This Week
The Lord be gracious to us
If you’ve been a regular church-attender, imagine how many times you’ve heard those words. You can read them in several places in the Bible. Today, we use them often as our worship services wrap up and the Spirit sends us out. If you’ve noticed, our worship services don’t have an “ending.” We close with a “sending.” But to what? This weekend fill the prayer, “The Lord be gracious to us,” with fresh meaning. As the Lord sends us out for his purposes, we get to provide a place of peace. Join us for the sending this Thursday at 7 PM or on Sunday at 8 AM or 10:30 AM.
|
|
Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
Milestones
Last weekend saw nine young men and women be confirmed in the faith. What a joy to watch the next generation mature in the faith in real time. Please continue to encourage and pray for these individuals, and watch for them in service roles too. Pictured below are Stella Bindl, Jacob Bohl, Carter Buechner, Hallie Lundgren, Sam Pucci, Anika Ritz, Spencer Sandbo, Malia Thomas, and Tianna Thomas.
|
|
St. Andrew Science Camp | POSTPONED
Due to the limited parking spaces at St. Andrew for the summer months, we are postponing St. Andrew Science Camp until July 2026. However, all is not lost. We are planning a children’s ministry day off site. Details are coming soon.
|
|
A Place of Peace
Updates related to the ministry expansion and building project
Connect team calls
Today is the last day of scheduled calls from our Connect team to make sure you have all the information you need about A Place of Peace. Please answer their texts and calls, and feel free to ask them questions you need answered.
|
|
Plant sale
With a new parking lot being put in on the north side of the building, we will need to remove the plants in the rock garden on the north hillside along with the plants around the dumpster enclosure. If you are interested in giving any of these plants a new home, please contact Lois Solverud. Any proceeds from the sale will be put toward the A Place of Peace campaign.
Summer worship
This past weekend we prayed in worship about our parking dilemma this summer due to our upcoming construction. The good news is that by mid-August, Lord-willing, we will have access to much of the new parking lot. The bad news, currently, is that in order to make that happen, the construction crews will need access to most of the current parking lot for about nine weeks this summer. The building will be accessible during the week. Maps showing limited parking spots and where to enter will be made available to everyone in the coming weeks. Weekend worship is still being figured out. If you would like to help make phone calls to possible worship locations near our area or have a connection that may be able to help, please call the church office at 608-831-8540 or email [email protected].
Pledge cards and commitment weekend
We ask you to continue prayerfully considering a sacrifice that will be joyful and meaningful for our ministry expansion project. You will receive a pledge card in the mail next week; a sample is below. This weekend, we will announce the total from early pledges. On May 15/18, part of the worship service will include making your commitment by submitting your filled out pledge cards. Then, on June 1, we will announce the total amount pledged for A Place of Peace.
|
|
Spring Garden Party | May 18
To celebrate God’s work through our commitments to A Place of Peace, we’ll have a party on Sunday, May 18, starting at noon. There’s no agenda; just come and relax. Have something to eat and view the Plugged into Jesus children’s posters.
|
|
Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Good Shepherd Sunday
Young, old, and in-between, we are all little lambs of the Good Shepherd. Good Shepherd Sunday is this Sunday, May 11, and it looks to be a beautiful day. Join the flock for church-wide fellowship from 9:00 – 10:30 AM. Visit the sheep pen out front, and enjoy food and drink and activities. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Farewell (for now) to the Hunters | June 8
Join us on June 8 for Pastor Hunter’s last service at St. Andrew and his installation in a new ministry. WELS Home Missions Administrator Mark Gabb will commission Pastor Hunter for his role in Boise, Idaho. That afternoon will be a fun celebration on our campus with a picnic (ribs, chicken, burnt ends, cheesy grits, baked beans, green beans, coleslaw, and dessert) and kids’ activities. Please save the date and plan to join us at noon.
June 8 Adult Choir
Join your voice with others on June 8 as the Adult Choir sings for Pastor Hunter’s Commissioning and Pastor and Karen’s farewell. Rehearsals will be Wednesday, May 28 and June 4 at 7 PM. If you are interested in singing with the choir, 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 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
“Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly”
“Yet Not I but through Christ in Me” by CityAlight
|
|
Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Growth Groups
Summer Growth Groups are coming soon. It’s a chance for you to gather with friends, make new friends, and take in God’s Word in a wonderful way. Sign-up begins May 11. You can sign up in the atrium or on our website. Got an idea for a new group this summer or fall? Talk to Staff Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad.
Mission Possible: A Model for Personal Evangelism
Join us for the Grow in Grace whole church Bible study Mission Possible on May 18 at 9:30 in the sanctuary. Need childcare so you can attend? Please contact Yvonne Onsager to sign up.
|
|
Impact podcast
Balaam is considered a false prophet, but he did speak some truth. After he was put in his place by a donkey, he looked ahead to a star we know as Jesus. Pastor Nate Wordell from Wisconsin Lutheran College is here to explain. Listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.
Children’s ministries
Plugged into Jesus, Musikgarten, and Spark have come to summer break. We are thankful for the numerous volunteers and for the privilege of sharing the love of Jesus with many children. These ministries will return in the fall. In the meantime, make plans to share God’s Word with your children at home. Here are devotion books to consider purchasing for your family:
5 Minute Bible Studies for Families
Family Time
Little Visits with God
The St. Andrew library has several devotion books geared toward families. They are available in the atrium.
LifeBoat
This fun ministry for grades 7 – 10 gathers again on Sunday, May 18, from 5 – 7 PM at St. Andrew. You are welcome to bring a friend. It’s a simple agenda: hang out, enjoy some snacks, and open up the Bible for a bit. Direct your questions to Jess Bohl or Hilary Griswold.
|
|
Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
Teen mission trip this July
St. Andrew is planning to send a group of teens back to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to help Illumine Church put on their summer camp. The trip dates are July 12 – 18, probably minus a day on either end. Please contact Pastor Clinton if you or your teen is interested.
Service opportunity | Brat Fest
St. Andrew will again be a Brat Fest charity. Volunteers interact with the community and earn donations toward St. Andrew ministry mission trips. Opportunities abound from May 18 – 25, but you must register here, and then please let Pastor Clinton know which slot you signed up for. Slots fill up, so sign up right away. Find more information about Brat Fest at bratfest.com.
WELS Connection
Did you know that the same company who has helped provide our A Place of Peace videos also does the WELS Connection videos? Last month’s video highlights outreach efforts in Australia.
|
|
Monthly Mission Partner
Our partner for May is Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, a church and campus ministry of our church network. Pastor Bilitz and Vicar Ronny both led Lent devotions at St. Andrew recently. For more information about Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, visit wlchapel.org.
|
|
Westside Christian School
A ministry of St. Andrew, preparing students for academic success and lives of Christian service founded on God’s Word
School year end is near
Do you remember what it was like as the school year wound down and the “days left” countdown was activated? Westside Christian School is in that process right now. By week’s end, we will be in the single digits when it comes to the number of days left. Where has the year gone?
This was another year of God’s grace given through teachers and staff to the listening ears of WCS students. Teachers spent countless hours preparing lessons so that students could get the most out of the teaching that was done.
Please add the WCS teachers and staff to your prayer list. Pray that our gracious God gives each and every one of them time to recharge their systems so that they are always ready to share the saving message of Christ with others. Pray also for our students and their families as they travel this summer. Pray that each family stays connected to Jesus in some way so their faith continues to grow. May God continue to bless Westside Christian School! |
|
Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, May 8 & 11, 2025
Musicians
Lead musician: Melissa Dyer
Vocalists: Adam Bohl, Melissa Dyer, Trudi Jo Halvorson
Guitar: Jacob Bohl, Jon Povich
Drums: Oliver Povich
Flute: Sarah Wendorf
Piano: Alayna Hutter
Praise Choir
Director: Melissa Dyer
Greeters
Thursday: Sharon Saxby
8:00 AM: Markley family
10:30 AM: Luis Mendoza-Cruz, Ashley Mendoza-Otto
Ushers
Thursday: Dave Rortvedt
8:00 AM: Jesus Avila, Paul Wittkamp
10:30 AM:
Lay Readers
Thursday: Ron Kerr
8:00 AM: Jamie Lundgren
10:30 AM: Dick Smith
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Ron Kerr
8:00 AM: Brian Fritz, Karl Kuschel
10:30 AM: Mark Kjenstad, Tom Shepard
Communion Care
Thursday: Jessica Tokarski
8:00 AM: Sara Nixon
10:30 AM: Beth Ramos
Audio
Thursday: Naomi Laabs
Sunday: Terry Jacobs
Slide Tech
Thursday: Maddy Hougaard
8:00 AM:
10:30 AM: Dana Veers
Livestream Video
Dan Wasmer
Hospitality
Thursday: Heidi Pease
8:00 AM: Heidi Wolf
10:30 AM: Jennifer Maron
Connection Card Assembly
Mary Bruskewitz
Offering Caretakers
Phil and Dawn Otto
Good Shepherd Sunday Helpers
Music: Erica Dammann
Craft: Renee Carlson
Growth Group Leaders
Jane Dew, Amy Heckmann, Mark Kjenstad, Todd Kleman, Wayne Utke
|
|
|
|
