurt Lutterman, Facilities Manager kurt@salchome.org Mary Mills, Office Administrator mary@salchome.org Russ Stark, Accounting Assistant russ@salchome.org Elaine Koga, Choir Accompanist Stella Nieman, R.N., Beverley Watt, R.N., Karen Grams, R.N., Parish Nurses Erin Simpson, Children s Choir Director Bryant Wilkie, Handbell Choir Director Michael Haynes, Facilities Set-up Samaritan Center of Puget Sound Dr. Mark Houglum, Counselor Crissie Petro, Counselor , extension 353 Serving in Our Community We have many in our congregation family who serve on boards and commissions in our community. Some of those who serve are: Clare Moe Board Vice President, Congregations for the Homeless Bill Brueggemann, Carolynn Ferris, Dan Johnson, Rob Moe Board Members, Imagine Housing Pastor McEachran Member, City of Bellevue Human Services Commission Member, Wilburton Gateway Citizens Advisory Committee Bill Brueggemann Board Member, Lutheran Community Services Northwest Marcia Riggers Vice Chair, Samaritan Center of Puget Sound Board of Directors Board Member, Compass Housing Alliance Flowers for November November 5 Dave and Sherry Grindeland November 12 November 19 November 26 The Siefkes Family Dianne Chong and David Squiers Dwayne and Linda Behrendsen November 2017 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 19

20 , Saint Andrews LUTHERAN CHURCH th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA Address service requested NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT No. 35 BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON Mission Statement As a people saved by God s grace through faith, Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church is joined by our common belief in Jesus Christ and is a welcoming community of believers who, empowered by the Holy Spirit: Gather to worship, hear God s Word, and share the Sacraments Encourage, renew and strengthen faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord Equip, educate and nurture a deeper understanding of the expression of faith in daily life, and Send people into the world to serve. Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church supports the mission and ministries of Lutheran World Relief, Sunday Worship with Holy Communion, 8:30 am and 11:00 am Discipleship Hour, 9:45 am Church Office Hours Monday Friday, 8:00 am 4:00 pm info@salchome.org Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church is a Safe Place for youth We Support: Saint Andrew s is the 2017 recipient of the Norm Maleng Award from LifeWire