December 6, 2023

This Week

Immaculate
adjective: free from fault or flaw; free from errors
Can we ever apply this term to any human effort? Luke 1 describes two different encounters between an angel and a human. We can see something immaculate, or very close to it, in the account about Mary. Let’s learn together from one of the greatest announcements of all time. Join us on Thursday night at 7 PM or Sunday morning at 8 or 10:30 AM.

Highlights

Events and ministry news needing immediate attention

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.

Worship

Resources and opportunities for you to worship

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

Nurture

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

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:

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.

Service & Outreach

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

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.

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
St. Andrew called two individuals to join our ministry of Westside Christian School, beginning in the 2024-25 school year. Jared Rathje was called to serve as principal and Jenny Schopper was called to serve as a middle school ELA and special education teacher. You can read her call acknowledgement letter below. Please keep them both in your prayers as they deliberate the calls before them.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am writing to inform you that I have already spoken with many people regarding the call you have extended to me. I am humbled by the trust that you have placed in me by extending the call for me to serve among you. I understand however, that any confidence you have placed in me is really confidence in the gospel and our gracious Lord and Savior.

In my initial conversation and from the information I received from Mrs. Meredith Pucci, I can see that Westside Christian School has been richly blessed in many ways. I see that there are many opportunities to work together in sharing the grace of our Lord Jesus with the many students attending Westside Christian School.

I am prayerfully considering the call that you have extended to me, and as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I will ask that you pray for myself, my family, and for your brothers and sisters in Christ at Bethlehem Lutheran in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, as well. I am confident that the Lord will use this opportunity to bless all involved and that we will thank and praise him for his wisdom for, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

I would be happy to hear from any of you who would like to speak with me regarding the call you have extended to me. I look forward to speaking with you as I prayerfully consider the call. It will be my continuous prayer that the Lord Jesus blesses and keeps you and your families through the power of his promises!

In Christ’s Service,
Jennifer L. Schopper

Serving This Week 

Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, December 6 & 10, 2023

Musicians
Lead musician:   Madison Kremer
Vocalists:             Dan Kremer, Johanna Nielsen
Guitar:                  Clayton Grow, Jack Thiele
Drums:                 Scott Fanello
Piano:                   Kate Thiele
Saxophone:         Vikki Schaal

Ushers
Thursday:           Jim Pease
8:00 AM:             Tom and Adam Bernd
10:30 AM:           Dennis Schlender, Dan Simpson

Greeters
Thursday:           Karl and Carrie Pasch
8:00 AM:             Carlson family, Savannah Conradt
10:30 AM:           Patina Hooten, Isabelle Volberg

Communion Assistants
Thursday:           Mitch Hutter
8:00 AM:             Jack Murphy, Levi Schriefer
10:30 AM:           Orv Jordahl, Tom Shepard

Communion Care
Thursday:           Amy and Alayna Hutter
8:00 AM:             Emily Schriefer
10:30 AM:           Susan Wright

Lay Readers
Thursday:           Mitch Hutter
8:00 AM:             Brian Fritz
10:30 AM:           Tom Shepard

Slide Tech
Thursday:           Kaitlyn Mullin
8:00 AM:             Micki Ross
10:30 AM:           August Faessler

Audio
Thursday:
8:00 AM:             Todd Kleman
10:30 AM:           Brent Denton

Livestream Video
Thad Molling

Hospitality
Thursday:           Heidi Pease
8:00 AM:             Michelle Murphy
10:30 AM:           Kim Volberg

Connection Card Assembly
Henningfield family

Offering Caretakers
Laurie Engle, Carrie Pasch

Children’s Ministries
Musikgarten:             Karen Hong, Ellen Soukup
Plugged into Jesus:  Renee Carlson, Lauren Figi, Amelia Povich, Mia Teteak
Spark:                       Jessica Bohl, Hilary Griswold

Growth Group Leader
Jared Dammann