This Week
You’ve arrived
Some first-generation GPS units proudly announced when you pulled up to your destination, “You’ve arrived.” Who doesn’t like to hear, “You’ve arrived. You’ve made it. You’ve done it.” Seldom, though, does it apply to bigger things in life. You’re the best golfer you can be—”You’ve arrived?” Hardly. You’ve mastered a subject so well there’s nothing left for you to learn? Keep dreaming. You’re the perfect spouse—”You’ve arrived.” That’s funny. What about this one: “Live in order to please God.” The Spirit inspired Paul to encourage Christians to do this “more and more.” In a way, your Christian life is complete—you’ve arrived. Christ has accomplished his mission for you. It is finished. But in another way, such a gift moves us to want to thank him more and more. Enjoy the gift of God’s grace—you’ve arrived. Strive to please him more and more—you haven’t yet arrived. This Thursday or Sunday, study 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 and receive with your brothers and sisters instructions and encouragement to please God “more and more.”
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
Vision and Annual Plan
A few months ago, we asked for feedback to our proposed Vision for St. Andrew and received a ton of thoughtful responses and questions. We have incorporated that information into this presentation of where, under God, we seek to go. Scroll through it and check it out here. Wherever you see an icon with four arrows or a “deck” of pictures, you can click on it to find more. The Vision, along with the Annual Plan for Ministry, will be presented at the Annual Plan Celebration at 9:30 AM on Sunday, June 4. Come and hear ministry leaders highlight exciting opportunities for our ministry. The proposed Annual Plan for Ministry is being finalized now and will be available by the end of May.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Save the date for Koiné
As you make your summer plans, mark your calendars for Sunday, July 23. The worship band Koiné, who is celebrating 20 years of making music in 2023, is coming to St. Andrew as part of their anniversary tour. Koiné will serve as the music team for both Sunday services, and then they will put on an afternoon concert that will include music from some of St. Andrew’s finest. It will be a fun day you won’t want to miss!
Would you like to help plan this fun event? Contact Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs or Pastor Clinton to join the team.
A/V serving opportunities
Don’t be intimidated by all the electronic equipment—the A/V booth provides many opportunities to not only serve but to learn new skills:
- Livestream Video techs make livestreaming possible each week by adjusting cameras and online microphones.
- Audio techs adjust the microphone levels in the sanctuary and mix the music for our livestream.
- Slide techs make it possible to worship from the screens as they advance the slides throughout worship.
Interested in learning more or shadowing in one of these areas? Contact Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs or Pastor Clinton.
Milestones
This Sunday, we’ll celebrate the Spirit’s work in Holy Baptism and witness as he gives forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation to Heidi and Noah Simmons. May the Spirit continue to bless them and mom and dad, Krista and Tyler Simmons, with a lifetime of growing in faith.
The parents of these confirmands have been teaching the chief truths of God’s Word along with assistance offered by St. Andrew. The children, parents, pastors, and ministers have agreed that they have sufficiently prepared themselves to receive the Lord’s Supper. Now we will work to continue their spiritual growth through the use of God’s Word at home, in worship, and in study with their peers. Praise God for their parents’ faithful teaching and for the blessings they have received through it.
(Pictured from left to right: Annika Jafferis, Ellie Jafferis, Liam Liermann, Daniel Onsager, Jackson Pucci, Colin Shaffer, Lola Weiss.)
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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.
“God So Loved” by We the Kingdom
“See What a Morning” by Stuart Townend, Keith Getty
“Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” by Papa, Boswell, Kauflin, Merker
“I Am Not My Own” by Skye Peterson
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Grow in Grace
There are some very intriguing questions asked in Scripture, some by Jesus and some by others. For example, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” and “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” We’ve found six of them to answer at the next Grow in Grace. This whole church Bible study is from 9:30 – 10:15 AM on May 14 & 21. Join us for this nurture opportunity. If you would like childcare, please send an email to Staff Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad. It will be available in the gym.
Summer Growth Groups
The foundational nurture ministry of St. Andrew is our Growth Group ministry. Growth Groups provide you a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith and grow in Christian friendship. The summer semester is June 11 – July 30, and sign-up will begin next week. Summer is a busy time, but there is always time for God’s Word.
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Moms’ Group
Moms with little ones like spending time with other moms. That is why a group of St. Andrew moms started a moms’ group. They are getting together with their children every other Tuesday this summer beginning May 30. To join the group, send an email to St. Andrew Staff Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad.
St. Andrew Sports Camp
God’s Champions is the theme for this summer’s St. Andrew Sports Camp. The camp is July 10 – 13 from 8:30 – 11:30 AM for 4K – grade 6 in the 2023-2024 school year. Registration is now open! Click here to register.
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Impact
This week we hear about scoffers. Scoffers are people who are skeptical about Jesus’ return. They have been around since the days of the apostle Peter. He has an answer to their skepticism, and Pastor Greg Lyon from Wisconsin Lutheran College helps us with Peter’s response. You can find our St. Andrew podcast Impact here or wherever you listen to podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”
PowerHour
One more week to go for PowerHour, our ministry to children 3 and under. We will close the year on May 19. To learn more about PowerHour at St. Andrew, click here.
Sunday morning children’s ministries
The end of the year is here for Musikgarten, Plugged into Jesus, and Spark. By God’s grace, there was an average of 60 children learning about the love of Jesus every Sunday. That was possible because of so many willing servants. Thank you to all who served! Moms and dads, we commend you for bringing your little children to Jesus, and we look forward to seeing even more children in the fall. To God be the glory!
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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 May 22
Are you interested in learning more about Christianity? 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, and get your questions answered. Contact Pastor Clinton for more information or to discuss a time that works for you.
Letters of thanks received
From Citrus Grove Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, Florida (St. Andrew’s October 2022 Monthly Mission Partner):
Dear members of St. Andrew,
We, the members of Citrus Grove, appreciate you so much. Your heart for ministry far from Middleton has been a constant encouragement to us here in our Florida mission field.
Thank you for praying for us to grow in faith and numbers. Please continue praying for us, whenever you think of Tampa Bay, that God’s Spirit use us to bring his healing mercy to the souls in our area.
Thank you for partnering with us by sending mission teams to our church over the past two years. We can’t wait to host another team from Middleton next month.
Finally, thank you for your overflowing generosity. Your check for $4,685 was received with our congregation’s deepest thanks. We are honored and so grateful to serve Jesus alongside you, St. Andrew.
May our great Shepherd of the sheep equip you with everything good for doing his will.
Pastor Phil Hunter
From Christian Aid and Relief (St. Andrew’s November 2022 Monthly Mission Partner):
Dear Friends at St. Andrew Lutheran Church,
Greetings in Christ! Thank you for your support! We received your gift of $5,000. Thank you so much for your generous support of this ministry!
WELS Christian Aid and Relief is a ministry of compassion that assists people suffering from disaster or hardship and proclaims the good news of our Savior to those who are hurting. Our guiding passage is Galatians 6:10: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” In recent years, gifts to WELS Christian Aid and Relief have been used for clean-up after the inland hurricane in Iowa, aid for those in Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Ida, relief for those suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine, assistance to WELS members dealing with extreme medical or financial situations, and more. For updates on how gifts are being put to use, go to wels.net/relief. Thanks, again, for your support!
In Christ, our compassionate Savior,
Rev. Daniel Sims, Director, Christian Aid and Relief
Monthly Mission Partner
May’s Monthly Mission Partner is Divine Savior Church in Sienna, Texas. Sienna is just one campus of Divine Savior, the rest of which are in Florida. It is a growing community outside of Houston, and, like St. Andrew, operates a school as a big part of its ministry. St. Andrew had intended to partner with Divine Savior in June for one of its mission trips, but unfortunately had to cancel that trip. We still hope to send a team in subsequent years. For more information about Divine Savior, visit their website or see the video below.
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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
MLC Wind Symphony tour
The Martin Luther College Wind Symphony will be performing a demo concert for Westside Christian School students on Thursday, May 18, at 1:30 PM. This stop is part of their spring concert tour, “The Road Well-Traveled.” The MLC Wind Symphony is a group of approximately 45 musicians who represent all majors and programs on campus. The Wind Symphony serves to further develop the musical and performance skills that have been given to these students by our Lord and to glorify him through diligent study and performances. To this end, they perform sacred, standard, and contemporary wind band literature, emphasizing individual and ensemble performance and excellence in musicianship. A central focus of the ensemble is how this medium can be used as a witnessing tool. We are looking forward to hosting this talented group of musicians and welcome you to attend!
Staffing update and open positions
We are so thankful to have all full-time teaching positions filled for the 2023-24 school year and are excited to have two teachers joining our team. In addition, all of our classroom assistants and paraprofessionals are returning next fall! We still have the following positions open.
- Long-term substitute—1st grade
Ashley Renstrom, our current 1st grade teacher, is tentatively planning her maternity leave for the start of the 2023-24 school year. WCS is looking to add a long-term substitute beginning in August and staying through the end of September or early October, depending when her new baby is born. The position will be full-time throughout those weeks; however, we may consider a job share if no other option is available. Ideal candidates would have teaching experience and an elementary education degree or have taken early childhood certification classes. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more, contact Meredith Pucci.
- Classroom assistant—Pre-K3
Westside Christian School is looking to add a classroom assistant in our Pre-K3 classroom on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 7:45 – 11:30 AM. Classroom assistants support our lead teachers by preparing materials or snacks, working with small groups of students, and helping the teacher set up or clean up activities. Candidates would demonstrate a willingness to cooperate with other adults and a joy for supporting students of all ages. Contact Meredith Pucci for further information and to receive a complete position description.
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, May 11 & 14, 2023
Musicians
Lead musician: Jonathan Fricke
Vocalist: Melissa Dyer, Trudi Jo Halvorson
Guitar: Jared Dammann, Steve Soukup
Drums: Brandon Brickner
Cello: Rachel Fricke
Saxophone: Wayne Utke
Ushers
Thursday: Phil Otto
8:00 AM: Mark and Kyler Roloff
10:30 AM: Aaron and Sabastian Murray
Greeters
Thursday: Karl and Carrie Pasch
8:00 AM: Beth Dettman, Jeff Grim
10:30 AM: Ron and Linda Ketterer
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Mitch Hutter
8:00 AM: Steve Dettman, Dan Kremer
10:30 AM: Mark Kjenstad, Tom Shepard
Communion Care
Thursday: Cheryl Utke
8:00 AM: Rachel Martalock
10:30 AM: Stephanie Grow
Lay Readers
8:00 AM: Mark Kjenstad
10:30 AM: Clayton Grow
Slide Tech
Thursday: Dan Fischer
8:00 AM: Sarah Wendorf
10:30 AM: Amelia Povich
Audio
8:00 AM: Todd Kleman
10:30 AM:
Livestream Video
Elijah Grow
Connection Card Assembly
Kevin and Sherry Kessler
Offering Caretakers
Laurie Engel, Carrie Pasch
Growth Group Leaders:
Jane Dew, Mark Kjenstad
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