Sunday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m. Great Hall. No Dock Christian Education classes are offered this weekend so that families may worship together.

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1 No Dock Christian Education classes are offered this weekend so that families may worship together. Week of Dec. 2, 2018 Christmas Around the World Sunday, Dec. 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Youth and Sports Center Gym Christmas Around the World is an intergenerational Advent celebration for all ages. Visit a variety of stations featuring Christmas celebrations from cultures across the globe and learn new ways to utilize Families Celebrate Advent and Christmas activity cards. We also welcome a special guest from Lutheran World Relief who will share Christmas traditions from a country where they provide support. No registration is required. Advent Fireside Chats on Facebook Live Mondays, Dec. 3, 10, 17; & Sunday, Dec. 23; 7:30 p.m. Live with Intern Pastors Caroline Keenan & Erin Morris St. Andrew s Christmas Festival Sunday, Dec. 9, 3:30 & 6 p.m. Join us for our annual Christmas Festival with adult and children s choirs, St. Andrew s Orchestra, handbells, Orff Ensembles, organ. Freewill offering. CHRISTmas with Tonia and Sara Featuring Tonia Hughes and Sara Renner, two of the Twin Cities most dynamic performers delivering a Christ-filled Christmas to remember. Bring your Bible and Advent wreath with candles and share from home this special 15-minute Advent Devotional broadcast live or later on Facebook. Sunday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m. Great Hall TICKET: $25 Purchase Tickets at ChristmasWithToniaSara.eventbrite.com; phone: Dianne Nash, ; in person: After every St. Andrew s service

2 Advent The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning coming, which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. It is traditionally a time of waiting for Christ to come. Christ comes to us as a baby in a manger and Christ will come again in glory and revelation. In a world where it is easy to doubt, the church is called to remember God s faithfulness. Faithful: It s Who God Is. This week, our first week in Advent, we reflect on the promise that God made in the beginning, that through Abraham we are chosen. For thousands of years the Jewish people waited for the Messiah to come and today we join in the waiting. Help Others This Christmas Giving Tree We invite you to take a tag of your choice off the Giving Tree and return the item by Sunday, Dec. 16. Volunteer this Season at St. Andrew s Hundreds are needed. Go here to plug in, and thank you: saintandrews.org/volunteer. Beer, Carols and Ugly Sweaters Monday, Dec. 3, 7-9 p.m. Sing your favorite holiday hymns at Bloody Mary s, Mahtomedi. Senior Christmas Luncheon MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS! No cost. Tuesday, Dec. 11, 12 noon Join us in the Great Hall for our annual Christmas luncheon served by pastors and staff from St. Andrew s. Food, music, skits and merriment provided. Call to make your reservation. Open to all seniors. Advent Evening Prayer Service Wednesdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19; 7-7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Prayer Chapel In the midst of this busy season, pause, pray and ponder anew what the Almighty can do! We will be using the Holden Evening Prayer to guide our time together. For more information, contact Pastor Kyle Jackson at kjackson@saintandrews.org. 2 Christmas Bulletin Assembly & Lunch! Friday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m.-12 noon If you can help and stay for Christmas lunch, please contact Joe Holmberg, or jholmberg@saintandrews.org. It s fun and oh so appreciated! Tis the Season to Care for Creation! For God So Loved the World God created the world and all that is in it. God loves the world and calls us to do our very best in caring for it. Here are some eco-friendly suggestions that help keep our world merry and bright! 1. Use a real tree after the holidays, take it to a compost site. 2. Use LED lights they save energy and money. 3. Ditch the wrapping paper (it can not be recycled) be creative and use something that is usable or able to be recycled a scarf, the comic section, an old map, eco friendly food wraps, etc. 4. Give less stuff give an experience such as a class, an adventure, a concert, a play or a game. 5. Buy food that is locally sourced and organic.

3 Lutheran World Relief Opportunity Give Today! Not only is there no room at the inn, there is often no inn at all. In a world of crisis, you are invited to send a world of hope through Lutheran World Relief to those who need shelter, food and medicine when disaster strikes around the world. As a congregation, we are looking to raise $10,000 for LWR s World of Good initiative. Simply go to saintandrews.org/lwr and donate today. Stop by the the LWR booth after worship to learn more. Crisis. Disasters. Conflict. It seems there isn t a corner of the world that doesn t have overwhelming humanitarian need right now. Please continue to pray for the recovery of these devastated communities and extend your generosity to help many of the world s poorest and most vulnerable people. Wreath Sales Benefit Scouts On Saturday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 2, Boy Scout Troop 89 will be selling Christmas wreaths and other decorations. The decorations are a great opportunity to support the Troop, which is based at St. Andrew s. Scouting provides youth an opportunity to try new things, build self-confidence, and reinforce ethical standards. Wreaths will be available on the day of purchase. The Gospel on Monday with Pastor John Straiton Mondays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Great Hall Join Pastor Straiton as we take an in-depth look at the Gospel lesson for the following weekend worship. There is no cost for this class; however, please sign up at saintandrews.org or by contacting Dianne Nash (dnash@saintandrews.org or ). Prayer School with Pastor John Straiton Wednesdays, Jan. 9-30, 2019, 7-8 p.m. Sanctuary Room 201 Join Pastor Straiton for a four-week Prayer School. Our goal is to increase and enhance the power and practice of prayer. Along with presenting a fresh perspective on the purpose and practice of prayer; you will also learn how to pray a Daily Prayer Liturgy created specifically for St. Andrew s. At its center, prayer is simply being present to the presence of God. There is no fee for this class; however, registration is required. You may register at saintandrews.org or by contacting Dianne Nash ( or dnash@saintandrews.org). Worship at The Depot Church Sundays 5:15 p.m. Evening worship services are held in Hugo at 5:15 p.m. at Oneka Elementary (4888 Heritage Parkway N., Hugo). The Depot Church is a community of St. Andrew s dedicated to gathering and building Christian community in the Hugo area. Join Pastor Brian Norsman and Jenny Sung in this exciting time in our church life. 3

4 Children, Youth & Family Ministry Christmas Around the World Sunday, Dec. 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Youth and Sports Center Gym Christmas Around the World is an intergenerational Advent celebration for all ages. Visit a variety of stations featuring Christmas celebrations from cultures across the globe and learn new ways to utilize Families Celebrate Advent and Christmas activity cards. We also welcome a special guest from Lutheran World Relief who will share Christmas traditions from a country where they provide support. No registration is required. Baptism Workshop Thursday, Dec. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Great Hall Room 2 Baptism is a public profession of faith that welcomes new members into the Christian faith community. All ages are welcome! Families are expected to attend a baptism workshop before the baptism of each child. Teens and adults attend a workshop or meet with a pastor. Please register for the workshop at least one week prior; childcare is available. Registration is available at saintandrews.org > Register. For more information or to schedule a baptism, contact Lisa Heyer at or lheyer@saintandrews.org Family Frolics Mondays through May 20 (closed for holidays) 9-10:45 a.m. in the Youth and Sports Center Gym Children birth through preschool (with a parent or adult) are invited to run, jump, and play during a drop-in, open gym time. No prior registration required. For more information, contact Lisa Heyer at or lheyer@saintandrews.org. Wednesday Night Alive Wednesdays, 2:45-7:15 p.m. (closed Nov. 21) Youth and Sports Center Closed Dec. 19 and 26 Children and youth are invited to our afternoon drop-in program with open gym, games, movies, and pizza and snack sales. Come after school or prior to evening programming (such as Confirmation or children s choirs). Supervision is provided for youth grades 6-12; children grades 5 and younger must have a responsible adult present. ROCK Basketball Mondays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Dec. 3, 10, 17; Jan. 7, 14, 28; Feb. 4, 11 in the Youth and Sports Center Ages: Kindergarten grade 2; Cost: $50 per child or $80 per family. Register online. ROCK (Recreational Opportunities for Christian Kids) Basketball is designed as a noncompetitive, skills-based basketball program with an emphasis on good sportsmanship and team play. Devotions and prayer are part of every session. Volunteer assistant coaches (grade 6 adult) are necessary and appreciated! The children need additional assistance at skill stations and a friendly face for encouragement. Register online. For more information, contact Laurel Bornholtz at or lbornholtz@saintandrews.org. Parents Night Out Friday, Dec. 14, 5-8 p.m. in the Sanctuary Nursery Ages: 12 months Grade 5 Cost: $10/child or $25/family Take a break with a night away! Enjoy an evening to yourself, have a quiet dinner, or do a little shopping while your children enjoy Bible stories, crafts, games and time to play with new friends. Light snacks are provided. Registration closes the Thursday before each event. For more information, contact Masako Kedrowski at or mkedrowski@saintandrews.org. 4

5 Children, Youth & Family Confirmation Confirmation Key Dates: Wednesday Tracks -Small Groups and Large Group meet Dec. 5 -Confirmation then resumes Jan. 9 Sunday Track -Small Groups and Large Group meet Dec. 2 -Confirmation then resumes Jan. 6 -Please note there is NO session Dec. 9 as originally listed. High School Ministry High School Christmas Lock-in: Santa s Workshop Friday-Saturday, Dec , 8 p.m.-8 a.m., in the Youth and Sports Center; Cost $20 High school youth are invited to celebrate the Christmas season with a lock-in! This 12-hour overnight experience will include games, snacks, movies, worship, service and so much more. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater, bring a white elephant gift to exchange, and don t forget some diapers (sizes 5 & 6) and baby wipes to donate to the Community Resource Center! Get registered before Sunday, Dec. 9! Jesus at the Movies: Christmas Movie Marathon Sunday, Dec. 23, noon-4 p.m., in the Youth and Sports Center All high school youth are invited to a Christmas movie marathon! We ll watch an assortment of Christmas themed movies and talk about where we saw the presence of Christ in each film. Bring your blankets, wear your Christmas themed pajamas, and come hungry for Christmas cookies. Lunch will be provided, but bring your own snacks to share. Ongoing High School Ministry Events Happening this month: Peer Ministry Monthly (Dec. 9), Peer Ministry Leadership Team (Dec. 9), Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club (Dec. 4, 11, and 18), Worship Band (Dec. 2, and 16). For more information, contact Kelly Olson at Hope Lives Capital Campaign Update 657 pledges totaling $12,008,872! Thank you! Volunteer Opportunities Help Wanted: Tax Assistance The pay for this position is priceless. It typically comes in the form of hugs and appreciation. A Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site has been serving the community out of the Great Hall for the last 10 years. We use IRS-provided software to prepare taxes for low income tax payers free of charge. If you can use a computer, you are qualified. We will train everything else. Dates and times of operation vary from February through mid April. For more information please contact Cathy Longtin at cathylongtin@gmail.com or St. Andrew s Village Market Cashier Wednesdays 2-3 hours midday. This is a sitting job and a great opportunity to meet new friends. Bingo Buddy Saturdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Escort an Arbor resident and assist them as needed during the game. Then escort back to the Arbor. Prayer Partner Sundays, 12:45-1:45 p.m. Escort residents from the Arbor to church service in the Village Chapel, sit with them during the service. And escort them back to the Arbor. Donations of quilting fabrics and clean top sheets of any size are needed to make quilts which are donated to people in need. Contact: Cheryl Frostcouture at or cfrostcouture@preshomes.org 5

6 GriefShare Thursdays, through Dec. 6, :45 to 8:45 p.m. in Sanctuary Building BEGIN ANYTIME! GriefShare is a Christcentered grief recovery support group. The Biblically-based program, focusing on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one, is presented in a 13-week video series featuring nationally respected grief experts. In group discussion you will have an opportunity to share with people who have gone through grief and understand the pain of your loss and start the journey from mourning to joy. Call Joanne Zehnder at for more information. Register online at saintandrews. org or contact Lisa Grundtner at lgrundtner@ saintandrews.org or Cost is $18 which covers all materials. Spiritual Care for Caregivers! Tuesdays, through Dec. 18, 1-2 p.m. Sanctuary Room 201 Join us every Tuesday as we provide weekly devotional material and a warm, welcoming space to share the joys and pains of caregiving. All caregivers are welcome to attend the gatherings at no cost; no prior registration required. Please contact Resource Counselor Heidi Lender at hlender@saintandrews.org or with any questions. Come to have your cup filled with love, prayer and the Holy Spirit. Counseling, Care, Support Counseling Resource Available Everyone experiences difficult seasons on life s journey, and St. Andrew s is committed to meeting people where they are at and walking alongside them. If you or a loved one are in need of someone to talk to, please contact our Resource Counselor, Heidi Lender, , hlender@ saintandrews.org. There is no cost for this service. Employment Opportunities Substitute Preschool Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Teacher s Aides The Preschools of St. Andrew s is seeking Substitute Preschool Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and Aides. Degree and previous experience in early childhood education or related field preferred. Teachers and Assistant Teachers must be qualified under MN DHS Rule 3. For more information, visit our career page at Submit resume to ahuntley@saintandrews.org. Jobs at St. Andrew s Village Resident Assistant, PT Mornings 6 a.m.-noon Server, Part-time, Evenings and Weekends Housekeeping Services Asst., hours vary Please apply at or contact Steffany Workman (Site HR) at Our Mission Proclaim Jesus Christ, Live in Christ, Serve! Our Vision Empowered by God s love, we help transform lives, communities and the world so that everyone may know Christ s healing power. Our Core Values We reflect the love of Christ. We serve with hearts of hospitality. We are all in this together. We strive for excellence.

7 900 Stillwater Road Mahtomedi, Minnesota saintandrews.org St. Andrew s Worship Times Traditional Worship Sunday 9 & 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Contemporary Worship Saturday 5 p.m. Great Hall Sunday 8:45 & 10:15 a.m. Great Hall The Depot Church, Hugo Sunday 5:15 p.m. Oneka Elementary Worship at St. Andrew s Village Sunday 1 p.m. Nursery care (ages birth to 5) at all services. Altar Flowers are given this week by George and Joyce Tonia in memory of their son, Christopher. If you have an emergency and would like to contact a pastor please call and follow the prompts. If you are having surgery or a medical procedure and would like a pastor to contact you, please call Lisa Grundtner at or Leave a message and a pastor will be notified. Sponsor Live Stream, Altar Flowers or Cookies Provide Live Streaming for Shut-Ins Individuals are invited to support the live streaming broadcast of worship at St. Andrew s. Cost is $50 and checks can be made payable to St. Andrew s Lutheran Church. Please fill out the form below and drop at reception desk. Your gift provides 5 Roku devices to shut-ins and area senior housing complexes so that everyone may know Christ s healing power. Altar Flowers and Cookies If you would like to donate altar flowers or cookies for worship to honor or memorialize people or events, please contact Joe Holmberg at or jholmberg@saintandrews.org for availability at least three weeks in advance or fill out the form below. Donations are $55 for each. Checks can be made payable to St. Andrew s Lutheran Church. Date of sponsorship requested: Sponsored by: Phone ( ) Altar Flowers $55 Cookies $55 In honor of... In memory of... To the Glory of God (circle one from each line and include details) Your sponsorship will be printed in this bulletin insert. 7

8 Conversations on Diversity Thursdays, Dec. 20, Jan. 17, Feb. 21, March 21, April 18, May 16; 6-8 p.m. Great Hall Come and join Glocal as they host the Community Dinner featuring a different ethnic cuisine each time. During dinner hear their stories through music and then stay after dinner for conversation with others about how you experience the beautiful diversity of the Kingdom of God. Childcare is available. Diversity Team Thursdays, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 9; 6:45-8 p.m. Great Hall If God has placed it on your heart to help St. Andrew s reflect the diversity of the Kingdom of God, then we invite you to join us. Be part of a team working to create educational and relational opportunities as well as systems that strive to address the ways that racism, sexism, ableism, classism, ageism and other forms of injustice limit participation, exclude and harm people, communities and the whole body of Christ. For more information please contact Deacon/Intern Pastor Erin Morris at emorris@saintandrews.org or Women s Ministry Women s Bible Study: Mark Wednesdays, 9:30 11:30 a.m. Great Hall Every Other Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sanctuary Room 201 Discover the exciting plan Jesus Christ has for you through the fullness of the Book of Mark. Small groups are now forming. The fourth week will be a lecture or presentation by Intern Pastor Caroline Keenan or Carrin Mahmood. $15 covers materials. Register online at saintandrews.org or at church with an envelope. For more information contact Carrin Mahmood at cmahmood@ saintandrews.org or New Member Class Sunday, Jan. 6, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sanctuary Room 204 If you would like to become more engaged in your faith, more involved at St. Andrew s or want to hear what Christ is calling St. Andrew s to be in this world, come to our New Member Class. Contact Ronda Sowada to register for the class or if you have questions, or rsowada@ saintandrews.org. A light lunch is served and childcare provided. Giving Information from the Finance Office Considering a charitable donation to St. Andrew s? Here are three options to consider: IRA Distribution If you are age 70½ or older, you may be able to reduce your taxes by making a contribution of part of your IRA s required minimum distribution to St. Andrew s. Your valuable support will enable us to further our mission and ministry. Please consult your personal financial advisor for information specific to your situation. Stock Giving Donating a gift of appreciated stock may be beneficial to you and St. Andrew s. Please consult your personal financial advisor for the option best for you, and allow enough time for the gift to be received before year end. Donor-Advised Funds A donor-advised fund or DAF, which is established with your financial advisor, is a charitable vehicle which exists to support charitable organizations like St. Andrew s Lutheran Church. When you contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a DAF, you are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction, the funds can be invested for tax-free growth, and you can recommend grants to any IRS qualified public charity such as St. Andrew s. Please consult your personal financial advisor for the option best for you. This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. If you have any questions, please contact Patty Ingberg at pingberg@saintandrews. org or