This Week
A biblical tale of espionage
Drama. Political spies. Seamy and seedy locations. Life-threatening danger. Chase scenes. Does all that sound like a John le Carré or Ian Fleming novel? Nope. It’s all part of the story of one of five women Matthew names in the family tree of Jesus: Rahab. Gather with the saints this Thursday or Sunday in the warm glow of Advent. You’ll gain more than fascinating information about this woman and the events around her. You’ll discover the unmistakable work of God to redeem a fallen world through her. Rahab isn’t ancillary to God’s plan to save; she’s at the very heart of it.
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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.
A Place of Peace
For over a year, brothers and sisters of St. Andrew have been hard at work with architects and builders to determine what kind of building would help us offer more people a place of peace. The struggle has been to balance the space we need and the dollars needed to pay for it. Last week, the Board approved the most recent plan delivered by the architect. In the next few weeks, Kraemer Brothers Builders will provide a more definitive cost estimate. By early January, we should be ready to provide details to the congregation about the look, the purpose, the cost, and the timeline for building. Thank you for your patience.
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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)
December Adult Choir
Do you enjoy singing? Join the Adult Choir for rehearsals Wednesday, December 4 & 11, at 7 PM, to rehearse to sing for worship Sunday, December 15. High school age and older are welcome to attend.
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.
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Laura Story
“God So Loved” by We the Kingdom
“From the Squalor of a Borrowed Stable” by Stuart Townend
“Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Advent by Candlelight
Truth is a very powerful thing. When it comes to God’s Word, the truths are countless—or are they? The Birth of Jesus: A Very Good Thing, will be an evening for women and young ladies filled with fun and fellowship while discovering the wonderful—and nearly innumerable—truths of Christmas in the Bible. Refreshments will be provided. Join us Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM at St. Andrew. Register here.
Grow in Grace
The Bible tells us a lot about God, but much remains unknown. That contrast is why we distinguish between The Revealed God and The Hidden God. At our next Grow in Grace, we are going to explore The Hidden God, not as an exercise in futility, but to learn to be content with The Revealed God. Join us at 9:30 in the sanctuary on December 15 for Grow in Grace. For more information on Grow in Grace, click here.
Impact podcast
The final chapter of Ruth is a preview of our redemption through Jesus. Listen to Martin Luther College professor Dr. Mark Paustian point us to our Savior. You can listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.
PowerHour
Are you ready for snow? The kids at PowerHour are! Let it Snow is the theme at the next PowerHour. PowerHour is a children’s ministry that serves children and their caregivers. Children up to school-age are welcome. The next PowerHour is Friday, December 6, 10:15 – 11:15 AM, in the gymnasium. Go here to learn more.
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 Grisworld 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
Service opportunity | easy setup and decoration
The Advent by Candlelight team is looking for people to relocate some tables and chairs after 10:30 worship on Sunday and a few decorators for the atrium. You will be given direction, and it will only take 15 – 45 minutes. Please email Nancy Ninman or text 608-250-9576 to offer your assistance.
1638
You thought that was simply the year Louis XIV was born, but did you know it’s also how many pounds of food St. Andrew donated to those in need via WayForward Resources? What a way to be a witness of what Christ has done for you!
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Online giving transition | Deadline December 15
Those who wish to continue giving automatic recurring gifts have until December 15 to set it up. CCB giving will expire, so please set up your recurring gift through Pushpay. Contact Financial Administrator Ron Kerr with any questions.
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.
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. Executive Director Aaron Wakeman plans to visit St. Andrew to present on building eternal friendships in a special Grow in Grace in May. Find out more about the ministry at friendsnet.org.
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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
Calls issued
St. Andrew and Westside Christian School were blessed once again this past Sunday as calls were issued to two candidates for vacancies we currently have.
Mr. Luther Curia, currently serving St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Howards Grove, Wisconsin, was called to serve the dual position of School Music Director/Children’s Ministry Director.
Mr. Timothy Pingel, currently serving Sola Fide Academy in Lawrenceville, Georgia, was called for the intermediate grade teaching position. Westside Christian School has two second grade classrooms this year. With the resignation of Elicia Shepard, we need a 3rd grade teacher for next year. This candidate would move up to 4th grade the following year.
Both of these candidates are married with families. Please pray for these two men and their families that our gracious God would give them the clarity and understanding where their gifts might be used best in his kingdom. |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, December 5 & 8, 2024
Musicians
Lead musician: Madison Kremer
Vocalists: Rachel Kamin, Dan Kremer, Johanna Nielsen
Guitar: Liam Liermann, Dan Wasmer
Drums: Natalie Onsager
Cello: Rachel Fricke
Saxophone: Wayne Utke
Greeters
Thursday: Karl and Carrie Pasch
8:00 AM: Ron and Piri Kerr
10:30 AM: Ron and Linda Ketterer
Ushers
Thursday: Jim Pease
8:00 AM: Ferron Havens, John Kamin
10:30 AM: Zachary Maron, Dennis Schlender
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Andy Bindl
8:00 AM: Karl Kuschel, Levi Schriefer
10:30 AM: Jackson Hunter, Jim Teteak
Communion Care
Thursday: Mary Liermann
8:00 AM: Emily Schriefer
10:30 AM: Ron Ketterer
Audio
Thursday: Naomi Laabs
8:00 AM: Brent Denton
10:30 AM: Ben Kleman
Slide Tech
Thursday: Dan Fischer
8:00 AM: Maddy Hougaard
10:30 AM: Jacob Miller
Livestream Video
Elle Bolstad
Hospitality
Thursday: Jill and Ashlynn Buechner
8:00 AM: Kristen Jafferis
10:30 AM: Kim Volberg
Connection Card Assembly
Kevin and Sherry Kessler
Offering Caretakers
Jim and Heidi Pease
Children’s Ministries
Musikgarten: Karen Hong
Plugged into Jesus: Renee Carlson, Skylar Fanello, Hilary Griswold, Annika Jafferis, Ellie Jafferis
Spark: Paul Onsager
FUEL: Seth and Delaney Fenske, Mark Kjenstad
Growth Group Leaders
Pastor Clinton, Daniel Dammann, Jane Dew, Scott Fanello, Paige Fricke, Brian Fritz, Amy Heckmann, Pastor Hunter, Mitch Hutter, Ron Kerr, Mark Kjenstad, Todd Kleman, Sue Martalock, Jack Murphy, Nancy Ninman, Ashley Renstrom, Jim Teteak, Wayne Utke
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