the VOICE Each of us has a story to tell. It begins the day we were born. The stories become narrative , Saint Andrews

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1 , Saint Andrews LUTHERAN CHURCH the VOICE March 2018 Along the Way What s inside... Along the Way... 1 Calendar Congregation Collaborations Congregation Council... 5 Discipleship Ministries. 6-9 Fellowship, Groups, and More Health and Wholeness Ministry Lent - Easter Ministry Team Outreach and Servant Ministries Pastoral Care... 4 Reflections... 4 Serving in Our Community Sunday Servers Thank You... 4 Worship and Liturgical Arts... 2 Sunday Worship 8:30 am and 11:00 am Discipleship Hour 9:45 am Lenten Midweek Worship March 7, 14, 21 Soup Supper, 6:15 pm Worship, 7:00 pm Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church th Ave SE Bellevue WA Phone: Fax: The Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church newsletter is a free monthly publication. Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Psalm 113:1 NRSV Each of us has a story to tell. It begins the day we were born. The stories become narrative of our stewardship of the lives that God has given us. Last Sunday (February 25), the Sermon invited each of us to consider our story and God s story that enfolds us in this Time of Lent. We have great ancestors: Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, their offspring that eventually brings us to Moses, the lawgiver whose story is such a part of our faith tradition. In the Time of Lent, we hear words of deliverance that find us in Holy Week and the celebration of Passover and the Exodus. That is the family story of deliverance of God s people and is reflected in Luke s Gospel, when on the Mount of Transfiguration, he records that Moses and Elijah were with Jesus and were speaking of his departure ( exodus ), which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:31) The fulfillment is striking in the two deliverance stories about the promise of God to redeem all humankind. Promise is fulfilled in the Cross. Psalms are called the Egyptian Hallel. They are recited at the Passover Meal at home and at Temple and in synagogue during the great annual festival, in remembering the Exodus. Hallel means praise the Lord. And the psalms are spoken as the faithful approach the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus and His disciples shared some of them after the institution of the Lord s Supper. (Matthew 26:30). What does this mean for us today? How about a Psalm a Day Plan? As you read them, imagine that you are with Jesus approaching the Temple, the place where the observant would believe that God, the Lord, was enthroned each year as the King of Israel. Then, underline the words you remember hearing during the Time of Lent. (Hint: Psalm 116:13, Psalm 118:1,22) The Psalms were the hymnal of Jesus early years. Some of the words from the Cross were first memorized from the Psalms. May these words, thought to be written by Moses, bless us on the journey as we receive again the narrative of old which we share in the Passion Story of Jesus Christ. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 118:29 NRSV). See you in church! Pastor Jim McEachran Chili Cook-off and Auction March 10, 6:00 pm A fun fellowship event for the entire congregation! See page 10. a G h t r e Time Change Remember to Spring Forward! Daylight Saving Time begins March 11. Set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on March E. n c o u r a g e... E Holy Week and Easter Palm Sunday, March 25 Easter Sunday, April 1 See page 2-3. q u i S p... e n... d

2 Worship Texts March 4 Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 March 11 Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21 March 18 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33 March 25, Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1--15:47 March 29, Manudy Thursday Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 116:1-2, Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 March 30, Good Friday John March 31, Vigil of Easter Genesis 1:1--2:4a Exodus 14:10-31, 15:20-21 Isaiah 55:1-11 Isaiah 4:2-6 Daniel 3:1-29 Romans 6:1-11 John 20:1-18 April 1, Easter Day Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, Corinthians 15:1-11 Mark 16:1-8 Music Rehearsal Times Chancel Choir Thursdays, 7:00 pm Handbell Choir Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Children s Choir Sundays, 3:00 pm March 4, March 11 Worship and Liturgical Arts 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 Palm Sunday, March 25, 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, March 4 and March 11, 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. Communion Bread Everyone is invited to bake bread used in the Eucharist on Sunday mornings. The sign-up for all of 2018 is available. You can sign up online for a specific Sunday. Links to the sign-up website and to the recipe for Luther Bread are both on the Saint Andrew s website; go to SALChome.org and scroll down to Bake Communion Bread. Contact coordinator Jill Nichols-Hicks for more information. Lent ~ Easter Welcome and Worship with Children What Wondrous Love... There are a variety of resources to welcome children in worship. These include a worship summary form for kids (available in the Narthex), prayer/offering cards for kids (in the pew racks), Little Disciples Tips in the bulletin on how to engage children in worship, and a spot set aside just for kids on the east side of the Sanctuary. Children may borrow Spark Bibles (available in the Narthex) during worship to follow along with the lessons and parts of worship. During the Time of Lent, we walk together as a community who trusts that God is about the work of love in sending Jesus into the world. As we walk together in this time of renewal, we are called to remember that in Jesus Christ all things are made new now and forever. What Wondrous Love... is a theme that carries us deeper in the life of discipleship. We share days of worship and learning, fellowship and serving. We are those who carry on the good news that from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, we are the people of the Way. And Jesus said, Follow me. Mid-week Worship... The Word Speaks Wednesdays: Soup Supper, 6:15 pm Holden Evening Prayer, 7:00 pm Pastor McEachran s devotional words focus on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross. How could it be that those words contain so many feelings which define our lives in the world? From forgiveness to reunion, Jesus walks with us into the victory we know and sing on Easter Sunday. March 7 Matthew 27:46 Abandonment Mark 15:34 March 14 John 19:28 Distress March 21 John 19:30, Triumph Luke 23:46 Reunion Soup Supper Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve soup on Wednesday, March 14. Please sign up in the Narthex. 2 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA March 2018

3 Holy Week and The Three Days Labyrinth ~ March 24 - March 30 prayer labyrinth will be available in 302/Fellowship A Hall South to walk for reflection and prayer throughout Holy Week. A labyrinth is a path which leads, via a circuitous route, to the center of an intricate design and back out again. A labyrinth s route has only a single path. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth is designed for ease of navigation, and it is impossible to get lost within one. Palm Sunday ~ March 25 Worship with Holy Communion 8:30 am and 11:00 am The Children s Choir sings at both worship services. Palm Sunday leads into the journey of Holy Week. Maundy Thursday ~ March 29 Worship with Holy Communion 12:15 pm and 7:00 pm With the institution of the Lord s Supper, we are given life and salvation through Christ s body and blood. Pastor Paul Hoffman is our Preaching Minister. Good Friday ~ March 30 Worship 7:00 pm Passion According to Saint John Our service follows the ancient service of Tenebrae, which means darkness. With spoken word of Ten Lessons and the Passion According to Saint John, we will remember the price paid to redeem the sins of the world. The gradual extinguishing of the lights will help us to remember that Jesus will be the Victory, the Light of the World. Resurrection of Our Lord, Vigil of Easter ~ March 31 Worship with Holy Communion 7:00 pm The Church gathers for worship in anticipation of the dawn of Easter Day, the chief festival of the Church. Readings recall God s deliverance of His people in the Old Testament as we look forward to God s deliverance of all people through the death and resurrection of Christ. Lent Baskets of Promise Outreach The Baskets of Promise program during Lent, sponsored by the Health and Wholeness Ministry Committee, helps to fill the Personal Care Kits that are sent out to Lutheran World Relief in early May. Our goal this year is to fill 150 kits. See page 16 for more information and the collection schedule. Lent ~ Easter Easter Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day ~ April 1 Worship with Holy Communion 8:30 am and 11:00 am Worship of Word and Sacrament welcomes the good news of Jesus Resurrection from the dead. Breakfast Available Join us for an elegant Easter Breakfast, April 1, before or after worship in Fellowship Hall. This event raises funds for our 2018 God Squad Mission Team s trip to the Blackfeet Nation this summer. The breakfast will feature delicious French Toast, with breakfast sausage, hash browns, and fresh fruit. To adequately serve our guests in a timely fashion, we are encouraging reservations. A block of reservations will be set aside each hour. A limited number will be available so be sure to meet us in the Narthex beginning Sunday, March 11, to reserve your spot. While reservations will be prioritized, we will still have space for walk-ins available. Flowers for Easter Cross The Altar Guild invites everyone to bring flowers to decorate the Easter Cross. Please bring donations to the church on Friday, March 30, before 3:00 pm, or Saturday, March 31, no later than 10:00 am. Color During Lent Gather for fellowship and devotion in the Narthex as Saint Andrew s works together to color the Psalms of Lent as a Communal Art Expression. On Easter morning, the final product will be displayed. Prayer Partners for Lent 2018 We have 69 participating in the Prayer Partners for Lent this year. This is a wonderful ministry to pray for someone you may not know and to be lifted up in prayer by someone else in this special way. Thank you everyone for being a part of this and thank you to Beverley Watt for all her help in facilitating this program. Participants can come to the Reveal on Sunday, April 8, at 9:45 am and find out who was praying for you. Everyone is invited to come and share in the Reveal. Find out what it s all about! God hears our prayers, He cares, and He answers our prayers. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13 Cheryl Jurrus Prayer Partners March 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 3

4 .... on Legacies Reflections.... by Lowell Arneson Let s reflect on legacies. In modern times, the common usage of the word legacy refers to how money and property will be distributed to heir(s) in accordance with directions in a legal document called a will. In other words, a legacy is an inheritance, a material thing. There is a secondary meaning, which is reflected in statements we hear from those who say how much the life of a person, now deceased, has enriched them. These are the immaterial legacies, the imprints placed on us from the lives of the many who have gone before us. This is our focus today. LEGACY RECEIVED. Each of us is, in many ways, a composite of all the legacies that have been left to us. This is particularly true of our intellectual and cultural make up. Our parents, teachers, friends, pastors, and associates of all types have touched our hearts and minds. At their passing, they leave us enriched, and we are the better for it. They all contributed to our learning how to live, how to grow, and how to serve. These legacies received over our long or short lifetimes, connect us to both the past and the future, and taken together, provide our spiritual foundation we rely on, daily, in our lives. In this manner, our legacies are truly a blessing. LEGACY GIVEN. We are inclined to forget that we, also, are leaving legacies whether we mean to or want to or not. We will one day be passing from this earthly life, and the memory of that life will be left behind. The quality of that life will be our legacy. What are we leaving behind? Joan Chittister, in her book, The Gift of Years, (Blue Bridge Press) suggests four perspectives that we all will be leaving behind. First, we will leave behind our attitude toward the world. That attitude may be demonstrated in the way we treat nature and others like us. Do we inspire positive thinking and love for others through our personality? Do we create warmth or tension when we are near someone? Those we leave behind will have noticed. Second, we will leave behind our value system that marks everything we do. Even though we may have thought we were very private, people have watched us. They see what we tolerate, and what we do not. They see that we can be quite sloppy, or neat. They see how we chose to spend our time, and what we gave our lives to doing. Third, we leave behind the memory of how we treated strangers. Did we show love for those who were not so loveable? How did we speak to them? What did we say about them? Did we allow them into our inner circle? Fourth, we leave behind our model of a relationship with God. People hear the language we use when we speak of spiritual thoughts or death, or life thereafter. What our positions are on spiritual matters will show, and may have a large impact on others who struggle with their own spiritual life. It is perhaps time to ask if we are satisfied with leaving behind our attitudes, our value system, how we treat strangers, and how we relate to God. If we aren t satisfied, we still have some time to amend our legacy. That time, of course, keeps getting shorter with every passing day. The concept of legacy leaving can lead one into many avenues of thought and concerns. It is worth taking some time now and then to think it through. Pastoral Care Baptisms None Weddings None Memorial Services None Committals None Thank You On behalf of Operation Gratitude and the heroes who receive our care packages, I thank you for your continuing support and generous donation of 29 Beanie Babies, 102 paracord bracelets and your dedication to our mission. Your contribution will enable us to keep sending our lovingly-filled Care Packages to the tens of thousands of brave men and women still deployed overseas in harsh and remote areas; to their children anxiously awaiting their return; and to Veterans, New Recruits, First Responders, Wounded Heroes and their Care Givers. In December we celebrated the delivery of our Two Millionth Care Package! Every single donation we receive furthers our mission of saying Thank You to those who serve. Thank You, Kevin M. Schmiegel, CEO, Operation Gratitude 4 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA March 2018

5 Congregation Council At the February 10 Council Advance... In early February, the Congregation Council met for a three-hour Advance to review the 2017 year, debrief on the Annual Meeting and to begin planning for the 2018 year with a new Council. The discussion addressed a variety of topics inclusive of the Joshua Process, Committee Assignments and the specific goals of Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church. In the first months of 2018, the Council is concentrating its efforts on four primary initiatives summarized below. Initiatives: Four initiatives were identified as areas of focus for the first months of Each Council member has committed to at least one initiative. Discipleship: Develop a direct communication approach to obtain additional input from congregation members (through conversations, etc.) about the future and vision of our congregation. Results from this effort will feed into the Stewardship and Vision initiatives. Council members working on this initiative are Ben Johnson, Vanessa Wilkie, Marshall Erling, Dick Swaisgood, and Beka Gordon. Vision: Develop an approach to creating a church Vision and Values statement. An initial focus group was already performed during a recent Discipleship Hour. Council members working on this initiative are Dick Szabo, Scott Lester, Ann Thorpe, and Jean Wahlstrom. Building: Establish a schedule and plan for moving toward conclusive decisions on building needs. The group will meet with the Finance Committee to understand the financial tolerances of the congregation, explore design options/ scaling with VIA Architecture, and work with the Building Remodel Team to establish clear expectations. Council members working on this initiative are Dick Swaisgood, Art Gurtel, and Scott Lester. Stewardship: Support the Stewardship Committee as it rebuilds under the leadership of new Stewardship Chair Andy Hogle. Council members working on this initiative are Karen Grams, Joni Barrott, Stein Dolan, and Jill Nichols-Hicks. Separate from the initiatives, Art Gurtel and Dianne Chong are co-facilitating a Leadership Transition Team. The Team consists of Council Vice President, Art Gurtel, former Human Resources Committee chair Dianne Chong, Marc Bateman, Amy Myhre, Dana Nasby, Dan Johnson, and Pastor James McEachran. The Council Advance concluded with a team exercise that focused on identifying the unique characteristics of Saint Andrew s that we are all most proud of, or Prouds. Council members each shared five things about Saint Andrew s that they were most proud of. Prouds could be specific moments, events, or observations. They could also take the form of abstract concepts or emotional feelings. The Prouds will be considered by the Vision Initiative Team as they begin discussions toward creating a Vision and Values statement for Saint Andrew s which is part of the Joshua Process Waypoint 2 (Vision). 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 Congregation Council, Committees, and Initiatives Committee Council Liaison Committee Chair Executive Scott Lester, President Art Gurtel, Vice President Stein Dolan, Secretary Joni Barrott, Treasurer Pastor McEachran Building and Property Jill Nichols-Hicks John Nelson Communications Stein Dolan Kendra Mills Ben Johnson Discipleship Marshall Erling Joyce Kasper Ministries Beka Gordon, Youth Representative Finance Joni Barrott Brady Kasper Health and Wholeness Vanessa Wilkie Stella Nieman Beverley Watt Karen Grams Human Resources Scott Lester Brent Hicks Outreach and Servant Ministries Ann Thorpe Marlyn Thorpe Committee Council Liaison Committee Chair Stewardship Joni Barrott Andy Hogle Karen Grams Dick Swaisgood Jean Wahlstrom Worship and Liturgical Arts Dick Szabo, Pastor McEachran Sharon Gurtel Initiative Council Members Discipleship Ben Johnson Dick Swaisgood Vanessa Wilkie Beka Gordon Marshall Erling Vision Dick Szabo Scott Lester Ann Thorpe Jean Wahlstrom Dick Swaisgood Scott Lester Art Gurtel Stewardship Karen Grams Stein Dolan Joni Barrott Jill Nichols-Hicks March 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 5

6 Discipleship Ministries. The vision of Discipleship Ministries is To gather, encourage and equip all people through active learning, how to embody faith in Jesus as they are sent into the world. Discipleship Hour on Sunday Mornings 9:45 am every Sunday morning, with classes for everyone age 2 through adult! Check the Sunday bulletin and Narthex monitor for locations. Grab some coffee, tea, or cocoa and join in - our faith journey never ends! Youth... Please note: There are no Discipleship Hour Classes on Easter Sunday, April 1. Discipleship education classes are offered every Sunday Morning at 9:45 am for children and youth age 2 through grade 12. Sunday Offering Last year the students of Saint Andrew s voted to have their Sunday offerings go to support Lutheran World Relief (LWR). This year their offerings will continue to support LWR with the funds being designated for Bihar, India. Parents, please help your children remember to bring an offering each Sunday for collection during Discipleship Hour. The class with the highest participation will be rewarded with Krispy Kreme donuts each quarter! Sunday Church School (SCS) All children ages 2 through Grade 5 are invited to join our Sunday Church School classes. All classes are downstairs in South Hall. The SCS office is located on the lower level near the Narthex stairs. Students who are new to our congregation are asked to come to the SCS office to register and be welcomed to your class. Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation (ABC) Classes are geared toward students in grades 6-8, and are held on Sundays at 9:45 am. Those students new to our congregation should contact Director of Discipleship Ministries Emily Harrow or Pastor McEachran. 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. 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, and is used for all activities for Complete one form per family. 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: Registration forms with revised August 2014 (or more recent date) at the bottom may be submitted. 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. Teachers We have wonderful and dedicated teachers for our children during the school year, but we always welcome new volunteers! If you are interested in serving as a teacher or substitute, or would like more information, please contact Director of Discipleship Ministries Emily Harrow, emily@salchome.org or Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA March 2018

7 Adults...at 9:45 am Discipleship Ministries ~ Sunday March 4 Tanzania Facilitators: Jean Wahlstrom, Marvin Kananen, and Dick Swaisgood With pictures and stories, Jean Wahlstrom, Marvin Kananen, and Dick Swaisgood will share about their recent visit to our global mission projects in Tanzania. Come hear updates on the MaaSAE Girls School (especially the dedication of the Jan Swaisgood Classroom) and The Plaster House (the opening of 3 new buildings) and will include a few safari and Indian Ocean pictures (pure RnR). Questions and conversation are welcome. March 11 Women and Justice (replaces Hands-On Prayer) Facilitator: Pastor Mary-Alyce Burleigh We welcome Pastor Mary-Alyce Burleigh to lead us through a discussion on the ELCA s Women and Justice statement. In 2009, the Churchwide Assembly authorized the development of a social statement on women and justice. The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ has been at work since 2012 and brought the work to a crucial stage: On November 15, 2017 it released the Draft of a Social Statement on Women and Justice. The comment period on the Draft is open until September 30, Videos of Discipleship Hour Classes Faith Stepping Stones March 11 and March 18 Stepping into the Church (Faith Stepping Stones for Parents of Eighth Graders) Facilitators: Lois Nelson, Kari Henderson Our focus is on the transition to high school and completing the Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation (ABC) program. Information about discipleship opportunities in high school is also shared. Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation is June 3, during the 9:30 am worship service. March 18 Navigating Conflict in Relationships Facilitator: Dr. Mark Houglum, Counselor at Samaritan Center of Puget Sound We all experience conflict in our lives. Is it inevitable? What causes it? How can we respond to it? Are there ways to make good use of it? Come and join the conversation! Dr. Mark Houglum is a Saint Andrew s member, a Lutheran Pastor, and counselor with offices at Saint Andrew s. March 25 Fellowship Facilitator: Sherry Grindeland, Fellowship Coordinator Come for an hour of fellowship and conversation. The Communications Committee records video of Sunday adult discipleship classes. Videos are available online for approximately four weeks following the class. Links to videos can be found on the Sunday Morning Discipleship webpage, adulted.salchome.org. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links. 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 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 Stepping into Adulthood.... May 13 (High School Seniors) presentation of quilts/gifts: June 10 at the 9:30 am service March 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 7

8 Discipleship Ministries Early Sunday Morning Bible Study Paul s First Letter to Timothy Sundays, March 4, March 11, 7:15 am, 322/Conference Room Facilitators: Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen Come, consider Paul s practical (and sometimes controversial) advice to Timothy, a church leader in Ephesus. As Paul nears the end of his life, it s a time of transition for training new leadership in the Church. Likewise, let us be encouraged, equipped, and challenged to use our gifts for the building up of God s kingdom in 2018!! Coffee and snacks will be provided. You are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. Tuesday Morning Bible Study Every Tuesday, 10:00 am 11:00 am 322/Conference Room Presenter: Pastor James McEachran We are studying the Letters of John. Some say, The Church is irrelevant. Some ask, Will the Church have children? Some believe, The Church needs to change the message? Many ask, What can I believe about God? About Jesus? These are not new thoughts, concerns, questions. In fact, they were asked in the years following the first 60 years of the Christian Church. We are mining the three Letters of John. We are digging for clues about mission in times that are difficult and sometime filled with anxiety, doubt, change. We continue to set the foundation and build a case for mission forward. The future of the Church is in the power of the Holy Spirit. On Tuesday, March 20, we will begin a new series on the Letter to the Hebrews: Jesus is the Way into the Truth that is Life.. For ten weeks we will be Word-Diggers seeing the connections between the First Covenant and the New Covenant. There are those who say that the old is in the new concealed and the old is in the new revealed. How to we understand and learn the ways that God s promise in God s story reaches into our lives today in Christ. Begin by reading Hebrews 11. Bring your favorite translation and invite a friend! Vacation Bible School and Extended Care Mark your calendars for July 9-13, 2018 for Vacation Bible School at Saint Andrew s! This year we will offer extended care from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm. More details to follow! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to these youth who celebrate in March! Avery D... 3/01 Alexandra L... 3/01 Joshua O...3/06 Quinn M...3/06 Samantha W... 3/10 Sarah D... 3/11 Kylee S...3/15 Vincent S...3/15 Grace C... 3/19 Joshua H...3/20 Perry G... 3/23 Zoe E...3/24 Sydney H... 3/25 Isabella S...3/26 Abgail K...3/ Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA March 2018

9 God Squad Youth in Grades 9-12 Serve Easter Breakfast Sunday, April 1 The high school youth and adult GOD SQUAD is volunteers provide breakfast for the Grades 9-12 congregation on Easter morning. It is a service to the congregation and a fundraiser for the summer mission and service trip. Help is also needed on Saturday, March 31, to set up. May Youth Weekend at Holden Village Friday-Sunday, May 18-20, 2018 Cost: $100 (Scholarships available. Ask Emily Harrow for more information.) We are headed back to Holden Village this spring, May Join us for an unplugged weekend of fun and fellowship! Fire Force Youth in Grades 6-8 Egg Stuffing and Family Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt Sunday, March 25, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Saturday, March 31, 8:30 am - 11:30 am Join us to stuff eggs with candy for the Family Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt! We ll stuff eggs on Sunday, March 25, at 4:00 pm. Bring individually wrapped candy if you d like! Then on Saturday, March 31, beginning at 8:30 am, help hide the Easter Eggs and lead fun games for the Sheep and Shepherd kiddos! Breakfast will be served at 9:30 am. Sign up by Sunday, March 18. Spring Retreat Mark your calendar for a weekend away at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, Washington, May 4-6. Discipleship Ministries...Youth FIRE FORCE is Grades God Squad Mission Trip Contact Emily Harrow, emily@salchome.org or , for more information. July 21-28, 2018 GOD SQUAD is Grades 9-12 This summer we will learn about the Blackfeet Nation and work with them to serve in their community in Montana. Learn more through the information packet available in the Narthex and online at highschoolmission.salchome.org. Our next Mission Trip meeting is Sunday, March 11, from 12:15 pm - 2:15 pm. Sheep and Shepherds Families with children age Birth through Grade 5 Little Lambs Fellowship Sunday, March 11, 9:45 am, 210/Nursery Parents of children under two, please join us in 210/Nursery for fellowship on the second Sunday of each month. The youngest Sheep and Shepherds families are invited for snacks and coffee, visiting, and play time. Come for all or some of the time. Servant Event for Youth in Grades 1-5 Saturday, March 24, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Join us at Sunrise Senior Living at Crossroads, where we will play games, create crafts, and enjoy time reading together with the residents. Parents are welcome to attend. Please sign up with Emily, emily@salchome.org or , or in the Narthex by Sunday, March 18. Family Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt Saturday, March 31, 9:30 am Saint Andrew s Annual Easter Egg Hunt takes place Saturday, March 31, at 9:30 am. The morning includes a light potluck breakfast, crafts, a service project, and an Easter egg hunt for kids up to 5th grade! You may sign up in the Narthex or with our online form at eastercelebration.salchome.org. Want to pitch in? We can always use volunteers to help with the potluck, crafts, set up and clean up! God Squad and Fire Force - Week-O-Fun! Join God Squad and Fire Force for a Week-O-Fun, Sunday-Thursday, April Details will be announced soon! Sheep and Shepherds SHEEP and SHEPHERDS are FAMILIES with kids ages birth through Grade 5 March 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 9

10 Fellowship, Groups, and More! Chili and Cook Silent Off Auction Saturday, March 10 at 6:00 pm Come support the 2018 God Squad Mission Trip as they prepare to serve and learn on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana this summer! You can: *Enter the Chili Cook Off *Donate an item/basket to the Silent Auction *Come and Participate Please sign up in the Narthex or contact Emily Harrow Please indicate how many will attend, if you plan to make chili, and if you have a donation. You may direct any questions to Emily. Tuesday Morning Men Every Tuesday 6:30 am 7:30 am, Room 212 Facilitator: Dick Swaisgood All Saint Andrew s Men (SAM) are welcome to join us every Tuesday morning for study, faith growth, prayer, and conversation. We are studying the Augsburg Confession Please join us on Tuesday mornings at 6:30 am in Room 212, just outside the Sanctuary. ALL MEN ARE WELCOME! 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. 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. March 20: What Lies Beneath Our Feet? Archeologist and Saint Andrew s member Brent Hicks will share stories about his archeology work here in Washington. Brent was recently featured in the Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine. Although O.W.L.S. stands for Older, Wiser Lutheran Saints, our programs have a wide age appeal and younger, wise Lutherans are welcome. The social hour begins at 11:45 am on March 20; the potluck begins around noon. No sign-up or RSVP required. Just come, and if you can, bring a dish to share. See you there! Contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, sherry@salchome.org or , for more information Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA March 2018

11 Fellowship, Groups, and More! Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church is Reading Books about India! What would happen if everyone in our congregation read a book about India between now and May 31? Would we have more conversations about India? Would we make connections with members that we hadn t talked to lately? Would we be more informed about the largest democracy in the world? Would we educate ourselves about the second largest (in population) country in the world? What if we had a list of books recommended by W.E.B.S. (Women s Evening Book Study) and the Outreach Committee? What if we shared some of our books about India so we wouldn t have to buy them? Let s try it and see! The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar Two women (employer and maid) in Bombay and the bonds they share. The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda In India in 1984, destitute Kavita secretly carries her newborn daughter to an orphanage to save her from being killed. She is adopted by a family in California and eventually finds a way back to her birth country. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy Family saga, forbidden love story, and piercing political drama, lush, lyrical, and unnerving. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri Indian family immigrates to US, clash of cultures, assimilation, traditions from Calcutta. Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry Set in Bombay in the mid-1990s, Family Matters tells a story of familial love and obligation, of personal and political corruption, of the demands of tradition and the possibilities for compassion. Sold by Patricia McCormick An unforgettable account of sexual slavery as it exists today. The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright A child living in poverty in India is kidnapped, placed in an orphanage, and adopted by a family in the U.S. It is a true story, and the boy grows up and searches for his identity. The Golden Son by Shilpi Somaya Gowda A glimpse of what life might be like for someone arriving in America from a small Indian village. Parental expectations clashing with personal hopes and dreams. Look for a poster in the Narthex and sign up for the book you are reading on Sunday, March 11. Family Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt Saturday, March 31, 9:30 am Saint Andrew s Annual Easter Egg Hunt is for EVERYONE! The celebration takes place Saturday, March 31, at 9:30 am. The morning will include a light potluck breakfast, crafts, a service project and an Easter egg hunt for kids up to 5th grade! You may sign up with our online form at eastercelebration.salchome.org or in the Narthex. Want to pitch in? We can always use volunteers to help with the potluck, crafts, set up and clean up! Easter Candy We want your candy!! Candy is needed to put into the Easter eggs for the Annual Egg Hunt. You may bring your bite sized individually wrapped donations to the church office by Thursday, March 22. March 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 11

12 Dorcas Circle orcas God Talk among Friends: Small Group Fellowship Fellowship, Groups, and More! ircle Dorcas Circle is about service and fellowship as we support Lutheran World Relief, Compass Housing Alliance, and other charities. Dorcas Circle meets on the first Tuesday of every month, from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon in 302/Fellowship Hall South. Our next two meetings are March 6 and April 10 (note that this is the second Tuesday). Dorcas Circle welcomes help in the following ways: Donate crochet thread, embroidery thread, flat sheets, cotton, or cotton blend fabrics. Donations can be placed in the Dorcas basket in the Narthex. Cut quilting fabric into 10 1/2 squares at home and/or sew the squares together at home. Join us at our monthly meetings to assemble and sew quilts. Sewing skills are not required, and you are welcome to drop-in at any time. If you have any questions please contact Linda Willenberg. Young Adults Coordinator: Carolyn McKenna Young adults of Saint Andrew s (all who have graduated high school and older) get together for dinner at 6:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, either at a restaurant or at someone s home. During Lent, we are attending soup suppers and midweek worship. Our next dinner out will be April 11. Check Sunday bulletins and Trendings enews for locations. Please RSVP to Carolyn McKenna by the Monday before each dinner if you d like to join us! W.E.B.S. (Women s Evening Book Study) Wednesdays, April 11 - May 23 7:00 pm, 322/Conference Room Facilitator: Cheryl Jurrus Women s Evening Book Study will be reading another book about India! Plan to join us April 11 to May 23 for a lively discussion, prayer, laughter, and inspirational readings. Our book choice is Secret Daughter by Gowda. Asha, adopted out of a Mumbai orphanage, is the child that binds the destinies of two women. We follow both families, invisibly connected until Asha s journey of self-discovery leads her back to India. At W.E.B.S., we don t just read books---we delve into them, study them, apply them to our own experiences, and look for God s work in our world and our lives. We also share what s happening in our own lives, pray, discuss, share, laugh, and have fun together! All women are welcome. Contact Cheryl Jurrus for more information. Small groups 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 through May in someone s home. If you would like to be a part of a small group, contact Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, Holden Village -- July 2018 sherry@salchome.org or Indicate Agroup from Saint Andrew s is going to Holden which night works best for you Friday or Sunday. Village next summer (July 15-20, 2018)! We now have 40 folks eager to go for fellowship, great food (homemade bread), hiking in the mountains, well-planned All Church Retreat 2018 day programs for children and youth, Bible study and Mark your calendars! Our annual All Church Retreat special interest forums, crafts and pottery, worship each is Friday-Sunday, August 17-19, 2018, at Mt. evening, pool and bowling (set your own pins), outstanding Rainier National Park! ice cream and popcorn, and unexpected hilarity!! For those who do not wish to tent camp, we recommend If you are interested in being a part of this trip, contact reserving an RV spot at Cougar Rock Campground or a Fellowship Coordinator Sherry Grindeland, room at the National Park Inn at Longmire, or sherry@salchome.org, to get put on the waiting list. mtrainierguestservices.com/accommodations/national-parkinn/. Reservations should be made as soon as possible. in the North Cascade mountains. For more information, Holden Village is a year-round Lutheran Christian center For information on Cougar Rock Campground go to: visit Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA March 2018

13 Health and Wholeness The Use of Healing Oils in the Church by Vickie Kirn Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. James 5:13-16 There have been questions about the history and the use of healing oil used in baptisms and the healing prayer stations. Many churches use oil for anointing and in services of prayer and hands-on-healing. Vickie Kirn wrote this article a number of years ago explaining the use of oil for anointing in church services. O ils played an important part in healing during the early years of Christianity. Christians privately used oil, ointments and salves that had been blessed by the bishop or priests for physical and spiritual healing. After gathering in each other s homes for the breaking of bread, Christians would then take the blessed oil home to be used the coming week. In this way the entire Christian community could participate in anointing their families and one another. Christians practiced healing just as Jesus had taught them. The Master had trained his disciples and sent the seventytwo out to heal and anoint all those who were suffering in body and spirit. Those disciples in turn taught the next generation how to carry on this tradition. In the letter of James to the church at Jerusalem, the practice of prayer, the laying-on of hands and anointing with oil is described as Christian duty. More than likely they used the healing oils such as frankincense, myrrh, spikenard, aloes /sandalwood and others. In the beginning of creation God gave us plants which were meant to provide us with everything we would need to live. In these plants are living oils. These oils are known as essential oils. They are not everyday cooking oils like olive oil. They are the life force or essence of the plant. The oil or resin carries nutrients throughout the plant and protects it from any form of stress. The oil protects against infections and other diseases. These oils may be found in any portion of the bush, flower, herb, or tree and gives each its characteristic aroma. Some evaporate more quickly, infusing the air with their particular fragrance. These oils are to the plant like white blood cells are to our bodies - a life force. When an essential oil fragrance enters the nose, it goes to the lungs and finds its way into the blood stream and every part of the body. Chemical interactions can occur between the oils and our bodies that result in physical changes. There can be hormone and enzyme responses to the chemical within the oils. Our bodies can become sedated, stimulated or relaxed by the action of certain oils. Pain may be relieved, wounds may heal, inflammation and spasms may cease. Some oils affect more than one system within the body. Essential oils can also affect our minds and emotions by way of fragrance traveling to the emotional area of our brain through the sense of smell. A gland is stimulated here to release emotional trauma. Today the science of aromatherapy has contributed much to our knowledge of the use of fragrance in nurturing ourselves. The field is vast and can be complicated, but we are concentrating on the guidance from scripture and obvious affects of certain oils for our purposes in the anointing and healing in the church. Frankincense is known for its ability to relax and revitalize at the same time. It stimulates the body s production of white blood cells. It helps the body to fight off many diseases and also increases spiritual awareness and promotes meditation. It has been considered a very expensive oil and there are over 52 references in the Bible to its use. Myrrh is used for its anti-infectious properties and supports the immune system. It is good for the skin and internal linings of the body. It also has a gentle calming effect and can be used to instill deep tranquility, inner stillness and peace and ease sorrow. It is mentioned times in the Bible. Spikenard is a costly oil, used today for regulating the nervous system and the heart. It is good for skin and wound healing. It calms and sedates, replacing anxieties with peaceful feelings. It is mentioned five times in the Bible. Aloes/Sandalwood is used to promote tranquility and calm troubled souls. It is both clarifying and stilling and has many other properties. It is mentioned five times in the Bible. (2018 update: At Saint Andrew s, we use frankincense and myrrh as our annointing oils.) All of these oils are alive and full of vibrating energy capable of helping us move towards a more balanced state in body, mind and spirit. So, the next time you come forward to receive healing prayer you will be asked if you want the anointing with oil. You are asked as a courtesy to allow for permission to be touched with oil. You will understand the healing properties of the oil and accept it as a gift of healing as well as the reminder of your baptism in Jesus Christ. March 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 13

14 KnitWits (Knitting as Witnesses) Saint Andrew s KnitWits (Knitting as Witnesses) is a fellowship group whose primary mission is to provide items of comfort that are knit or crocheted. Their on-going projects include prayer shawls, baptismal blankets, lapghans, baby blankets, chemo caps, hats, wash cloths, sweaters, and scarves. The work of the KnitWits hands keeps many people warm and reminds them that someone cares. KnitWits meets once a month on a Sunday. ALL are welcome to join at any time! Their next meeting is Sunday, March 11, at 9:45 am in 322/Conference Room. Dianne Chong is the KnitWits Coordinator. Health and Wholeness Cold and Flu Season Cold and flu season is upon us. If you are not feeling well and stay home on a Sunday, you won t miss out! Worship bulletins and audio podcasts of sermons are on the Saint Andrew s website at sermons.salchome.org. Video recordings of adult Discipleship Hour classes are at adulted.salchome.org (scroll to the bottom of the webpage to find the links to the video recordings.) Parish Nurse Hours Tuesdays, Room :00 am - 1:00 pm Blood Pressure Screening Sunday, March 4 9:30 am - 10:30 am, in Room 212 Healing Prayer Stations for individual prayer Sunday, March 18, during Holy Communion 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 March, we ll pray for Friends of Youth, an organization that helps young people in challenging circumstances get their lives back on track. Friends of Youth positively impacts youth and young adults ages 6-24 and their families. Its programs serve homeless youth, including the only overnight youth shelter on the Eastside, street outreach, transitional living programs, and case management; youth in foster care, and youth and families needing support services such as mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, parenting education, academic support, and in-home family support for young parents. Saint Andrew s supports Friends of Youth with monetary donations and participation at Friends of Youth events and fundraisers. Saint Andrew s also partners with Friends of Youth to be a Safe Place, where youth in crisis can come to get access to shelter and resources Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA March 2018

15 Bihar, India Outreach and Servant Ministries ~ Global Project Bihar/Lutheran World Relief Bihar is a global mission field which is engaging us in significant, multi-year outreach in Northeastern India as part of a sponsored mission through Lutheran World Relief (LWR). The goals are agricultural improvements, year-round food security for the family, empowering women in the community, and increasing incomes for families. Our involvement will be with nine congregations throughout the United States. 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. Saint Andrew s has formed a Project Bihar/LWR working group that has defined three major components in our mission: communication, engagement and giving. If you are interested in joining our Project Bihar/LWR Working Group contact Marlyn Thorpe. Project Bihar Prayer Bookmarks Our working group has made Project Bihar Prayer Bookmarks to communicate and engage congregants with seven of the Project Bihar families. You will notice these Project Bihar Prayer bookmarks in your hymnals. Use them in the hymnals and/or take them home and pray for the highlighted family and their community. The bookmarks can be used as an educational tool about different cultures and lifestyles. Use these to facilitate discussions on how families are the same and/or different. If you take a bookmark home, put it in a place where you will be reminded of the family to pray for them. During prayer at church as you use the bookmark in the hymnal include them in your silent prayers. Thank you for praying and blessing each of these Bihar, India families. Remember in prayer this continuing outreach ministry. Contributions can be made to Saint Andrew s with Bihar- LWR in the memo line. Learn more at Tanzania Plaster House Jean Wahlstrom serves on the International Advisory Board for the PLASTER HOUSE, a part of the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. The Plaster House is a rehabilitation center for post-surgery 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 Marvin Kananen and Jean Wahlstrom recently returned from Tanzania where Jean met with The Plaster House board and celebrated the opening of the new dormitory and volunteer house. Along with Dick Swaisgood, they celebrated the dedication of the new Form 5-6 Science classroom at MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School. The classroom was donated by Dick as a memorial for his wife Jan. Read about their trip at MGLSS Students and Graduates Thank you for continuing to support students at MaaSAE Girls Lutheran Secondary School (MGLSS)! We are asked to help with providing 35 scholarships for the new Form One class, an increase of 10 students from previous years due to current needs. The amounts are: $500 for a half scholarship and $1,000 for a full scholarship for Forms 1-4; $600 for a half and $1,200 for a full Scholarship for Forms 5-6. We continue to need funding for the MGLSS Post- Secondary Scholarships also, used for the students who qualified for university study; these amounts vary with the institution. However, 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. Contributions can be made in lump sum or installments throughout the year. Perhaps a family might consider this gift of education for a girl and build a relationship to learn of another culture. For more information about MGLSS, contact Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen. March 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 15

16 Lent Baskets of Promise Outreach Outreach and Servant Ministries The Baskets of Promise program during Lent, sponsored by the Health and Wholeness Ministry Committee, helps to fill the Personal Care Kits that are sent out in early May. Lutheran World Relief is the organization that we work with and the kits are sent to areas of the world where an emergency has occurred and people are left with very little. The kits supply basic items for survival. Our goal this year is to fill 150 kits. You can help us reach that goal by donating the following items on the weeks indicated. March 4 - nail clippers (metal, attached file optional) March 11 - bars of soap (4-5 ounces, in original wrapping) March 18 - toothbrushes (adult size, in original wrapping) March 25 - bath towels (light-weight, maximum size 52 x 27, dark color) Donations can be placed in the basket near the elevator in the Narthex. Baskets of Promise Food of the Month - March The Hopelink Food Bank tries hard to provide the items needed and desired by the 500 households they support each week. As we partner with them, they have come to ask us for items that they don t usually get donated. In January, we provided them with 312 pounds of cooking oil. As soon as we delivered it, they put it out for their clients. In February we are collecting their much needed size 6 diapers, as well as canned fruit. The families they support would like to be able to do some baking, but baking supplies are not typically donated. So, for March we will be collecting Baking Makings sugar, flour, and cooking oil. To support as many households as possible, they ask for specific size* packages. The foods for March are: 4 pound bags of sugar 5 pound bags of flour 24 to 32 ounce bottles of cooking oil *Hopelink can repackage larger bags of sugar and flour into 4 and 5 pound packages, HOWEVER, it diverts their volunteers from other important tasks and delays getting the food available for those who need it. 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. Imagine Housing Gala and Auction Mark your calendar for the annual Imagine Gala & Auction to benefit Imagine Housing. The event will be held March 24, 2018 at the Meydenbauer Center. You can find more information at imaginehousing.org/events. SOUPer Bowl of Caring - Thank You! Thank You Saint Andrew s! What an amazing response for our hungry neighbors. You filled 24 crates, 30 bags and 6 boxes with food on Super Bowl Sunday. Thank you all for such generosity. This provided 1,456 pounds of food and $1, to the Hopelink Food Bank. And thank you to our teammates who helped with the collection: The Davis family (Aaron, Mary and Luke), The Maland family (Mike, Kristin and Ian), the Kasper family (Brady, Joyce, Jakob, Quinlan and Abby), the Nielsen family (Erik, Shana, Joslyn and Jillian) and the Myhre family (Kirk, Amy, Livi and Quinn). It was quite a team effort! 16 - Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA March 2018

17 Be a Driver for Chicken Soup Brigade Thank you to Shirley Hobson, Beth Donahoe, and JoAn Eklof, our newest volunteers for Chicken Soup Brigade, joining Curt and Lois Eckley, Carl and Ingeborg Nims, and Marlyn Thorpe as regular and substitute drivers. Saint Andrew s is a distribution hub for weekly deliveries of meals for Chicken Soup Brigade (Lifelong). Meals and groceries are picked up at Saint Andrew s on Thursdays and delivered to homebound chronically ill individuals on the Eastside, providing them with needed nourishment. The delivery window is 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday afternoons with around 2 to 4 stops. The total delivery time is usually about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Additional volunteers are always welcomed. Choose to be a driver in the rotation or to be a substitute driver and cover weeks where regular volunteers are on vacation. Training provided. If you are interested in serving in this way, contact Outreach and Servant Ministries committee chair Marlyn Thorpe. Eastside Baby Corner (EBC) Outreach and Servant Ministries Opportunities to help EBC People have requested more information on how to help this organization that supplies diapers, clothing, baby furniture and other things to needy and underserved families and where to donate things. New and gently used items can be donated at several EBC sites including: EBC Central Hub: 1510 NW Maple Street, Issaquah Hours are 5:15 pm - 8:30 pm Monday, 9:00 am - 11:00 am Thursday, and 9:00 am to 12:00 noon Saturday. Marymoor Self Storage: 6065 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond Hours 9:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday, and 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Sunday. Red Way Self Storage: Redmond Way, Redmond Hours 9:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday, and 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Sunday. EBC Northshore Hub: 6524 NE 181 st Street, Suite 6, Kenmore Hours 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Wednesday, 9:00 am - 11:00 am Thursday, and 10:00 am to 12:00 noon the first Saturday of each month. Issaquah Highlands Self Storage: 910 NE High Street, Issaquah Hours 9:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Sunday. Volunteers are needed for a variety of things. For more information on volunteering go to 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 on the lower level at St. Luke s Lutheran Church (3032 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, Boxtops for Education In December 2016 Jean Wahlstrom and Marvin Kananen volunteered for a month at the Navajo Lutheran Mission (NELM) in Rock Point, Arizona, an ELCA project. The Mission School has asked if Saint Andrew s would participate in this easy way to secure needed school supplies and equipment. Please cut out and bring those little coupons found on various food containers (General Mills products and others). Collect and put them in the envelope attached to the bulletin board in the Narthex, labeled BOX TOPS. These small coupons really add up to enable these children to get a better education!! To learn more, visit Congregation Collaborations Saint Andrew s is in relationship with area congregations! Here are some of the ways we are collaborating with other Lutherans in our community: Timber Ridge Worship Gatherings: Saint Andrew s and Our Savior Lutheran have members who live at Timber Ridge. Members of both congregations are invited to worship gatherings. Women s Retreat: Our Savior Lutheran coordinated a Women s Retreat on March 2-4, Vacation Bible School: Saint Andrew s, Our Savior Lutheran, and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran teamed up to host Vacation Bible School (VBS) last summer. Look for this summer s collaboration too: July 9-13, Imagine Housing Project at Saint Luke s Lutheran: Sixty-three units of affordable housing will be built by Imagine Housing on property at Saint Luke s Lutheran (3030 Bellevue Way NE). Half of the units are designated for the homeless; 20% for the disabled. Groundbreaking was December 12. March 2018 Saint Andrew s Lutheran Church, Bellevue WA - 17

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

19 11:00 am Tom Getzinger Art Gurtel March 25 Quinn Myhre, Caden Feldman; Collin Feldman, Crucifer Deanna and Roger Oeffner Deanna Oeffner The Clarke Family 8:30 am Dana Nasby Carolynn Ferris Ian Maland, Ella Nickel; Alden Johnson, Crucifer CJ Tatum, Karen Grams The Camrud Family Carol Muecke Marli Edde Mikel Oswalt, John Nelson March Servers March 18 11:00 am Karen Grams Quinn Myhre volunteer needed Jessica Allen Mark Davis 8:30 am Dick Swaisgood Diane Hogle Sonja Wetmore Johna and Joyce Arnold Mikel Oswalt George Miller, Gary Rudolph Ruth Miller, Christine Koch Aaron and Mary Davis March 11 11:00 am Jean Wahlstrom Livi Myhre Sonja Wetmore Carolyn and Jerry Haralson Carolyn McKenna 8:30 am Sharon Gurtel Judy Gowdy Ella Nickel Gayle Rhymes Cheryl Jurrus Curt and Lois Eckley Ann Berglind, The Feldman Carolyn Haralson Family Chad Oftedal March 4 11:00 am Shana Nielsen Celeste Ackerbloom Ian Maland Karin Eklof, JoAn Eklof Misty Weber 8:30 am Dana Nasby Judi Miller Emily Elien Carolynn and Hal Ferris Scott Lester John Arnold, Janan Twito Ann Berglind, Brent Hicks, CJ Tatum Adam Harrow Judi and George Miller 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 Adam Harrow, Bryant Wilkie, Kitchen Team Samaritan Center of Puget Sound Dr. Mark Houglum, Counselor 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 Marcia Riggers Board President, Compass Housing Alliance March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25 Flowers for March Kendra and David Mills Dwayne and Linda Behrendsen Stella Nieman Nancy P. Davis Deadline to submit items for the next issue of the VOICE: March 12 Send to Susan Hegedus, susan@salchome.org March 2018 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 Wednesday Mid-week Worship March 7, March 14, March 21 Soup Supper, 6:15 pm Holden Evening Prayer, 7:00 pm 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 was the 2017 recipient of the Norm Maleng Award from LifeWire