Son Times Winter 2022

It Doesn’t Just Happen

Have you ever had a child enter the kitchen with warp speed and say, “What’s for supper? I’m really, really hungry. And, I have a lot to do tonight so I need to get going.” Right at that moment there are many thoughts that are jockeying for position to be said first. Things such as: “There’s the grocery shopping that needs to take place. Which reminds me. Time and time again I ask you to put what you want on the grocery list and it will be bought—yet you never do. And then, thanks to the miracle of technology and food science, all we do is say: “We want Swedish meatballs tonight—by 5:30 PM. And bam, it appears out of nowhere.”

Or—all the planning and packing that needs to take place so we can take a trip or go on a vacation. Or—everything that need to be done around the home to get ready for the change of seasons. Okay, by now, you get the point.

For the record, it’s the same at church. As in—we don’t want to just zip by a season we call Advent so we can get to Christmas. (Just so you know, the season of Advent is cele brated on four consecutive Sundays, beginning on the Sunday closet to November 30 and ending on December 24, Christmas Eve.) Each Sunday has a traditional meaning and prayers and readings assigned to it; they represent the Christian virtues of love, joy, hope, and peace.

This year, at St. Andrew, we are going back to the basics when we get to the season of Advent. In other words, each week we are going to read an Advent text, light a candle and re flect upon the meaning of each week through word, prayer, and song. We are so excited about what we are planning and here are two thoughts that I would like to share with you:

1. Will you strive to attend all four Sunday in Advent leading up to Christmas? It is always helpful when we fully prepare for something in life and take in every stage that is part of the whole.

2. Advent is a great time to invite someone to come along with you to worship. We all know people who do not belong to a church or attend worship—I do, that’s for sure. One of the rea sons why people don’t attend worship is that other people do not invite them. So, may we simply ask someone to worship with us during the time we call Advent. See you in worship!

Be well and God bless,

Senior Pastor

David Lillejord

Advent at St. Andrew

The season of Advent has often been overshadowed by Christmas in our modern world. It’s not hard to see how this happens and yet we believe as Christians that the Christmas story and the Christmas message come to us with a deeper resonance if we first lean into Advent. So, what is Advent about? Advent means “coming” and the story of Advent, with its key players, from Isaiah and John the Baptist through Mary and Joseph and the angel of the Lord, gives us fascinating glimpses of how Christ’s coming is going to impact our weary world. Are we ready to receive the gift of the Christ child if we haven’t first recognized just how much we need this gift? We light the Advent candles as a symbol of hope but also as an act of defiance against the darkness in our world. We sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” with hearts that are longing for something better but also trusting that God will come and has come and will come again. We all know the Christmas story, but this December we invite you to join us as we get to know the Advent story better with all its wonder and its beautiful traditions. Don’t miss it!

Sunday | 9:00 & 10:30 AM

In Person & Online

November 27

Isaiah 2:1–5 December 4 .............................. Matthew 3:1–12

December 11 ............................... Luke 1:46b–55

December 18 Isaiah 7:10–14

Advent Preparation of St. Andrew

As the holidays fast approach, there is a need to slow down as well. To slow down, acknowledge and appreciate our many blessings and give thanks to God. The season of Advent invites us to slow down and experience the joy and anticipation as we wait and prepare for the coming of the Christ child. It is a wonderful, thoughtful, and important time of the year. However, for the church building, holiday preparations are at full speed and do not slow down. To prepare the church to be inviting, welcoming, beautiful, and even inspiring takes a tremendous amount of time, energy, and volunteers! During this Advent season please consider volunteering some of your time. We need help in setting up the Christmas decorations little by little each week through Advent. Volunteers are needed to decorate the chancel area

with Poinsettias. There is an enormous need for worship greeters, ushers, and communion assistants each Sunday. Christmas week alone will have eight services—all needing a full complement of volunteers.

All these opportunities and more can be found by going to standrewlu.org (search keyword: Hospitality)

Please contact me with any ques tions, or to volunteer the old-fashioned way, Burke Hancer 952-697-7118 or bhancer@standrewlu.org

Burke Hancer Safety & Facilities Director

Advent at St. Andrew

Worship & Hospitality Volunteers

The Wonder of It All

I must be softening as I get on in years. My younger self would never program any Christmas carols during Advent be cause I felt that they should be saved for the Christmas season and that’s just the way it had to be. I tried valiantly year after year to make a case for how the two seasons needed to be kept separate from each other but these days, I’m much more likely to give in to the fact that people just want to sing their Christmas carols and who am I to be their buzzkill? There’s room enough for the most beloved and profound Advent and Christmas carols to live side by side in the same worship services. But with all of that said, I still do believe that it’s a mistake to skip over Advent and go straight to the Christmas story. We would miss out on the “O Antiphons” that are illuminated through the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (Google it!). We’d miss the pro found mystery in the story of the Annunciation and we’d miss out on John the Baptist’s sermon that makes me think that he should have been called John the Lutheran! But what we’d miss out on the most is one of the most important spiritual aspects of the season: the gift of the Christ child’s birth is something for which we must ready ourselves to receive. Think of it as receiving a shipment of new furniture: the old things must first be rearranged or even removed to make room for the new. We need our crusty old hearts to be softened so that we can receive Christmas as a child of God in the same way that we must all become like little children to receive the kingdom of God. The season of Advent also serves as a reminder that we look ahead to the day when Christ returns to us. This image is common and prevalent in many Advent hymns.

The King shall come when morning dawns And light and beauty brings. Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray: Come quickly, King of kings.

One thing I’ve learned about myself after many years of be ing a choral singer, is just how much my soul is fed by the rich texts, tunes, and settings of traditional Christmas music. The authors of the carols and hymns have added so much richness to the Nativity story that it’s impossible to image the season without them. I love choral music in general, but I have a par ticular interest in and passion for the treasure trove of Christ mas music that the world’s greatest composers have contributed to over the centuries. What does all of this have to do with our worship at St. Andrew? For me, it all serves as a reminder that people are longing for more beauty and more meaning in their

lives, and we have an opportunity to help meet that need as we draw from tradition and tell again the old, old story in new and compelling ways. Whether we “cheat” at Advent worship plan ning by sneaking in some beloved Christmas carols or whether we allow our imagination to be recaptured by the rich poetry of the carols, we do it all to communicate the Gospel. The hope, peace, joy, and love that the world is longing for are all found in the Christ child and we, like Mary, are left to ponder the wonder of it all in our hearts. The Christmas angels teach us a valuable lesson as well: this is something worth singing about!

See you in church!

Tim Graf Worship & Music Director

“Marvel

now, O heav’n and earth: God has chosen such a birth.”

– Ambrose of Milan

What are you waiting for?

Waiting is hard, but it is always easi er when someone waits with me.

There have been many big events in my life these past couple of years—from weddings to the birth of our two grand children—so I have spent many hours waiting as each announcement for these life events is made. But I have learned that all of the emotion and energy are easier to manage and the weight of wait ing gets easier when it is shared.

What I have learned in that time is that the waiting is always easier when someone is waiting with me—when I can tell someone about the big event, about my anxiousness or my excitement. The weight of waiting gets easier when it is shared.

The truth is, no matter what we are waiting for, waiting is always best done when surrounded by people we love and who love us. Sunday, November 27th, is the start of the Advent season at St.

Andrew—it’s a whole season of waiting. Whether we are waiting for good news or bad, celebrations or big plans, wait ing together as a faith community gives us exactly what we need to get through the waiting period. It also helps us to re member what the season is about and to focus on the One for whom we wait— who is Jesus.

This Advent season I invite you to join us in worship and in ministry, to share your concerns and your joys with people who care about you and who want to be a partner with you as we wait to celebrate once again the birth of Christ Emmanuel—God with Us. It will be a celebration worth waiting for.

Gail Bach Pastor of Stewardship & Evangelism

Stewardship

A Season of “Being Church Together”

Over my many years here at St. An drew, people have been involved in the activities of the church in the season of Advent more than any other time of the year. Maybe it’s because the Christmas music is so beautiful. Maybe it’s because fellowship is especially fun or being in a small group is especially helpful. Maybe its because people need to hear an inspir ing message to feed their faith in what can be a stressful time of year. Or maybe it’s because St. Andrew offers so many ways to give during this season of giving.

Whatever the reason, the season of Advent is a time when we are at our best when it comes to “Being Church To gether”, which is the theme for this year’s giving appeal. I have always felt the peo ple of St. Andrew are especially good at being church. They love being together, serving together and, even enjoy giving to the work we do together. Giving is a

way of letting someone know they are important to you. It’s also a way of letting others know you care about their hurts and hopes. And it can be an expression of gratitude for all God had done for you.

It’s true that the season of Advent is and has always been a season of giving at St. Andrew, and in keeping with that tradition, we will again have many op portunities for you to give. It is through our giving that we express gratitude for all that God is doing in our lives. It’s a way of saying ‘yes—I’m in’ to the work that is still ahead.

As you think and pray about how God has blessed you and how you would like to bless others through your giving, don’t forget that your financial support for the ongoing work of St. Andrew is also needed and greatly appreciated. How you respond to the giving appeal influ ences the plans we will make for “Being

Church Together” in the year ahead.

In the remaining weeks of 2022, I invite you to consider how you are able to strongly support the work of this church financially so we are able to end in a good place and be ready for the year ahead. I also look forward to learning how you will support “being church together” in the year ahead.

Thank you, St. Andrew. You are amazing people to work with and to serve. I am so very grateful for the work you do and continue to do—for the ways you give and the ways I know you will continue to give. “Being Church Togeth er” at St. Andrew is a gift that will never stop giving. God Bless!

Gail Bach Pastor of Stewardship & Evangelism

Advent at St. Andrew Being Church Together

Do you know?

A column featuring useful-in-jeopardy information from our teaching pastor.

I didn’t grow up celebrating the season of Advent, so I come to this practice of the church as a bit of a newcomer. Perhaps you’ll find some starry-eyed childlike fascination in my reflection below. If not, you’ll have some more facts to add to your Jeopardy index!

Waiting for an Advent

The other night one of the girls woke up unexpectedly. It really threw me the next day, now unaccustomed to the mid night moments of snuggling and reassuring. I know they flee quickly and that these moments are only here for now, but it still left me a little grumpy the next day.

The word advent comes to us in English from Latin, adven tus. It means an arrival, the surprise of something unexpected coming to us. Of course many of us may immediately think of the surprise that young children feel upon opening presents on Christmas Eve, but the themes of Advent draw us a bit deeper.

The themes of carols and hymns can form our imagination in three ways: (1) inviting Christ to come (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; Come Thou Long Expected Jesus; Savior of the Nations Come); (2) calling us to pay attention (Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying! Fling Wide the Door!); or (3) asking God to change our lot (Comfort, Comfort Now My People).

This Advent season, we’ll be reading selections from the Hebrew prophets, calling upon God to deliver them (and us) from world-shaking challenges in front of them (and us).

Take Isaiah 64 as an example. The prophet writes of a time when the temple was destroyed. The place where the ancients trusted God lived, in the inner most chamber, the holy-of-ho lies, had been wiped away:

Your holy cities have become a wilderness; Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.

Our holy and beautiful house, where our ancestors praised you, has been burned by fire, and all our pleasant places have become ruins.

–Isaiah 64:10-11

Isaiah calls for an advent, a surprising appearance of God with all the pyrotechnics that one would expect for God to ar rive on the scene:

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence

When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down; the mountains quaked at your presence. –Isaiah 64:1 & 3

The season of Advent looks for such “awesome deeds that we did not expect.” We often think of God showing up in the audacity of Bible stories like this, shaking the mountains, creat ing light out of darkness, breathing life into dry bones. But this season has taught me also to look for God in the unexpected ordinariness of my daily life because any moment could be an adventus. Any given moment can hold the same delight, sur prise, fear, and wonder that the first Christmas contained. Any given moment can be a moment of divine revelation.

Even a midnight, unexpected invitation to tell my daughter, “It’s ok. I’m right here.” My friend Meta Herrick Carlson remind ed me most in a line of a blessing “For the Middle of the Night” in her recently published book, Ordinary Blessings for Parents:

“There are myriad reasons to wake us from sleep, to call out for a presence or proof they are not alone.

May their courage be our holy envy.

May we relish how they dare to call for resurrection while it is still dark.”

May we, like the little children in the middle of the night, like the people of Israel in their darkest hour, like each and every one of us in the storms that life throws at us, dare to call for the light of Christ’s coming while it is still dark. May we be awake and alert enough to catch a glimpse of adventus among us. May we be bold enough to call out to God to rend open the heavens and be near us today.

Fleming Pastor of Teaching & Young Adults

Matthew

Church Anew—What are people saying?

This summer, we took some time to ask the people of Church Anew what was so valuable about our work together and what they thought we should work on in the future. Their response were heart-felt, affirming, and full of promise for the future.

“I want to send affirmation on their spirit of excellence and their desire to support pastors. They are trusted friends who are there.”

“Fabulous folks, deep theology, diverse voices and leaders.”

“Church Anew is different from other educational orga nizations out there—in a good way! Church Anew under stands what’s going on in congregations and what tools/ info/inspiration pastors/church leaders need today.”

“I feel like Church Anew could be helpful to the overall main line church in dealing with the fact that we are in a season of decline, and heading towards a cliff in terms of membership, financial stability, and desire of young clergy to serve. No one in denoms wants to talk about it—how about if y’all do?!”

A

dvent is magical in Germany. Of course, there is plenty of commer cialization, just like in the US. But there is still that sense of quiet anticipation and preparation for Christmas Eve, which leaves room for contemplation and gratefulness.

I grew up with several Advent tra ditions that focused on the arrival of the ‘Christkind’, Baby Jesus. There was the Advent Wreath, and each night af ter dinner, whenever possible, we would light it, and sing a Christmas song. There would always be a small Advent Calen dar, with a little chocolate treat hidden behind each door, the last door with the number 24 depicting the manger. It took a lot of discipline not to open more than one door a day! On December 5 in the evening, we would set a shoe or boot out in front of our room, because that night, St. Nikolaus would leave either a treat or a coal in them! (For some reason, I never got a coal, so I figured St. Nick was not always up to speed with current events…) Bach’s Christmas Oratory and

Handel’s Messiah would be playing on the record player all Season long. Bak ing Christmas cookies with my mom on weekends was also a major treat! The tree would be set up only on December 23rd, and once it was in the house, the living room was off limits for kids. Christmas Eve, we would go to church in the after noon, and afterwards be sent to our room and wait, until we heard a little bell ring ing. Then we would be allowed into the living room, and there was the tree, can dles lit, presents around it, and the little glass ornaments still slightly swinging, because the ‘Christkind’ and his host of angels had just departed a moment ago! Really magical.

Yes, in Germany, Baby Jesus does all the heavy lifting with the presents himself, because he is the present. So fast forward to my first American Christmas with my fresh-baked American husband, I was in for a culture shock. What do you mean, we set up the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving? No St. Nick on December 6? So Baby Jesus delegates the job to him,

and Santa comes on December 25? A day late? Through the chimney? Cookies and milk? And you are joking about Neil Diamond doing a great take on Handel’s ‘Hallelujah’, right?

Well, we have since found a won derful way to blend our two Advent and Christmas traditions: We mix the two cultures during Advent in Ameri ca (no real candles though, it’s a no-go zone, and I’m slightly horrified to admit that our daughter Sophia is siding with my husband in favor of Neil’s Hallelu jah…), then we go to my parents’ home in Germany for Christmas, and then Santa Claus makes a late appearance once we are back Stateside. And it’s still all magical, and there is so much more to be grateful for. Wishing you all a blessed Advent Season. See you in worship!

Meggy Wagner Senior Director of Church Operations

I remember as a kid growing up in a small town in Iowa attending a small Lutheran church. Our Sunday School Christmas program was usually the same play with the same songs each year. The only things that changed were the kids who played each character.

In this Christmas program there is a kid who says, “I am waiting.” The response from a group asks, “what are you waiting for?” Now, a few kids join in the response, “For Christmas, we are waiting for a new beginning. We are waiting for Jesus!” To this day my sister and cousins still go back and forth with this dialogue if someone says they are waiting.

And isn’t that what the season of Advent is all about!? Waiting but waiting in anticipation for something amazing, something glorious, something miraculous to come. We are waiting for that new beginning to arrive that will transform our lives completely and thoroughly. It is so easy during this season to get caught up in pres ent hunting, holiday baking, getting together with friends and family to barely even notice what Jesus is bringing to us. Because underneath all those holiday celebrations and preparations are busy individuals just trying to make it through a hard and stress ful season.

During this Advent season, I ask you to think about what you are waiting for. If it’s for a new beginning, for Jesus, then what does that mean for us? How will that new beginning change our lives or better yet transform us to live into this new life that Jesus brings? How are we preparing for the Christ child to enter into our world?

The Light Before Christmas

Sarah Fike Pastor of Children, Youth, & Family

Advent at St. Andrew Children, Youth, & Family

The Power of Together

Remember the prior two Advent seasons? There were some who won dered if the world would ever be safe or normal again. There was much anxiety, fear, isolation, and loneliness within our society. Our patience was challenged as we waited. We have come a long way since those two previous Advents. Thanks be to God.

An important practice during Advent is a time to take stock of the past and dwell on our needs. Sometimes a bit of perspective helps. One reference from my life is my grandfather, Elmer Johnson, born in 1896. I have wonderful memories of him in Detroit Lakes during the summer and that old Chevy Nova he drove. You would have never known he was a World War I veteran unless you saw him in the July 4th parade. It wasn’t evident on his face or demeanor that he lived through the Great Depression or the next great war. These events shaped him. But he was a faithful man, a man at peace with himself and with God. How has the pandemic shaped you as you reflect back?

Advent is taking stock in how we are doing, what our needs are, what are the pressures your family or you are facing. And it is right to call out to God for resolution and to expect resolution through God’s presence. This is Advent. This is before we get to Christmas where we experience release, peace, and joy. Finality often does not happen right away.

We read it in scripture passages we know like Isaiah 9. “Those who walked in the land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.” Advent is acknowledging the darkness in which we can reside. The second half of that verse is Christmas, the light that comes to bring peace and to light our path.

Isaiah 11 speaks about the time coming when “the wolf shall live with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together”. In other words, peace shall come to the world— but it is not here yet. Advent is remembering how at odds the world is with each other. Christmas helps us to see that hope is not lost, but peace comes with the forgiveness and love of Jesus.

I give thanks during this season of Advent that we have answered dark er times with gathering together at St. Andrew with resolve. Worship atten dance has shown a bump in numbers. Service events this fall like Feed My Starving Children MobilePack and leaf raking have had strong participa tion. Learning opportunities in large and small groups have been enjoyed by growing numbers of people curious about new ideas, seeking God in their lives in deeper ways, and strong desire to reconnect with others. Within the darkness of seasons that can go on and on, there comes around the bend new light and joy. As we continue participating in life together, may we be blessed with renewal and faith.

God

bless,

Peter Johnson Pastor of Small Groups & Service

Advent at St. Andrew

The season of Advent is about long ing. Think of a child who is dealing with a dark room while going to bed. This can be a little scary. There is a longing for light in the darkness of the room. Like all parents, this is why Michele and I always had a night light in the boys’ rooms when they were young.

On deeper levels, we still long for light in other dark places in our lives and the world. We long for healing and wholeness for our families and friends ex periencing difficulties. We long for peace in the world and our city. We long to have our grief we feel from the death of loved ones to recede. There are many other ex amples of dark places where light is need ed to take the darkness away. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring light to our world.

St. Andrew has a long history of thinking and acting globally. Through the years, our ministry has encompassed missions in Honduras and Jamaica. We have worked closely with Redemption Lutheran Church in Jacmel, Haiti since the massive earthquake in 2010. Over the years, not only has a water tower and a bakery been built, but so have relation ships between St. Andrew member and the Haitian church community. We have seen light come into the darkness, pro viding new opportunities and hope for

our Haitian friends while blessing our mission trip participants with a renewed perspective on life and faith.

Alas, it has been nearly 4 years that Seeds of Support has made a trip to Hai ti. The political and social upheaval in Haiti due to the economic conditions and political instability began 4 years ago. A mission trip we had planned was cancelled a few days before departure be cause of the violent demonstrations and safety concerns. After this, the pandemic shut down all international travel. The political and economic disruptions con tinue to this day. Seeds of Support does not see a return to Haiti any time soon. Thankfully, we continue to be in relationship with our friends in Haiti as we are able. We know light and hope is needed in the country. Food distributions and a Christmas party blessed Redemption Lutheran Church a couple years ago. More recently, medical clinics and supply distributions have been organized by our friend and interpreter, Kerlange, in her hometown. Seeds of Support will continue to bring light and hope to Haiti in these ways even if we can’t travel to the country.

Knowing that international mission travel is faith-inspiring and communi ty-building for its participants, Seeds of

Support has been exploring other oppor tunities for international mission trips that accompanies and empowers church partners on the ground toward sustain able development and faithful hope in their respective communities. We are pleased to announce a Service Learn ing Camp in Belize, Central America is being planned for August 5–12, 2023. The trip will visit an orphanage with needy children, conduct children’s min istry programing, visit sustainable farms, tour a coffee plantation, and visit several churches with active ministries. We will also take a day to snorkel on the famous barrier reef off the coast and visit Mayan ruins. The trips are also cost effective for families to participate together. All are welcome to join us.

As Seeds of Support helps to keep our mission to the world vibrant and impacting, we know that this comes from acknowledging that we are faithful people called to bring light into the world. Like Jesus birth, places in need must be met with hope. We play this role in the world today because Jesus did this so many years ago. May God lead us onward.

Seeds of Support: Belize Mission Trip Opportunity August 5–12, 2023

Peter Johnson

Pastor of Small Groups & Service

Advent—a Time to Prepare Our Faith and Life

Although the season of Advent is only four weeks long, it has a lot to say about preparing our life and faith for now and when we die. Everything in Advent points us to Jesus and asks us to be sure we’re doing all that we can in regards to our personal relationship with him.

Mathew 25:1–13 is a parable told by Jesus about five wise and five foolish virgins. In Jesus’ time a bridegroom often tried to surprise his bride for their wed ding by coming to her village in the mid dle of the night. He’d usually send out a messenger to warn everyone and they’d rush out to the streets to greet him. In the gospels, Jesus is the bridegroom and he comes to a world totally unprepared for him but in desperate need of him. In the parable, five wise maidens come with their lamps along with extra oil while five foolish maidens come with their lamps but no extra oil. They all kept their lamps burning but when the bridegroom took longer than five of them expected, they ran out of oil and had to go to buy more. While they were gone to buy oil, the

bridegroom came and they missed out on the celebration.

The moral is to be prepared and this story reminds us that each of us is responsible to fill our own lamps, which means that we are the only one who can fill our lamp/lives of faith. There’s only so much time in a life to do that. In our culture today, it’s so easy to get totally dis tracted by all the issues, worries, and con cerns of this world. It’s also easy to focus too much on the trimmings and stuff of Christmas and invest so much time and energy into it and not put enough effort into nurturing our faith. Jesus calls this a foolish decision which leaves us short of the faith we actually need. Part of our journey of faith is to put what we believe into action so that others are blessed by it also. Like the 10 virgins, it’s entirely up to us to fill our lamps/nurture our faith and be found to be prepared.

Roger Schindel Visitation Pastor

Part of our journey of faith is to put what we believe into action so that others are blessed by it also.

Be Exactly Where You Are

This is the opening line of the Advent story that I still know by heart from the Godly Play curriculum. I taught Godly Play for about six years on Sunday mornings with children. This line comes back to me at times, even when it isn’t Advent, because of how profoundly true it is. It comes back to me when I think about how my own kids are mysteries to me, and how parenting is a long road. It comes back to me when I think about how my own faith, even at its strongest and most tried and true, is still this mysterious gift I can only receive and not create.

Part of the mystery of Christmas is that it is a time to remember that right when we need God the most, God arrives. And that is a very strange juxtaposition.

In the fall season of closing one camp season and planning for the next, I have had the privilege of zooming with other camp executive directors from around the country through both Lutheran Outdoor Ministries and The Summer Camp Society. These conversations have been helpful and caring, and in particular they have helped me sharpen my understanding of another juxtaposition— resilience fatigue. Put simply, following the pandemic, we are all a little slower to be able to bounce back from small things,

because of the enormity of what we have been through. We are both stronger now, and yet also more tired. However, as difficult as this is when small things are now feeling inordinately like mountains, I know that this season also has gifts for us. It is a gift to have a community to struggle in. It is a gift to have to a mountain to move together. It is a gift for us to be on this long road, where every day we both need God and we get to see God arrive. It is a gift to know that we get to see it all evermore clearly day after day.

So, whether it is the Christmas season or not, every moment is a moment to remember and to bless the long road that has brought us here. To be exactly wherever we are when we find ourselves needing God the most. Because it is here, right in the middle of our need, that God arrives.

Turning now to the end of the Godly Play story for Advent, “Let us go now with the prophet’s, the shepherds, the Holy Family, the sheep, the angels, and the Magi and all the rest to make the journey that was not just back then, but is also now.”

Sarah Blasing Outdoor Ministry & Youth Leadership Director

“The church learned a long time ago that people need a way to get ready to enter or even come close to a mystery like Christmas.”

Renewed life, renewed faith

Have you ever wanted to start over?

In 2021 I did just that. I was living in Hibbing, Minnesota and felt completely exhausted. My grandmother died the year before and my childhood home felt empty, void of love and life. It weighed on me. So I made the decision to chase after a dream I had since I was a little kid, I moved to Minneapolis.

I dealt with a lot of grief from loss in Hibbing and a change in scenery was definitely needed, and my gamble helped me reconnect with God in such a surprising way.

The move was risky. I had very little savings and was not ideally prepared for such a relocation. I hoped around jobs and finally settled into a corporate position just to find my position would

be dissolved and I would be laid off. I was devastated, but I held onto my faith and persevered. Then I found this position at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. It was a God send, and the blessings did not cease after hire. I reconnected with my faith in a community that supports everyone, and I couldn’t be happier.

Kasey and I grew the High School Ministry and attendance went from 3 teens, to over 30 in a matter of months. We did this by reassuring them that the faith-based space that we provided was all inclusive. We connected with High Schoolers on their level, listening to their stories and sharing our own experiences to help them navigate through their own lives.

We joked, we played a dangerous

game of church-wide hide and go seek, and we shared our faith. The Fall season has displayed a lot of growth in the church community, and High School Ministry is no exception. The renewed sense of fellowship has come during a time where it was needed most in my life and I hope to continue to provide that environment in this church.

Benz Communications & High School Ministry Coordinator

Zack

These days, it seems the whole world is weary. From the pandemic to economic chal lenges to natural disasters, we can hardly turn on the news without hearing of some new calamity threatening to bring us down. It’s not always easy to “look on the bright side” when darkness seems to loom around every corner.

And yet, amidst all this darkness, the world keeps on turning. The harvest celebrations of autumn will soon ebb into the cold and snow of a Minnesota winter. It seems fitting to me that the Advent/Christmas season now upon us aligns with the winter solstice and the darkest, longest nights of the year. It’s a tangible reminder to us as people of faith that, while darkness is inevitable, we have a path out of that darkness through the light of Jesus.

One of my favorite hymns for this time of year is entitled “Light Dawns on a Weary World,” by Mary Louise Bringle. It’s a relatively new hymn, and the natural imagery reminds me of what we are preparing for as we venture through the season of Advent towards Christmas. When the light finally dawns out of the darkness, trees will clap their hands, and hills and mountains will burst into song. Above all, it is Jesus, embodied in light, love and hope, who will bring nourishment to a world in desperate need of sustenance.

I hope and pray that as you venture through Advent, you find your own opportunities to find light amidst the darkness and prepare your hearts for the coming of the Christ child. Your St. Andrew family is ready to walk with you on the journey—we can’t wait to see you at church this season!

Above all, it is Jesus, embodied in light, love and hope, who will bring nourishment to a world in desperate need of sustenance.

Linnae Stole

Congregational Council

Advent at St. Andrew

Congregational Council

Joy at Advent.

Advent in Early Learning is a BIG word! Pastor Gail has been teaching us in Chapel about Big Little Words and our Big Little Word for the season of Advent is “Joy”, because of course Jesus brings joy to the world! We are so blessed to get to see the joy of the advent season unfold each year through the eyes of the children of St. Andrew Early Learning. This year we are overjoyed to be able to have an in-person Christmas Program so getting ready for the season of Advent will mean lots of practic ing and singing of Christmas songs.

When we asked some 4-year-old children what their family does to get ready for Jesus’ birthday here is what they told us….

“We get presents!”

“We put up lights and a Christmas tree”

“We decorate the tree”

“We play and that’s all”

“We decorate and play”

“We sing at church”

We also asked some parents of St. Andrew Early Learning the same question and here are a few stories that they shared….

“Now

I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you

Please take a moment this Advent to see the joy around you. Celebrate those family traditions, both new and old. Look for those Big Little Words that mean the most to your family and create a tradition around them that will last a lifetime.

Melanie Eggers Childcare Director

Melinda Eddihi Childcare Asst. Dir.

Kathi Wieman Preschool Director

Holiday Giving Brings Light into Dark Places; Participate Today

Advent is a season to be reminded that light is making its ways into darkness to bring peace and joy. Through Holiday Giving, St. Andrew has been shining a light of hope and kindness into our local community in need.

This year, dozens of seniors are receiving heart-warming gifts pur chased and delivered by St. Andrew members to make their Christmas brighter. Toys and books are being distributed to North Minneapolis through Zion Baptist Church. Families underwater with medical debt are having their debts forgiven by St. Andrew’s generous financial gifts. Local residents feeling the pressure of the rising costs of fuel and food are receiving through PROP $25 gift cards to a local gas station or grocery store. Abandoned and vulnerable animals are receiving at Secondhand Hounds another chance at good health and adoption into a new family. Thank you for the many contributions through Holiday Giving 2022 as we live out our faith in Jesus and hope for the world through the program. Though the deadlines are approaching, you can still participate! Zion Baptist Church in-kind gifts need to be delivered to St. Andrew Lutheran Church by Sunday, November 27th. All other contributions are due by Sunday, December 4th. Please check standrewlu.org/holidaygiving for more information.

For more information and to give online please visit: standrewlu.org/holidaygiving

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More Just World is the Work of Advent!

Advent is a season of preparation. A time to get ready for what Christ’s coming into this world means for us. Over the past couple of years, people at St. Andrew and in our community have engaged in conversations on the topics that have not been discussed much in the past. This effort has been a part of the ministry of A More Just World. This work is Advent work.

These conversations began by coming together and talking about bias and racism, and then moved into a small groups to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. Pastor Peter and Tova Werlinger became Qualified Administrators of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) to assist St. Andrew at navigating with care and compassion the many different cultures (socio-economic, age, racial, national, etc.) that exist in our community. All of these are important conversations to have if we are to achieve A More Just World.

The church—God’s people togeth er—can be instrumental in this work because we share a faith that shapes our understanding of what A More Just World looks like. That is, we are God’s people called to live in love and faith toward God and all our neighbors.

It’s true that we might not always agree on the how’s, the why’s or the where’s of A More Just World, but we will continue to explore the questions it raises in the hope that we can and will learn and grow. Questions like: “Why are my neighbors saying they face injustice in their lives?” or “Where do I see injus

tice in my community?” or “How can I make A More Just World for all?”

While we know and understand the world through our experiences, we also believe we are always learning and grow ing. It continues on into every day of our lives. On Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30PM, we welcome Jonathan Stanley, Eden Prairie’s Housing the Community Services Manager. He will share with us the rapid demographic changes under way in Eden Prairie over the past 5-6 years, the significance of Eden Prairie’s average medium income (AMI) in shap ing policies, what affordable housing is, and what Eden Prairie is doing to adhere to the Met Council’s directives through its existing and new building develop ments. As a community of faith, it is important that we come together to talk about these issues and learn more about them. We will always have a greater abil ity to make change when we are working together for change.

Thank you for joining us in these important conversations that help us to live out our faith in everyday life. If you have a topic you would like to explore as a part of A More Just World, or would like to be more involved in this work, let us know.

Peter Johnson Pastor of Small Groups & Service

Gail Bach Pastor of Stewardship & Evangelism

God bless,

Christmas Poinsettia Orders

St. Andrew is inviting you to help decorate the chancel for Christmas with beautiful red poinsettias. The cost for a poinsettia is $18.

The deadline for orders is Wednesday, December 7th.

Poinsettias can be ordered in two ways:

1. Poinsettias can be ordered online at standrewlu.org/poinsettias.

2. Orders may also be placed by filling out an order form at the Front Desk at St. Andrew and making your $18 check payable to St. Andrew.

If you have any questions, please contact Burke Hancer at bhancer@standrewlu.org.

at St. Andrew Christmas

I Won’t Be Home for Christmas Monday, December 19 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 10:00 AM, 1:00, 2:15, 3:00–Wiggle & Worship, 3:30, 4:45 & 10:00 PM Christmas Day Sunday, December 25 10:00 AM