Live in Christ Adult Education Classes at St. Andrew’s
Winter Catalogue 2016
1
2
Table of Contents As we live in Christ together, St. Andrew’s is proud to offer a wide variety of education and enrichment opportunities. We do this to grow closer to each other as well as in our relationship with Christ.
Sunday Morning Speaker Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Living Deeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Open to All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Couples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Men. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Registration Information To register for all classes visit: saintandrews.org and click the Register Online button. All classes and other events are listed alphabetically. You may also contact the individual listed for each class for more information.
Location
All classes are on St. Andrew’s campus unless noted otherwise. Room information may not be given at this point, but will be listed on registration forms.
3
Sunday Morning Speaker Series Come worship at 9 a.m. in the Sanctuary or 9:30 a.m. in the Great Hall and stay for some coffee, cookies and education. A variety of topics and teachers will engage you in your faith each week.
Sundays starting Jan. 10, 10:45 a.m.–12 noon in the Great Hall No registration needed
Dr. Michael Chan, Luther Seminary: “The Story of Israel, the Story of Us” Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31 Christians often wonder why the literature of the Old Testament is relevant to them today. But through Jesus the Jew, descendant of David and Abraham, the story of Israel becomes our adopted story. In this class, learn about the story of Israel, become familiar with its prophets, and learn about its profound laws. In the process, you will gain a new appreciation for both the interconnections and the tragedies that bind together Judaism and Christianity as sibling religions.
Billy McLaughlin: “Faith, a verb and not a noun” Feb. 7 Billy McLaughlin is recognized internationally as a world-class guitarist, composer and inspirational performer. In 1999 Billy was diagnosed with a little-known neuro-muscular disorder called Focal Dystonia. He now serves as Ambassador for Awareness for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. Billy will share his own journey into a place of healing both for himself and in his role of primary caregiver for a chronically-ill child. He will touch on the role of forgiveness, the power of prayer and the concept of “faith” being better understood and empowered when viewed as a verb and not a noun.
Jack Fortin, Senior Fellow at Augsburg College and St. Andrew’s Member: “The Myth of the Balanced Life and the Myth of the Purpose Driven Life” Feb. 14 Rev. Jack Fortin is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for Faith and Learning at Augsburg College. Jack is a graduate of Luther Seminary and is a member of St. Andrew’s. Jack has been a long-time contributor to the Adult Education Series at St. Andrew’s. We look forward to another one of his highly-inspiring sessions. 4
Sunday Morning Speaker Series Pastor Dan Carlson, Col. Matt Langer, Chief Tim Butler: “The Faith of Those Who Serve” Feb. 21 Come and hear a presentation on the well-being of firefighters, police, paramedics and first responders: “How do we take care of those who take care of us?” The presenters will include Pastor Dan Carlson, Director of Public Safety Ministries; Colonel Matt Langer of the MN State Patrol; and Chief Tim Butler of the St. Paul Fire Department.
Robert Veninga, Award-winning Author: “Joyful Living: Finding Contentment in our Stress-Filled Lives” Feb. 28 Award winning author Robert Veninga will focus on four strategies for staying hopeful in stressful times. Dr. Veninga is a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and the former Chair of the Church Council. He and his wife, Karen, are active in many of the ministries of our Church.
Pastor Grady St. Dennis, Chaplain, Gustavus Adolphus College: “Lutheran Colleges Making a Difference” March 6 Grady provides pastoral leadership and ministry that nurtures students and all in the Gustavus community. Grady is a long-time personal friend of Pastors Carlson, Straiton and Breckenridge. He will discuss how Lutheran colleges are ministering to the lives of young people.
Liz Schreier, St . Andrew’s Community Resource Center: “Understanding Poverty” March 13 Liz Schreier has served as the Executive Director of the St. Andrew’s Community Resource Center (CRC) since July 2014. She’s been involved with the CRC since its inception when she began working as the Intake Supervisor in February 2011. Just as race and gender are forms of diversity, so too, is poverty. As a society, we understand little about the culture of poverty. Let’s raise our own awareness and move beyond stereotypes and judgments to better understand the causes of poverty and the impact it has on our neighbors who are experiencing it.
5
Sunday Morning Speaker Series Dr. Jeannette Bakke: “Spiritual Direction: Companions in Faith” April 3 Jeannette is a spiritual director, retired seminary professor, and author of Holy Invitations: Exploring Spiritual Direction. What is Spiritual Direction? Spiritual Direction conversations offer a welcoming space to listen for God’s presence with someone who joins your prayer and discernment. As Dr. Bakke guides our exploration of the gifts and possibilities we will have an opportunity to experience spiritual direction.
Jan Gilbertson and Sara Renner: “The Music of St. Andrew’s” April 10 Jan Gilbertson, Traditional Music Director, and Sara Renner, Contemporary Worship Director, discuss the value of music in worship and the process of planning music in both traditional and contemporary worship services.
Dr. Terri Elton: “How is the Church Doing Today?” April 17 Terri is the Associate Professor of Leadership at Luther Seminary. She will address how national studies talk about decline in church membership, increase in the “nones” (or those with no religious affiliation), and changing religious patterns among young adults. But what do all these findings mean for congregations? Is the church dying, reforming, or simply shifting? Come hear about some of the changes taking place around church participation in the United States and discover the opportunities for congregations to be faithful and meaningful in this day and age.
Pastor Mike Carlson: “State of St. Andrew’s” April 24 Join us for this final session of the year. Pastor Carlson will talk with us about the state of St. Andrew’s and what is in store for our church in the coming years.
6
Living Deeper at St. Andrew’s There are many ways to enter into the faith life as a Christian and into the community at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
Baptism Classes
Any and all are welcomed to be baptized into the faith of Jesus Christ. Age does not matter, for it is Jesus who does the acting in Baptism. We are all passive as Christ claims us through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Generally we baptize infants and small children as Baptism is not about our comprehension but truly about God’s declaring us as his own. We have a variety of classes and offer private instruction for those who would prefer.
Sunday, Jan. 17, 12 Noon – 1 p.m., Sanctuary, Room 204 Thursday, Feb. 11, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Great Hall, Room 6 Sunday, March 6, 12 noon - 1 p.m., Sanctuary, Room 204 Thursday, April 14, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Great Hall, Room 6 Contact Lisa Heyer to register: lheyer@saintandrews.org 651-762-9175.
First Communion Class Saturday, March 12 , 9:30-12 noon, Great Hall Communion is the time when we gather at the table as one body, despite our differences and our failures and receive Christ’s grace, mercy and forgiveness. Through the bread and wine we are reminded of Christ’s death and resurrection and how we are all saved through him. We invite youth, first grade and above, to join with their parents in an interactive workshop that brings to life the first Passover celebrated with Moses to the Last Supper Jesus celebrated with his disciples. Contact Lisa Heyer to register: lheyer@saintandrews.org 651-762-9175.
New Member Class - Claiming Community Sun. Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m. Sanctuary Building Childcare is provided Becoming a member of St. Andrew’s means that you are claiming this community as your own, and we want to invite you to take the next step from attender to member. In making this commitment you know who will walk with you in good times and in bad. You have a place to belong, and that is the church. Contact Ronda Sowada should you have questions and to register for the class: 651-762-9139 or rsowada@saintandrews.org. A light lunch is served.
7
Living Deeper at St. Andrew’s Wedding Music Workshop Tuesday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. Sanctuary Thinking of getting married at St. Andrew’s and want to know more about music for your wedding? Come to a workshop led by organist Bill Chouinard. In this informal presentation you will be provided with organ and piano settings of a variety of processionals, recessionals, preludes, postludes and hymns to aid in the planning of a Christian service of marriage. Other music related issues will be discussed with ample time for questions. Contact Dianne Nash at 651-762- 9141 for more information.
8
Classes Open to All READ Bible Study: ‘Discipleship’ with Pastor John Straiton Monday Mornings, weekly starting Jan. 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Great Hall Cost: $10 material fee Register online or at the class Join Pastor Straiton in an ongoing study of “discipleship.” Discipleship is faithfully living in response to Jesus’ call to follow him. It is a personal commitment to be spiritually centered in the Triune God through four sacred and timeless disciplines: worship, scripture, fellowship, and prayer. The ultimate purpose of discipleship is to build Christ’s Church and glorify God’s name so that the whole world will know the healing power of Christ’s love.
New Money Mindset Thursdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $10 for materials Register Online, Childcare is provided Have you ever thought: If I just had a little more money I would be happy? Research has shown this belief to be false. Through personal experience, Biblical passages and timely research, Dr. Jim Moline and Pastor Sarah Breckenridge will reveal that financial happiness and security have little to do with how much money you have and a lot to do with the role money plays in your life. Learn how to transform your relationship with money by examining your attitudes and beliefs around money.
Fitness Sessions Fueled by Faith and Fellowship Tuesdays, class starts Jan. 12, 2016, 5-6 p.m. Great Hall Room 6 Wednesdays, class starts Jan. 13, 2016, 12:15-1 p.m. Youth and Sports Center Gym Classes ongoing. Sessions include prayer, warm up, cool down, devotional, fellowship. Cost is $10 per class. Discount packages available. Register at www.fuelf3.com. This HIGH OCTANE class combines strength and cardiovascular training with circuits, stations, and intervals. Each exercise can be modified to allow each athlete the option of choosing intensity. This workout will ignite fat burning systems to fuel the body in an efficient and effective way which will burn calories even when the workout is done. For more information, go to www.fuelf3.com, or call 651-343-0746 or Dana Gabor, Parish Nurse, at 651-762-9106.
9
Classes Open to All Powerful Tools for Caregivers Tuesdays, Jan. 12- Feb. 16, 1-3 p.m. Cost: $40 fee for entire series Must register; contact Theresa Simms, 651-789-4007, tsimms@familymeans.org This is a six-session education program designed to help caregivers take care of themselves while caring for another. You will benefit from this class whether you are helping a parent, spouse, friend, someone who lives at home, a nursing home or across the country. Topics discussed are how to take care of you as a caregiver, reduce personal stress, how to communicate feelings and concerns, and how to learn from our emotions.
Becoming a Leader Worth Following Tuesdays, starting Jan. 19, 6:30-8 p.m. Register Online This is an intensive leadership training experience that will telescope a year-long curriculum into four months. The group will consist of 8-12 businesspeople who intentionally challenge and support each other to raise one another’s leadership capacity. Growth will come through the practical application of a set of 30 leadership tools on the member’s current challenges. We will build ability to lead on four levels: leading ourselves, in our family, at work, and in our community. This is a one-time opportunity for a few people who are interested in personal growth and development in the area of servant leadership. Please be able to commit to the whole experience. Our facilitator is Dr. Jeffrey Dorman: pastor, mediator, and leadership consultant.
Faith Sharing Thursdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28; 6:45-8 p.m. Great Hall Register online; childcare is provided Talking about your faith can be difficult. Wanting to share what you know and feel about Jesus in a way that does not hurt or offend others and feels natural to who you are, is a skill that can be taught. Come for these three weeks where we will learn how to share our faith with our families, our co-workers and with strangers.
10
Classes Open to All Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White Thursdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 3; 6:45-8 p.m. Great Hall Cost: $15 for the book Register online; childcare provided Most people agree that America is polarized, with ever-hardening positions held by people less and less willing to listen to one another. No one agrees on what to do about it. Come join a small group discussion led by Diaconal Minister Erin Morris, based on the book, Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White by Adam Hamilton. Through reading and a guided video we will engage in conversation around such topics as: Where Faith and Politics Meet; Christ, Christians and the Culture Wars; How Should We Live?; The Ethics of Jesus; Spiritual Maturity and Seeing Gray; and What Would Jesus Say to America? There is reading that needs to be done before the first session. Once you register you can pick up the book at the Hospitality Desk.
Prayer School and the Lenten Journey Tuesdays, Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 8, 15; 7-8:15 p.m. Great Hall No registration necessary, childcare provided; call 651-762-9136 for reservation. Join Pastor John Straiton for a 5-week Prayer School during Lent. Along with presenting a fresh perspective on the purpose and practice of prayer; you will also learn how to pray a Daily Prayer Liturgy created specifically for St. Andrew’s. “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Martin Luther.
11
Classes for Couples Couples’ Book Study: Playing TAG Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 13; 6:45-8 p.m. Great Hall Cost is: $15 for the book Register online; childcare provided Tag is a game we played as kids, and it is a game we play in many of our relationships. Making the other one IT so we are not is always the object. Come and join other couples as we learn how to communicate better with each other, laugh alongside each other, and meet other couples from St. Andrew’s. This class is limited to seven couples. “One of my favorite take-aways from the class is our precious lists. It is always a great reminder of what I love about Steve. We had couples that were married three years to 50 years in class. You learn from each other’s experiences and that is so amazing. Also, you don’t have to have problems in your marriage/relationship to learn from TAG. It is about being the best partner you can be.” Jen Stresnak, St. A’s member and class participant spring 2015.
12
Classes for Men Men’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study Tuesday Morning year-round 6:30-7:30 a.m. No registration needed Join a large group of men who meet year-round every Tuesday morning in the Great Hall from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Come and make some new friends as you learn more about God’s word. We will be focusing on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Coffee and rolls are provided.
Men’s Breakfast Saturday Morning, Jan. 16, Feb. 20 and March 19; 8-9:30 a.m. Great Hall No registration needed Men’s Ministry Breakfasts feature a delicious meal, music, fellowship and an inspirational message. Share the invitation with sons, fathers, grandfathers and neighbors. Freewill offering at the door.
Men’s Prayer Team Monday evening 7-8 p.m. year-round Sanctuary Prayer Chapel Gather with other men in prayer as you pray for the needs of the community. You can pray silently or out loud. The important part is being together to speak to Christ on behalf of the community.
Men’s Annual Spring Banquet Monday, April 25, 6:30-9 p.m. Great Hall The Annual Spring Banquet is a time to get inspired and have fellowship with other men. Past speakers have included Brian Zahn, Jack Morris, Jerry Kill, and Ryan Alexander. The 2016 speaker and tickets price will be released in March. Tickets go quickly. You can purchase individual tickets or buy a table. Invite your friends and family.
13
Classes for Women Bible Study Basics for Women Wednesday Mornings 9:30-11:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 6 Great Hall Register online; childcare is provided Come and learn about friendship, having and being a mentor, and how to “fight the good fight” as we study 1&2 Timothy in January and February. These months will feature a special time of teaching with Pastor Straiton, and then move into small groups to discuss what we just learned. In March and April, we will take a look at some of the women of the New Testament and the effect their ministry had on spreading the Good News. You will have a workbook so that you can dig deep into the word on your own and then meet with a small group of women to discuss your thoughts and receive encouragement.
Women’s Book Club Third Monday of each month, 11 a.m. Maplewood Library Conference Room Join other women of faith as you read and discuss great literature. Friends are always welcome to this lively discussion. Books that have been read in the past include: Kitchens of the Great Midwest, The Book Thief and The Orphan Train. For more information contact, Trudy at tamcmurtry@yahoo.com.
14
15
16