August 4, 2021

This Sunday

How do I stop worrying? 
You can probably count on the fingers of one hand the people in your life who “really get you.” Jesus proved he belongs on that list. For example, Jesus knows you worry. And he knows your worries have the potential to block your view of God’s promises. So Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to tell you, Look at the Birds. Read about Jesus’ sermon in Matthew 26:25-34 and then join other worriers to learn how to set worries aside. We worship on Thursday at 7:00 PM and on Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 AM.

Highlights

Events and ministry news needing immediate attention

Congregational conversations this weekend
We have a hole in the leadership of our ministry, specifically the area of our ministry we call Service & Outreach. In the past we have been blessed by the leadership of a Pastor for Service and Outreach, but how will we help God’s people serve and reach out to others in the future? That is the question we’re asking each other and the Lord of the Church. If you’d like to be part of the process, join us for a listening session after our worship service on Thursday, August 5, or after either worship service on Sunday, August 8. Anticipate the session will last about a half-hour.

Worship

Resources and opportunities for you to worship

Save the date
Exciting worship dates in August (subject to change with construction):

  • August 15—Following 10:30 AM worship we will be moving ALL of the furniture back into the sanctuary and tearing down the gym worship setup (lunch will be provided). If you don’t have vacation plans already, please consider lending a hand. Sign-up link is in the article below.
  • August 19 & 22—First worship services back in the sanctuary
  • August 26 & 29—Building dedication during worship with a picnic following 10:30 AM worship

Moving day help
On Sunday, August 15, we will be tearing down the gym worship setup and moving all of the furniture back to the sanctuary. Westside Christian School will also be putting together furniture and moving some of the classrooms. There will be many ways to serve that day! If you are planning to help on August 15, please sign up using this link so we know how many people will be attending.

Worship Check-in
Please let us know that you were with us for worship. You can do so on our website or by going here.

Weekend worship songs
Preview some of the songs we will use for worship this weekend here. 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.
Yet Not I But through Christ in Me” by CityAlight
Every Promise of Your Word” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
“Be Still My Soul” by Carol Tornquist

Nurture

Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others

Growth Groups
Spending time with God’s Word and God’s people during the week—that is what a St. Andrew Growth Group is about. And what follows are wonderful blessings from our gracious Lord. Fall Growth Groups will begin in early September. Are you wanting to host a group in your home? This doesn’t mean you lead the group. We have others interested in that. Contact our Staff Minister for Nurture, Mark Kjenstad, for more information about this wonderful opportunity to serve God’s people at St. Andrew.FUEL
There’s enough summer left for more fun with FUEL. FUEL is heading to Gibraltar Rock near Lodi on Wednesday, August 11, at 3 PM. After our hiking trip, we’ll hop on the Merrimac Ferry to get some ice cream. Here’s more details and the sign-up link. Sign up by Sunday, August 8. FUEL is open to all St. Andrew high school students.

Impact
John 3:16 of the Old Testament is found in Psalm 145. This psalm is a praise psalm, and our God is most worthy of praise. Listen to Dr. John Brug speak about this psalm of David here, on Spotify, Amazon, or wherever you find podcasts. Search “Kjenstad Impact.

PETT
Getting young people prepared for the Lord’s Supper and confirmed in their faith is a team effort between home and church. PETT (Parents Equipped to Teach) is a St. Andrew partnership that begins in grade 6. We are holding an orientation for parents new to PETT on Sunday, August 15, at 9:30 AM in room 108. Contact Pastor Hunter or Mr. KJ with your questions.

College addresses needed
Will you or your child be attending college this upcoming year? We stay in touch with our college students so we can continue to serve them. Please email Mr. KJ with your updated college address or fill out an info card in the atrium and put it in the drop box.

Children’s ministries returning
St. Andrew’s children’s ministries look forward to welcoming kids back to in-person sessions with opening day Sunday, September 12. Registration for kids from Pre-K3 – grade 6 opens soon. A fun-filled year ahead with games, videos, music, crafts, and Jesus is planned! Stay tuned for any pandemic protocol which may be required, and we look forward to serving your family!

Do you love Jesus and kids? Consider choosing one or more of the following ways to serve: greeter or game leader (launch), Bible leader (learn), application activity (live), or support staff with Musikgarten, pre-K3 – kindergarten kids, or grades 1 – 6. So many options! Reach out today to Jane Dew.

Musikgarten: Babies and toddlers with a caregiver are welcome to this Sunday-morning ministry! Certified Musikgarten leader Karen Hong will teach Jesus through interactive music and rhythm activities. Questions? Contact Karen Hong.

Plugged into Jesus: This is our children’s ministry that now serves kids Pre-K3 – grade 6. Preschool and kindergarten kids will meet in a self-contained classroom with grades 1 – 6 in the gym. Questions? Contact Jane Dew.

Middle school: Grades 7 – 8 form an independent ministry this year! Bible study, life application, and activities will anchor faith in the hearts of middle school students. Contact Lance Hill with questions.

Service & Outreach

Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others

Building dedication
Plan to celebrate our new facility addition the weekend of Sunday, August 29.We are excited to invite you to be a part of this special day which tentatively includes the following schedule:

  • Worship and dedication—all three services (Thursday 7:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 & 10:30 AM)
  • Ribbon cutting and facility tours—11:45 AM
  • Picnic lunch—12:00 PM
  • Also . . . Flying high in the sky! Adults and children will have the opportunity to fly kites.

St. Andrew is filled with gratitude toward God and your generosity, for the fields are ripe!

Coffee is served
We hope to begin serving coffee between worship services starting this fall, but we need a person to coordinate our volunteer team to make this happen.  If you are organized and have a passion for coffee, please let us know at [email protected].

Westside Christian School

A ministry of St. Andrew, preparing students for academic success and lives of Christian service founded on God’s Word

Sports teams
Do you have a passion for cross country or volleyball? Do you enjoy sharing the love of sports with kids? Westside Christian School is looking for adult volunteers who will help guide our young athletes this fall. Our sports team schedules are organized around the coach’s availability, and we typically like to have at least two adults to assist with each team. We currently need a B team (4th and 5th grade) volleyball head coach and assistant coach, as well as a head coach and assistant coach for cross county. Reach out to our athletic director, Jack Murphy,  to learn more.

Classroom prep
We are nearing the final stretch of our expansion project and the opening of the new school wing. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways throughout this journey, and we are thankful that the project is scheduled to be complete in time for the first day of school! We are going to need a lot of helping hands to get the classrooms and gym ready for our students. The first of two workdays is scheduled for August 15 at 11:30 AM. Lunch will be provided for volunteers who sign up to help in advance. Childcare will not be provided. Please email Westside’s administrative assistant, Stacy Bernd, if you are able to help.

After school program positions
Westside Christian School is looking for an Extended Care Coordinator. This job can be done primarily from home and involves 5 – 6 hours of time per week. Tasks include communicating between parents and school administration via email, creating weekly attendance lists for before/after care, shopping for snacks, and emailing monthly billing statements. If this sounds like a good part-time opportunity for you, please speak to our preschool director, Ellen Soukup. 

Westside Christian is also planning to hire an Extended Care Lead Teacher. Hours would be 2:45 – 5:30 PM, preferably daily, although we are able to combine this with two people if necessary. Each day consists of outdoor play, free play in the gym or an organized group game/activity, distributing snacks, and helping with homework for older students as needed. Email Ellen Soukup if you are interested.

Ministry Update

Building update
Good news: the site fence is being taken down around the new addition. Bad news: stay out! It’s still an active construction site so for the safety of all please stay out until the building is turned over to us. It’s exciting and we want to see it, but let’s let the builders do their work for a couple more weeks.IT ministry
Can you help set up new Chromebooks for the coming year? It’s not coding or programming, but each Chromebook needs about 10 minutes of attention to set it up. Training will be provided. We also need to set up charging carts. If you can help with these things anytime between now and August 21, please contact Orv Jordahl. Thanks!

Serving This Week 

Lead musician: Kris Lund
Vocalist: Naomi Laabs, Johanna Nielsen
Guitar: Clayton GrowAudio: Ian Eberle

Video: Thad Molling

Slide Tech
Thurs:          Lauren Welsh
8:00 AM:      Kim Gnewuch
10:30 AM:    Jacob Miller

Greeters
Thurs:          Rachel and Sue Martalock
8:00 AM:      Weiss family
10:30 AM:    Liz Garner, Susan Wright

Ushers
Thurs:          Greg Bleck
8:00 AM:      Levi Rudolph
10:30 AM:    Greg Yunger

Offering Caretakers: Andy and Lisa Bindl