ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH"

Colin Small
5 years ago
Views:

1 November 2018 Newsletter ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH AND ST. ANDREW PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN November

2 Messy Church Are you ready to experience church differently, or know of a family who is? Invite your friends and join us at Messy Church a fun new way of doing church for the whole family! Messy Church at St. Andrew November 4th, 4-6pm. November Theme: Good Samaritan Meal hosted by Fellowship: Taco s Interested in supporting this ministry? We are looking for volunteers who can assist ministry teams in the coordination of hosting activity tables, set up & tear down, and kitchen help. Please contact the office to sign up. 2 St. Andrew Lutheran Church Newsletter

Great Commission - A Call to Reach Out Hello people of St. Andrew! The Great Commission Mission Team has a goal to increase our congregational outreach through individuals using social media.

Martin Luther said, We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone. We, as congregants of St. Andrew, know this to be true as we share our faith together regularly.

Think of all the events you have attended that a friend or acquaintance would have enjoyed like Messy Church, Food Boxes for Orchards Families, Lunch Buddies, WHO shelter volunteering, Choir, Bells,

3 Great Commission - A Call to Reach Out Hello people of St. Andrew! The Great Commission Mission Team has a goal to increase our congregational outreach through individuals using social media. Now is the time! We just recently passed our new Welcoming Statement at our congregational meeting and we must act upon our commitment. Martin Luther said, We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone. We, as congregants of St. Andrew, know this to be true as we share our faith together regularly. To live into our new welcoming statement and Luther s words, we must share our experiences of faith and invite others to join us in it. There are many opportunities for us to do so at St. Andrew. Think of all the events you have attended that a friend or acquaintance would have enjoyed like Messy Church, Food Boxes for Orchards Families, Lunch Buddies, WHO shelter volunteering, Choir, Bells, Journey of Faith, Youth Gathering/mission trips etc. etc. We all create posts for these events on social media over time, but do we have an invitation in those posts inviting our viewers to join us? How powerful it might be to have a work friend s family join you with their kids at Messy Church because you invited them in your post. How would this make them, and you feel to share our faith in this way? I close with a quote from Maya Angelou. I ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Please, go out and make your social media friends Feel welcome by adding the invitation. Let them know, All are welcome. Social Concerns Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets: It is that time of year, again! We will be collecting food and monetary donations for Thanksgiving baskets beginning this week. Check the board in the entrance area for donation items that are needed. Donations are all due on November 11th. We ll be taking baskets to the families on November 20th from 2-5:30pm. Christmas basket and Giving Tree donations will begin on November 25th, with everything due by December 9th. Gifts and food baskets will be delivered on December 20th, from 2-5:30pm. These programs give around 35 families (that s about 100 children) much-needed food and supplies for holiday dinners and school breaks. Please give generously this holiday season! If you feel called to volunteer, please contact Vicki Wornath or Donna Schuster. Empty Food Pantry: The demand for food is up this year and we seem to be out by mid-month. Please help us provide food for the hungry that stop by the church for food. What we need: protein sources: peanut butter, protein bars, spam, canned meats (flip top cans), chili and soups (flip top cans). Worship & Music You, Yes YOU, are Invited (even if you have served in this capacity) to A Training for those interested in serving as a Communion Assistant, Reader, Communion set up (person) Communion clean up (person) On November 4th, following the second service. A light lunch will be served. Please sign up on the clip board on the Welcome Center. November

4 Letter from Pastor Jim To those whom God loves, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 There are two basic building blocks in my own personal stewardship. First, God is creator of the universe, including you and me. As creator, God is not just the creator but the owner of our world. So I think for modern ears, I would change the Creeds to say I believe in God creator and owner of heaven and earth. This is a precursor of a new fundamental building block for many, how we are not owners of house, home etc. because it all belongs to God. This is a revolutionary thought. Bluntly, it all belongs to God. We are but manager/stewards of what we have. God doesn t care just about how much we give away; God cares equally about all that has been entrusted to our care! This first building block is absolutely important to getting right. Imagine with me, it all belongs to God. The second building block is equally foundational, namely what you do with your money will impact your relationship with Jesus. As the scripture above says, where your money goes will cause your heart to go as well. A thermometer measures what is. If you want to take the temperature of your life and what is important to you, just look at your checkbook register or your on line bank report. This report will give you a list of how you have used your money. It like a thermometer measures what is. But there is another way. Think of how a thermostat is quite different. A thermostat changes what is. What a person does with money will change that person s relationship with Jesus compared to other stuff. Now the question is about our relationship with Jesus and the greatest commandment to love God with our heart, soul and mind. The spiritual practice of stewardship, and it is a spiritual practice, changes our relationship with Jesus. The stewardship ministry of St. Andrew is about helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus through how people manage the money God has entrusted to their care. The stewardship ministry is not about getting enough money to pay the bills. It is about helping people navigate the intersection of faith and finances in their lives. The conversation moves now from paying bills to following a faith practice and growing faithful disciples. It moves from the church needing to receive to the need of the giver to give. It moves from a conversation that ends when people give. Now it is a conversation that cares as much about what is kept as it cares about what is given. Stewardship is a spiritual practice like a thermostat, that changes our relationship with Jesus. Living An Abundant Life I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b Jesus says how he comes for us not just to have life. Jesus comes so that we might have an abundant life. An abundant life is one full of warm relationships, meaning, purpose, having enough and peace. When I think of abundant life I think of how at the anointing of Aaron as high priest, there was so much oil poured over his head that it covered his hair and dripped off his beard (Ps. 133:2). I think of Jesus feeding 5000 and how the left overs were gathered into 12 baskets (Jn. 6:1-14); or when asked how many times one should forgive, he said seventy times seventy (Mt. 18:22). These actions are signs that point us to the generosity of God where we taste and see the abundant life Jesus promises. Living An Abundant Life is the stewardship theme for the fall as we learn to live into the generosity we know from our Savior Jesus Christ. Please look for more information in the mail and at worship on Sunday s. 4 St. Andrew Lutheran Church Newsletter

Youth & Family Welcome Ashley Ryll October 21, 2018 Good evening, Pastor Jim, Thank you so much to the St.

I wanted to let you know firsthand and put in writing that I am officially accepting the position! I was extremely impressed with the entire St.

I intend to lease an apartment with a move-in date of October 29th, and as I previously discussed with Bill, can start as early as November 1st.

During that time, she was introduced to Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp - an ELCA camp in the Rocky Mountain Synod - where she was a camper for 5 years.

Ashley returned to staff this past summer as a Travel Director, where she led teams of counselors to run day camps at churches within the synod.

5 Youth & Family Welcome Ashley Ryll October 21, 2018 Good evening, Pastor Jim, Thank you so much to the St. Andrew church council, interview committee, and yourself for the job offer for Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. I wanted to let you know firsthand and put in writing that I am officially accepting the position! I was extremely impressed with the entire St. Andrew community and felt welcome and supported every second I was there. I have never felt God calling me towards something so strongly before, and I am very excited to start ministry at SALC. I intend to lease an apartment with a move-in date of October 29th, and as I previously discussed with Bill, can start as early as November 1st. Thank you again, and I look forward to this new journey! Yours in Christ, Ashley Ryll Biography Ashley Ryll is from Centennial, CO, where she grew up attending an ELCA congregation. During that time, she was introduced to Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp - an ELCA camp in the Rocky Mountain Synod - where she was a camper for 5 years. In 2016, Ashley joined the Rainbow Trail staff as a camp counselor, where she primarily worked with campers who attended the onsite program. Ashley returned to staff this past summer as a Travel Director, where she led teams of counselors to run day camps at churches within the synod. In college, Ashley also worked as Children Activities Support at a nonprofit called The Matthews House, an organization that works with at-risk families and youth. Ashley is very excited to join the St. Andrew s team and can t wait to see how God works through this ministry! Youth Events November 15 th : Join us in the gym at 5:30pm for some Third-Thursday Basketball fun. Middle and High School youth are invited. November 17 th : Inviting all High School and Middle School youth to a Wunderland Adventure. Meet us on Saturday, November 17 th at 3pm. We will carpool from the church to Gresham s Wunderland Cinema and Nickle Games. The Youth and Family Team are looking for parent volunteers to drive. November 21 st & 28 th : No WOW services. Holiday Break. November

6 November Church Calendar A detailed calendar is available online here. 4 pm Messy Church 4:30 pm Welcoming Task Force 1 6 St. Andrew Lutheran Church Newsletter

Small Groups TUESDAY MORNINGS; BIBLE STUDY: 9-10:30 am. Everyone is invited to study the texts for the upcoming week in the Conference Room, just off the office. 4th TUESDAY; PUB THEOLOGY: 7-8:30 pm.

Cost: $1 for room reservation, plus the cost of whatever food and drink you d like. Check us out on Facebook: St. Andrew Pub Theology. RSVP Aileen Libengood, aileenlibengood@hotmail.

7 Small Groups TUESDAY MORNINGS; BIBLE STUDY: 9-10:30 am. Everyone is invited to study the texts for the upcoming week in the Conference Room, just off the office. 4th TUESDAY; PUB THEOLOGY: 7-8:30 pm. 11/27. Topic: Technology: Did God create us deficient? Meeting at Grains of Wrath, 230 NE 5th Ave. Camas. All are welcome to join even if you don t drink adult beverages. Cost: $1 for room reservation, plus the cost of whatever food and drink you d like. Check us out on Facebook: St. Andrew Pub Theology. RSVP Aileen Libengood, aileenlibengood@hotmail.com Pub Theology is not meeting in December. WEDNESDAYS; QUILTERS: 9 AM, ROOM 7/8. Come join the quilters! We meet in Room 7/8, Wednesday mornings. If you can cut fabric, sew or tie square knots you are most welcome. Sewing machines and supplies are on hand. If you would like to cut fabric squares at home that would be great too. Contact Carol Burbridge at if you have questions. 1ST WEDNESDAY; LIBRARY GROUP: 10 AM, ROOM 9. Process new books, repair old books, write newsletter reviews and work on ways to publicize the library to the congregation. Information: Carla Beckstrom, (360) ND WEDNESDAY; PRAYER SHAWL: 9:30 AM ROOM 1. The prayer shawl group will meet on Wednesday, November 14. Join us as we share a time of devotion, knit, use the loom, exchange patterns, and pray over the shawls before they are given as gifts. For more information contact Janell Renoud at or janellren6232@gmail.com 1ST & 3RD THURSDAYS RE-CREATIONS, 2 P.M. IN ROOM 1. Our theme in is THE PARABLES, STORIES FROM GOD S HEART. Our resource: Parables from the Back Side, volume 1, by J. Ellsworth Kalas. The author presents new insight into the parables of Jesus by entering them through the back side through the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. Come join the discussion. For more information contact: The Allens, allenduo@hei.net or the Jenkins, wcjenkins202@gmail.com. LAST THURSDAY; WOMEN'S LUNCH BUNCH will meet on November 29th at Warehouse 23, 100 Columbia St #102. Vancouver, WA For more information please contact Donna Buzalsky at RD FRIDAY; EMPTY NESTERS 11/16 6PM. Dinner at Black Bear Diner, 1505 SE 164th Ave. Vancouver. Dessert follows in home of Lloyd and Jan Allen, NE 26th St., RSVP: allenduo@hei.net SATURDAYS; YOGA: 8:30 AM, DAVIS ROOM. Yoga for all levels. Mats, blocks, blankets and balls are provided. Suggested weekly donation: $3. Information: Mary Stender, or mljd.stender@gmail.com. FIRST WEEKEND; GOOD DEEDS WITH BEADS MINISTRY: Beading times are: Fridays 5-8 pm and Saturdays 10-1 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and bead for the GDWB ministry. All proceeds of sales go directly to help those in need in our community.. Contact us at gooddeedsbeads@gmail.com. 2ND SUNDAY; BOOK CLUB November 11 at 7pm. We will be discussing Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger. Our host will be Carol Burbridge. Jumping ahead, December we will be reviewing Never Stop Walking A Memoir of Finding Home across the World. by Christina Rickardsson. Our host will be Jane Siedel. November

St. Andrew Lutheran Church 5607 N.E. Gher Road Vancouver, WA 98662-6152 Our Vision: Bringing healing and wholeness to lives and all creation.

Andrew Preschool & Kindergarten All of our classes had lovely weather for the BiZi Farms field trips!

It is a class that is packed with great content we are planning to offer it again this spring.

8 St. Andrew Lutheran Church 5607 N.E. Gher Road Vancouver, WA Our Vision: Bringing healing and wholeness to lives and all creation. Change Service Requested November 2018 Newsletter Next Newsletter Deadline Sunday, November 11th for the December Newsletter St. Andrew Preschool & Kindergarten All of our classes had lovely weather for the BiZi Farms field trips! Kindergarten teacher and Parent Educator, Sara Howe, has been teaching a 6-week Positive Solutions for Parents class. It is a class that is packed with great content we are planning to offer it again this spring. The Preschool & Kindergarten Ministry Team is focusing on: 1) Providing parent education and 2) Increasing parent connections. ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH ELCA 5607 N.E. Gher Road, Vancouver, WA WORSHIP SERVICES WITH HOLY COMMUNION Sundays at 8:30 & 11 am CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 9 am 4:30 pm, Monday through Thursday Office Phone: (360) Office Fax Line: (360) Office office@salcvan.org Preschool Phone: (360) CHURCH STAFF Rev. James D. Stender, Pastor, prjim@salcvan.org Ashley Ryll, Dir. of Children, Youth & Family youthfamily@salcvan.org Amy McCann, Office manager, officemanager@salcvan.org Michelle Veazie, Office Assistant, officeassistant@salcvan.org Sam Solano, Director of Music/Organist, musicdirector@salcvan.org Theresa Swanson, Children s Choir Director, theresaswanson@live.com PRESCHOOL STAFF Beth Femling, Preschool Director, preschool@salcvan.org Bethany Emerson, Kimberly Ewalt, Lisa Fairman, Cassi Grier, Sara Howe, Becky Jones, Natalie Tegarden, Candice Waters and Jillian Worthington. Preschool preschool@salcvan.org Stories, ideas, and comments for the monthly newsletter may be 8 St. Andrew submitted Lutheran to church office Church ( , office@salcvan.org). Newsletter Articles are due by the 2nd Sunday of the month and may be edited

Day of Service September 8 Ministry Fair September 9 Where will you serve? Messy Church - September 9

Day of Service September 8 Ministry Fair September 9 Where will you serve? Messy Church - September 9 Day of Service September 8 St. Andrew Lutheran Church every year reaches out into the community through a one-day, large-scale group volunteer activity. We begin with refreshments at 8:45 am, and then