This Week
John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople in the 4th century AD had the book of Romans read to him four times a week so that he would remain familiar with it throughout his life. English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge said Romans is “The most profound book in existence.” Martin Luther wrote, “”The epistle to the Romans is the true masterpiece of the New Testament and the very purest gospel, which is well worth and deserving that a Christian should not only learn it by heart, word for word, but also that he should daily deal with it as the daily bread of men’s souls. It can never be too much or too well read or studied, and the more it is handled the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.” St. Augustine of Hippo, a fourth century church father in North Africa, wrote, “I wish to have seen Christ in the flesh and Paul in the pulpit.”Get fired up for our next worship series on Paul’s epistle to the Romans. One way to get the most out of our study of Romans is to set aside 10 minutes each day to read however far you get. Then the next day, pick up where you left off and read for another 10 minutes. Or Read chapter one every day for two weeks; then chapter 2 for two weeks. Whatever your plan, you’ll be among those who have found Romans to be a great source of transformation and blessing.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
One body, many members | New service survey
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:5-6).St. Andrew is a community of Christians who love God, love others, and serve the world. Service takes many forms, but there’s a role for everyone. The purpose of this survey is to make you aware of various areas of service so that you can identify ways that you might like to serve, whether immediately or in the future. Whether you are still trying to find the role for you or are completely happy in your role, please take five minutes to complete the new survey to enhance St. Andrew’s efforts to involve people in ministry effectively. One Body, Many Members survey.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Thank you
The Spirit moved the hearts of many St. Andrew members last week to help take down the Christmas decorations. So many willing hands helped us get the decorations down, packed up, and back over to storage! Thank you to everyone who had a part in beautifying our church building this Christmas season, whether it was through decorating or helping to pack up the decorations! Adult Choir
Blend your voice with others to sing God’s praise this new year. We’ll rehearse at 7 PM on Wednesdays January 10, 17, and 25 in the Soul Cafe to sing for worship on Sunday, January 28. High-school-age and older are welcome to attend. Questions? Email Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs.
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.
“Beautiful Savior” by Stuart Townend
“By Faith” by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend
“Cornerstone” by Hillsong
“Jesus, Messiah” by Chris Tomlin
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Growth Groups
Spending more time with God’s Word is a New Year’s resolution for many Christians. Should it be for you? A great way to keep such a resolution is to join a St. Andrew Growth Group. Sign up here for a spring Growth Group. The new semester will begin January 28 and go into early May. Join again or make 2024 the year you join a Growth Group for the first time. Grow in Grace
Sadly, our world is filled with hate, and the hate seems to be increasing. There is also hate in your heart, some good and some not so good. God addresses the world’s hate, your hate, and what he hates. Come to Grow in Grace, St. Andrew’s whole church Bible study on January 14 at 9:30 AM and learn to love what God says about hate.
Men of His Word
The annual Men of His Word conference in Oshkosh is coming up on February 17. Men of His Word equips Christian men to take a leadership role within their family, within their congregation, and in their community. Each year a group of men from St. Andrew attend. Go here to learn more about the conference and to register. Reach out to St. Andrew Men’s Ministry leader Brian Fritz about carpooling.
Impact
God tells us in the first chapter of the first book of the Bible how the world came to be. Genesis 1, like all of Scripture, is reliable truth. Pastor Erich Schaser, a teacher of God’s Word at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, shares thoughts on this foundational chapter. You can listen to Impact here or wherever you find podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”
PowerHour
Children up to age 3 and their caregivers are invited to a “beach party” at the next PowerHour! Join us on Friday, January 19, at 10:30 AM in the St. Andrew gym. Click here for more information on PowerHour.
Sunday children’s ministries
Plugged into Jesus and Musikgarten return Sunday, January 14. Musikgarten is at 9:20 in room 104. Plugged into Jesus for 4K – K begins at 9:20 in room 102, and Plugged into Jesus for grades 1 – 6 begins at 9:20 in the gym. Spark also returns on Sunday for grades 6 – 8. Spark meets in room 110 at 9:30 to make Bible stories relevant to teens and pre-teens. Let’s work together on keeping the faith of your child growing!
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
Service opportunity for (somewhat) crafty people
Do you enjoy creating things? Do you like to work with your hands? Even if you hesitate to call yourself a “crafter,” we have a project for you. Lent is right around the corner, so if you would like to join the team to plan or create these objects, please contact Pastor Clinton. Summer mission trips | Informational meeting January 21
Are you surprised at how quickly your 2024 calendar is filling up? Make sure mission trips have an opportunity to be part of it. Join the effort to spread the gospel far away from St. Andrew. Learn more about mission trips for teens and adults at the meeting at 9:30 AM on January 21.
Caretaking need in early summer
A member of a sister church is hoping to line up care during a post-procedure recovery. She will need another presence around the clock at a recovery facility in Middleton. Some of that time is accounted for, but if you would consider filling any of the missing hours (likely between 6 AM – 7 PM on weekdays), please contact Pastor Clinton.
Monthly Mission Partner
Our partner for January is Illumine Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, part of the Charlotte metropolis. In addition to this MMP designation, St. Andrew teens will have the opportunity to be a personal part of Illumine’s ministry this summer by participating in a mission trip. Find out more about Illumine at their website or view the video.
WELS Connection
Every month, our church body releases a video to highlight a specific project or ministry of some of our brothers and sisters in faith. December’s video shows the new theological education center in Hanoi, Vietnam. This facility was made possible by generous donations throughout our church body.
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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
Call updates
On Sunday, January 7, the voters of St. Andrew called two individuals to join our ministry of Westside Christian School, beginning in the 2024-25 school year. Jake Unke was called to serve as principal, and Katherine Rath was called to serve as a middle school special education and ELA teacher. Jake is currently serving as principal at Divine Savior Academy in Missouri City, Texas. Katherine is serving as a 5th and 6th grade teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Please keep them both in your prayers as they deliberate the calls before them.
2024-25 early enrollment
St. Andrew members are invited to enroll at Westside Christian School before enrollment opens to the community. Applications received before January 14 are given top priority, but only if they are submitted during this early enrollment period. St. Andrew members with an age-eligible child for Westside Christian School in the 2024-25 school year (e.g. three years old by September 1, 2024, for Pre-K3) should have received an email with a link to enroll. Please reach out if you’d like to meet Preschool Director Ellen Soukup (ellen.soukup@westside-christian.org) or Principal Meredith Pucci (meredith.pucci@westside-christian.org) for a tour and to learn more about all the amazing things happening at Westside. |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, January 11 & 14, 2024
Musicians
Lead musician: Kim Gnewuch
Vocalists: Erica Dammann, Sarah Kuschel, Brandon Luppen
Guitar: Terry Jacobs, Chad Schaal
Drums: Natalie Onsager
Flute: Sarah Wendorf
Trumpet: Ian Eberle
Ushers
Thursday: Greg Bleck
8:00 AM: Bill Beier, Paul Wittkamp
10:30 AM: Andrew and Zack Stoecker
Greeters
Thursday: Tracey and Alex Bindl
8:00 AM: Kevin and Sherry Kessler
10:30 AM: Ron and Linda Ketterer
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Andy Bindl
8:00 AM: Ed Murray, Casey Weiss
10:30 AM: Jackson Hunter, Orv Jordahl
Communion Care
Thursday: Naomi Laabs
8:00 AM: Sue Martalock
10:30 AM: Robert and Beth Ramos
Slide Tech
Thursday: Phil Otto
8:00 AM: Micki Ross
10:30 AM: August Faessler
Audio
Thursday:
8:00 AM: Brent Denton
10:30 AM: Ben Kleman
Livestream Video
Jacob Miller
Hospitality
Thursday:
8:00 AM: Kristen and Annika Jafferis
10:30 AM: Yvonne Onsager
Connection Card Assembly
Brittany Engel
Offering Caretakers
Dick and Vicky Bernards
Children’s Ministries
Musikgarten: Karen Hong
Plugged into Jesus: Sarah Gilbert, Isaac Heckmann, Annika and Ellie Jafferis, Jane Povich, Lauren Schroeder
Spark: Jessica Bohl, Hilary Griswold
Growth Group Leaders
Andrew Fritz, Daniel Dammann, Jared Dammann, Jane Dew, Amy Heckmann, Sue Martalock
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