This Week
Clarity amidst chaos
How would you describe your life? While many answers could be offered, “chaos” is one that people use over and over again. That’s not a new thing. Matthew 11 brings us into a chaotic time early in Christ’s ministry, as John the Baptist and his followers look for clarification on who exactly this Jesus of Nazareth really was. As always, though, Christ brings “clarity amidst chaos.” That’s a promise for today. That’s a promise for eternity. We look forward to worshiping with you Thursday evening at 7 or Sunday morning at 8 or 10:30.
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Highlights
Events and ministry news needing immediate attention
Call issued
Pastor Stephen Apt has received the call to serve as Lead Pastor for Preaching & Vision at St. Andrew. He currently serves at Divine Savior Church in Liberty Hill, Texas, about 20 miles north of central Austin. Over the next week, he and his family will consider both ministries and how the opportunities and needs line up with abilities, desires, and personality. Please pray for the Apts throughout this process.
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A Place of Peace
Updates related to the ministry expansion and building project
Construction update
Foundation walls have been poured, and you can officially see the outer wall footprint of the new building! On the south side of the construction, the concrete slab you see poured will be the south entrance patio. On the north side, you will soon see the stairs and patio that will allow us to enter the building from that direction.
Construction on Parmenter Street continues into September. To get to St. Andrew, it is recommended to take one of these alternate routes:
- From the north, County Road K to Church Road to Schneider Road
- From the south, Airport Road to Capitol View Road to Schneider Road
On evenings after 6:30 and weekends you can use one of the routes above or take Highway 12 to the Parmenter Street Exit #249 and drive around the barriers. We will keep you updated as we learn more and appreciate your patience.
Confirmation request coming soon
Westside Christian School is undergoing its annual audit as part of its participation in the Wisconsin School Choice Program. As part of this process, our auditors are reaching out to confirm A Place of Peace pledge balances as of June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, related to our ongoing capital campaign. (The audit covers two years, hence confirmation of the June 2024 balance.)
If you’ve made a pledge, you possibly did or will receive a confirmation request regarding your balance and anticipated payment schedule as of June 30, 2024 and 2025. You’ll be asked to verify your records and reply directly to our auditor, Whitney Wagner at Reilly, Penner & Benton LLP, via email at [email protected].
Your timely response is greatly appreciated. For questions, feel free to email Financial Administrator Ron Kerr or call 608-219-8149.
A Place of Peace giving
Giving can be set up like other offerings. Go to “Give” at the website, and you can set up a one-time or recurring gift. Choose “A Place of Peace” as the “Fund.” If using a check, please put “A Place of Peace” in the memo line. If using St. Andrew offering envelopes, use the designation “Ministry Expansion.”
Even if you didn’t make a formal pledge, you can still give. Every bit helps, as St. Andrew will still carry some debt, and the less debt, the more ministry.
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Worship
Resources and opportunities for you to worship
Meet Music Intern Atticus Lawrenz
Hello, my name is Atticus Lawrenz. I’m a student at Martin Luther College in the Parish Music Program, and I’m serving my internship here at St. Andrew until mid-December. My wife, Clara, works as an interior designer in the Waukesha area, and we’re currently living in Watertown, Wisconsin. Growing up with my dad in Koine, I had the opportunity of being exposed to multiple styles of worship music as well as learning multiple instruments, including drums, guitar, bass, and keyboard. In addition to playing music, I enjoy recording and mixing music, and I also like doing carpentry work over the summers with my two brothers.
Atticus will be serving with Minister of Worship Naomi Laabs through December. Welcome to St. Andrew, Atticus!
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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.
“Across the Lands” by Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
“Jesus” by Chris Tomlin
“Jesus, Messiah” by Chris Tomlin
“What a Beautiful Name” by Bethel
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Nurture
Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others
Growth Groups
This is your last call to sign up for a fall Growth Group. If you are not sure this is for you, give it a try and find out. To learn more about St. Andrew Growth Groups, go here. To sign up, go here.
College addresses
St. Andrew has a ministry team that will send notes of encouragement during the school year to our college students. Please send addresses to Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad, or grab an address card from the atrium or write it on your Connection Card. Please do this by September 10. If you want to be part of this team and encourage our college students, contact Mr. Kjenstad.
Impact podcast
Pastor Stephen Kuehl, a teacher of God’s Word at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm, is this week’s guest. He shares thoughts on raising children, seeing loved ones in heaven, and the power of God’s Word. Listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.
PowerHour
PowerHour returns on September 5 at 10:15 AM in the St. Andrew gym. This ministry is for parents and their young children, up to age 4. How fitting that our first theme of the year is “The Construction Zone!” Click here for more on PowerHour.
Sunday morning children’s ministries
St. Andrew has something for children of all ages on Sunday mornings. Beginning September 7, the following ministries will be ready to share more Jesus with your children:
Musikgarten | room 104 | 9:20
Plugged into Jesus | 4K – kindergarten | room 102 | 9:20
Plugged into Jesus | grades 1 – 5 | gym | 9:20
Spark | grade 6 – 8 | room 110 | 9:30
FUEL | high school | room 114 | 9:30
FUEL
FUEL is the Growth Group for all St. Andrew high school students. They meet on Sunday mornings to learn from and discuss Scripture, but that’s not all. They also hang out and have fun. The next FUEL outing is a DIY pizza night on September 20. Contact Delaney Fenske for more information. Fuel up at FUEL!
LifeBoat
Students in grades 6 – 8 are invited (and encouraged) to get involved with LifeBoat. This ministry meets on Sunday evenings for fun, food, and Jesus. The next LifeBoat gathering is Sunday, September 7, from 5:00 – 7:00 at St. Andrew. Enter through the gym doors near the northwest parking lot.
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Service & Outreach
Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others
50th anniversary celebration | October 26
By God’s grace, St. Andrew has been serving God’s people in Middleton and beyond for half a century. Join us to celebrate God’s work to and through so many individuals. We don’t have all the details yet, but the celebration will include worship (including Thursday night) and fun, food, and St. Andrew history on-site on Sunday afternoon. Save the date!
Enjoy music but you’re not a musician?
Join the audio team and help make every song and message sound its best. It’s simpler than it looks, and we’ll provide all the training you need to serve with confidence. Contact Pastor Clinton to start serving.
New service role for 10:30 worshipers
If you prefer the late Sunday service and are willing to stick around for a half hour or so afterward, then a new service role is waiting for you. You don’t need any special skills, just some very basic computer competency. Contact Pastor Clinton to learn more.
Christian Aid & Relief update
CAR, our July Monthly Mission Partner, has shared an update about their recent activity.
Monthly Mission Partner
Our September Mission Partner is our Ministerial Education Fund. This is St. Andrew’s effort to ease the financial burden of those attending schools that prepare them for the public full-time ministry. This year they include Andrew Fritz (second year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary), Isaiah Durkee (second year at Martin Luther College), Kylie Roekle (second year at Martin Luther College), and Ivy and Levi Durkee (third year and first year at Luther Preparatory School, respectively). Please pray for them and all who desire to serve in full-time public ministry roles.
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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
Middle school at Expeditions Unlimited
For the second year in a row, our middle school students headed to Expeditions Unlimited in Baraboo. What a great opportunity for them to grow together as a group! They were able to hike, canoe, experience rock climbing, have an evening devotion together, and sit around the campfire, among many other activities. All students and leaders enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to the 3rd annual trip next year. |
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Serving This Week
Serving Jesus at St. Andrew this week, September 4 & 7, 2025
Guest Preacher
Pastor John Boggs
Luther Preparatory School
Musicians
Lead musician: Madison Kremer
Vocalists: Naomi Laabs
Guitar: Liam Liermann, Chad Schaal
Drums: Justin Beck
Euphonium: Darren Powers
Greeters
Thursday: Dan and Sarah Arndt
8:00 AM: LoToya and Mia Murray
10:30 AM: Ron and Linda Ketterer
Parking Lot Greeters
Thursday: Piri Kerr
8:00 AM: Dick Smith
10:30 AM: Pete and Alice Zimpelman
Ushers
Thursday: Phil Otto
8:00 AM: Jesus Avila, Bill Beier
10:30 AM: Tom and Adam Bernd
Lay Readers
8:00 AM: Steve Dettman
10:30 AM: Brandon Brickner
Communion Assistants
Thursday: Mitch Hutter
8:00 AM: Steve Dettman, Jeff Grim
10:30 AM: Brandon Brickner, Tom Shepard
Communion Care
Thursday: Mary Liermann
8:00 AM: Beth Dettman
10:30 AM: Jennifer Maron
Audio
Thursday: Naomi Laabs
Sunday: Ben Kleman
Slide Tech
Thursday: Dan Fischer
8:00 AM: Maddy Hougaard
10:30 AM: Stephanie Grow
Livestream Video
Seth Fenske
Hospitality
Thursday: Amanda Taticek
8:00 AM: Michelle Murphy
10:30 AM: Skylar Fanello
Connection Card Assembly
Patti Keller
Offering Caretakers
Jim and Heidi Pease
Children’s Ministries
Musikgarten
Karen Hong
Plugged into Jesus
Stacy Bernd, Sarah Gilbert, Tiffany Hanna, Isaac Heckmann, Jessica Kjenstad, Yvonne Onsager, Sandy Stoecker, Lola Weiss
Spark
Daniel Plath
FUEL
Seth and Delaney Fenske
Growth Group Leaders
Pastor Clinton, Jane Dew, Scott Fanello, Brian Fritz, Noelle Gates, Clayton Grow, Amy Heckmann, Amy Hutter, Mitch Hutter, Ron Kerr, Mark Kjenstad, Todd Kleman, Sue Martalock, Harry Radloff, Raul Ramos, Tom Shepard, Wayne Utke
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