Grow in Grace
The Bible doesn’t answer all questions about hell or heaven, but it certainly is not silent on either one. Both destinations are real. Both destinations are mysterious. Both destinations are important to know about. Join us in the sanctuary at 9:30 on May 10 and May 17 for Grow in Grace. Childcare will be available in the gym.

Call updates
Miss Hannah Zabel has accepted the call to teach 5^th grade at Westside Christian School. Praise God that this position has been filled. Hannah will be relocating from Waco, Nebraska, sometime over summer. Read her acceptance letter below.

Our next call meeting for Pastor for Outreach will be May 28 at 5:45 PM.

Dear Brothers and Sisters of St. Andrew Church and Westside Christian School,

On April 12, I was called to serve in the newly created position of fifth grade teacher. I would like to thank you all who took the time to reach out to me by phone, by Facebook, and by email. Learning about our school has been a blessing, and it has been such an encouragement to hear how St. Andrew and Westside Christian School work hand in hand to support their students in all areas of their development while keeping them deeply rooted in the commands and promises of God.

After many hours of conversation, prayer, and thoughtful consideration, the Lord has led me to accept the call to teach at Westside Christian School. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I complete my service at NELHS, graduate from MLC for a second time, and prepare for my move to Wisconsin.

God’s richest blessing to you as you finish this school year and look forward to the next.

In Christ,
Hannah Zabel

Board of Directors update video
The latest quarterly update video, which was shown in worship in late April, is below.

Construction update
Seeing the cabinetry, countertops, and sinks installed starts to make the spaces feel a bit more real. Pictured below is what we are currently calling the volunteer lounge. This area will house the coffee preparation and supply storage. There will be a copy machine and work areas for anyone who needs a place to go while they are here in the building. Stay tuned for a “naming contest” in the near future for this space.

Upcoming move
Our first big move of the summer is quickly approaching, and there are lots of ways to get involved. Here are just a few ways you may be able to help out:

Sunday, May 17, after worship services

• Get the staging from across the street and over to the gym (this will require significant manpower and several trucks).
• Set up and decorate the altar area in the gym.
• Begin AV setup.
• Start packing up a few locations.

Tuesday, May 19, beginning at 4 PM and running through the evening

• Move everything out of the sanctuary, Soul Café, cry room, and hallway to various areas around the building (this will also require significant manpower).
• Set up AV areas and run cords in the gym.
• Take things off walls, and much more.

Wednesday afternoon and evening will be used for finishing anything that wasn’t done the previous days to be ready for Thursday worship in the gym. If you can help on any of those days, sign up here. Food will be available for those helping out. If you have any questions, email [email protected].

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.

A Place of Peace
“‘For in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” These words from Haggai chapter 2 were the basis of our capital campaign in May 2025. As we look forward to the completion of our new sanctuary, classrooms, and support spaces this year, we also want to give thanks for the grace and peace God has given us for the last 25 years in our current sanctuary. Not only has God blessed us through his Word and sacraments in this space, but over the years many of us have also celebrated milestones in our lives here as well: weddings, funerals, baptisms, confirmations, new member welcomes, first Sundays at St. Andrew, etc. We’d love to know about yours! Over the next few weeks, we will have a whiteboard in the atrium. We will have cards available to write your personal or family milestones on or feel free to bring a copy of a photo from your milestone events to put on the board. Let’s fill both of our whiteboards with the many blessings he has given us over the last 25 years as we look ahead to many more years to come.

Milestones
On Monday morning, our gracious Lord called our brother Rob Bare to his permanent home in heaven. As we celebrate his victory, please also pray for his wife Donna and the rest of their family as they adjust to this sudden loss. Rob’s funeral service will be Saturday, May 9, at 4:00 PM, with visitation from 2:30 – 4:00 PM and a meal to follow the service.

Last Sunday, four young adults confirmed their faith in the triune God and became communicant members of St. Andrew. Congratulations and God’s blessings to Leo and Max Beere, Rowan Behrens, and Scarlett Sandbo. Please say a prayer that they may be faithful to Word and sacrament and be led to a deeper relationship with Christ.

Weekend worship songs
Preview some of the songs we will use for worship on Sunday. 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.

“House of the Lord” by Phil Wickham
“Come, People of the Risen King” by Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
“Oh, How Good It Is” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
“Compassion Hymn” by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend

40 Weeks with the Word
Our latest church-wide reading plan has begun. If you did not receive the initial email or would like to join the group, please contact Staff Minister Mark Kjenstad.

Impact
I can do all things through him who gives me strength. You’ve seen and heard this verse many times, right? Can you really do all things? Anything? Our guest this week, Pastor Jacob Behnken from Martin Luther College, will help us understand these words in their very important context. You can listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.

Children’s Ministries
Musikgarten is on summer break.
Plugged into Jesus meets May 10 and then breaks for summer.
PowerHour meets May 15 and then breaks for summer.
Spark and FUEL kids are encouraged to attend Grow in Grace or help with childcare in the gym on May 10 and 17. If your child wants to help with childcare, please contact Children’s Ministry Director Emma Nolte.

Service opportunity | funeral meal
A great way to serve Donna and the Bare family is to help with the funeral meal, which will be served about 4:30 PM on Saturday, May 9. There are opportunities before, during, and after. Contact Pastor Clinton to serve.

Service opportunity | Brat Fest
You can still sign up to volunteer and help secure donations to St. Andrew. Opportunities are May 19 – 25, and many are still open. It’s a great opportunity for individuals, families, or Growth Groups. Sign up here and then please let Pastor Clinton know your shift.

LWMS Convention coming to Madison
The 63^rd Annual Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society Convention is June 25 – 28 in Madison at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. It features workshops, devotions, fellowship, and much more. There will also be many opportunities to serve both before and during; if you are interested in serving, please contact Amanda Taticek. Visit 63.lwms.org for more information about the convention.

Monthly Mission Partner
Our May partner is the WELS mission work in the Boise, Idaho, area where Pastor Randy Hunter, a St. Andrew member and former St. Andrew pastor, is serving as a mission developer.