Grow in Grace
Join us Sunday at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary for Glow in the Dark, another Grow in Grace. Dr. Stacy (Hoehl) Jensen, professor of communication at Wisconsin Lutheran College, will help us see how the light of Jesus glows in our darkest challenges.

Children’s Christmas program
This Sunday, December 10, the children of St. Andrew and Westside Christian School will present their Christmas program at the Middleton Performing Arts Center. The preschool – grade 1 program will be at 3:30 PM and grades 2 – 8 at 4 PM. Join us as we reflect with the children on the “Gifts from the Manger.”

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.

“Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)” by Chris Tomlin
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Laura Story
“Savior of the Nations, Come” by Paul Marxhausen
“This I Believe (The Creed)” by Hillsong

Advent
Happy Advent! Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus on that first Christmas and look ahead to his next coming on Judgment Day. Here are worship and nurture opportunities for individuals and families:

• St. Andrew Advent video devotions from 2021-22
• Advent online devotions from Martin Luther College
• A recommended Advent devotion book from Northwestern Publishing House: Behold I am Coming Soon!
• Advent worship at sister churches:
  • Thursdays at 6:30 in December at Resurrection Lutheran in Verona
  • Wednesdays at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM (November 29 – December 13) at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel

God bless you as you look back on and look ahead to the coming of your Savior.

Christmas concert
Here are opportunities to let your heart prepare him room. Lakeside Lutheran invites you to attend their 2023 Christmas concert on December 17 at 4 PM. Luther Prep also invites you to their 2023 Christmas concert. You have the choice of attending in person on December 17 at 3 PM or December 21 at 10 AM. You can also watch here.

Advent by Candlelight
Over 50 women came together for ABC to consider the significance and beauty of the names of Jesus through Scripture readings, music, and prayer. One participant said, “It was a lovely evening. I already look forward to next year.” Thank you to those who contributed. Glory to our Newborn King!

Small Talk
Are you ready for a special Christmas episode of Small Talk? Do not be afraid, you won’t have to wait long. “Do Not Fear” is coming soon.

Impact
Colossians 2 is a chapter jam-packed with gospel goodness. Professor Kyle Bitter from Luther Prep did the unpacking. You can listen to Impact here or wherever you find podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”

Sunday children’s ministries
Plugged into Jesus and Musikgarten will be taking a break after December 10. These children’s ministries will resume on January 14.

Christmas gift assistance available
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.

National mission trips | Save the date—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. For more information about the potential international trip to London, please contact Pastor Clinton.

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.

WELS Connection
Every month, our church body releases a video to highlight a specific project or ministry of some of our brothers and sisters in faith. November’s video explains the Non-Traditional Education Program, which can equip college graduates to become teachers in our schools without relocating to New Ulm, Minnesota, to attend Martin Luther College.