This Week
No such thing as chance
One of the women in Jesus’ family tree is Ruth. Her life would seem to be a series of misfortunes and lucky breaks. But no way. The Lord God was at work through her, her mother-in-law, and her husband Boaz to accomplish his plan to send his Son to be the Savior of the world. We aren’t in Jesus’ family tree, but the Lord would want us to know he’s just as much at work in our lives. It’s not luck. It’s not fortune. It’s the Lord who has promised to take care of us. He daily invites us to repent of our sin, trust that he’s already rescued us, and be part of his way of working things out. The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament is only 4 chapters. Read it and then gather with your brothers and sisters to be encouraged together.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
Advent devotion
Advent is a season of joyful anticipation times two. As we joyfully look ahead to the celebration of our Savior’s birth, we also joyfully await our Savior’s return. To help you get more out of your anticipating, St. Andrew has produced audio-only Advent devotions. Here is this week’s devotion.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Christmas worship schedule
- Thursday, December 19 | Westside Christian School Christmas programs in the gymnasium
- Preschool and kindergarten program—10 AM
- Grades 1 – 8 program—2 & 6 PM
- If you’d like to attend the children’s program, please sign up here to help plan for seating in the gym.
- No Thursday evening worship on December 19
- Sunday, December 22 | normal worship at 8 & 10:30 AM
- Tuesday, December 24 | Christmas Eve worship at 1, 3, 5 PM (livestream at 5 PM)
- Wednesday, December 25 | Christmas Day Lessons & Carols at 9 AM
- No Thursday worship on December 26
- Sunday, December 29 | normal worship at 8 & 10:30 AM
- Sunday, January 5 | Epiphany worship at 8 & 10:30 AM (no Thursday worship on January 2)
Poinsettia order
One way to get the sanctuary ready for the Christmas season would be through your donation of a Christmas poinsettia. The cost is $15 and can be picked up following Christmas Day worship. Orders can be made here and are due December 15.
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.
“Savior of the Nations, Come” arranged by Paul Marxhausen
“Sing We the Song of Emmanuel” by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, Keith Getty
“The Lord Is My Salvation” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Is lying always a sin?
Rahab told a lie to prevent the death of the Israelite spies. Are we to condone or condemn her lie? Are all lies sinful? This article in a recent Forward in Christ weighed in on that very topic.
Grow in Grace
Join us at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary on December 15 for this whole church Bible study on The Hidden God. There is Plugged into Jesus, and although there is no Musikgarten, there is childcare for young children in room 104. For more information on Grow in Grace, click here.
Growth Groups
St. Andrew Growth Groups will return in late January. If you have a Growth Group idea or would like to learn more about leading or hosting a Growth Group, contact Staff Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad.
Christmas Concerts
You can’t get enough Christmas music? Perhaps a short trip to a high school Christmas concert is for you.
Lakeside Lutheran High School | December 15 at 4 PM
Luther Preparatory School | December 15 at 3 PM & December 19 at 10 AM
Men of His Word conference
For the past several years, hundreds of men have attended Men of His Word for encouragement and growth as Christian leaders. Brothers from St. Andrew are inviting you to join them for this day trip to Oshkosh on February 8. Find more information about Men of His Word 2024 and the registration link here. If you are attending, contact Brian Fritz or Tom Shepard to join the carpool.
Small Talk
A new Small Talk is coming just in time for Christmas! 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. An all-new episode with Rocky about the Christmas shepherds will be released next week. Look for it in The Weekly.
Impact podcast
“Soon” is the word Jesus uses to describe his return. Don’t blow past that word. Jesus means what he says. Listen to Pastor Jon Bilitz talk about encouragement from Jesus to stay ready for his imminent return. You can listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.
LifeBoat
LifeBoat, our teen ministry for grades 7 – 10, will be having an end-of-year Christmas celebration at St. Andrew on Saturday, December 14, 5:30 – 7:30 PM. There will be food, games, and a small gift exchange. RSVP and get gift details from Hilary Griswold or Jess Bohl.
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
Note of gratitude from the jail ministry
Dear Pastor Clinton and everyone at St. Andrew Lutheran Church,
A very big thank you to everyone at St. Andrew Lutheran Church for their generosity and sharing God’s love this fall by responding to the request from the Dane County Jail reentry coordinator for the need for winter jackets and clothing for those being released from the Dane County Jail during the late fall and winter weather. Your gift of winter clothing makes it possible to change the life of the individual who is frequently overlooked or forgotten. Because of your gift, individuals being released from the Dane County Jail and who are in need now will have a warm coat and clothing this winter. YOU make this possible. Thank you.
Paul L Hundt
Friends Committee Chair
Madison Area Jail Ministry
Service opportunity | Outdoor Christmas lights
One last bit of decorating to be done is setting up the outdoor floodlights. If you’d like to help with that on Saturday morning, contact Pastor Clinton. No know-how is needed, and a team of just 3 – 4 will complete this in under an hour.
Christmas gift assistance available
Tangible gifts remind us of the infinitely superior intangible gift of salvation that God has given us in his Son Jesus, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. If your temporary or ongoing circumstances make Christmas gifts a significant financial burden for your family, let St. Andrew help by completing this assistance request form by December 19.
1638 pounds of food
They don’t even weigh the inedible items, but that’s how much food St. Andrew donated to those in need via WayForward Resources earlier this month. What a way to be a witness of what Christ has done for you!
Monthly Mission Partner
Our December partner’s mission is to build eternal friendships. Executive Director Aaron Wakeman plans to visit St. Andrew in May to present on this ministry. For now, watch the video for more information.
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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 received
Mr. Timothy Pingel from Lawrenceville, Georgia, wrote a letter to the members of St Andrew and Westside Christian School. Tim was called to be our second 3rd grade teacher next school year. If you have the opportunity to reach out to Tim, please do so. I am certain he would appreciate hearing from you. His email address is at the bottom.
Dear Members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church and Westside Christian School,
On Sunday, December 1st, I received a divine call from the voters of St. Andrew Lutheran Church to serve Westside Christian School and St. Andrew Lutheran Church. The call is to loop with the upcoming third grade class for the next three years. I am humbled to receive this call and grateful for the opportunity to consider how the gifts God has given me may best serve the kingdom of God. Over the next few weeks I will be in communication with your pastors, principal, staff, and members as I consider the call. I ask for your prayers during this deliberation process. I am excited to hear about the many blessings God is working among you. I will keep St. Andrew and Westside Christian School in my prayers. May God bless your Advent preparations!
In Christ,
Tim Pingel
5th-6th Grade Teacher at Sola Fide Academy
[email protected] |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, December 12 & 15, 2024
Musicians
Lead musicians: Melissa Dyer, Lola Weiss
Vocalists: Melissa Dyer, Trudi Jo Havlorson
Guitar: Jon Povich, Colin Shaffer
Drums: Oliver Povich
Flute: Sarah Wendorf
Greeters
Thursday: Ellen Soukup
8:00 AM: Amy Beier, Carlson family
10:30 AM: Robert and Beth Ramos
Ushers
Thursday: Dave Rortvedt
8:00 AM: Bill Beier, Zeth Engel
10:30 AM: Cole Brickner, Andrew Stoecker
Lay Readers
Thursday: Ron Kerr
8:00 AM: Paul Wittkamp
10:30 AM: Clayton Grow
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Mitch Hutter
8:00 AM: Jeff Grim, John Kamin
10:30 AM: Brandon Brickner, Clayton Grow
Communion Care
Thursday: Amy and Alayna Hutter
8:00 AM: Sara Nixon
10:30 AM: Stephanie Grow
Audio
Thursday: Naomi Laabs
Sunday: Terry Jacobs
Slide Tech
Thursday: Phil Otto
8:00 AM: Julia Nixon
10:30 AM: Micki Ross
Livestream Video
Seth Fenske
Hospitality
Thursday: Heidi Pease
8:00 AM: Crystal Murkve
10:30 AM: Ana Belstra
Connection Card Assembly
Mary Bruskewitz
Offering Caretakers
Phil and Dawn Otto
Children’s Ministries
Plugged into Jesus: Erica Dammann, Jared Dammann, Sarah Gilbert, Paul and Laura Konkol, Kaitlyn Mullin, Natalie Onsager
Spark: Paul Onsager
Childcare providers: Amy Beier, Annika Jafferis, Ellie Jafferis, Jane Povich
Growth Group Leaders
Jane Dew, Amy Heckmann, Mark Kjenstad, Todd Kleman, Wayne Utke
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