Listening sessions
Above all, we seek Jesus’ direction for his church. To do that we pray, study our culture, evaluate our opportunities, and listen to each other. It’s an ongoing process, but for the past few months servants of St. Andrew have been developing a plan for the next phase of carrying out the mission Jesus has given us. It’s an exciting thing to contemplate how he might use us and how we might serve people. You’re invited to sit with a few people and a St. Andrew leader to give your feedback on our Vision either this Sunday, December 4, or on Sunday, January 8, 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM. We’ll gather in the sanctuary for a brief explanation and then head to classrooms where leaders will listen. Click here to view the Vision document.

Christmas worship schedule
Christmas Eve | 1, 3, 5 PM (livestream at 5 PM)
Christmas Day | 9 AM (livestream)
New Year’s Day | 8 & 10:30 AM (livestream at 10:30 AM)
No Thursday night worship December 22 or 29 

Children’s Christmas Program
Sunday, December 4, at 2:30 PM, the children of St. Andrew and Westside Christian School will present their Christmas program at the Middleton Performing Arts Center. Join the children as they “Get Ready for Christmas.”

Poinsettia order
One way to get the sanctuary ready for the Christmas season would be through your donation of a Christmas poinsettia. The cost is $14 per plant and can be picked up following Christmas Day worship. Orders can be made here and are due December 14.

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:

• Christmas Eve worship (1, 3, 5 PM)—rehearsals will be December 7, 14, 21
• Pastor Kreuziger’s installation, Sunday, January 8 (8 & 10:30 AM)—rehearsal will be January 4

High-school-age and older are welcome to attend. Questions? Email Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs.

Milestones
Liam Daniel Kazmierski, son of Laura and Alex Kazmierski, was welcomed into God’s family through the Spirit’s work in holy baptism last Sunday.

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.

“My Soul Longs for the Lord” by Graham Kendrick, Keith & Kristyn Getty
“Savior of the Nations, Come” by Branches Band
“Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)” by Chris Tomlin
“Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle

Advent Home Devotions
And he shall be called. . . During the Wednesdays in December, take time to worship with a St. Andrew Advent Home Devotion. These short video devotions will be available through a link in The Weekly. Christmas is coming, and these devotions will help keep your attention on the child in the manger. Feel free to share with friends and family.

Small Talk
The St. Andrew podcast Small Talk returns next week! Take a listen to hear about Jesus: the baby of Christmas, the promised Savior, and our reigning King. Host Rachel Kamin chats with young children from St. Andrew. She asks questions, and the kids take it from there. You can’t listen without smiling! Small Talk will be released on the upcoming Wednesdays, December 7, 14, and 21.

Grow in Grace
“I worry that I worry too much.” That is the next series coming to Grow in Grace. This whole church Bible study will give you encouragement to worry less and trust more. This 4-part series is December 11 and 18 and January 15 and 22 at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary. Childcare for children 3 and older will be available in the gym beginning at 9:25 AM.

Advent by Candlelight
God gives perfect gifts. At this year’s Advent by Candlelight service, women of all ages are invited to reflect on these gifts in an evening of prayer, song, and fellowship. Join us Sunday, December 11, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, and invite a friend too! Sign up here. Contact Yvonne Onsager with any questions.

Impact
Impact, a podcast ministry of St. Andrew, is nearing its 100^th episode. If you haven’t yet given it a listen, now is the time. Impact offers you a unique way to grow in your understanding of God’s precious Word. This week’s episode focuses on 2 Peter chapter 2 where Peter has a lot to say about false teachers. What he says is worth paying attention to. This week’s guest is Pastor Greg Lyon from Wisconsin Lutheran College. You can find Impact here or wherever you listen to podcasts by searching “Kjenstad Impact.”

Childrens ministries
Bring your child to a Sunday morning nurture ministry. This week’s Plugged into Jesus and Spark lesson is about the reason for the season: JESUS! After this coming Sunday, these children’s ministries will take a break until January 15.

• Musikgarten | for parents (or a caregiver) and their child up to age 3 (9:20 AM)
• Plugged into Jesus | Pre-K3 – grade 5 (9:20 AM)
• Spark | grades 6 – 8 (9:30 AM)

All who attend grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the love he has for them. These important ministries also lay a foundation for developing lives of faithful service to our gracious Lord. No registration is required.

FUEL
FUEL will meet this coming Sunday and talk about keeping it real this Christmas. FUEL is a high-school-age St. Andrew Growth Group that meets Sundays at 9:30 AM. Encourage your teen to be an active member of this faith-building group.

Help with childcare
Are you willing to serve parents who want to attend Listening Sunday and/or Grow in Grace by watching their children? The dates are December 4, 11, and 18 from 9:25 – 10:15 AM. If you would like to help on any or all of these days, contact Mr. Kjenstad.

Monthly Board of Directors meeting minutes
Every month the Board of Directors meets for an hour with Area of Ministry Leaders (Ms. Laabs, Mr. Kjenstad, Mrs. Pucci, Pastor Clinton, and Pastor Hunter) to be informed about progress in carrying out our Annual Plan and to receive requests from them for any help they might seek from the Board. Then the Board meets alone for an hour to make any decisions necessary to keep our ministries moving forward. The minutes of each meeting are available to view in CCB. To find them, log into CCB and click on “Members of St. Andrew” on the right side of the screen. Then click on “Files” above the big picture, and you will see the list of meeting minutes to view. There you will also find monthly reports to the congregation by Area of Ministry Leaders and minutes of the Westside Christian School Council.

Kreuziger kickoff party
St. Andrew, it is time to party! Join us for a kickoff party to welcome the Kreuziger family on Sunday, January 8, from 6 – 8 PM in the gymnasium. A tailgate themed celebration will include children’s activities, a dessert competition and, of course, delicious tailgate food! Details on ways you can help with the party and how to RSVP will be coming soon!

Kreuziger card shower
Over the next several weeks, let’s fill a box with gift cards and cards of encouragement to bless Clinton and Michelle as they move to the area to serve among us. We will then present them with the gifts at the installation party. If you would like to participate, there is a card box in the atrium with their names on it.

December Monthly Mission Partner
Our December Mission Partner will be the Local Assistance Fund. The Love of Christ (TLC) ministry team works with this fund to provide love where it is desperately needed. This may come in the form of a handwritten note, aid for those who are homeless, spiritual counseling, or money for car repairs, gas, or food. The Local Assistance Fund could help someone you know or those who drop in looking for assistance. You and our volunteers make this happen. Thank you!