news Andrew said, We have found the Messiah. John 1:41

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1 St. news Andrew s Andrew said, We have found the Messiah. John 1:41 Our mission is to demonstrate God s love by caring for all people and helping them to know and follow Jesus. In This Issue... `` Members Meeting - June 3 ``Compassion International ``VBS: Shipwrecked! ``New Beginnings Ministry ``Summer Food Program ``Celebrate Our Confirmands ``Orphan Grain Train Dear Friends, At our Member s Meeting on June 3, those in attendance will get a glimpse of St. Andrew s future, or at least as much of it as God has opened to us. We will meet Ruth Heilman, our incoming Organist/Choirmaster, who will officially assume all the duties of her new position later this summer. As I welcome her on your behalf, I also invite you on her behalf to get to know Ruth and consider supporting our Music Ministry with your participation, prayers, and support. Let us give thanks for this new voice among us! We will also have the chance to welcome those who attend our new Amharic Service, held each Sunday at 12:30 p.m. It is such a joy to see our worshipping community grow in this way and look more and more like the family of all nations our Lord has called us to be. Pray that this gathering will continue to be blessed in the future as it surely has been during the launch of this new beginning. We will hear news that this fall, a weekly Bible study will begin in the Ellicott City area of Howard County, where we ve been sensing God s call to go and share the Good News with those who live in the area and are open to spiritual life at a second location for St. Andrew s mission and ministry. Investing in God s mission will be another topic for our consideration. This will include: an introduction to a new Endowment Fund and the giving legacy opportunity it provides to members and friends of our congregation; thanksgiving for your support of the Above and Beyond gift catalog, and thoughts about future funding needs as we continue to explore the feasibility of yet another parking lot at our New Hampshire site; the growth of our church staff; and the growth of St. Andrew-Howard County. I pray that many of you can be with us, but if you aren t able to make it to the meeting, I hope this little summary of its highlights will help you to get a glimpse of what God is doing through the life we share and that you ll find your place somewhere in the process of moving forward, trusting that you Continued on page 2 Senior Fellowship learned about weather forecasting from StormTrak 7 Meteorologist Brian van de Graaf. 1

2 too are pictured in His plan for the future as God uses you and me to serve as the hands and feet and voice of Jesus for the hope of the world. So, here s to the future by the grace of God! The Lord be with you+ In Christ, your brother, Pastor Hricko What if you could release a child from poverty forever? Support Compassion International June 3-4 Stop by the table in the Commons after worship to learn more or visit Compassion International is a trusted organization that has been working across the world for more than 60 years to help children through local churches in poor communities. Each sponsorship is unique and specific to the child that is sponsored. Compassion creates a special relationship where sponsors can exchange personal letters and monetary gifts directly support the child that is chosen. St. Andrew member Quent Remein has a passion for ministry to children and families around the world. For 5 years, Quent has sponsored a child named Bethlehem in the poorest part of Ethiopia. Quent says, The money I give as a sponsor helps my specific child and the local church minister to the poorest of the poor in their community. This ministry meets the physical needs of children by providing food, clean water, education and health care. Most importantly, it introduces children to Jesus! It s amazing and I want you to be a part of it! I believe that if God leads you to sponsor and change a child s life, He will also change your life. I know I have been changed in so many ways as Bethlehem s sponsor. I hope you will consider joining in on one of the greatest investments you can make. Thanks to those are already sponsors. Your faithfulness is changing lives for good! Questions? Contact Quent at 4q@verizon.net. Church Staff Mark A. Hricko, Pastor Steve Miller, Associate Pastor Kenneth G. Carlson, Assistant Pastor Jotham Johann, Director of Wellspring Greg Twombley, Director of Ministries & Praise Team Barbara Wahlbrink, Director of Communications Riki Schoppert, Director of Student Ministries & Worship Arts Lia Mai Puskar, Preschool Director & Children s Ministry Coordinator Robyn Howland, Children s Ministry Assistant - Events Andrea Hricko, Children s Ministry Assistant - Wee Worship Marianne Lohr, Children s Ministry Assistant - VBS Marilee Tollefson, Faith Community Nurse Rosemary Wasser, Organist Choirmaster Ashley Gingrich, Children s Choir Director Debbie Snyder, Director of Administration Bruce Poese, Director of Media Ministry Sarita Winter, Creative Services Anne Harpster, Bookkeeper Ange Lorenz, Bookkeeper Karen Hughes, Administrative Assistant Luis Escobar, Property Maintenance/Events 2018 Board of Directors Glen Harvell, Chair, Paul Lobien, Vice-Chair, Kim Bolton, Diane Brode, Roger Caldow, Gary Fields, Karen Rosales, Martha Piedrasanta, Betsy Varghese, Treasurer: Bruce Winter, LWML President: Karen Matthiesen, St. Andrew s News Published monthly by: The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD Preschool: office@mystandrew.org 2

3 Celebrate our Confirmands After two years of study, hard work and faith formation, this year s Confirmands presented their testimonies at Night of Witness on Friday, May 18 and celebrated the Rite of Confirmation on Sunday, May 20. Your presence to witness this work of the Holy Spirit was a blessing and honor to the Confirmands and their families who faithfully made the journey to this special day. To God be the glory. June 2018 Volume 69 Issue 6 ST. ANDREW MEMBERSHIP God called us to be part of His family for a reason it s hard to grow alone! Our St. Andrew community will meet you where you are, and walk beside you to a closer relationship with God. Wondering how to unite with St. Andrew? Confirmation Class of 2018 Tyler Lewis Brode Crystal Chiamaka Mbah Zoe Caroline Bucshon Edward Alexander Piontek Jacqueline Isabel Espinoza Ely Damian Roper Emma Ruth Lohr Troy Joshua Thomas Keith Abdul Daniel Olufemi Macauley Confirmation Director Passes Baton For more than two decades, George Mannina has served as Director of Confirmation at St. Andrew, developing a dedicated team of teachers and volunteers, and with them nurturing a well-known and respected two-year-long process of Christian education and spiritual formation for the young women and men of our congregation. Together with his fellow team members, George has helped young Christians to take their faith seriously and experience it joyfully. Countless families owe a debt of gratitude to God for George s fierce dedication, tireless efforts, and love for the children of St. Andrew and the encouragement of their spiritual growth. Following this year s celebration of the Rite of Confirmation, George stepped down and passed the baton of leadership to confirmation teacher Gary Fields. Gary is a dedicated follower of Christ and was a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist with the Wall Street Journal before embarking upon his current work at Lutheran World Relief, headquartered in Baltimore. He also currently serves as a member of St. Andrew s Board of Directors. Follow these easy steps Worship with us regularly! Explore the ministry and participate in Faith Walk 101 Information & Membership Seminar. Led by our Pastors and other ministry leaders, these sessions offer the opportunity to explore the Lutheran faith, learn more about our St. Andrew community, and get to know others who are on the same path. If you wish to transfer your membership from another faith community, contact the church office. We will be pleased to assist by writing for your transfer. If you are a new Christian, speak with a Pastor about receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. If you are searching for answers about God, your faith, or our St. Andrew community, contact the church office at or at mystandrew.org. We ll be happy to talk with you to find the answers you seek. We give thanks for these two servants of Christ and encourage your prayers for this transition in the leadership of a ministry that is so vital to the future of God s church! 3

4 Social Ministry Lutheran Social Services Thrift Shop Collections Sundays June 24 & July 22 Warmer weather brings a special need for summer clothing, and children s swim suits, towels and sandals for camp experiences. Gently used household goods, clothing for all ages, toys and decorative items are all welcome. Need a donation receipt? See the Coat Room bulletin board for LSS contact info. C-4 Update July is St. Andrew s month to provide volunteers for sorting/hanging clothing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00-11:30 am. Volunteers are also needed from 9:00-11 am, to distribute groceries from St. Andrew s food pantry. Sign up in the Commons or contact Carol Petzold at or petzold37@gmail.com. Thanks to the generous folks who contributed funds to the C-4 collection for school supplies in May. Nine hundred back packs will be assembled with supplies ordered over the summer to be distributed in August to clients of C-4. Social & Community Ministry Questions or Ideas? Contact Carol Petzold at or petzold37@gmail.com Summer Food Program for Needy Families School food programs often take a hiatus over the summer and St. Andrew will once again partner with Linkages to Learning at Kemp Mill Elementary School to help fill the gap for families affected. We have committed to provide 30 bags of specific food items every other week from June 29 through early September. Please help! Stop by the SUMMER FOOD table in the Commons to select items that you would like to donate, and bring them to the marked bin in the Coat Room ASAP. Monetary donations are also welcome. Write Summer Food on your check or donate online at mystandrew.org - click GIVE and specify Summer Food the OTHER blank on our secure payment page. Questions? Contact Margie Davis (jam4334@verizon.net) or Evelyn Doermann (emdoermann@ gmail.com). Linkages to Learning School Supply Drive Looking ahead, July is the month to donate school suppies to support students in the Linkages to Learning program and the Lutheran Hispanic Mission. Bring donations to the marked box in the Coat Room by July 31. Monetary donations are also welcome by check and online. Please select donations from this needs list: Backpacks #2 pencils Colored Pencils Pens Fine-line markers Highlighters Crayons Scissors Composition Books Loose Leaf Paper Spiral Notebooks Zip Pouches Rulers, Glue Sticks Erasers 4 Orphan Grain Train & Bethania Kids: Worldwide Caring Orphan Grain Train is a Christian humanitarian relief organization that collects and distributes clothing, medical supplies, school supplies and more to help those in need at home and abroad. For many years, a team of volunteers from St. Andrew has traveled at least once a month to Orphan Grain Train s warehouse in Millersville, MD to bring donations and assist as needed. Several St. Andrew members were involved with building the OGT s new warehouse, completed in Since then, volunteers have helped pack boxes for shipments to India, Liberia, Haiti and to Texas and Florida following storms and flooding last year. Shipments are made as goods are available and funds are raised to pay the cost of shipping. This past fall and winter, St. Andrew members and friends helped by donating a large variety of goods and supplies requested to support Bethania Kids ministry at residence homes and care centers in India. Your generous donations will be shipped as soon as Customs clearance is received, and will help change the lives of over 700 women and children in India. Contact Margie Davis (jam4334@ verizon.net) to learn more about helping at OGT. Donate to OGT or Bethania Kids by cash, check or at mystandrew.org - click GIVE.

5 Health & Wellness From our Parish Nurse... This is a God thing, an answer to prayer - actually more than I asked for or imagined. Our God is so good! This is the grateful response I recieved recently from the recipient of equipment donated to our medical loan closet. One daughter had called describing things she had purchased to care for her ailing mother, crying about her recent loss and hoping the items could be useful to another. Not long after, another woman called in tears, sharing about the sudden serious illness of her mother, and all she needed to bring her home for care. The donor family had a deadline so I was only able to give the recipient family a few hours notice but, after several phone calls, two trucks were dispatched from PA to DC in rush hour traffic, and the exact items needed were transferred from one home to the other, with many hugs and tears! This is just one example of the blessings shared by our Medical Loan and Lord s Truck ministries on nearly a weekly basis. Usually the pick-ups and deliveries are done by our volunteers. If you feel God s call to serve, these ministries can use your help! To learn more, contact Marilee in the office. New Baby? New Beginnings! Flowers are blooming, grass is growing, and many babies are being born into the St. Andrew family! Did you know we have a ministry to celebrate these precious new arrivals at birth and through each stage as they grow? New Beginnings offers every family welcoming a baby the delivery of a gift basket and a meal. Then, each month or so, the family will receive a Cradle Roll pamphlet with helpful information about their baby s stage of development and how to share Christ in an age-appropriate way. Stay & Play on Sundays from 10:30-11:00 am is a time when young children can play together as parents get to know one other, building a network of friendship and mutual support. As Jeremiah 1:5 says, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart. What an honor to know and be known by our awesome God! We pray that all our families will know His love and feel surrounded by support from our church family as they grow. Thanks to everyone who plays a part in these ministries. Expecting a baby? Let us know so we can help your family get off to a great new beginning in Christ. Health & Wellness Questions? Contact Marilee Tollefson Faith Community Nurse at or marileetollefson@gmail.com June 2018 Volume 69 Issue 6 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:1 Creative Spirits Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. It is an enduring and assuring message of God s promise of peace and hope in this uncertain world. The mission of Creative Spirits Ministry is to remind members and friends of this hope we have in Christ, no matter what we may face. At the Wellspring Women s Gathering in April, members of Creative Spirits shared how their ministry spreads this message of hope. Carol Clatterbuck, artist and ministry leader, designed the spiritual gift-making exercise, guiding participants first to share about the troubles or challenges in their lives or the lives of friends and loved ones. The group was touched by these stories of loss, illiness, family trauma and encouragement. As they spoke about the message of hope they wanted to embrace and share, they each designed and created a bookmark with this message to keep or give as a gift. It was a very good day to encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 5

6 Children s Ministry PRESCHO OL news School is out and summertime fun has begun at St. Andrew s Preschool! For many students, the school year has been extended with three weeks of fun at our Summer Camp. This year s themes are The Ocean City Boardwalk, Out of this World! and Summer Picassos. Camp is fully enrolled and a good time will be had by all. Enrollment continues for the school year but slots are filling fast. As of this writing, there is only one space available in the 4 s program and just a handful of openings remain in the 2 s and 3 s classes. Spread the word to friends and neighbors. Personal recommendations are our best advertisements. Enjoy the hazy, hot and relaxed days of summer! Eagle Scout Project Report Eagle Scout Candidate Zach Bayler writes: On March 4, I came to the congregation with a plea to support my Boy Scout Eagle Project. I m a Life Scout member of Troop For my project, I decided to refurbish bikes donated by St. Andrew members to be sent to Bethania Kids in India. I found amazing support at LCSA. I hoped to raise $500 for parts, spare tubes and pumps. You generously donated $1300 which made it possible to do more than I had originally planned. About $300 will be used to help pay costs to distribute the bikes in India. I needed some adults who had knowledge of bicycle repair and was amazed by how many people at St. Andrew are bike enthusiasts. On three days, members and scouts worked together to clean and refurbish 20 bikes in St. Andrew s Lower Level. Kingdom Kids will wrap up this year s regular curriculm on Sunday, June 10. We ve had a delightful time with the children each Sunday, watching them grow in faith and fellowship. Kingdom Kids Summer Session begins on Sunday, June 24. Bring your children moving into K-6th grade to room 118 at 9:30 am for a summer adventure where Bible stories and truths will be shared in a larger group setting. The Pre-K class will take a summer break and start up again in the fall. SUMMER VOLUNTEERS are needed to give our regular teachers a muchneeded break. The summer lesson plans, activities, and materials are always simple and ready to go. No prep work is required other than showing up on time and praying for the Holy Spirit s guidance! Sign up in Room 118 from 9:15-11:00 am any Sunday this month or Lia Mai to volunteer. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52 Questions? Contact LiaMai Puskar Children s Ministry Coordinator lcsakids@yahoo.com 6 I would like to thank Stan Jackson, Jeff Schoppert, Dave VanderWeele and Jonathan Harris for donating hours of their time to guide the Scouts. Pepe Gonzales volunteered his masterbike mechanic brother Pinky, who did many major overhauls that I could not have done on my own. A million thanks to Pinky. Also, Ben at Proteus Bikes in College Park gave me lots of advice and a discount on all supplies. With the help of all these people, I was able to provide working bikes to help children get to school much more quickly than walking. On Sunday, April 22, Larry Zimmerman and I loaded the bicycles onto the Orphan Grain Train truck so they could be transported to the shipping container that will soon head out to sea bound for India. Thanks again, everyone!

7 SHIPWRECKED VBS Ahoy! It s almost HERE! Hurry! registration closes online June 10 Register online at mystandrew.org. It s $45 for the first child in a family, and $40 for each additional child. Registration fees include one t-shirt and water bottle per child, plus one music CD or digital download per family. Please note: kids must be pottytrained. Volunteer We still need station leaders and assistants, crew leaders, registration assistants, decorating volunteers and more. Even if you aren t available for the whole week, help on the days you can. Sign up to help online click the VBS link. June :00 am 12:15 pm Ages 3 5th Grade This year s VBS will venture to an uncharted island where kids survive and thrive! Our crew will be anchored in the truth that Jesus always carries us through life s storms. get creative! The VBS Planning Team is still seeking helpers to pull together the lastminute details, materials and decor to transform the church into a desert island by June 25! Contact Marianne Lohr at mariannelcsa@verizon.net. All are welcome! VBS is a great opportunity to share God s love and Good News with children and families in our community. Spread the word to neighbors and friends! 7 still looking for... Old suitcases, foot lockers, and trunks - donate or loan! Wooden crates & pallets Green fabric (any shade) Stuffed parrots & monkeys Restaurant crate boxes Pray! For the ministry, the leaders, volunteers and all children who will participate. Questions? ideas? Contact Marianne Lohr at mariannelcsa@verizon.net or sign up online. All welcome! Teens, your help is eligible for service hours.

8 Church Happenings LWML Mission Grants Update Did you know that Mite Mission Grants currently support ministries in the U.S. as well as in Africa, Asia, Haiti and the Middle East? One grant of $100,000 is supporting the work of six churches in New Orleans, where residents are still hurting from the effects of Hurricane Katrina twelve years ago. The grant will fund the equipping of church fellowship halls to serve more people and will support counseling, clinics, and ongoing efforts to distribute food, clothing, living essentials and faith materials to bring help and hope to those in need. Please help by dropping your donations of any amount through the coins, paper money, and checks placed in the Mite Box at the Welcome Center. Questions about the LWML Mite Ministry? Contact Edi Collis at Thank You! Dear St. Andrew Friends, Thanks everyone! My mother, Helen (Granny) Martin, had a spectacular 100th birthday. She was showered with many cards, phone calls, flowers and food. Her day was filled with friends and family, laughter and lots of love. God has truly blessed us all with the love she continues to show us with her spirit. My heart overflows with joy and thanksgiving! Much love, Claudia Jacobson Dear St. Andrew Congregation, Thanks for hosting a successful Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop. We value our community partners. Without your help, we could not bring these workshops into the community. Please pass on our heartful thanks to all those involved. Kind regards, Jane Cashin, MPH Coordinator, Holy Cross Hospital Dear Friends, Thank you for your prayers and cards during this difficult time. Your kindness and well wishes are much appreciated. Family of Barbara B. King Dear Members of St. Andrew, Thank you for partnering with us through prayers and gifts to make the ministry of the Mid-Atlantic Lutherans in Mission (MALIM) a reality. Your support is invaluable. Cordially in Christ, Rev. Dr. Arthur W. Scherer President, MALIM Dear St. Andrew Family, Thank you for the warm welcome in April and the opportunity to worship and share our mission with fellow Maryland Lutherans. We ask you to journey with us in prayer to sustain us as Globally Engaged in Outreach (GEO) Missionaries in Germany for the next three years. Blessings in Mission, Carl & Karen Cecil Dear Friends, We are grateful to partner with The Lutheran Church of St.Andrew. Thank you for all you do to support God s precious children in India. Your gifts are put to good use and make an enormous difference in the lives of children. Wishing you God s richest blessings today and always. In Christ s love, Toni O Connor Bethania Kids Senior Adult Fellowship A Day in Annapolis Tuesday, June 5 Explore Maryland s rich history in our beautiful capital city, with time for lunch and fellowship. We ll visit the The Government House, a Georgianstyle mansion tastefully decorated in Victorian style which serves as home to Maryland s Governor. Next, we will move on to the Maryland State House, where St. Andrew member and former State Delegate Carol Petzold will give us a special tour. Afterward, we ll head to Pusser s Carribbean Grill to enjoy lunch on the waterfront. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk! Bus departs at 9:30 am. Cost of $15 per person for the bus, plus lunch on your own. Sign up at the Welcome Center in the Commons and pay by June 3. Need a ride to church? Contact Marilee in the Church office. Questions? Contact Jeanette Schuder at Save the Date! Fun Run for Runners & Walkers Monday, September 3 The Colesville Coalition of Community Congregations (C-4) will host a Fun Run to benefit their organization. We ve supported C-4 with school supplies, toys, food distribution and volunteers. Now you can put your energy to good use to support a great organization. Details to follow next month. 8

9 District Convention Held in North Carolina The 38th Convention of our denomination s Southeastern District was held on May in Hickory, North Carolina. Pastor Steve Miller represented St. Andrew as our pastoral delegate to the convention along with lay delegate Ken Austin. District President John Denninger was re-elected to his third term, other leaders were elected or re-elected, and resolutions were passed to facilitate and encourage the district s mission. Pastor Hricko, who previously served two terms as a district vice-president, was nominated for the position again, but respectfully declined. The district meets in convention every three years. Pastor Steve with Kyle McClure, Minister of Music at Concordia Lutheran Church and Music Director at Convention 9

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12 The Lutheran Church of ST. ANDREW Non-Profit Organization Postage Paid Suburban MD PERMIT NO New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday at 8:00 & 9:30 am Traditional 11:00 am Contemporary Praise Monday at 7:00 pm Church Preschool If you would prefer to receive this newsletter electronically or are receiving this newsletter in error, please contact the church office at or Thank you. VBS 2018 June :00 am - 12:15 pm For Ages 3 years through Grade 5 Don't miss it!