Advent
Happy new year! At least, a new church year. This Sunday we’ll begin a new worship series, “The Miracle of Christmas.” Each week for four weeks before Christmas, we’ll ask the Spirit to prepare us to welcome God’s gift of a Savior by unraveling the mystery of a different Old Testament miracle: the tree of life, the parting of the Red Sea, the three men in the fiery furnace, and the snake in the desert. In some way, each miracle pointed to the great miracle of Christmas: our God taking on flesh to save sinners.

Adopt a Christmas tree
There are still two Christmas trees looking to be assembled and decorated by a loving family or group for the Christmas season here at St. Andrew. If you are willing to adopt one of these trees this Friday, November 26, or Saturday, November 27, please contact Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs.

Worship Check-in
Connection Cards have returned. If you worship on-site, please fill out the Connection Card attached to your worship folder each week. Online worshipers, please continue to check in here.

Weekend worship songs
Preview some of the songs we will use for worship this weekend here. 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.
“Great Things” by Phil Wickham
“Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)” by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell
“Now Thank We All Our God” by Tim Bode
“We Thank You for Your Blessings” by Tim Bode

“Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)” by Chris Tomlin
“Come, O Long Expected Jesus” by Laura Story
“Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery” by Matt Papa/Matt Boswell
“My Soul Longs for the Lord” by Graham Kendrick, Keith & Kristyn Getty

Advent by Candlelight—for women of all ages
Throughout history, God gave his people signposts pointing to his Son, our Savior. In an evening of prayer, song, and reflection, we follow God’s signposts to the promised Messiah. Join us Sunday, December 12, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, for an evening of prayer, song, and reflection as we follow God’s signposts to the promised Messiah. Invite a friend, decorate a table, share a dessert, or just bring yourself. Sign up here. Contact Yvonne Onsager with any questions.

Grow in Grace—whole church Bible study
Luke has some terrific songs. No, not Luke Bryan or Luke Combs. Doctor Luke. His gospel includes some great Christmas songs. We are going to look closely at them and hear them at Grow in Grace this December. Join us for this Christmas Bible study led by St. Andrew Staff Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad. Grow in Grace is at 9:30 AM on December 5, 12, and 19 in the sanctuary.

Small Talk
St. Andrew Nurture Ministry is excited to announce a new podcast, Small Talk, featuring St. Andrew children sharing the good news about Jesus. Host Rachel Kamin will be talking to young children about the birth of Jesus to get their perspective on the true meaning of Christmas. Episodes will be released on December 8, 15, and 22 through the Weekly, and they will be available on our St. Andrew website. Small Talk is for all ages to enjoy.

Celebrate Recovery
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Every week we hear from people in and outside our church family who are struggling terribly with issues: heartbreak, grief, porn, addiction, gaming, diet, insecurity, depression, anxiety, health, struggling family members, and more. We may want to hide from our issues, but we find healing from God when we confess our sins to each other. Infected wounds of the heart can only heal when they are cleaned out. At Celebrate Recovery you will find no condemnation, no one trying to fix you (except Jesus), or shame you. We are all working on our issues together. Who attends and what is said is completely confidential. Why not give it a try? Celebrate Recovery is at St. Andrew on Mondays at 6:30 PM. More information is found here. Questions about Celebrate Recovery can be sent here.

Impact—A St. Andrew podcast
There is a difference between being thankful and being thankful to God. Using Psalm 65, Pastor Randy Hunter talks with Mark Kjenstad about the difference in this special Thanksgiving Impact. Impact is new every Monday, and all past episodes are available. Click here to find Impact or find it where you listen to podcasts. Search “Kjenstad Impact.”

FUEL
The devil is not a fun cartoon character. He is real, he is powerful, and he is a liar. At FUEL, we are learning about what the Bible says about this fallen angel. FUEL meets Sunday at 9:30 AM. November 28 will be the final FUEL until January. High school students are encouraged to attend Grow in Grace (see above). Speak to Mr. KJ for more information about FUEL, St. Andrew’s high school ministry.

Musikgarten
Bring a friend to Musikgarten on Sunday morning! Caregivers and infants through age three join in music and rhythm activities on Sunday morning at 9:20. There will be no Musikgarten on November 28. Questions? Contact Karen Hong.

Plugged into Jesus
“Saul becomes Paul” is this week’s lesson for Plugged into Jesus. Friends from Pre-K3 – 5 are welcome to PIJ Sunday mornings at 9:20. Use this link to watch the Bible teaching video. Videos are easily shared! Request a Kit to ship to kids in your world. Questions? Contact Jane Dew.

Spark
God’s power is seen in the conversion of St. Paul. An enemy of Christ becomes his greatest ambassador! Join in the discussion. Grades 6 – 8 meet in room 108 at 9:30 AM on Sundays for Spark. Contact Lance Hill with questions.

November Monthly Mission Partner | WELS Prison Ministry
“Remember those in prison . . .” (Hebrews 13:3). This November we are partnering once again with WELS Prison Ministry, a group that is serving more than 35,000 incarcerated inmates with the gospel. There is great hunger for the Word of God with those who are in prison. For more information about how you can help, contact WELS Prison Ministry Administrator Dave Hochmuth.

December Monthly Mission Partner | Costa Maya Ministries
Our congregation is a mission partner of Costa Maya Ministries, sharing the gospel on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. By God’s grace, the mission is growing and has just built its first church and ministry center this year. Due to COVID, much “finishing” work has been delayed. We are gathering special offerings during the month of December to partner in this ministry. For more information, click here, or watch videos on YouTube by searching “Costa Maya Ministries.” Pastor Valleskey expresses his gratitude for our support and will be sharing a greeting during worship services in December.

St. Andrew Giving Tree
We thank God for your generosity toward families in need! All Christmas Giving Tree gift tags have been sponsored. Remember—December 5 is the deadline for returning your gift tag with the gift card. When returning the gift tags and gift cards, please drop them in the Drop Box slot at the Welcome Center. One generous family offered to provide a daily devotional book, Little Visits, for all our Giving Tree families. Thank you again to all who donated and prayed for this ministry outreach. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).

Mission Trips 2022
Are you mission minded? On a mission trip, you will experience new adventures to grow and share in Christ’s love. Our mission team is working diligently to develop productive and engaging trips in 2022 to the following locations: Greater Madison, Wisconsin; Sure Foundation Church, Brandon, South Dakota; Citrus Grove Church, Wesley Chapel, Florida; Illume Church, Seattle, Washington; and Mahahual, Mexico. Interested adults, teens, and families should watch the Weekly for more information and plan to attend a Mission Trip informational meeting in January. Questions can be directed to Mission Trip Coordinator Amy Kohlstedt. “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered” (Proverbs 11:25).