Reflections by Pastor Gary

Transcription

1 Volume 11, Issue 1 Reflections by Pastor Gary January 2019 January is a me of endings, 2018, and beginnings, The reality of endings and beginnings is not only found in how we keep me, but it is the essence of the ministry of an interim pastor. As we begin 2019 I would like this reflec on to focus on the stages and tasks of interim ministry. The stages of an interim ministry usually are the ending of a prior pastoral Call, new direc on guiding, self study, search for a primary candidate, nego a on, a congrega onal 2/3 vote to extend a new Call, the installa on of the elected pastor and a new beginning of pastoral ministry. Saint Andrew Lutheran Church is now in the self-study me of an interim. You are invited by the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) team to provide insight for the self-study. Thank you for your par cipa on in accomplishing this developmental task. What is the purpose and desired results from this me of working through the stages and tasks of interim ministry? My prayer is that Saint Andrew Lutheran Church will discover a commitment to new leadership and direc on for the future in the self-study me. The cause is in the future, not the past. We look back so that we can move forward with a powerful sense of God leading us in God s mission. That is why it is important to review our history, consider new leadership power shi s, an cipate a new iden ty and enhance our linkage with the East Central Synod of Wisconsin. God who has led us to this place will not abandon but will con nue to lead us in God s Mission of catching people. God s Kingdom will come in and through God s Mission at Saint Andrew Lutheran Church. A er our congrega on has completed the MSP, the Council appoints a Call Commi ee. The Call Commi ee then conducts the search and nego ates the Call for a senior pastor. The Council then affirms the Call Commi ee s work and presents the recommended senior pastor to the congrega on for the official vote of Call. A er the Call is accepted and installa on is done, Saint Andrew Lutheran Church will have concluded the interim and a new beginning takes place for a pastor and congrega on. This process is sourced in our Church Cons tu on and the policies of the ELCA East Central Synod of Wisconsin. What the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:6 expresses my belief in Saint Andrew Lutheran Church: I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to comple on by the day of Jesus Christ. God s peace and a blessed year in 2019! Weekly Worship Thursday: 12:15 and 6:15 pm Sunday: 8:00, 9: :45 am Congrega on Annual Mee ng January 27, In the Sanctuary Youth Spaghe Dinner January 27 immediately following the Annual Mee ng

2 Page 2 Super Bowl Snacks Sunday, February 3 Snack dona ons for the Super Bowl Sunday Snack Sale can be dropped off at church Friday, February 1 before 4 pm or on Super Bowl Sunday before the services. Please package items for individual sale to be sold for $1 each and label if there are nuts, peanut bu er or if lactose or gluten-free for allergy concerns. Your support of the SALC Food Pantry through snack dona ons and purchases is appreciated! OWLS Happy New Year from the OWLS! There will be no OWLS ac vity this month. Look for details in next month s Network and the bulle ns for February s ac vity. Noisy Offering A Noisy Offering will be received on Thursday and Sunday, January 17 & 20 in support of our companion church, Zeerust Lutheran Church in South Africa. Blood Pressure Checks Blood pressure checks will be available January 20, 9:00- in the library area of the Fellowship Hall. Fair Trade Products will be available for purchase on Sunday, January 20. All purchases help small landowner producers sustain their families and villages. SALC ANNUAL MEETING The Saint Andrew Annual Congrega onal Mee ng will take place Sunday, January 27 at during worship in the sanctuary. Work is being done to have annual reports and the approved budget available mid-january so members can pick them up in advance of the mee ng. In the event a review of this informa on prompts a ques on, feel free to express that in person, by or by phone to the church office so an informed answer can be provided. Thank you in advance for your willingness to engage in conversa on around the work of Christ s church through Saint Andrew! MSP TEAM UPDATE The MSP (Ministry Site Profile) document is the next step before calling a Senior Pastor. The Profile assesses our history, defines SALC future mission and steps to carry out, and the characteris c and focus for our next Senior Pastor. Two congrega on surveys with 442 responses helped define characteris c and focus for our next Senior Pastor. The goal is to have this completed in January for Church Council approval and review by the Synod Bishop. It will then be posted on the ELCA web site under ministry opportuni es and presented to the congrega on. ASP SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER Sunday, January 27, 10:45 am Support the SALC youth who will be par cipa ng with the Youth Summer Mission Trip in the summer of 2019! (See pg. 4 of the Network for more details). Immediately following the SALC Annual Congrega onal Mee ng, all are welcome to the Fellowship Hall for a spaghe dinner and me of fellowship. SHARING THE GIFTS WE OFFER Through council discernment and ac on, $7500 was shared this past two quarters with our local community. Recipients include: Share Your Holidays (NewsChannel 7) Wausau Warming Center Never Forgo en Honor Flight Habitat for Humanity ASP Project Crossways Camping Ministries Hope Is Here 89Q Radio Sta on Compassion Interna onal 2019 PLEDGE CARDS Thank you to everyone who has pledged their support of me and talent and their financial support to the mission and ministry of Saint Andrew. It is not too late to turn in a Time and Talent card or a Pledge card for 2019 indica ng your commitment. Thank you!

3 Check It Out...From the SALC Library Watch for new Veggie Tales videos to arrive in the library the middle of the month as well as more from the Berenstain Bears! Come check us out! From Bubble to Bridge by Marion H. Larson & Sara L. H. Shady In a world of deep religious strife and increasing pluralism it can seem safer to remain inside the bubble of our faith community. The authors not only make the case that we can love our religious neighbors without dilu ng our commitment, but also offer prac cal wisdom and ideas for turning our faith bubbles into bridges of religious inclusion and interfaith engagement. SALC Memorial Gifts Thank you for all gi s received in honor or in memory of someone special. If you would like to give a memorial gi to Saint Andrew, please contact the church office. Page 3 SALC Mailing List Would you like to receive s from Saint Andrew with announcements of ac vi es, events and informa on? You could also receive the Network via rather than a paper copy in the mail. Simply call the office or office@salc-wausau.org with your preference to begin receiving SALC no fica ons and/or the Network. BLUE MAGIC PAPER BOX The blue Magic Paper Box recycling bin is located in the West parking lot near the dumpster enclosure. This recycling program not only promotes care for the environment but also generates revenue from being paid for the paper waste collected. SALC members and others in the community are encouraged to collect and drop off newspapers, junk mail, magazines, office/school papers and catalogs. This program is not for cardboard, plas c, metal, glass, text books, hard cover books, garbage or paper contaminated with food, chemicals etc. Thank you for recycling and helping support the ministry programs at Saint Andrew. THANK YOU TO ALL Thank you to all who helped with the 5 th annual Saint Andrew Thanksgiving dinner. It was a wonderful meal with great fellowship serving approximately 177 people. Saint Andrew looks forward to this event again next year! Thank you to everyone who has shopped, kni ed, crocheted and is con nuing to provide hats and mi ens in response to the Saint Andrew Christmas Giving Tree. These warm items are on their way to local schools and will con nue to be distributed as more are received. Thank you for your generosity and faithful response to this special outreach opportunity. And thank you to the many families who helped to make Saint Andrew a warm, invi ng and beau ful place to worship during the Christmas season. Thank you for the Christmas trees throughout the building and their decora ons, SUMMER the pine WEEDING bough decora ons ASSISTANCE in the Sanctuary, and the exterior Christmas bough entrance decora ons. Weeding assistance is needed for the building SPRING landscaping TREASURE and north chapel SALE side parking lot islands. In the Volunteer Book on the Informa on Mark Desk your sheets calendar are for conveniently early May to highlighted bring in your designa ng gently used dona ons for the Treasure Sale. Donated items should small be in sec ons good working for individuals order and to be in very responsible good condi on. for the The following items will not be accepted: computers, printers, weeding televisions, this summer phones, and ba eries, fall. Please chargers, take a light sheet bulbs, and microwaves, carpets/rugs, paint/chemicals, large appliances plan to or share exercise your equipment. me at Saint Andrew when convenient. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! TIME TO SEW Winter is the perfect me to sew and you don t have to be a seasoned quilter or seamstress to sew a quilt top in a kit or a school bag! Many kits are currently available in the kiosk in the Narthex ready to be sewn. Completed items can be returned to the bo om drawer of the Informa on Desk.

4 Page 4 FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY I want to suggest that you read the book Frogs Without Legs Can t Hear, by David W. Anderson and Paul Hill. Why the sugges on? Saint Andrew is focusing on a Faith Forma on Ministry. This book will help with informa on on how to develop a Faith Forma on Ministry and is available in the SALC library Each week in the bulle n you have the opportunity to use the taking faith home insert when you leave worship. The insert is from Milestones Ministry which is part of Vibrant Faith/Faith Forma on ministry that you can google for more informa on. Pastor Gary DARE WE HOPE? Thursday, January 10, :30am-3pm Diocese of Green Bay Chancery Building Join our Bishop, Jerry Mansholt and Roman Catholic leaders from the Diocese of Green Bay for a day of learning at an event en tled, Dare We Hope: Lutherans and Catholics Together in Light of Communion in Growth. Registra on is through the synod and the cost is $15 (lunch). If you would like more informa on look for a brochure on the informa on desk. Register by December 30. IMPORTANT DATES January 6: Sunday School Resumes January 9: Confirma on Resumes January 25-27: 3-6 Grades Mid-Winter Retreat March 17, 31 & April 7: First Communion Classes April 14: First Communion Worship-2:00 pm MID-WINTER RETREAT AT CROSSWAYS Who: 3-6 Grade Students (and parent chaperones). What: Time at camp in God s beau ful crea on to play and explore in the snow, study bible stories, sing and play games around a theme focused on faith and life. When: Friday, January 25 (drop off: 6:30-7:00 pm) Sunday, January 27 (pick up: 11:00 am) Where: Crossways Waypost Camp in Hatley, WI Cost: $45 (will need to provide your own transporta on) Register by January 16 online ( or at the Informa on Desk in the Narthex APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT YOUTH SUMMER MISSION TRIP 2019 In July 2017, 12 youth and 7 adults from Saint Andrew went to Kentucky and helped bring hope and warmth to people in need through the Appalachia Service Project. ASP is an organized Chris an effort, bringing comfort and warmth to those in need in the Appalachian region. More importantly we show God's love through support and friendship with those we are serving. We shared me and hard work and le feeling like we received more than we gave! Saint Andrew is now planning for a group of 10 youth and 5 adults to return next summer. The trip will be June 22-28, Basic requirements for the trip are that you have completed 9 th grade and have a willing a tude with an open heart. An informa onal mee ng will be held on Sunday, January 6 at 10:45 am. Expenses for the week will be approximately $250 or less with fundraising par cipa on. Scholarship support is available. In addi on to youth, adult leaders are required and needed for the teams.

5 Page 5 SERMONS ARE ON-LINE Indeed the word of God is living and ac ve (Hebrews 4:12) The sermons preached on Sunday mornings at Saint Andrew are now available on-line. You can listen to them by visi ng Navigate to the bo om of the home page and click on the sermon you would like to hear. That will take you to a page with a link to the gospel text (you can read that first, if you d like!) and then click on the word listen to hear God s Word proclaimed. Use the share bu ons below to share the sermons with one another or on social media ALTAR FLOWERS Honor a loved one or special event with altar flowers in Bouquets are rou nely ordered weekly unless otherwise requested. A le er will be sent to you the week prior to the Sunday you signed up for flowers outlining the process, confirming what will be printed in the bulle n and will include an envelope for payment (cost is $24.00). Your flowers may be taken home to be enjoyed following the last worship service on Sunday. Sign up on the Flower Chart posted on the kiosk in the Narthex. ASSISTING IN DECEMBER Time January 6 January 13 January 20 January 27 Altar Guild Team 3 Team 4 Team 4 Team 5 Usher Team Shepherd A B Tipple Lay Readers Paul Nelson Judy Marshall Ray Skare Tammy Schilling Dave Mueller Dan Malm Faith Mar nson Cheryl Allen Greeters Dotseth Smith Julie Spalding Weis Klein Jarvis Mann Widman Skadahl Schmidt Fellowship Sitko Clemment Jacobson Soukup Gnatz Geiger Poutanen Mueller Willems Cookie Bakers 7:30 am Fehrman Wiedman Geiger Rickstad LECTIONARY READINGS January 6 January 13 January 20 January 27 Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, Ephesians 3:1-12 Ma hew 2:1-12 Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm 29 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 36: Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21

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7 Page 7 WE PRAY For Bap sms: Giving thanks for the gi of bap sm, we li up those children, parents and sponsors who have recently been received or will be received into the family of faith. We pray especially for: Clara Mae Radtke - November 11 Amelia Jane Radtke - November 11 Audny Jean Smithback - December 2 Henry William Zastrow - January 13 Kinzley Marie Remondini - January 13 PRAYER CENTER In response to personal requests, the Prayer Center list will not only be recognized in worship but also on this side of the calendar each month. As you review the day to day list of events that take place at Saint Andrew, please also give considera on to those who have requested prayers. Do you know of someone who is in need of prayer? (Please ask first). Call the church office at to have names added to the list at the Prayer Center. Names will be updated on a regular basis. FOR THESE WE PRAY... Aiden Ali Amy Ashley Babs Bill Brian Callie & Zak Carl Charles & Gerry Charles Colton Dennis Ed Jak Jay Jennifer Jim Larry Leann Lynne & Dan Maxine Meg Michael Monica Nikki Pam Phil Robin Ron Siri Tom Tony Zurn Ella Amy Tom Yvonne Laura Frank Pam Angie Helen Riley Rebecca Ted Ka e Joe Ka e Laurie Judy Kurt & Family Elizabeth Dale Angie & Laura Christopher Barb Thank you, Lord, for always answering prayer, but not indulging my every pe y, private request. Thank you for winnowing and refining, vetoing and delaying, refusing and revising. Thank you for being God and never less, for freeing me for wide horizons, for protec ng me from my limited vision and wayward will. Thank you for foiling my every effort to unseat you and make myself king. Thank you for keeping it safe for me to pray. Gerhard E. Frost From Seasons of a Lifetime: A Treasury of Meditations (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1989, p. 118)

8 Open to All 3200 N. Mountain Road Wausau, WI Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Wausau, WI Permit No. 82 Parish Staff Rev. Jenn Collins, Pastor Rev. Gary Brandenburg, Interim Pastor Rev. Jeff Mar nson, Visita on Pastor Shelby Gjertson, Parish Administrator Joy Mitchell, Secretary Al Freiberg, Coordinator of Music Sheldon Geiger, Bookkeeper Shannon Vujnovich, Custodian Ma hew Clark, Sexton Jenna Rusch, Sexton Upcoming Events/Activities JANUARY 6 9:40 am Sunday School Classes Resume 9 6:15 pm Confirma on Classes Resume Mid-Winter Retreat at Waypost Camp 27 SALC Annual Congrega onal Mee ng 27 10:45 am Youth Spaghe Fundraiser Dinner FEBRUARY 3 Super Bowl Snack Sale SALC is on Facebook! Follow the link on the Saint Andrew website and click like to keep up with the latest news and events!