Ministry expansion
For the past year, you have been hearing about blessings in our ministry that have also presented the need for strategic action. For example, we have had to cap enrollment at Westside Christian School, and more worshipers are consistently gathering to receive the means of grace than we can ideally accommodate. This is especially concerning because, while members of church like it that way, guests don’t. For the past year, also, the Ministry Expansion Committee has been exploring ways for us to serve more people with the Good News of Jesus. For the past six months, other people of St. Andrew, a funding team, have been exploring how we might bring offerings for this ministry expansion. The Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of the Ministry Expansion Committee, has approved a feasibility study to 1) develop options for a new sanctuary to accommodate 40% church growth, 2) study alternatives for 30% school growth through remodeling of the existing sanctuary or new addition(s), and 3) evaluate the current site to expand parking and locate new additions (master site plan).The Board also, acting on the recommendation of the funding team, has approved a financial feasibility study. We hope to have these studies completed by mid-summer. You’ll continue to receive information as it becomes available and will have ample opportunity for feedback. Questions? Contact our President, Clayton Grow, at [email protected]. Praise God for giving us the opportunity to serve more people with the Good News: He is risen!

Good Shepherd Sunday
Jesus is your Good Shepherd, and that is worth celebrating. A fun morning is planned for Good Shepherd Sunday, which is Sunday, April 21. Come for live sheep to pet, a family activity to teach children about their Good Shepherd, games outside and in the gym (sheepshead anyone?), and food and drink fit for a shepherd. Join us from 9:00 – 10:15.

Cross Peace pieces
The remaining pieces will be available in the atrium through this weekend. Please take any item you still need for your cross by then. Let’s also acknowledge and thank our team once more: cross makers Neil Marshall, Henry Netzinger, John Schmoller, and Casey Weiss; piece crafters Tracey Bindl, Patti Coffren, Sherry Kessler, Heidi Pease, Ali Schroeder, Lois Solverud, Sarah Wendorf, and Donna Woller; and life-size piece coordinator Sue Martalock. They all did a fine job helping us focus on our cross peace.

Easter Adult Choir
Keep the Easter joy alive by joining your voice with other brothers and sisters high school age and older. Rehearsals will be Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15 at 7 PM, in the Soul Cafe. The Adult Choir will sing for worship Sunday, May 19.

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.

“Come People of the Risen King” by Getty, Townend
“Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” arranged by Jeremy Johnson
“Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” by Papa, Boswell, Merker, Kauflin, Getty
“Only a Holy a God” by CityAlight

Lifeboat
Lifeboat is the name of a new group for St. Andrew teens. Lifeboat is for grades 7 – 10 and will meet the first and third Sunday evenings of every month from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Lifeboat is for faith, fellowship, and fun! For location and more information, contact Lifeboat leaders Jess Bohl or Hilary Griswold. There will be a short parent meeting on April 14 at 9:15 AM in room 110.

WELS Women’s Conference
WELS Women’s Ministry invites women of St. Andrew to attend their summer gathering. The conference is July 28 – 30 in Waukesha. Click here for more information. If you plan to attend, email Staff Minister Kjenstad for possible carpooling with others from St. Andrew.

Small Talk
Small Talk is back! There are several pieces that make up the story of Jesus’ suffering and death. Each one contributes to the peace we have through Jesus. Listen to Tori help you see these wonderful connections and to hear the precious truth that Jesus lives! You can listen to Small Talk here or by searching for Small Talk with Rachel Kamin wherever you listen to podcasts.

Impact
There are some topics that are hard to talk about. This week on Impact, Pastor Mike Novotny is here to encourage us to talk about them in spite of that because God has blessings waiting on the other side of these conversations. You can listen to Impact here or wherever you find podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”

April Is Abortion Recovery Awareness Month
Abortion wounds are emotionally deep and can be spiritually deadly. After an abortion, both women and men can experience regret, guilt, and sadness. These complex emotions can manifest themselves in many ways—fear, anger, and/or depression are not uncommon. What’s also not uncommon are the number of people within the church with an abortion in their past. More than one in three women and five in ten men were in church at least once a month at the time of their first abortion. There can be far-reaching psychological, emotional, and spiritual ramifications for people who have chosen abortion. While women endure the physical effects of the abortion procedure, both women and men must live with the consequences of the decision. Too often women and men suffer alone, in silence. WELS Lutherans for Life has been providing spiritual guidance, comfort, hope, and healing in Jesus Christ with the gospel since 1982. The organization operates a Pregnancy Medical Clinic in Milwaukee. They minister to women and men who are currently, or who have been, involved in an unwanted pregnancy situation.

If you, or someone you know, has had an abortion, WELS Lutherans for Life offers a safe place to process these complex emotions and heal from your abortion wounds. Find restoration and hope in the arms of Jesus Christ. Contact WELS Lutherans for Life today and begin your journey to healing. Text ‘HEALING’ to 414-465-2246 or email [email protected].

Service opportunity | Culver’s Share Night April 23
Culver’s Share Night is an opportunity to raise mission trip funds. Both patrons and volunteers will be essential. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and can work any number of one-hour segments from 5 – 8 PM. Sign up here.

Service opportunity | Brat Fest
St. Andrew will again be a Brat Fest charity this Memorial Day weekend. Volunteers will interact with the community and earn donations for St. Andrew’s mission trips. Opportunities from May 19 – 26 are filled on a first come, first served basis. Unfilled slots are still available, so sign up soon and make sure to choose “St Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church” as the organization you are volunteering for. Contact minimissions@st-andrew-online.org with any questions. Sign up here.

Mission London
The London dates are set for July 5 – 15. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Pastor Clinton.

Teen mission trips
Two new trips are sure to be a lot of fun and provide great opportunities to serve. Join the team headed to Rock Hill, South Carolina, July 13 – 18, or the team headed to Cincinnati, Ohio, July 23-28. Apply here.

LWMS Capitol Circuit Spring Rally
Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society is women dedicated to serving Jesus by increasing awareness of, interest in, and support of the mission outreach of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The next local rally is at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Madison. Professor Emeritus Kermit Moldenhauer will present on WELS missions in London. Registration begins at 8:30 AM on Saturday, April 20.

Monthly Mission Partner
Our April partner is Central Africa Medical Mission. CAMM has been using the constant need for medical attention and expertise as a bridge to the gospel for over 60 years, primarily in Malawi and Zambia. Much more information about CAMM’s past and recent activity is available on their website or view the video below.