The combined SAPC Music Ministry presents the Worship Team, Chancel Choir, Orchestra, Wittman Ringers, St. Andrew’s Sisters, and more in concert, featuring music to lead us joyfully and prayerfully into Christmastide.
Saturday, December 7
WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS BRUNCH
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Enjoy a lovely brunch with SAPC Women and this year’s speaker, Rev. Tina Salvaneschi. This year’s outreach project will be undergarments for teen girls through Marana Help Closet and Amphi Foundation Clothing Bank.
Sunday, December 15
COOKIES WITH SANTA | 10:00 AM
Please celebrate with us following the 9:00 am Worship Service to enjoy a time decorating cookies out on the SW patio! We will also have a special visit from Santa! This event culminates our Hope for Christmas, Adopt-a-Family, as the families have been invited to join us this year! If you can make plain sugar cookies or donate frosting and sprinkles, please let RuthAnn, Local Outreach Director, know at rsmithrud@sapctucson.org. Thank you for making Hope for Christmas so meaningful and memorable!
Learn more about Christmas at SAPC at sapctucson.org .
CHRISTMAS EVE
We invite you to join us for our Christmas Eve services, each with a unique feel and style. All services will be in-person and online. Come celebrate together this Christmas Eve!
Our Contemporary Worship Team will lead us in this beautiful time of Candlelight Christmas Worship.
5:00 PM FAMILY SERVICE & CHRISTMAS PLAY 7:00 PM CONTEMPORARY CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 9:00 PM TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
Join us for an intergenerational service, featuring SAPC Kids in a Christmas Play! Classic hymns and a message make this service a perfect fit for all ages.
Our Chancel Choir and Orchestra will lead us in a special Traditional Candlelight Christmas Worship.
From Pastor John
Greetings St. Andrew’s Family!
My how time flies! Our 2024 calendar is on its last page and a new year is soon to be rung in. The Advent season in December is a time to anticipate and patiently wait for the arrival of the Christ child on Christmas! Our Advent sermon series entitled, "Candles" began December 1 and each successive Sunday will take a deeper look at the Christian themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
After the season of Christmas, we’ll usher in the new year together. Can you believe 2025 marks that we’re one quarter of the way through the 21st century? In celebration of the new year and the fresh start we have with the God of new beginnings, our sermon series, "Ever New," will look at the new things God is up to, making the impossible possible by giving us a new spirit and a new song that transforms our “same old, same old” into a new and living hope to face a new day. You all are in my prayers as we journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the good tidings of comfort and joy we have in the arrival of Jesus and then forge ahead into the new year and all the great things God has in store for us in 2025!
Grace
and Peace, Pastor John
December Sermon Schedule
CHANCEL CHOIR ORCHESTRA
ST. ANDREW’S SISTERS
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP TEAM WITTMAN RINGERS AND MORE!
Volunteers Needed
Call for Volunteers During Advent
You can make the difference. None of this is possible without the body of Christ working together. We invite you to take the step to use your gifts and skills to set the stage for God to work. On our Volunteer Teams, you’ll be a part of creating a comfortable environment for those attending our services so they can be open to hear the truth of God’s Word. You are truly influencing environments where life change happens.
Advent is the highest season for newcomers, returners, and guests. Please consider volunteering over the next four weeks, alleviating the overloading of Church Staff, and creating a welcoming space for others to experience the love of Christ at each of our services and events!
Sunday Morning Team
GREETERS
Be the first friendly face to welcome people at the door. Handshakes, fist bumps, and hugs are all welcome. This is a great serving opportunity for all ages and stages of the SAPC Community.
WELCOME DESK
Assist those attending for the first time (and even those who have attended for years) find the information they need. While you don’t need to know all of the answers, we will equip you with ways to find the information needed and how to connect people to our church. This is a great position for those who love to chat and with gifts of hospitality!
USHERS
Welcome and guide those attending worship; provide information; collect offering and Check In Cards; oversee congregation during worship; “exit hosts” at the conclusion of service; tidy Sanctuary between services. Email Louise Davis at maudis1125@gmail.com to volunteer.
ONLINE HOSTS
Did you know that we often have over 200 people in our Online Congregation each week? While our Ushers and Greeters are there to welcome those in person, our Online Host welcomes those online. If you are comfortable chatting on social media and would like to be a friendly presence for those participating virtually, this is the volunteer position for you! Training is provided and this can even be done remotely by an online congregation member! Email Amy Grover at agrover@sapctucson.org to volunteer.
Christmas Undecorating
What goes up must come down! Volunteers are needed to help undecorate the Chapel and Sanctuary on Saturday, January 4, at 9:00 am. Bring your family and friends, because many hands are needed as we pack away the beautiful decorations until next year. We also need folks who can climb ladders. We look forward to you joining us! Contact Debi Kromer at dskromer@comcast.net with questions.
Volunteer Spotlight
ST. ANDREW’S SECURITY TEAM
In 2023, church security became a priority because of incidents at other churches in the country. Thankfully there haven’t been any security issues at St. Andrew’s, but to be proactive, a volunteer Security Team was established. The Security Team helps to keep St. Andrew’s safe during worship services, VBS, other church-wide events and protects our Preschool & Kindergarten.
Although each Security Team member comes with different skills and experiences, as a Security Team member, each person’s primary contribution to safety is their presence and situational awareness. As you have heard before, if you see something, say something! You can identify a Security Team member by their lanyard, orange placard, and a radio earpiece they wear. The Security Team wants to be visible and extends a welcoming greeting to those who are arriving. The Preschool & Kindergarten security is special because not only are the parents very appreciative of their presence, but the children are as well.
The Security Team meets periodically to review medical emergency and security procedures and is updated weekly on the upcoming security schedule. The Security Team is a great Worship +2 ministry because members
of the team can be flexible and schedule themselves when they are available. The more on the Security Team, the lighter the load is for everyone. The photo shows Don Spiece on the left with Security Team members for a 9:00 am Worship Service. If you are interested in joining the Security Team to help on a Sunday or during the week for only 30 minutes, contact Don Spiece, dspiece@gmail.com, 520-269-0698.
Love
Christmas Mission Offering
BASIC NEEDS IN SYRIA AND LEBANON
Each year, the Mission Committee identifies a worthy mission partner to receive a special Christmas Offering that runs through the Advent season. This year, the Outreach Foundation and Good Samaritan Ministries in Syria and Lebanon will be our Christmas Offering recipients.
For over a decade, St. Andrew’s has supported these ministries which are official Mission Support Groups of the Presbyterian Church, USA. The funds raised through this offering will benefit the elderly, refugees, and displaced families with needs such as medical care, medication, food, baby formula, clothing, and blankets. The needs of civilians have recently been amplified by the
current conflicts in the region with 1.2 million people displaced in Lebanon and Syria. The Presbyterian Church in Lebanon is currently using a summer Conference Center to house displaced people. It needs many of these basic supplies.
St. Andrew’s link to this ministry started through Rev. Nuhad Tomeh who recently spoke to our congregation in September. Nuhad is a Presbyterian pastor in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq and has attended St. Andrew’s for many years when he is in Tucson. Although Nuhad is officially retired, he still works with Good Samaritan Ministries, traveling back to the Middle East several times a year.
We invite you to pray and consider participating in the Christmas Offering during this Advent season. To ensure your offering goes to this cause, please write “Christmas Offering” on the designation.
Café Justo: Fresh Coffee Makes a Great Christmas Gift!
Fresh roasted, mountain grown, organic coffee from Café Justo makes a great Christmas gift. We have just received a brand new shipment of coffee AND we have Christmas bags to wrap up your coffee, so your gift is ready to go. This delicious coffee will taste even better knowing that we are helping our brothers and sisters in Chiapas, Mexico; our mission partner Café Justo. This Mission Partner addresses the root cause of migration and allows the farmers to stay on their land and support their families. To purchase your coffee, contact Sandy Kreamer at 520-400-3287 or sandrakreamer@gmail.com or just stop by the Coffee Cart in the Gathering Place any Sunday.
Preschool & Kindergarten
Lots of celebrations happen this time of year in the Preschool and Kindergarten! We finished our month of gratitude by learning about how families celebrate holidays and talking about what we are thankful for. As we enter the Christmas season, with the hope and joy that Jesus brings, may we approach the season with wonder just like our preschoolers and kindergarteners do!
As we welcome our new year, registration for the 2025-26 school year begins January 23! Our Preschool and Kindergarten offers small class sizes, two qualified teachers in each classroom, indoor and outdoor play based learning curriculum, within a faith based environment. Church families have the opportunity to begin registration for classes in our 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, and Kindergarten classrooms. A full list of our class offerings is available at sapcschool.org.
Youth Ministry
Christmas Parties
Our White Elephant traditions will continue this year! Don’t forget to bring a wrapped gift (something you already have or can buy for under $5). High School will be December 17 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, and Middle School will be December 18 from 6:15 pm - 8:15 pm. Ugly Christmas sweaters are encouraged!
College Reunion Dinner
If you are College-Age (or close to it), you are invited to the College Reunion Dinner on Sunday, December 22, at 7:00 pm. Enjoy food, fun, and fond memories of your youth group days. Location: Connie Randall's house
Youth Program Break
Youth Ministry Programs will be taking a break from December 26 - January 5. We will resume with High School Youth Group on January 7.
30 Hour Famine
On February 8 and 9, our Youth Group is participating in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. It is not right that thousands of kids are dying from hunger each day. We are going without food for 30 hours to raise money so others can eat. It only takes $40 to help feed a child for a month. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for these kids in need and with your help, we can change the world!
Here’s how you can help:
PRAY - and ask God to bless our students as they overcome hunger.
VOLUNTEER - come and join us during our famine weekend.
GIVE - just $40 can feed and care for a child for a month.
More information and online donation can be found at sapcyouth.com or 30hourfamine.org.
Children’s Ministry
Christmas Eve Play
Get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus with our Christmas play Born Unto Us. We will be telling the Christmas story through some simple speaking parts, silent acting, and through song! Rehearsals will be December 8 and 15, at 10:45 am in Room F. We will have a final dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 21 at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary. There will be speaking parts and non-speaking parts. All ages are welcome! Please let us know who wants to be involved by signing up at sapctucson.org/kids . The performance is during the Christmas Eve Family Service at 5:00 pm. Contact Heather Brannock at hbrannock@sapctucson.org for more information.
Kindergarten Prayer Partners
It’s that time of year to start thinking and praying about being a Prayer Partner. Please consider being part of this ministry and walk alongside a child in his or her faith journey. Five adults are needed for this. You are committing to pray for and with your partner, and the children commit to pray for you as well. If you have been a prayer partner in the past and want to volunteer again, please do so! Contact Heather at hbrannock@sapctucson.org to volunteer or for more information. Prayer Partners will meet February 16 during the 9:00 am Sunday School time.
Holy Molies Upcoming Events
December 18: Sticking Up for God Shows Our Problems / White Elephant Gift Exchange
Jan. 15: We Thirst for God’s Love
Super Friends
Our special needs ministry, called Super Friends, will meet on December 1 and January 5. For questions, please contact Heather at hbrannock@sapctucson.org.
No Sunday School 12/29
There will be no Sunday School on December 29. Childcare is available for children five years old and younger in Room L. There will be activity clipboards available in the Sanctuary for elementary aged kids.
Save the Date for VBS 2025!
June 9-13
Registration opens March 23.
Get ready for the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. True North VBS shows kids that Jesus is a faithful friend we can always trust. He’s our True North!
VBS Planning Committee
Are you interested in being on the 2025 VBS planning committee? We are starting our journey to VBS in early March (Yes! It’s that early!) The VBS planning committee heads up the other VBS teams: imagination station (science gadgets and experiments), games, Bible Adventures (a hands-on way to tell the Bible story), Sticky Scripture (where kids learn to apply the daily Bible Verse to real life!), snacks, preschool, and decorating. Let Heather know if you’re interested in any of these areas at hbrannock@sapctucson.org
Now Hiring Childcare Supervisor
The Childcare Supervisor manages the childcare service which provides care for the children of adults who are attending church sponsored events. This position is a part-time position that requires about 10 hours a week.
To learn more, view the job description at sapctucson.org/job-opportunities. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Heather Brannock at hbrannock@sapctucson.org .
Adult Ministry
Friday AM Women’s Bible Study
Friday Mornings
9:00 AM | FRIENDSHIP HALL
The Friday Women’s Bible Study will celebrate 37 years of studying God’s Word when we resume on January 10. We will be studying the Gospel of Mark. The theme of this portion of Mark is “The Servant Who Rules” and deals with Jesus, the Servant who has all authority in heaven and earth. The study books are $25. All women are welcome to join our inperson or Zoom groups. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know some of the women in the church as we fellowship, study and pray for each other. For more information contact Jan Littlefield at 520-299-6851 or jan.littlefield@comcast.net
Thursday AM Men’s Bible Study
Thursday Mornings
8:00 AM | ALPHA
Thursday Morning Men’s Bible Study will be taking a break December 26 and January 2. We will resume January 9. Our morning study consists of a study led by one of our pastors on the current sermon series, prayer requests, and church announcements. We welcome all members and friends of St. Andrew’s as we have an enjoyable time together in sharing, prayer, and study. Contact Pastor John for questions at jtittle@sapctucson.org.
HUGS
Senior Ministry
Wednesdays
10:15 AM - 12:45 PM | FRIENDSHIP HALL
HUGS, our non-denominational senior outreach offers socialization, stimulation, and a wholesome environment for senior adults living with family members, alone, or in residential care facilities in the NW region of Tucson. Come and enjoy singing, devotions, games, educational programs, entertainment, and a healthy lunch ($4).
UPCOMING HUGS SCHEDULE:
• December 4 - Birthdays & Bingo
• December 11 - Christmas Music & Sing Along with Logan Schmidt, photo booth
• December 18 - Movie “A Christmas Carol” the original, with Scrooge, and cookies
• January 8 - Birthdays, Bingo & Dominoes
• January 15 - Money Smart/Scam Secrets
• January 22 - Jeff & Julie Vocal Duo
• January 29 - Care of Feet with Ronda Ammon
nativity Collection
Library Nativity Collection
Enjoy a visit to St. Andrew’s library in the Gathering Place this Advent season to view the international collection of nativities arranged by Bonnie Kampa and Ellen Vellenga. View the work of artisans from Zambia, Palestine, and Mongolia. Connect with craftspeople from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and other South American countries to celebrate Christ’s birth.
January Series
Monday, January 20-31
10:30 AM - ONLINE
The highly acclaimed January Series from Calvin University will be on ZOOM this year. It will be from January 20-31, 2025 at 10:30 am and can be viewed all day. You can access it from your home computer by going to website of Calvin University.
The library already has the books from two of the speakers: Reshma Saujani, whose book “Brave, not Perfect” dismantles the myth of having it all. It also lifts the burden we place on
individual women to be primary caregivers and how to celebrate imperfection. Check out the book before she speaks on January 29.
John Inazu is the author of “Learning to Disagree; The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect.” He is speaking on January 22.
Watch for the brochures coming next month which list all the speakers of this invigorating lecture series. Any questions? Contact Ellen and Dave Vellenga, who have hosted this series at St. Andrew’s for the past 10 years at ebvellenga@comcast.net.
Prayer & Care
We’d love to pray for any needs you may have. Also, if you or someone you know is in the hospital, we would love to offer prayer support and a caring visit at the hospital when welcomed and possible. For more information, contact our Care Ministry at 520-297-7201, care@sapctucson.org, or sapctucson.org/care.
Stephen Ministry
When was the last time you talked about a problem you’re having, and really felt heard? When was the last time you knew someone was in your corner? When was the last time someone offered to pray for you and followed up to see how things were going? You too can experience the care of a trusted friend; Stephen Ministers are eager to walk alongside you. For more information visit sapctucson.org/care or call the Church Office, 520-297-7201, or Cheryl Smith at 520271-6591.
Five Tips for Reducing Caregiver Guilt
From Your Faith Community Nurses
Caregiver guilt is common because caregivers often have very high (and often unfair) expectations for themselves which can add a significant amount of stress and guilt to an already tough job.
The following are some key points to reduce the guilt that care giving often causes:
• Don’t aim for guilt-free care giving. There will be always a difference between what we able to do and what we think we should be doing. Work to accept the fact that it’s not realistic to do everything.
• Give up the fantasy of rescuing others. It’s unrealistic to think that if you provide the absolute best care the person will experience a miraculous recovery.
• Maintain balance. We have multiple people in our lives (parents, siblings, spouses, friends) and care giving can take up the majority of our time and energy. It’s important to find ways to maintain social connections. This balance is essential for emotional health.
• Tolerate ambivalence. Having negative feelings is a natural part of the care giving experience. Beating yourself up for having feelings like resentment, anger, or irritation isn’t fair to you and causes extra stress.
• Find other motivations. What helps to reduce guilt and stress is to work on being motivated by positive feelings, like wanting to provide care because it’s important.
If you’re experiencing caregiver guilt, Faith Community Nurse Ministry has resources to help. Please contact the Church Office (520) 297-7201.
Reference: Dr. Barry J. Jacobs AARP care giving expert.
Peace
Year End Giving
We are celebrating all that God has done through the ministry of St. Andrew’s over the past year! Your generosity has a direct and tangible impact on our families, community, and beyond. So as you make your final 2024 giving plans, would you prayerfully consider how you will give to St. Andrew’s today and in the coming weeks as we look to finish the year strong.
Financial Update
As of October 31, 2024
Thank you for your support of our ministries. Please contact Brad in the business office at (520)297-7201 if you have questions.
