This Week
A spiritual experience
Who doesn’t want to encounter God? Ah, yes, with head bowed while soft light streams through stained glass. Ah, yes, like a picture-perfect Facebook or Instagram post, with a cup of coffee steaming next to an open Bible . . . bonus points for a journal next to it. Surely, those are ways to experience God. But Abraham, Moses, Ruth, David, Job, and a host of other Bible heroes would have gladly traded their experiences of meeting God with such idyllic scenes. They met God in suffering. And so might you. This weekend we come to the end of our series on the Poetical Books of the Bible, and we’ll end with the conclusion of the book of Job. Read chapter 42 where we (finally) get to the end of the story and, more importantly, see the end of our suffering, and maybe some purpose to it. The family of God gathers to pray, sing, confess, be absolved, study the Word, greet one another, receive in the meal the body and blood of Christ, and encounter God on Thursday at 7 PM and on Sunday at 8 AM and 10:30 AM.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
Thanksgiving worship
In his beloved hymn “Now Thank We All Our God,” Pastor Martin Rinkart wrote these words of hope during a time of great distress: “All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given, the Son, and him who reigns with them in highest heaven; The one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore! For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.” Come give thanks with us to the God of our past, present, and future this Thanksgiving as we worship the Creator of all things.
- Wednesday, November 22, at 6:30 PM (livestream available)
- Thursday, November 23, at 9:00 AM
(no Thursday evening worship)
Call meeting
The Board of Directors is working with our district president and the WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools to fill two vacancies in our ministry of Westside Christian School: 1) a principal and 2) a special education/English language arts teacher. In a special meeting at 11:45 AM on Sunday, November 26, those interested are welcome to provide input on candidates. Following a discussion of candidates, members of the Voters’ Assembly will be asked to choose one for each position to whom we will extend a call. Go to Westside Christian School “Call updates” to read letters from Meredith Pucci and Hannah Ellingboe.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Christmas decorating
The sanctuary and atrium will be decorated for Christmas over Thanksgiving weekend. There are a few opportunities to get involved. This Sunday, November 19, following 10:30 AM worship, we will go across the street and get all the decorations out of storage and bring them over to church. Sunday, November 26, following 10:30 AM worship, the trees, sanctuary, and atrium will be decorated. Contact Visual Arts Team Lead Sue Martalock or Naomi Laabs to get involved!
Save the date | Children’s Christmas program
Sunday, December 10, the children of St. Andrew and Westside Christian School will present their Christmas program at the Middleton Performing Arts Center. The preschool – grade 1 program will be at 3:30 PM and grades 2 – 8 at 4 PM.
If your child attends Plugged into Jesus (Pre-K – grade 8) and is interested in participating in this year’s program, please reach out to Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs. Practice materials can be found here.
Singing opportunities
Blend your voice with others for two upcoming services. The Adult Choir will rehearse at 7 PM on Wednesdays to sing for worship on the following dates:
- Sunday, December 10 (8 & 10:30 AM)—rehearsals will be November 29 & December 6
- Sunday, December 24 (10 AM, 3, 5 PM)—rehearsals will be December 13 & 20
Milestones
Heleana Jackowski, having confessed her faith in Christ, was baptized on Sunday, November 12. Heleana is a senior at Middleton High School and has been growing in the Word with us for the past year. We’re grateful to celebrate the Spirit’s gifts with Heleana, her friends and family, and all of St. Andrew.
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.
“Because He Lives” by Matt Maher
“This Is Amazing Grace” by Phil Wickham
“Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness” arranged by Branches Band
“Whom Shall I Fear” by Chris Tomlin
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Advent
The Advent season is nearly upon us. Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus on that first Christmas and look ahead to his next coming on Judgment Day. Here are worship and nurture opportunities for individuals and families:
God bless you as you look back on and look ahead to the coming of your Savior.
Grow in Grace
Grow in Grace returns in December and January at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary.
- What’s Going on in Israel? | December 3
- Learn the difference between ancient Israel, spiritual Israel, and the modern nation of Israel.
- Glow in the Dark: Grit, Resilience, and Faithfulness in the Face of Grief | December 10
- You’ve heard buzz words about handling difficult times: grit, perseverance, resilience, toughness, and the like. What do these words look like for a grieving child of God? Dr. Stacy (Hoehl) Jensen, author of Purposeful Grieving and professor at Wisconsin Lutheran College, will share what it means to embrace life’s most challenging moments as gifts from God and opportunities to be faithful to his calling.
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- Loving What God Says about Hate | January 7 & 14
- There is hate all around us and hate inside of us. Hate is directed at sin, and hate is directed at God. There is even hate in God. Come learn and love what God says about all this hate.
Join your brothers and sisters for these whole-church Bible study opportunities.
Advent by Candlelight
Jesus has been given many wonderful names. At this year’s Advent by Candlelight, women of all ages are invited to reflect on a few of those names in devotion, prayer, song, and fellowship. Join us on Sunday, December 3, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Bring a friend. Sign up here. If you would like to serve as baker, table decorator, or set-up crew member, please contact Nancy Ninman.
Impact
The world is really messed up, and that can be explained with Genesis 3. Genesis 3 also highlights the incredible love of God, but that can’t be explained. Pastor John Boggs, professor at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, Wisconsin, is this week’s guest. You listen to Impact here or wherever you find podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”
PowerHour
The PowerHour staff is anxious to welcome parents and their young children to PowerHour. Children up to age three and their caregivers are invited. The next PowerHour is November 17 at 10:30 AM in the gym. The theme is “Forest in Fall.” Click here for more on PowerHour.
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
November food & clothing drive
Part of St. Andrew’s mission is to serve the world. The world includes faraway places most of us will never visit. It also includes our immediate community. Help us serve those who struggle to keep themselves fed and warm by participating in this drive. At the end of the month, we will donate all items to Way Forward Resources, a local organization that has a constant need for more food and clothing to distribute. Until then, please bring your bagged or boxed items into the sanctuary and place them around the altar. Bring them before/after worship or throughout the week.
Food must not be opened or expired (please check) and must not require refrigeration. Clothing must be clean and new or gently used. Undergarments must be new. Please visit Way Forward’s website for more specific information and ideas.
Note of gratitude from Monthly Mission Partner
St. Andrew received a card of thanks from our April Mission Partner, Central Africa Medical Mission.
Thank you for your donation to CAMM’s work in Zambia and Malawi. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of thousands who trust our clinics for healing of body and soul. To God be the glory! We rejoice and give thanks for your support.
Stacy Stolzman, Development Director
Flexible part-time job
God has blessed St. Andrew and Westside Christian School with a wonderful facility. Keeping it clean and tidied is a large task, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming for any one person. If you have a little extra time, even just a few hours a week, and would like to earn some extra money, consider picking up some janitorial hours. All your training will be provided, and the hours can be flexible. Contact our lead custodian or Pastor Clinton.
Woodworking project still has opportunities
This team is coming together nicely, but the opportunity is still there. If you like working with wood and have even a little bit of experience, consider joining the effort to enhance the upcoming season of focusing on Christ’s passion. Contact Pastor Clinton if interested.
Monthly Mission Partner
November’s partner is Sure Foundation Lutheran Church in Brandon, South Dakota. St. Andrew has sent mission teams to this recently launched mission church in the past and plans to send another this summer. View Pastor Wilke’s message and update to St. Andrew in the below video.
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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
Principal Meredith Pucci has accepted her call to serve as the Curriculum Director for the Central Wisconsin Lutheran Schools, beginning July 1, 2024. We put our full trust in God as he continues to guide his called workers and bless our ministry. Meredith’s acceptance letter is included below. Additionally, Hannah Ellingboe has returned the call to be our special education teacher, beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
From Meredith Pucci:
To the families of St. Andrew and Westside Christian School,
A few weeks ago, I received a divine call to serve as the Curriculum Director for the Central Wisconsin Lutheran Schools. I was able to speak with many people involved in both ministries through the deliberation process. Thank you for your encouragement, guidance, and prayers. The conversations with everyone have allowed me to consider where I can best use the talents and abilities God has given me to serve his kingdom. It is also refreshing to hear what great excitement and passion you continue to have for Christian education.
With this letter, I announce that I am accepting the call to the Central Wisconsin Lutheran Schools (CWLS). It has been the greatest privilege to serve as Principal of Westside Christian School over the past five and a half years. In that time, I have seen how God continues to utilize the ministry partnership between St. Andrew and Westside to benefit the mission of sharing Jesus in a thriving school. The decision to leave has been incredibly challenging because of the profound impact that it has had on my own ministry. There are also many exciting things happening and even more plans for the future! I have been blessed to work with such gifted teachers, involved families, and a congregation that so joyfully supports the called workers and school responsible for serving this community with the message of the gospel. To God be the glory!
As the Curriculum Director, I will foster collaboration among the member schools in and around the Lakeside federation, of which Westside is a participant, to develop curriculum resources and instructional strategies. Not only will this strengthen Christian education around our community, bringing more children and families to faith in their Savior, but a unique aspect to the role is also that my family will not need to relocate and can remain part of St. Andrew and WCS.
As I express my gratitude for the love, encouragement, and unwavering support you’ve shown me through the years, I ask for your continued prayers as I finish out our school year and transition to the new position.
In Christ,
Meredith Pucci
From Hannah Ellingboe:
Members of St. Andrew and supporters of Westside Christian School,
Thank you for all of your prayers and input these past several weeks while I have held a call to Westside Christian School. After many conversations with people from both schools and congregations, I have made the decision to return the call to serve at Westside Christian School and instead continue to serve at St. Peter.
I appreciate your school’s understanding of the importance of the need for special education in WELS schools, and I will continue to pray for your school as you find someone who is able to fill that important position.
In Christ,
Hannah Ellingboe |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, November 16 & 19, 2023
Musicians
Lead musician: Jonathan Fricke
Vocalists: Naomi Laabs, Amanda Faessler
Guitar: Liam Liermann, Dan Wasmer
Drums: Aaron Faessler
Piano: Lola Weiss
Ushers
Thursday: Jim Pease
8:00 AM: Zeth Engel, Ferron Havens
10:30 AM: Zachary Maron, Cole Teteak
Greeters
Thursday: Ron and Piri Kerr
8:00 AM: LoToya and Mia Murray
10:30 AM: Patina Hooten, Dick Smith
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Dick Bernards
8:00 AM: Steve Dettman, John Kamin
10:30 AM: Orv Jordahl, Jim Teteak
Communion Care
Thursday: Rachel Martalock
8:00 AM: Beth Dettman
10:30 AM: Christian Delaney, Vikki Schaal
Slide Tech
Thursday: Dan Fischer
8:00 AM: Sarah Wendorf
10:30 AM: Mia Teteak
Audio
Thursday: Sarah Wendorf
8:00 AM: Todd Kleman
10:30 AM: Ian Eberle
Livestream Video
Jacob Miller
Hospitality
Thursday:
8:00 AM: Heidi Wolf
10:30 AM: Jill Kaltenberg
Connection Card Assembly
Larry and Connie Stolzman
Offering Caretakers
Andy and Lisa Bindl
Children’s Ministries
Musikgarten: Karen Hong, Ellen Soukup
Plugged into Jesus: Savannah Conradt, Kris Howard, Lauren Schroeder, Natalie Spillman, Deb Wasmer
Spark: Jessica Bohl, Hilary Griswold
Growth Group Leaders:
Pastor Clinton, Pastor Hunter, Ben Carlson, Jared Dammann, Jane Dew, Jonathan Fricke, Andrew Fritz, Brian Fritz, Amy Heckmann, Brad Hougaard, Ron Kerr, Mark Kjenstad, Sue Martalock, Nancy Ninman, Levi Schriefer, Jim Teteak, Wayne Utke, Bill Walther
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