This Week
Fear not
Why did the angels say “fear not” to so many people at the very first Christmas? What’s there to fear about a little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay? Or for that matter, chestnuts roasting on an open fire? What’s there to be afraid of? The angels knew any human being coming into the presence of the glory of the Lord would have to be afraid. So do we. Oh, we bury the fear with distraction, polish, and the illusion that we have plenty of time to figure that out. The angel announced a better way: “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy.” In two very different worship services, Christmas Eve worship and Christmas Day worship, we behold very good news. As we get a tighter grip on that good news, the grip of fear loosens. Let’s marvel together on Christmas Eve—“Fear Not, for Behold”—at 10 AM, 3 PM, or 5 PM (livestreamed), and let’s marvel together on Christmas Day at 9 AM (livestreamed)—Service of Lessons and Carols.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
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“Hey, you should join us at St. Andrew this Christmas!”
It’s not too late to invite someone to Christmas worship. Take an invitation card from the atrium and give it away. Engage with St. Andrew’s social media activity. Simply mention your own worship plans and that all are welcome. Christmas is good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
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 for a single plant or $25 for a double plant and can be picked up following Christmas Day worship. Orders can be made here and are due December 22.
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.
Christmas worship songs
Preview some of the songs we will use for worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will sing many familiar Christmas carols, but listening to the links provided for some of the newer songs will certainly help you feel more comfortable participating in the service.
“O Come All Ye Faithful” by Chris Tomlin
“Angels We Have Heard on High” by Reawaken Hymns
“Manger Throne” by Phil Wickham
“Silent Night (Heavenly Peace)” by We the Kingdom
“Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful)” by Phil Wickham
“Once in Royal David’s City” by Koine
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Reawaken Hymns
“The Angel Gabriel” by Branches Band
“Sing We the Song of Emmanuel” by Getty, Papa, Boswell, Kauflin, Merker
“Light of the Stable” by Selah
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
“He Is Born the Divine Christ Child”
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
“Go Tell It on the Mountain”
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
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 7 and 14 at 9:30 AM and learn to love what God says about hate.
Small Talk
Fear not. Those words are part of the Christmas story. They are also part of your story. Listen to Alayna and Miles discuss that and more on this new episode of Small Talk. You can find Small Talk here or wherever you listen to podcasts. Search “Kamin Small Talk.”
Impact
God has a lot of attributes. Psalm 139 highlights four of them. Listen to Pastor Wayne Shevey from Wisconsin Lutheran College tie this beautiful description of God into Christmas. 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 for “outside” winter fun at the next PowerHour. Join us on Friday, January 5, 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 are on Christmas break. These children’s ministries will resume on January 14. We hope to serve even more kids in 2024! If you are interested in learning more about St. Andrew Sunday morning children ministries or serving as a helper, contact Staff Minister Mark Kjenstad.
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
Christmas gift assistance available | Deadline December 20
Are your circumstances this year such that you find yourself struggling to afford Christmas gifts for your family? The spirit of Christmas is God’s gift of Christ himself for us, but the same Jesus also miraculously extended a wedding party and did other acts to create joy for his people. If you are in need, let St. Andrew help your family associate the birth of Christ with joy, as tangible gifts remind us of the infinitely superior intangible gift of salvation. Please fill out this request form today.
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 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.
Spiritual care for shut-ins
Do you have a heart for bringing the Good News to members of St. Andrew who can’t get to church? Prior to COVID, several brothers and sisters would go to the homes of those shut-ins to visit, read a devotion, and pray. Of course, COVID changed many things, including our ability to go to homes and care facilities. Now that those restrictions are lifted, we again have this opportunity. Pastor Hunter ministers to these people once a month with the Word and the Lord’s Supper; some are regular online service viewers, but others would benefit from a second visit each month. Whether you’ve done this before or would like to explore it, we’d love to help you try it out. We’ll show you how it’s done, give you print resources, and even pair you up with another experienced visitor if you’d like. This “Spiritual Care” team doesn’t have meetings, although an informal coffee gathering once or twice a year may help us learn from each other. We’d like to begin this ministry in January. If you’re interested in getting more information, contact [email protected].
National mission trips informational meeting January 21
Opportunities to “serve the world” well outside of Dane County are yours for the taking this summer. Through mission trips, teens and adults will grow in their faith, encourage others, and share the love of Jesus through various acts of service to congregations and communities outside of St. Andrew. Learn more at the informational meeting at 9:30 AM on Sunday, January 21.
Monthly Mission Partner
WayForward Resources is our December partner. This local organization provides several social services to the western Dane County area, including hosting a large food pantry. St. Andrew donated 757 pounds of goods to WayForward last month, but the need is constant. Find more information about WayForward (formerly Middleton Outreach Ministries) at their website.
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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
Mr. Jared Rathje has returned the call to serve as principal at Westside Christian School. We extend God’s blessings to him as he remains in his current position and know that the Lord will provide us with the person he intends to join us in this ministry. His letter to the congregation is included below. A call meeting is set for Sunday, January 7, after the 10:30 AM service. Jenny Schopper continues to hold the call we extended to her.
December 14, 2023
Members of St. Andrew and Westside Christian,
Through prayerful deliberation, the Lord has led me to return the call to Westside Christian and to continue to serve at Trinity in Caledonia. I am thankful for your thoughts, phone calls, emails, and prayers. The evangelical approach to ministry is evident, and I am confident knowing that the Lord will continue to provide for the exciting ministry work that you have before you. You are in my prayers, and I thank God for you.
Your Brother in Christ,
Jared Rathje
2024-25 enrollment begins
St. Andrew members are invited to enroll at Westside Christian School before enrollment opens to the community. Applications received between December 27, 2023, and January 14, 2024, 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) will receive an email on December 27 with a link to enroll. The email will include the 2024-25 tuition rates, information about the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, and a calendar of key dates for next school year. 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 Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023
Musicians
Lead musician: Jonathan Fricke
Vocalists: Amanda Faessler, Rachel Kamin, Johanna Nielsen
Guitar: Terry Jacobs, Chad Schaal
Drums: Aaron Faessler
Cello: Kaelana Faessler, Rachel Fricke
Flute: Sarah Wendorf
Violin: Malia Faessler
Ushers
10:00 AM: Brad and Josh Hougaard
3:00 PM: Jeff Grim, John Kamin
5:00 PM: Aaron and Sabastian Murray
Child Readers
10:00 AM: Landon Horn, Solomon Carlson
3:00 PM: Pearl Parks, Jack Thomas
5:00 PM: Violet Kreuziger, Tori Shepard
Greeters
10:00 AM: Ron and Piri Kerr
3:00 PM: Robert and Beth Ramos
5:00 PM: Markley family
Slide Tech
10:00 AM: Ron Kerr
3:00 PM: Dana Veers
5:00 PM: Dan Fisher
Audio
10:00 AM: Todd Kleman
3:00 PM: Ian Eberle
5:00 PM: Ian Eberle
Livestream Video
Dan Wasmer
Connection Card Assembly
Larry and Connie Stolzman
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this Christmas Day, December 25, 2023
Musicians
Lead musician: Naomi Laabs
Vocalists: Adam Bohl, Ashley Renstrom, Micki Ross
Guitar: Clayton Grow, Jon Povich, Dan Wasmer
Drums: Justin Beck
Piano: Ava Heckmann
Trumpet: Clara Grow, Michelle Luppen
Euphonium: Darren Powers
Ushers
Dennis Schlender, Paul Wittkamp
Greeters
Rachel and Sue Martalock
Lay Readers
Clayton Grow, Ferron Havens, Mark Kjenstad, Dick Smithn, Paul Wittkamp
Slide Tech
Dan Fischer
Audio
Terry Jacobs
Livestream Video
Thad Molling
Offering Caretakers
Jim and Heidi Pease
Growth Group Leader
Jared Dammann
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