This Week
To live is Christ and to die is gain
Scripture is much more than a guide for holy living. It reveals Jesus to us: our Savior, our Lord, and our friend. Scripture, though, does teach us many lessons we need to know for life and for death. As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, the soap opera that is John the Baptist’s imprisonment and murder does just that, reminding us that “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Join us for worship Thursday at 7 PM or Sunday at 8 or 10:30 AM.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
Call meeting for Pastor for Outreach January 29
Our next call meeting will be Thursday, January 29 at 5:30 PM. Western Wisconsin District President Mike Jensen will provide a list of candidates. The assembly will discuss the needs of St. Andrew and the traits and gifts of the different candidates. Then, the present voters of St. Andrew will choose one to whom we will extend a call. While voters are male communicant members, all are invited to attend the meeting and participate in the discussion about the future of St. Andrew.
Please see the Westside Christian School section for the latest on calls still pending decision.
Grow in Grace
Did you miss week one of Grow in Grace? No worries! You can attend week two and grow in grace and in your understanding of God’s will. Join us for Grow in Grace on January 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. To learn more about Growth Groups and to sign up, go here. If you have a suggestion or a question for this ministry, contact Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad.
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A Place of Peace
Updates related to the ministry expansion and building project
Construction update
Final work is being completed on the interiors of the walls so drywall can begin to go up. On the outside of the building, the cream-colored brick is completed. The lower roof section will have red brick. That work has begun. Below you see what will be a small reading area in one of the main entry hallways that will have a few bookshelves and a bench for reading.
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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.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Adult Choir resumes
Join your voice with others this year. Adult choir will be singing for worship again on Sunday, February 15. We will rehearse in the Soul Café January 28, February 4, and February 11 at 7 PM to prepare for that Sunday. Hope you can join us! Questions? Contact Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs.
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.
“Only a Holy God” by CityAlight
“Praise” by Elevation Worship
“Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” by Getty, Kauflin, Merker, Papa, Boswell
“Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” arranged by Branches Band
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Men of His Word conference
For the past several years, hundreds of men have attended Men of His Word in Oshkosh for encouragement and growth as Christian leaders. Brothers from St. Andrew are inviting you to join them for this day trip to Oshkosh on February 21. Several have already signed up to attend. For more information about Men of His Word 2026 and the registration link, click here. Sign up by January 31 for a discount. If you are attending, contact Brian Fritz to join the carpool.
Impact
Faith and works go together in salvation, but it’s important to understand the way they go together. Professor Kyle Bitter from Luther Preparatory School is our guest to help us through James 2. You can listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.
PowerHour returns
PowerHour returns on Friday, January 16. The theme is “A Day at the Lake.” PowerHour is for parents and their young children. It begins at 10:15 in the St. Andrew gym. For more information on PowerHour, click here.
Children’s ministries
Plugged into Jesus meets Sunday. This ministry is for four-year-olds through grade 5. PIJ begins at 9:30. Note the sign in the atrium with the location.
Musikgarten, Spark, and FUEL are off until January 25. Spark and FUEL kids are encouraged to help with childcare or attend Grow in Grace. Contact Miss Nolte about helping with childcare.
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
First Group begins January 25
Interested in learning more about Christianity? About St. Andrew? Maybe even joining the St. Andrew family? In this group, you will gain an overview of the Bible, see the difference God’s powerful Word makes in our lives, get your questions answered, and get a taste of the joy and blessings of being in a Growth Group. The next First Group session will be Sunday mornings 9:30 – 10:15 beginning January 25. Contact Pastor Clinton for more information.
Save the date for teen mission trip
Mission trips provide a perfect opportunity to grow in faith, encourage others, and share in the love of Jesus through various acts of service. This year we will be sending a group back to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to help lead a smaller church’s science camp. The trip dates are June 20/21 – 26. If you are or have an interested teen or are interested in leading the trip, please contact Pastor Clinton.
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. Please consider refreshing your survey or completing it for the first time.
One Body, Many Members Survey
Monthly Mission Partner
Our January partner is Institutional Ministries, a WELS organization that ministers to inmates in various ways. Currently, they are sharing the gospel in about 75 jails and prisons, mostly in Wisconsin. Find more information about this ministry at their website.
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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
Call updates
Mr. Karl Kuschel returned his call to Mt. Lebanon in Milwaukee, so he and his family will remain at Westside Christian. We are very thankful for that news.
We are still waiting to hear from Miss Heather Schmidt regarding her call to WCS. She was called to serve as our new 5th grade teacher. We hope to hear from her very soon.
The most recent news comes from Mrs. Ashley Renstrom, one of our 1st grade teachers. She received a call to serve as a 1st grade teacher at Cross Life Christian Academy in Pflugerville, Texas. Pflugerville is a northern suburb of Austin and a growing community with a school that is about 5 years old.
Please continue to pray for Miss Schmidt and Mrs. Renstrom as they deliberate their calls and decide where their gifts and talents can best serve God’s kingdom. |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, January 15 & 18, 2026
Guest Preacher
Pastor John Boggs
Luther Preparatory School
Musicians
Lead musician: Lola Weiss
Vocalists: Emma Nolte, Jonathan Fricke
Guitar: Chad Schaal, Dan Wasmer
Drums: Natalie Onsager
Saxophone: Wayne Utke
Greeters
Thursday: Dick and Vicky Bernards
8:00 AM: Duane and Lynnda Ehlke
10:30 AM: Malia and Tianna Thomas
Ushers
Thursday: James Lund
8:00 AM: Aaron and Connor Dix
10:30 AM: Aaron Murray, Andrew Stoecker
Lay Readers
8:00 AM: Ferron Havens
10:30 AM: Mark Kjenstad
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Dick Bernards
8:00 AM: Ferron Havens, John Kamin
10:30 AM: Tyler Simmons, Mark Westphal
Communion Care
Thursday: Mary Liermann
8:00 AM: Melissa Dix
10:30 AM: Ron and Linda Ketterer
Audio
Thursday: Sarah Wendorf
8:00 AM: Brent Denton
10:30 AM: Ben Kleman
Slide Tech
Thursday: Kaitlyn Mullin
8:00 AM: Adler Weiss
10:30 AM: August Faessler, Hallie Lundgren
Livestream Video
Rohan Crain
Hospitality
Thursday: Jill and Ashlynn Buechner
8:00 AM: Michelle Murphy
10:30 AM: Jennifer Maron
Connection Card Assembly
Larry and Connie Stolzman
Offering Caretakers
Laurie Engel, Carrie Pasch
Children’s Ministries
Plugged into Jesus: Austin Brunet, Jaime Brunet, Hannah Ihlenfeldt, Emma Nolte
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