This Week
Real or placebo?
What’s the difference between a medication and a placebo? A placebo has no real power; it’s only effective because it’s believed in. Medicine, on the other hand, has real power and can help you whether you believe in it or not. “Ah,” some might say. “I see where you’re going: some religions are real, and some are placebo.” Not at all. Some religions are real medicine and will heal you, some are poisonous and will kill you, but no religion works because it’s believed in. Believe in the revelation God has given us in his Word because it’s true, but don’t imagine it’s only true because you believe in it. One purpose of the book of Ecclesiastes is to show us that it’s foolish to imagine this life is all there is—that your belief in God only works because you think it does. Then life is meaningless. But another purpose of the book of Ecclesiastes is to point us to a heavenly solution. Gather with God’s people to listen to God’s wisdom revealed in the ancient inspired Book of Ecclesiastes this Thursday or Sunday. Get the real thing, not a placebo.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
Call meeting | October 22
The Board of Directors has scheduled a voters’ meeting at noon on Sunday, October 22, to call a special education teacher for our ministry of Westside Christian School. This will be a new role in our school, beginning in the 2024 – 25 school year. This teacher would take over the lead teaching of two ELA sections of middle school (grades 5 – 8). The rest of the day would be spent helping teachers make academic modifications, communicating with parents, supporting students who have learning goals, providing academic intervention, or even co-teaching in classrooms. The Board of Directors and the School Council have considered the need and agree on the exciting opportunities for ministry this called worker will provide. For further information or a position description, please reach out to Principal Meredith Pucci.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Area Reformation Service
You are invited to Lakeside Lutheran High School (231 Woodland Beach Road, Lake Mills, Wisconsin) on Sunday, October 22, at 4 PM to celebrate the 2023 “Reformation 500” Festival with other brothers and sisters from area congregations. The service will be held in their new auditorium and will feature special music and choirs.
Worship check-in
If you worship on-site, please fill out the Connection Card attached to your worship folder. Online worshipers, please continue to check in here.
Weekend worship songs
Preview some of the songs we will use for worship this weekend. Obviously ours won’t sound exactly like this, but listening to the links provided will certainly help you be more comfortable participating in the service.
“Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong
“Build Your Kingdom Here” by Rend Collective
“My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness” by Stuart Townend
“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
College mailing
St. Andrew has nearly 40 students attending college. We have a team to ensure we stay in touch with them. The team sent out a mailing to all of them last week and let them know we are thinking about them. Say a prayer for our college students that they stay safe, hit the books, and remain faithful to Jesus.
Small Talk
It’s almost time for more Small Talk! A new episode on the true story of David and Goliath will be released soon. Small Talk is kids sharing the good news about Jesus. Host Rachel Kamin talks with young children from St. Andrew. She asks questions about the Bible, and the kids take it from there. Small Talk episodes run about 10 minutes and are released four times throughout the year. You can’t listen to Small Talk without smiling!
Impact
Martin Luther College Professor Luke Thompson is back to equip us with more from 13 Truths, a framework for spiritual care. You can listen to Impact here or on popular podcast platforms by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”
PowerHour
Even though there is no school at Westside on Friday, the show goes on for PowerHour. The theme is “Fall at the Farm.” PowerHour serves children 3 and under on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month at 10:30 AM in the gym. You can find more information here on PowerHour.
Sunday morning children’s ministries
Musikgarten | 9:20 AM | up to age 3 | room 104
Plugged into Jesus | 9:20 AM | 4K – kindergarten (room 102) & grades 1 – 5 (gym)
Spark | grades 6 – 8 | 9:30 AM | room 110
Plugged into Jesus
Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me.” Would you like to join the team that leads children to Jesus? You can serve once per month on Sunday mornings during the school year. Contact Mark Kjenstad or Renee Carlson for more information.
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
Part-time janitorial positions available
St. Andrew and Westside Christian School are blessed to have high usage and activity. With that comes lots of responsibilities, including routine cleaning, tidying, and stocking. If you have a little extra time, even just a few hours a week, and would like to earn some extra money, consider picking up some janitorial hours. All your training will be provided, and the hours can be flexible. Contact our lead custodian or Pastor Clinton.
Service opportunity | woodworking
Do you have any woodworking expertise at all? Do you want to help enhance the season of focusing on Christ’s passion for the whole family of St. Andrew? Then we have an opportunity for you, and the best part is you can do as little or as much as you want. Contact Pastor Clinton if interested.
Monthly Mission Partner
October’s partner is Christian Aid & Relief, an organization of our church body whose mission is to reflect Christ’s love and compassion to souls suffering from disasters and hardships. Because of what Christ has freely done for us, we eagerly show we care by offering our time, talents, and treasures to those in need.
Video of gratitude from Monthly Mission Partner
Our May partner was Divine Savior Lutheran Church in Sienna (outside Houston, Texas). View the video from Pastor Boushek below.
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Westside Christian School
A ministry of St. Andrew, preparing students for academic success and lives of Christian service founded on God’s Word
Divine call received
On Monday, October 16, Meredith Pucci received a call to be the Curriculum Director for the Central Wisconsin Lutheran Schools. This position would be a new one to support the K – 8 ministries in curriculum development and maintain communication with Lakeside Lutheran High School and Luther Preparatory School. She would appreciate your prayers as she deliberates both calls she now holds. You are encouraged to reach out to her if you have thoughts to help guide her decision. |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, October 19 & 22, 2023
Musicians
Lead musician: Kris Lund
Vocalists: Adam Bohl, Melissa Dyer, Trudi Jo Halvorson
Guitar: Jon Povich, Jack Pucci
Drums: Oliver Povich
Cello: Rachel Fricke
Saxophone: Wayne Utke
Ushers
Thursday: Jim Pease
8:00 AM: Tom and Adam Bernd
10:30 AM: Aaron and Sabastian Murray
Greeters
Thursday: Dan and Sarah Arndt
8:00 AM: Kevin and Sherry Kessler
10:30 AM: Patina Hooten, Isabelle Volberg
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Andy Bindl
8:00 AM: Karl Kuschel, Todd Treichel
10:30 AM: Jackson Hunter, Levi Schriefer
Communion Care
Thursday: Naomi Laabs
8:00 AM: Kylie Roekle
10:30 AM: Emily Schriefer
Slide Tech
Thursday: Alex Bindl
8:00 AM: Sarah Wendrof
10:30 AM: August Faessler
Audio
Thursday:
8:00 AM: Todd Kleman
10:30 AM: Ben Kleman
Livestream Video
Thad Molling
Hospitality
8:00 AM: Michelle Murphy
10:30 AM: Kim Volberg
Connection Card Assembly
Larry and Connie Stolzman
Offering Caretakers
Phil and Dawn Otto
Children’s Ministries
Musikgarten:Karen Hong, Ellen Soukup
Plugged into Jesus: Renee Carlson, Patti Coffren, Paul and Laura Konkol, Natalie Spillman, Mark Westphal
Spark: Jessica Bohl, Hilary Griswold
Growth Group Leaders:
Pastor Clinton, Pastor Hunter, Ben Carlson, Jared Dammann, Jane Dew, Jonathan Fricke, Andrew Fritz, Brian Fritz, Amy Heckman, Brad Hougaard, Ron Kerr, Mark Kjenstad, Sue Martalock, Nancy Ninman, Levi Schriefer, Jim Teteak, Wayne Utke, Bill Walther
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