Adult choir returns September 21
Blend your voice with others to sing God’s praise. We’ll rehearse at 7 PM on Wednesdays in Room 115 to sing for worship on:

• Sunday, October 9 (rehearsals will be September 21, 28, and October 5).
• Sunday, October 30 (rehearsals will be October 12, 19, and 26).

High school-aged and older are welcome to attend. Questions? Email Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs.

Milestone
Elicia and Tom Shepard welcomed their baby Amelia June Shepard into this world on July 12. The Holy Spirit welcomed her into the kingdom of God through his Word in Holy Baptism on Sunday, August 21. The St. Andrew family made promises to do all we can to encourage her in the faith the Spirit has given by teaching her, by welcoming her, by caring for her, by praying for her, and more. May God bless you St. Andrew, and Millie, as you do.

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.

“Cornerstone” by Hillsong
“Living Hope” by Phil Wickham
“Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness” arranged by Branches Band
“The Lord Is My Salvation” by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Nathan Nockels, and Jonas Myrin

Urgent weeding project
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As many of you know I have been leading the Ministry Expansion Project and could use your help getting our project wrapped up. Do you want to help with outdoor yard work this Saturday from 8 AM – 12 PM? We need to pull the weeds that have grown in and around the new retention pond south of our new classroom addition. Dane County denied approval of the retention pond earlier this month until the weeds have been removed. Some progress has been made over several evenings, but I would like to make a big push Saturday morning and see if we can finish this task. Please know that there are 6 – 7 different species of plants that we are trying to grow and about 6 – 7 species of weeds that Dane County wants pulled, so we can’t just cut it down or spray the weeds. I will be there at 8 AM to help guide the work effort and pull weeds alongside you. No need to respond, but you’d be a great blessing if you can spare an hour or two to help us complete this urgent task.

Thank you in advance for your help,
Mike Eberle
Ministry Expansion Committee Chair

Service and outreach
We have engaged Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary senior Joel Hopper to serve as our “senior vicar.” Vicar Hopper spent the past year at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel as a vicar, the third year of a four-year seminary program. He is now back on campus at the seminary in Mequon but will travel to Middleton on Sundays to be our regular guest preacher, worship assistant, Growth Group leader and, potentially, assist us with outreach, depending somewhat on the academic demands of his senior year. He will begin his service at St. Andrew in September and conclude next April or May. This arrangement allows us to have a consistent voice as a guest preacher, spend less time securing guest preachers, drop fewer balls in our outreach ministry, and provide financial help to a seminary student. We do not intend to continue engaging a senior vicar after next spring.

Prayer requests
Every week the Connection Cards, the Online Worship Check-in, and the Prayer Request form in Church Community Builder (CCB) have space for prayer requests. Are you aware that St. Andrew has a team that takes those requests to our Heavenly Father’s throne on your behalf? Your brothers and sisters in Christ pray for our church, our leaders, and our members in response to those requests. Continue to make your requests and provide updates on people who need continual prayers or who have received answers to their prayers. Encourage your friends and children to write down their requests. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, contact Pastor Hunter who will put you in touch with the team leader.

WELS Connection
Martin Luther College is dedicated to minimizing the college debt of its students so they can focus on lives of service. Learn how we can all be part of helping our next generation of called workers in this way in this month’s WELS Connection.

August Monthly Mission Partner
Learning is what college is for. In addition to subjects studied, students also learn about other cultures, beliefs, and worldviews. All of that is good, unless it becomes a god and replaces the truth of the true God. Students in college need our prayers and our ministry. Students at UW-Madison have the benefit of Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel and Student Center. It’s a place to study, meet friends, and look at options through the lens of Christian faith. For decades, St. Andrew has partnered with the Chapel in worship, ministries, and with our prayers and financial support. Your offerings to our Monthly Mission Partner will support the ministry of the Chapel. You can check out what they’re doing at wlchapel.org. Better yet, the next time you’re on State Street, turn north at the Chocolate Shoppe, see the Chapel, and stop in for a visit.

Costa Maya administrative volunteer opportunity
Interested in an opportunity to really make an impact with the gospel in our mission in beautiful Costa Maya, Mexico? Costa
Maya Ministries is in need of a Spanish-speaking person or couple to help the called workers and growing congregation with various aspects of administration—from record keeping to coordinating volunteers to managing community relations. Personal outreach would make use of strengths such as leading classes like Bible study, cooking, basic computer, or sewing. This is serving our Savior in a very hands-on way! The position is for at least one year and includes an allowance for internet, food, and housing. A stipend is also available if needed. For a more detailed volunteer position description and Costa Maya contact information, please email [email protected].