December 23, 2025

This Week

Lord, remind me
It is easy this time of year to get so wrapped up in the chaos that we forget about the baby in the manger. We also forget that through him we are his children. Paul reminds us that God sent his Son to redeem us; therefore, we are children of God! That is true and lasting joy! Join us for worship on Sunday, December 28 at 8 or 10:30 AM.

But first, join us to hear the true story of Christmas once again. Hurry off with the shepherds, sing with the angels, and, with Mary, ponder up these things and treasure them in your heart. Celebrate the miracle of Christmas with us on December 24 at 1, 3, or 5 PM. Then join us on Christmas Day at 9 AM for a service of lessons and carols.

Highlights

Events and ministry news needing immediate attention

Christmas worship schedule

Wednesday, December 24 | Christmas Eve candlelight worship at 1, 3, 5 PM (livestreamed at 5 PM)
Thursday, December 25 | Christmas Day Lessons & Carols at 9 AM (livestreamed)
No Thursday evening worship on December 25
Sunday, December 28 | normal worship at 8 & 10:30 AM
Sunday, January 4 | Epiphany worship at 8 & 10:30 AM (no Thursday worship on January 1)

Call updates
Pastor Ben Kuerth still deliberates the call to serve as our Pastor for Outreach. He currently serves at Divine Savior Church in Doral, Florida, just outside of Miami. Around the turn of the year, Pastor Kuerth will decide whether to continue in his present ministry at Divine Savior in Doral, Florida, or come join us at St. Andrew. Please pray for the Kuerth family throughout this process.

Ms. Heather Schmidt was called to teach 5^th grade at Westside Christian School. She currently serves at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Franklin, Wisconsin. Please pray for Heather as she determines with prayerful consideration the next phase of her ministry.

A Place of Peace

Updates related to the ministry expansion and building project

Construction update
Interior work is coming along. You can begin to see all the different rooms forming. The offices, mechanical rooms, bathrooms, and the multipurpose room are framed!

A Place of Peace giving
Giving can be set up like other offerings. Go to “Give” at the website, and you can set up a one-time or recurring gift. Choose “A Place of Peace” as the “Fund.” If using a check, please put “A Place of Peace” in the memo line. If using St. Andrew offering envelopes, use the designation “Ministry Expansion.”

Even if you didn’t make a formal pledge, you can still give. Every bit helps, as St. Andrew will still carry some debt, and the less debt, the more ministry.

Worship

Resources and opportunities for you to worship

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 Christmas week. 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.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” arr. by Don Chapman
“What Child Is This” arr. by Don Chapman
“Lord, Remind Me” by Jon and Valerie Guerra
“Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle
“Silent Night” 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” arr. by Don Chapman
“O Come All Ye Faithful” by Chris Tomlin
“Comfort, Comfort All My People” by Koine
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” arr. by Tim Bode
“The Angel Gabriel” arr. by Branches Band
“Sing We the Song of Emmanuel” by Getty, Kauflin, Merker, Papa, Boswell

Nurture

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

Grow in Grace
Thinking about God’s will can be simple: what God wills happens. However, when we think deeply about this and reflect on Scripture, it gets quite complex. For example, God does not tolerate sin. How can sin be his will? Consider also these complex questions: Is there a difference between God causing and God allowing what happens? If God’s will is for all to be saved, why are all not saved? This all seems more complex than simple. Using God’s Word, we will sort through this the best we can. Join us for this two-week Grow in Grace on January 11 & 18 at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary. Childcare will be available in room 102.

Spring Growth Groups
A whole new assortment of Growth Groups is coming to St. Andrew in January. If you have never joined a St. Andrew Growth Group, make 2026 your year to give it a try. Sign-ups will begin January 4.

Impact
No one writes about our Savior Jesus better than Isaiah. On this week’s Christmas edition of Impact, Martin Luther College Professor Keith Wessel takes us deep into Isaiah 52. You can listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.

Children’s ministries
Plugged into Jesus has begun a 3-week break. PiJ will return on January 11.

Musikgarten, Spark, and FUEL are off until January 25.

Service & Outreach

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

How can you serve?
The One Body, Many Members survey is a tool for you to let St. Andrew know how you might like to serve. Some are recurring; others are situational. The responses have been used successfully many times, allowing lots of members to find new or different ways to serve. As we get close to 2026, consider refreshing your survey or completing it for the first time.
One Body, Many Members Survey

Monthly Mission Partner
Our December partner’s mission is to build eternal friendships. Friends Network recruits, trains, sends, and supports lay missionaries around the world. The organization started in 2000, primarily focusing on China. It has now sent hundreds of evangelists to over a dozen different locations. Learn more about the ministry at friendsnet.org.

Westside Christian School

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

Gifts for Children’s Hospital
The students of Westside Christian School gathered up gifts for the children at American Family Children’s Hospital. Two students, Raine and Bailey, helped to load up and deliver the gifts to the hospital. Thank you to all those that contributed to this mission opportunity.

Westside Christian School Christmas programs
On Friday, students from grades Pre-K and kindergarten showed their love for Jesus with their actions and words as they sang many wonderful Christmas songs. Grades 1 – 8 had two opportunities to share the message of Jesus’ birth as well. Thank you to all of the teachers and students for their hard work in making this day very special.

Serving This Week

Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025

Musicians
Lead musician: Madison Kremer
Vocalists:             Rachel Kamin, Johanna Nielsen, Emma Nolte
Guitar:                  Clayton Grow, Colin Shaffer
Drums:                 Elijah Grow
Violin:                   Madison Kremer
Cello:             Rachel Fricke
Flute:             Sarah Wendorf
Piano:            Naomi Laabs
Euphonium: Darren Powers, Jack Murphy
Trumpet:             Ian Eberle, Clara Grow

Greeters
1:00 PM:              Johnson family
3:00 PM:              Delaney family
5:00 PM:              Diercks family

Ushers
1:00 PM:              Aaron Dix, Bob Lund
3:00 PM:              Brad Hougaard, John Kamin
5:00 PM:              Aaron Murray, Dennis Schlender

Child Lay Readers
1:00 PM:              Tucker Flynn
3:00 PM:              Rocky Johnson, Reese Thomas
5:00 PM:              Noah Simmons

Audio
1:00 PM:              Brent Denton
3:00 PM:              Todd Kleman
5:00 PM:              Terry Jacobs

Slide Tech
1:00 PM:              Connor Dix
3:00 PM:              Connor Dix
5:00 PM:              Stephanie Grow

Livestream Video
Dan Wasmer

Connection Card Assembly
Joe and Denise Henningfield

Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this Christmas Day, December 25, 2025

Musicians
Lead musician: Jonathan Fricke, Lola Weiss
Vocalists:             Adam and Esther Bohl, Jonathan Fricke
Guitar:                  Jacob Bohl, Terry Jacobs, Jon Povich, Dan Wasmer
Drums:                 Justin Beck
Euphonium: Darren Powers
Trumpet:             Michelle Luppen

Lay Readers
Ferron Havens, Mark Kjenstad, Ryen Kjenstad, Paul Wittkamp

Greeters
Beth Dettman

Ushers
Ferron Havens, Paul Wittkamp

Audio
Todd Kleman

Slide Tech
Dan Fischer

Livestream Video
Thad Molling

Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, December 28, 2025

Musicians
Lead musician: Emma Nolte
Vocalists:            Sarah Kuschel, Micki Ross
Guitar:                  Pastor Clinton
Drums:                 Scott Fanello
Flute:                    Sarah Wendorf

Greeters
8:00 AM: LoToya and Mia Murray
10:30 AM: Pete and Alice Zimpelman

Ushers
8:00 AM: Jeff Grim
10:30 AM: Greg and Zach Yunger

Lay Readers
8:00 AM: Paul Wittkamp
10:30 AM: Tom Shepard

Communion Assistants
8:00 AM: Karl Kuschel, Edward Murray
10:30 AM: Orv Jordahl, Mark Westphal

Communion Care
8:00 AM: Rachel Martalock
10:30 AM: Jennifer Maron

Audio
8:00 AM: Todd Kleman
10:30 AM: Todd Kleman

Slide Tech
8:00 AM: Ron Kerr
10:30 AM: