Listening Sessions
How does a church determine what to do? Just enough to stay comfortable? Majority decides? Whatever the pastor wants? (Which pastor? No one would really want that method.) No, above all, we seek Jesus’ direction for his church. We study his Word to understand the mission of the church. We pray. We study our culture. We evaluate our opportunities. We listen to each other. It’s an ongoing process, but for the past few months servants of St. Andrew have been developing a plan for the next phase of carrying out the mission Jesus has given us. It’s an exciting thing to contemplate how he might use us and how we might serve people. We don’t know God’s will for the future, of course, but we can head into it confident of his blessing, whatever that may be. You’re invited to sit with a few people and a St. Andrew leader to give your feedback on our Vision this Sunday, January 15, 9:30 to 10:15 AM. We’ll gather in the sanctuary for a brief explanation and then head to classrooms where leaders will listen. If you didn’t participate in December, please do so now. Click here to view the Vision document.

Spring Growth Groups
Are you ready to join a St. Andrew Growth Group? Our spring semester is February 5 – April 30. Sign up in the atrium. Click here to learn more about Growth Groups.

Thank you
The Spirit moved the hearts of many St. Andrew members last week to help take down the Christmas decorations. So many willing hands helped us get the decorations down, packed up, and back over to storage! Thank you to everyone who had a part in beautifying our church building this Christmas season, whether it was through decorating or helping to pack up the decorations!

Adult Choir 
Blend your voice with others to sing God’s praise. We’ll rehearse at 7 PM on Wednesday  January 25, February 1, and February 8 in Room 115 to sing for worship on Sunday, February 12.  High-school-age and older are welcome to attend. Questions? Email Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs.

Milestones
In the January 4 Weekly we announced the death of our brother Kevin Ostrand. Kevin died on Friday, December 30, at St. Mary’s hospital after suffering a stroke. His funeral will be at St. Andrew at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, January 21. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. A luncheon after the funeral will help those who gather remember the gift Kevin was to us and celebrate gifts God had given Kevin. If you’d like to help set up for the luncheon, pick up food, serve food, or clean up afterward, please contact Amy Hutter.

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.

“Beautiful Savior” by Stuart Townend
“Cornerstone” by Hillsong
“Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin
“Ancient of Days” by CityAlight

Grow in Grace
“I worry that I worry too much.” That is the latest series at Grow in Grace. This whole church Bible study will give you encouragement to worry less and trust more. The 4-part series continues on January 22 at 9:30 in the sanctuary.

Men of His Word
Men of His Word is returning to Oshkosh on Saturday, February 18.  This one-day conference equips Christian men to take a leadership role within their family, congregation, and community. For information and to register, click here. If you register, contact Brian Fritz or Mark Kjenstad to coordinate carpooling with other men from St. Andrew.

Summer camp for children
Camp Phillip in Wautoma helps children and families love their summer while growing closer to Jesus. To check out what is available in summer 2023, click here. They fill up fast, so don’t delay.

Impact
One of the most well-known Bible passages is, “We love because he first loved us.” Hear it explained in its context by Dr. Phil Huebner, campus pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. You can find our St. Andrew podcast Impact here or wherever you listen to podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”

PowerHour
If you have a little one 3 or younger, check out this enriching ministry. PowerHour is for children and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers. For more details, click here. The next PowerHour is January 20 at 10:30 AM, and the theme is “simple machines.”

Sunday morning children’s ministries 
Musikgarten, PowerHour, and Spark return on Sunday. All who attend grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. These important ministries also lay a foundation for developing lives of faithful service to our gracious Lord. No registration is required. Musikgarten and PowerHour welcome children beginning at 9:20, and Spark begins at 9:30 AM.

Thanks for the welcome
The people of St. Andrew have shown nothing but kindness to the Kreuziger family throughout our transition. We sincerely thank you for all the gifts, words of welcome, encouragement, and the party last weekend (except for all that green and yellow stuff). You have helped to make this adjustment in our lives such that we left our home only to go home.—Pastor Clinton

Thank you, funeral helpers
Many came together to serve in many different capacities so that the funerals for both Gene Woller and Earl Zietz ran smoothly. Some prepared and served food. Some cleaned. Some assembled worship folders or helped with parking. All were a great blessing. Thank you for your willing service.

Christmas greetings from Earl and Suzanne Zitez
Days before being called to heaven, Earl, along with his wife Suzanne, mailed this note to St. Andrew. Here are a few of Earl’s thoughts from that note:

Dear Pastor Hunter and the people of St. Andrew,

A little late, but want to say, Merry Christmas to all at St. Andrew. And a large thanks for the treats and cards. We have had a difficult time celebrating as had been our annual event . . . Our children have helped us very much and we did get to celebrate with some of them. My Christmas was only online as well as I might manage the computer . . . Hope you all have a nice New Year.

Our Love,
Suzanne and Earl

Help with a move
The family of Westside teacher Karl Kuschel is relocating. They could use your help loading/unloading boxes on two different days. Can you help in Fitchburg on Monday, January 16, around 3 PM? Can you help in Cross Plains on Tuesday, January 17, around 2 PM? If so, contact Pastor Clinton or Karl himself.

Monthly Mission Partner
January’s Monthly Mission Partner is Costa Maya Ministries in Mahahual, Mexico. See the below video for an update from Pastor Valleskey.