This Week
When you need a friend
Public health journals are filled with studies demonstrating the importance of friendships for a person’s well-being. A recent survey (The American Perspectives Survey) finds that Americans report having fewer close friendships than they once did, talking to their friends less often, and relying less on their friends for personal support. It’s one thing for us to imagine why that is; it’s something else for us to value friendship for what it is: a gift from God. Who gives that gift to you? To whom are you giving the gift of friendship? This weekend we begin a three-week series on friendship. Each week we’ll ask the Spirit to teach us through biblical models of friendship and determine how we might put what we learn into effect in our lives. This week: You need a friend when you’re depressed. Read the story of Elijah and Elisha in 1 Kings 18-19 and gather with the saints to learn what it means for us.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
“Therefore we will not fear”
A few days before the election, after we read Psalm 46 in worship last Sunday, someone suggested a modern application: “Therefore we will not fear, though ________ may end up being president.” In January, many will get what they wanted in this election, and many will not. If you are in the latter group, you might feel like the earth has given way and the mountains have fallen into the heart of the sea. But the truth is, whoever has our nation’s highest elected office, challenges can and will come. And yet, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Another candidate for office was not going to be your savior from anything permanent. The only solution to sin is Jesus. Whether you align more with the donkey or with the elephant, align most with the Lamb, whom God himself elected. In God’s kingdom, there is no changing of the guard. Jesus still reigns.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Thanksgiving worship
At the end of the well-known Psalm 23, King David writes, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Although this is true every day of our lives, during Thanksgiving we remember the goodness of God and give him glory for the blessings of the past year. Worship with us this Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 27, at 6:30 PM (livestream available) or Thursday, November 28, at 9:00 AM (no Thursday evening worship).
New livestream time
Beginning Sunday, December 1, we will be changing the livestream time from the 10:30 AM service to the 8:00 AM service. Once the livestream is complete, the service video, sermon video, and sermon audio will be posted on the homepage as it is now. A special thanks to our video techs for their flexibility in switching services.
Milestones
God brought Caroline Jo Kleman into his kingdom through baptism on Sunday. We rejoice in this miracle with Todd and Lynn, and we pray that God continues to bless the Kleman family with health, happiness, and all the blessings of his Word.
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 Jesus” by Anne Wilson
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Tim Bode
“I Set My Hope on Jesus” by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Advent by Candlelight
Truth is a very powerful thing. When it comes to God’s Word, the truths are countless—or are they? The Birth of Jesus: A Very Good Thing, will be an evening for women and young ladies filled with fun and fellowship while discovering the wonderful—and nearly innumerable—truths of Christmas in the Bible. Refreshments will be provided. Join us Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM at St. Andrew. Register here.
Bibles for children
Parents of young children, is there anything more special (or important!) than time spent helping your children learn about Jesus? One challenge to overcome is that there are so many books to choose from. Check out this link to find trusted recommendations for Bible story books to read together at home.
Impact podcast
“No more tears.” Won’t that be something. WELS President Mark Schroeder is here to share thoughts on John’s Revelation, which includes a glimpse into heaven. You can listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.
FUEL
All high school students are welcome to attend FUEL on Sunday mornings. Last week we talked about the origin, fall, and future of Satan. On Sunday we will discuss what the Bible teaches about heaven. Encourage your teen to be part of this important ministry. FUEL meets at 9:30 in room 114.
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
Donate lightly used winter gear
Joining an effort to show kindness to those being released from jail in winter, we will be collecting warm clothing until December 1. Items can be new or gently used. Please place donations in the large box in the atrium just outside the Service & Outreach study.
- Winter Coats: men’s, women’s and unisex size L – 4X
- Pants and sweatshirts: men’s and women’s size M – XXL
- Hats, gloves, and boots in any adult size
Local pantry food drive
Help us serve many in our immediate community by participating in this drive. At the end of November, we will donate all items to WayForward Resources, a local organization that has a constant need for more groceries to distribute. Until then, please bring your bagged or boxed items into the sanctuary in front of the altar. Bring them before/after worship or throughout the week.
The following is WayForward’s top 10 list. See also their list of acceptable items.
- Mac and cheese
- Paper, plastic, and reusable grocery bags
- Canned chicken or tuna
- Basmati, jasmine, or white rice
- Masa
- Noodles (any kind)
- Pasta (spaghetti) sauce
- Canned beans (all varieties)
- Canned fruit (all varieties)
- Condiments (any kind)
Recurring service role for 10:30 worshipers
In a minor shuffling of some duties, a new role will be created that involves some simple organization and basic computer use. These tasks will be after 10:30 worship services. Contact Pastor Clinton to help establish this team.
Monthly Mission Partner
Our November partner is Christian Aid and Relief, specifically for hurricane relief. After Helene and Milton caused billions of dollars of damage and took many lives, this is a way we can respond and show the love of Christ, even to those far away who face crises that are largely unknown to us. Find out more about CAR’s ministry at wels.net/relief.
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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
We must start early
The Pre-K students at Westside Christian School displayed their acting skills recently. They heard, studied, and then reenacted the Bible lesson “The Early Life of Moses.” The purpose at WCS is not to find the next Oscar winning actors, but instill in our students what we are told in Proverbs 22:6, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
It is vitally important for our students to hear, study, and understand God’s Word. They need to hear it at school and at home, as well as in the car or on a walk. It is always a blessing to see and hear God’s Word being shared with all the students at WCS on a daily basis. We pray daily that it stays with them their whole lives! |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, November 7 & 10, 2024
Musicians
Lead musician: Melissa Dyer, Lola Weiss
Vocalists: Adam Bohl, Melissa Dyer
Guitar: Jon Povich, Colin Shaffer
Drums: Oliver Povich
Choir director: Melissa Dyer
Piano: Emily Schriefer, Adler Weiss
Greeters
Thursday: Ron and Piri Kerr
8:00 AM: Sherry and Kevin Kessler
10:30 AM: Patina Hooten, Dick Smith, Susan Wright
Ushers
Thursday: Phil Otto
8:00 AM: Jesus Avila, Jeff Grim, Mark Roloff
10:30 AM: Tom and Adam Bernd
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Andy Bindl
8:00 AM: Karl Kuschel
10:30 AM: Clayton Grow, Orv Jordahl
Communion Care
Thursday: Glennda Brandt
8:00 AM: Rachel Martalock
10:30 AM: Susan Wright
Audio
Thursday: Naomi Laabs
Sunday: Terry Jacobs
Slide Tech
Thursday: Alex Bindl
8:00 AM: Connor Dix
10:30 AM: Paul Pucci
Livestream Video
Seth Fenske, Thad Molling
Hospitality
Thursday: Heidi Pease
8:00 AM: Jill Kaltenberg
10:30 AM: Kim Volberg
Connection Card Assembly
Brittany Engel
Offering Caretakers
Andy and Lisa Bindl
Children’s Ministries
Musikgarten: Karen Hong
Plugged into Jesus: Esther Bohl, Erica Dammann, Jared Dammann, Sarah Gilbert, Paul and Laura Konkol, Jane Povich
Spark: Paul Onsager
FUEL: Seth and Delaney Fenske, Mark Kjenstad
Growth Group Leaders
Pastor Clinton, Daniel Dammann, Jane Dew, Scott Fanello, Paige Fricke, Brian Fritz, Amy Heckmann, Pastor Hunter, Mitch Hutter, Ron Kerr, Mark Kjenstad, Todd Kleman, Sue Martalock, Jack Murphy, Nancy Ninman, Ashley Renstrom, Jim Teteak, Wayne Utke
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