Son Times Spring 2019

SON TIMES ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH

LENT/EASTER 2019

We Believe

We Believe

“We Believe…”

Believe it or not, it’s time for Lent. Again. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like birthdays and holidays come around more quickly than they did when I was younger.

We think it’s time for us to center our thoughts and minds about something that, at the very core, we believe with all our heart. Miracles. Not the kind of miracle that happened when the United States hockey team beat Russia. Instead, we will be thinking about the miracles that Jesus performed—and—the miracles that Jesus still performs to this very day.

We believe that Jesus fed many with a few loaves of bread.

We believe that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. We believe that a paralyzed man was lowered through the roof. We believe that Jesus performed an exorcism through a pig. And, we believe that Jesus turned over the tables in the temple. (By the way, this one is mostly a segue to holy week). Join us on Sunday, March 10 as we begin our “We Believe” series.

So, you might be wondering, what will be the focus for worship on Wednesday nights during Lent? Here’s the answer to that wonderful question. We think that it’s time for the people of St. Andrew to listen to others tell their wonderful stories of faith. In their own words. As pastors we are so excited to hear the great testimonies that will be said each and every Wednesday during Lent. This much we know for sure—you won’t want to miss it.

What a great and wonderful privilege it is to go through our lives of faith together. And, even though this might be our 16th, 40th, or 87th season of Lent and Easter, we believe that it’s so awesome to hear the old, old story of Jesus and His love, and a few new ones as well.

Sundays in Lent | 9:00, 10:30 AM, 5:30 PM We Believe Jesus spent a lot of time performing miracles, feeding the hungry, healing the sick. But do we live our lives with the expectation of God acting in our world in life changing ways? In this series, we will examine the miracles of Jesus throughout his ministry and wonder together what is really at stake in the radical leap of faith that we believe in those things. We will wonder about the ways that Jesus works in our daily lives, bringing us new life, healing, wholeness, and upending our expectations.

Wednesdays in Lent | 7:00 PM Faith in Daily Life: Real Stories of Life With Christ Our stories connect with God’s story in amazing ways. On Wednesdays in Lent, we will hear real stories of people living their faith in daily life. You won’t want to miss the stories that we have gathered from many people that you know.

God bless, David Lillejord Senior Pastor

Radical Stewardship—Radical Ministry Coming Sunday, March 10th, “Radical Stewardship—Radical Ministry”. Come join us and get an opportunity to practice benevolent giving—in person—as together we join in giving away $10,000—group by group—family by family—person by person—to support a special purpose or meaningful cause made possible by God’s abundant blessings given to the people of St. Andrew! You WILL NOT want to miss this great opportunity!

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Leadership

Kathryn Hernke

Tom Burnside

Matt Gribben

Carla Thompson

Kris Hansel

Jamie Samuelson

Kathy Mason

Cheryl Harjes

Eric Werlinger

Leadership is Ministry As Lutherans, we believe that ministry is not something to be left to pastors or people who are specially trained for such work. The real work of the church is done by its members—its laity. At the same time, in a culture that wants to fill every waking hour with other things, the work of the church can sometimes find itself at the bottom of the list of priorities for any given day or week. St. Andrew has been blessed with many, many people who do not let culture influence their priorities, and who step forward joyfully and generously with their time as we serve, learn, worship and witness to God’s presence in our lives together.

This is a time of year when transitions in many areas of involvement happen. We have new leaders on our council.

We will soon be recruiting for open positions on ministry teams such as the Finance Team, our Staff Support Team, our Benevolence Team and our Endowment

Team. At our annual meeting in January, four new people were elected to council who will be working with the rest of the council, pastors and staff as we move forward into a new year. Our 2019 Congregation Council members are: • Kathryn Hernke—President • Tom Burnside • Carla Thompson • Jamie Samuelson • Cheryl Harjes • Matt Gribben (newly elected) • Kris Hansel (newly elected) • Kathy Mason (newly elected) • Eric Werlinger (newly elected)

would like more information about what is involved in serving on one of these teams, please contact Pastor Gail or Pastor Lillejord and we will do our best to answer your questions and move your name forward for consideration.

Leadership is important work. It is also necessary work in the life of the church. We want to thank all of you who are serving or have served in the past in one of these positions as we lead our congregation forward in some very incredible, meaningful and faithful ways.

Gail Bach Pastor of Stewardship & Evangelism

Additionally, Brian Shimely will again serve as Treasurer to the council, an appointment that is made by the council on an annual basis.

If you or someone you know might have interest in serving on any of the other teams mentioned above, or if you 2

We Believe

Capital Appeal Update

With Every Act of Love Update…

Can you believe it? Thanks to the amazing leadership of Jerry Gorder and Steve Starks, the support of Dave Allen, Chuck Rodman and Chuck Noble, the design work of Carl Nelson and Sara Blake, the technical wisdom of our friends at Twin Cities Sound, the hard work of our contractors, and the patience of our members and friends, in just three short weeks our sanctuary has had a complete make-over. This work resulted in many needed improvements. For example: • Our new more modern looking LED lighting will be far less expensive to use while also giving us up to twice as much light. We will also have more control over individual lights, groups of lights and the amount of light. Additionally, the lights are much closer to the ceiling, which reveals much more of that beautiful wood ceiling.

• We have turned and expanded our sound booth. Our technicians are now facing the front of the sanctuary, making it much easier to monitor and control sound, projection and light. We now have room to set up equipment appropriately and have completed some infrastructure work that will prepare us for future needs such as livestreaming.

• We have made some improvements around the choir area, removing some tripping hazards and adding more decorative railing while also making the side of the choir area much safer for those going up and down those steps. The hardwood floor has also been sanded down and re-stained.

It looks like new!

• The new carpet was purchased in squares rather than rolls so we will be able to replace or repair small areas by simply pulling up one square and replacing it with another. The more neutral color will complement the various colors of the liturgical colors reflected in those beautiful panels in the back of the chancel throughout the year. And . . . the worn threads and frays, well—they are GONE!

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Finally, the new chairs came from Sauder—the same supplier of our previous chairs. They provide greater lumbar support, are enclosed in the back and are slightly wider.

Those fragile connectors between the chairs which also held our hymnals are gone. They have been replaced with much smaller and more subtle connectors and we will store our hymnals under the chairs.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this transformation and to everyone who has provided financial support to make this happen. It truly was an act of love beyond words.

Looking ahead—your timely and generous giving will allow us to move on to what is next. We will soon be bringing in the architect to finalize a plan for our Adult Learning space at the south end of the building. We also hope to begin some work in the Early Learning restrooms and classrooms. Both of these projects were high priorities in our appeal last spring.

Now that the security system is in and the sanctuary is about complete and the funding is there, we look forward to moving on to these next projects.

We Believe

Sanctuary Chairs

The Blessing of Chairs This article could go by so many titles—God’s provision, how social media blesses others, seeing God in construction and more! By now, many of you have probably noticed our Sanctuary renovation and might have come across the Facebook and Twitter photos. But there is so much more to the story. After removing all those chairs from the Sanctuary (and getting rid of the broken ones) we had many chairs left over. We needed about three-hundred of them temporarily for worship in the Fellowship Hall but another one-hundred plus needed to find a home. Our receptionist, Bambi Kuyper contacted her son and their church took some. The Choir Director was thrilled!

Next we put up photos on the Facebook site “EP Swap and Shop,” wow, the messages came in. Many people were interested but we had more to give! We put up a message on Craigslist and was contacted by Pastor Christopher Daniels who has a new church, City of Grace Church, up in St. Cloud. His members have been worshiping on folding chairs and he recently told his congregation that they were going to “pray for chairs because this isn’t a picnic”. What a great blessing to be able to provide for this church. And it will continue!

Once we have completed the remodel and have our new chairs in the Sanctuary, we will have the three-hundred old chairs left. I have at least two more churches that are interested in those. What fun it has been to be able to gift these chairs to our friends in the community. Praise God and thank you for making this all happen.

Sandy Olson Technology Coordinator

Before

No more folding chairs!

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“Notes” from the Music Office

Nuts and Bolts When I think about my faith in God, it is impossible for me to consciously separate my faith from my love for those dear people who shared their faith with me in my formative years. The time I spent at Camp Pioneer in western New York (as a youth, teen, college-aged staffer, and later an adult Music Week leader) with some of the greatest people I have ever met did so much to nurture my faith. It gives me a full appreciation for the stories I hear about how the ministry of Spirit in the Pines is making such a difference in the lives of our young people. Church, of course, was also a big part of my life growing up. While I was influenced by reading C. S. Lewis and other apologists when I was young, I also fully recognize that faith is caught more than it is taught. Apologetics are great but can only take you so far in the realm of faith. After all, you can’t force or argue someone into believing by outmaneuvering them intellectually. One of my favorite Christian songwriters, the late Rich Mullins, said, “I am a Christian, not because someone explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity, but because there were people willing to be nuts and

“Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith.

They keep it awake and moving.”

Frederick Buechner

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Worship & Music

“A miracle is when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A miracle is when one plus one equals a thousand” Frederick Buechner bolts.” This can be a sobering thought as well when I wonder if I am the kind of “nut and bolt” that leads others to faith in Christ. Let’s be honest with ourselves, at least, that Lutherans can be those people who love singing “I Love to Tell the Story” more than actually “telling the story.”

But Lutherans are also the people who want to demonstrate the goodness of God through acts of kindness and service and we really love the whole St. Francis “preach the gospel and, if necessary use words” thing. It is far too easy for us to go through the motions of worshipping each week and somehow still lose sight of the richness and beauty that exists in “the communion of saints” as we do life together as a body of believers. We’re all in the same boat: we all need the ashes on Ash Wednesday to remind us of where we’re from and where we’re going,

we all need the presence of God with us through the bread and wine to remind us that we are one and that we are being made one. We all need the kind of bedrock assurances that come to us through the preaching of the Word of God and through the hymns and songs we sing and the prayers we pray. We see miracles before us when prayers are continually answered in ways that surprise and humble us. We see Jesus in so many ways here through the various ministries and relationships at St. Andrew that nourish our souls. How can we not respond with “we believe”?

See you in church!

Tim Graf Director of Worship & Music

We Believe

Hospitality

THANK YOU!

S

t. Andrew Hospitality at its best! We are so blessed to have members of the congregation give their time and energy to make Sunday morning so welcoming and special.

Our rock stars are Kay and Newell Nordbye and Mary Ann Smith. Kay and Newell started the donut tradition years ago at our current location. They would actually pass out coffee and donuts at the door as the congregation left the church. It is amazing how the fellowship at St Andrew has blossomed.

Mary Ann Smith and Kay and Newell trade off weeks ordering the donuts and pastries served every Sunday after each service. We have 300 people conversing, laughing and sharing. We want to thank the many volunteers that sign up to help with this very important ministry.

Deb Flach Volunteer Coordinator

Gina Altmann Volunteer Coordinator

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We Believe

St. Andrew U

St. Andrew U Continues to Grow and Innovate

At the end of January, over 300 church leaders—pastors, church staff, dedicated volunteers—gathered in our fellowship hall for two days of encouragement, perspective, new ideas, and a community gathered to support one another in the important work of being the church today. Tod Bolsinger, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California and the author of Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory, inspired participants to find adaptive solutions to the pressing challenges of church leadership and leadership in general.

The energy throughout the church was palpable from the robust singing during worship to the rich conversations and the encouragement over good food. One pastor shared that this was the best conference he had attended in twenty-seven years. Others remarked on the warm welcome and hospitality of our space and the many St Andrew volunteers and staff who set a table of welcome for all who attended.

As an essential part of the mission of this congregation, St Andrew U continues to innovate for the sake of the church throughout our nation and throughout

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the world. This will include both inwardly focused events for people within our congregation and outwardly focused leadership opportunities open to St Andrew people as well as the general public.

While we imagine new ways to foster effective learning for the sake of the gospel, stay tuned for further developments.

One such opportunity will be held at St Andrew for 20–30-somethings March 29–30. Listening for Why: Finding Spiritual Roots in Work, Life, and Play, will gather young people around questions of finding purpose in the momentous or mundane pieces of our daily life. Through prayer practices, small group conversation, inspirational worship, and fellowship time, participants will articulate their values and write a personal mission statement. Registrations are live on the St. Andrew website.

Matthew Ian Fleming Pastor of Teaching & Young Adults

March 29–30, 2019

We Believe

Early Learning

“To all who accepted him and believed in His name he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

W

e believe that each child is uniquely created by God to be loved unconditionally. Faith is a strong component of our Early Learning Program here at St. Andrew. Would you believe that faith formation starts from birth? Yes….It really does! When we have new teachers join our program we always make sure they are comfortable with what we believe and will be comfortable carrying that message within their classroom through their daily teachings. Children learn to believe in their faith by what surrounds them, both at school and at home. At school we are blessed to have Chapel with Pastor Gail where she continues to instill in the children the gift of unconditional love and the experience of singing, hearing stories about Jesus and praying together in the Sanctuary. The Christian theme of February was “Jesus Loves Me! I Love Jesus!”. It really is that simple. We also have Mrs. Arlene share with us stories about Jesus’ love and kindness through Godly Play and Storytime within our classrooms. When we sit down for snacks and meals, our children and teachers take the time to “say a little prayer to Jesus” and thank him for our many blessings. Faith in children is pretty amazing. As adults, we know that through faith we believe but it’s through the eyes of children that we really see what believing means. Children show us that when you have faith you believe it will happen but you don’t really know how it will happen and not knowing the whole plan really is ok.

Melanie Eggers Childcare Director

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We Believe

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ids are figuring out what they believe about all kinds of things.

The people who love them and their own daily experiences shape their identities. And - they have so many questions. Kids’ questions give us insight into what is going on in their heads and hearts—what they are thinking about—how they are feeling—what they really need to know—what they wonder about—what they believe. Questions bring up their worries, fears, wonderments, curiosities, hopes, and dreams.

Kids need a safe space to ask questions about anything—from “When do we get to eat dinner?” to “Why do we have to take math in school?” to “Why did Jesus die?” They need a place to belong and people to love them. In Children’s Ministry at St. Andrew, we believe in providing safe places for kids to ask questions—no matter what the questions are. Here are some of the questions we have heard and questions we have asked in the past few weeks.

1st–6th graders' questions for a meteorologist on the topic of justice for earth and all of creation: • What does weather have to do with church?

• Are asteroids heading toward earth?

• Do you think storms are getting worse?

• What inspired you to be a meteorologist?

• Do you think we can stop climate change?

• What is your favorite donut?

• Can humans change the weather?

• When will the earth collapse and die?

• What will the earth be like in 50 years?

• Will it ever snow ice cream?

• Did it actually rain frogs once?

Answers from FUSE students to the question: What is your one word goal for 2019?

Still. Patience. Caring. Motivation. Persevere.

Friendship. Happy. Laughter. Amplify. Christ. Respect.

Faith. Determination. Family. Friends. Passion. Make.

Strong. Fun. Believe. Trust. Improvement. Read.

Generosity. Unstoppable. Calm. Peace. Try. Burrito.

Faith. Patience. Pride. Kind. Organized. Empathy.

Focus. Courage. Water. Enjoy. Dark. Smile. Positive.

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1st and 2nd graders answers to the question: Why do we take time to care for others in Sunday school and church?

• It’s the kind thing to do • We love people so we care for them • Jesus wants us to care for people

Answers from 3rd & 4th graders (8 & 9 year-olds) to the question: What are you worried about?

• War • The Wall • School shootings • Not getting into the college I want • Friends • Upcoming medical procedures • Dying

4 & 5 year-olds had questions after experiencing the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego getting tossed into the fiery furnace—and coming out alive…

• Why doesn't God protect us from fires like he protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

• What caused Jesus to die on the cross—the nails?

Answers from 4 & 5 year-olds to the question: How can you show kindness and love?

• Help your neighbors if their house explodes • Share • Pick up toys • Smile • Hug your friend if they are sad

Children’s Ministry

Ash Wednesday & Easter!

Young children love to worship God with their whole body! We will have two opportunities for families with young kids to Wiggle and Worship. Join us on Ash Wednesday, March 6 at 5:30 PM, and share dinner together in the Fellowship Hall after worship.

Easter Sunday Wiggle and Worship is at 10:15 AM with an Egg Hunt immediately following.

Celebrate your little ones by worshiping with them in a way that honors everything about who they are and the way they like to worship!

Join us from June 24–27, 2019 for VBS, Mystery Bus, and Leaders in Training (LIT). Each day we will board a rocket and travel the universe spreading God’s light and love. Register online before May 1 for the early-bird discount.

• VBS is a half-day program for children ages 3 ½–2nd grade. Cost: $40 by May 1, $45 after May 1 • Mystery Bus is a two-day full-day service learning experience for kids who have completed 3rd–5th grade. Choose the Monday/Tuesday Mystery Bus or the Wednesday/Thursday Mystery Bus. Cost: $75 by May 1, $85 after May 1 • Leaders in Training (LIT) is leadership training for kids who have completed 6th–8th grade. Our LIT kids guide three or four VBS kids through the week—loving and caring for them all along the way.

Cost: $30

Children’s Ministry Save the Dates March 6: Ash Wednesday Wiggle and Worship at 5:30 PM March 10: Pajama Day, Love a Children’s Ministry Volunteer Sunday!

March 17: Fusion Sunday—VBS Preview in Sunday School/ZONE 56 March 17 & 21: First Communion Workshops April 14: Palm Sunday and Holy Week Experience in Sunday School and ZONE 56 April 17: FUSE at Feed My Starving Children from 6:00–7:30 PM April 18: First Communion worship at 6:30 PM April 21: Easter Sunday—Wiggle & Worship at 10:15 AM (Easter Egg Hunt to follow) May 1: Early Bird Registration for VBS, Service Squad, and LIT closes May 5: Food Packing Service Project in Sunday School/ZONE 56 May 8: Last day of Bible and Boogie, Bible Blasters, and FUSE May 19: Fusion Sunday and last day of Sunday School/ZONE 56

Arlene Flancher Children’s Ministry Director

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We Believe

We Believe: Loving Our Neighbors This winter, our Confirmation students are exploring the character of Jesus in all of his glory, disruption, and miraculous encounters. Pastors, adults, and middle schoolers have sat in almost every room, office, and corner of our building, discussing the gamut: where Jesus is when bad things happen, how Jesus brings forgiveness to us all, how he brings life to our experiences and our relationships, and how Jesus was a radically gracefilled person who sat down at the table with ALL people—the misfits, the outcasts, and even the baddest of the baddies. And as the Golden Rule goes ‌ Jesus is a shining example of how we need to continue loving every neighbor as ourselves.

In this season preparing for Lent, 7th and 8th graders embarked on our annual Confirmation retreats both in the Twin Cities and up at Spirit in the Pines Camp. The theme this year: World Religions. And I just have to say, what could be a more perfect time in our broken, politicized, polarized world to learn about and love our neighbors? In early February, a group of about 50 Confirmation students and adult leaders gathered together for the first retreat. We had opportunities to learn from faith leaders and community members in a panel discussion about our Abrahamic sister religions of Islam and Judaism, and even a

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Middle School Ministry

few of the lesser known religions, including the Bah’ai faith and Zoroastrianism. Fun fact—Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest living religions!

A highlight from our Twin Cities World Religions retreat was hearing from high school and college-age students at the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley. Five female Muslim students shared their faith practices, beliefs, and traditions from their own perspectives, followed by a riveting question and answer time with our middle schoolers. A favorite moment for our youth was when the speakers shared about the many prophets of Islam. As one young presenter stated, “Jesus, may peace be upon him, is one of our most respected and important prophets who did a lot of good work for all people.” While Muslims and Christians may differ in religious beliefs on many levels, this olive branch of peace offered to our group by a faithful and spunky teenager exemplified a pillar of our Lutheran faith. We believe in the many miraculous ways that God makes it possible to love our neighbors, and to see more clearly the ways we are connected. God’s expansive and freely-given love is something I believe we can all get behind.

To close, let me share with you a few beautiful reflections from our Confirmation students in their own words when

asked the question, “What did you learn about being a good neighbor to our friends of different faiths?”: • Being a good neighbor means to help others and love others no matter what you or they say or do.

• Everyone is equal, but everybody does everything differently.

• I learned I can be a good neighbor by listening.

• When we visited the Islamic Center, they said treat everyone as family. I think that is a good way to put it. Treat your neighbor as family.

• Being a good neighbor means recognizing our differences, but also our similarities, and working together to make the world a better place.

We believe in these things: The radical grace of Jesus. The unconditional love of God. And the deep sense of family we receive in learning and listening from our neighbors, and loving them as ourselves.

Reilly Orner Middle School Ministry Director

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We Believe

I

have heard from a very young age that if you believe hard enough anything is possible. Well I have been believing that the weather was going to be warm for some time now with no such luck. We put our faith in a lot of different things as we go through the day, some conscious and some subconscious. Our belief shape who we are and what we stand for, but when it comes to God where do we stand in our beliefs? We have many questions and at times it feels like we don’t have answers. What I have learned while trying to deal with these tough questions is how helpful and important it is to discuss them with others. We have a great opportunity to grow in community here at St. Andrew and deal with these tough questions, from our Sunday Night High School Bible Study to our Wednesday Night Youth Group. We have opportunities to grow with others and learn more about our faith. If you are looking for something a little more special than our once a week programing join us at Spirit in the Pines our church camp March 15th-17th for our High School Retreat.

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High School Ministry

We will play some great games and have a meaningful worship. If that seems a little too far feel free to stay around Eden Prairie for a concert as we host Bridge 33 immediately followed with a lock in here at St. Andrew. We have a lot of great opportunities as we look to be the hands and feet of Christ and live out our faith in daily life. We continue those efforts as we prepare for our Mission Trip to Logan, West Virginia with our yearly Silent Auction on March 10th. Please join us as we look to raise funds to help reduce the cost of this great trip. We will be auctioning off some great items or you can purchase stock in our participants showing how much you believe in this trip and what our youth are doing. We look forward to connecting with you these upcoming months and growing closer in faith and fellowship with all of our upcoming high school opportunities.

TJ Helgren High School Ministry Director

We Believe

Youth Mission Trips

GOD IS LOVE.

Youth Mission Trips 2019 High School Mission Trip July 6–13, 2019 Logan, West Virginia Middle School Mission Trip July 7–13, 2019 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Youth Mission Trips Silent Auction March 10, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM Join us and bid on items or buy stock in the youth that will be participating on our mission trips this year. We will be going to Logan, WV and Milwaukee, WI where we will be doing a variety of services in other communities.

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We Believe

Decluttering for the Soul Have you been binge-watching Maria Kondo’s Netflix series, Tidying Up? Have you wondered if it’s time to declutter your space and your spirit?

Michele Vig is Twin Cities native, a successful business woman who was the President of Caribou Coffee before founding Neat Little Nest in 2017.

Michele has been featured in the Star Tribune, WCCO, KARE 11, and Midwest Home because of her ability to help people declutter their spaces so that their lives might be clearer in every way. Michele is also a Lutheran and a member of Edina Community Lutheran Church. In this three-week course, Michele will lead participants through a series of exercises that will help them envision their most desired life, help them un-stuff their space and help them declutter their day + their mind. She will teach some of the fundamentals of the KonMari method of decluttering that Marie Kondo made popular in her New York Times Bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Michele is one of the only people in the state certified in the KonMari method, so you will not want to miss this opportunity to take time to declutter your space, your time, and your spirit!

Decluttering for the soul Wednesdays, March 13, 20, and 27 Cost: $75* *We never want finances to stand in the way of participation. If a scholarship would help you attend this course, please email Pastor Matthew or Pastor Peter.

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Decluttering for the Soul

We Believe

Visitation Ministry/Prime Timers

Unexpected Challenges Ended In Healing There was a slogan used so often about twenty years ago that it became trite. Bracelets had the words printed on them for all to wear and think about throughout their day. The slogan was “What would Jesus do?” or WWJD. It was a good slogan until it got overused but it did cause us to reflect before we reacted to challenges and decisions we were facing in our life. What would Jesus do if he were in my place and dealing with the issues I’m facing? The purpose in asking the question at all was the hope that we’d make a wise, thoughtful, caring decision and invite Jesus into the deepest part of our life. In my calling as the Visitation Pastor at St. Andrew I sometimes meet people who are facing more challenges than seems fair.

I called on an elderly woman in the hospital who was told that her leg must be amputated as soon possible. Other treatments to save her leg failed. So, she allowed the surgery to take place. Her recovery was slow and required that she stay in a rehab facility for several months. In the meantime, her house was sold so that she and her husband could move into senior housing, her dog died, and suddenly, without warning her husband died. How much more tragedy, grief, and loss could this woman face, I wondered. I tried to accompany and support her as much as I could through her sad, tragic journey to healing. She lost so much so quickly that I worried that she’d simply give up and crash into a

long depression. I suppose it was time to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Her family surrounded her with lots of love which gave her encouragement and healing. She simply surprised me with her grit and determination and she refused to quit or give in to her grief. Her family bought her an iPad and taught her how to email and file tons of pictures they sent to her weekly. She could have turned completely inward but to my delight and surprise she turned outward. She prevailed, she fought the good fight of faith, she wouldn’t give up on God. She had been through her Good Friday and she looked for Sunday to come with joy and peace restored. She looked for small glimpses of good and developed new relationships. She found a way to move on alone but able to face a new day and a new phase in her life. She reminded me of the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18:1. She simply persisted and would not give up on life or God and in the end she found the healing she needed and did what Jesus would have done in her place.

Perhaps we can learn from her as we face our times of trial and grief. God is good and he will show up, if we invite him!

Pastor Roger Schindel Visitation Pastor

Prime Timers Luncheon with Txongpao Lee & Mark Pfeifer, Hmong Cultural Center, Minneapolis Days/Times: March 18, 12:00 PM Location: Room 206 Description: Prime Timers welcome speakers Txongpao Lee & Mark Pfeifer, Hmong Cultural Center in Minneapolis. Learn about Hmong religious beliefs, role of the Shaman & his healing powers, what are Hmong clans, how is spirituality practiced, what are gender roles in Hmong community, challenges facing Hmong community in Minneapolis Registration: $8 per person, sign up in the Prime Timers binder by March 14.

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We Believe

In Breaking My Body, He Is Healing My Soul Christianity and faith is all about hope. Just when we think all is lost, Jesus tells a parable of the shepherd looking for the lost sheep or a woman looking for her lost pennies. Just when we think we are not good enough, we are reminded again and again that Jesus hung out with outcasts and misfits to reassure and welcome. This is not just in the Bible—it’s in life, too. God’s Spirit of hope continues to bring hope for us today and for the future. Do we see it?

One voice of hope who has given me much encouragement is the voice of my friend and St. Andrew member, David Saunders. On August 30, 2018, he was diagnosed with ALS, a disease for which there is no cure. Blessed by God with a hopeful spirit and a faith that God’s presence abides forever, David shares with us how this diagnosis has given him new purpose and rekindled his faith. He reminds me that we believe that with God’s promises there is always hope in the face of any difficulty. With God, our lives will work out for the good (Romans 8:28)! But, let’s hear from David, in his own words . . .

To my Church Family, Why am I sporting a red wristband? It says, “Fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease” and I got it from the ALS Association.

You see, my friends, as Pastor Peter says above, in late August I was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Time has helped our family adjust to our new reality.

Early in the diagnosis, I still have my independence, although I move much more slowly; the deterioration of my speaking is my most obvious symptom. That being said, I am meeting this challenge head on. I now practice yoga, take infrared saunas, and am currently on a nutritional detox to try to remove the heavy metal toxins that are disrupting my autoimmune system, which likely lead to my condition. Make no mistake, ALS is irreversible; I’m doing everything in my power to slow its progress, though.

Of course, my challenge involves far more than my medical condition; I have to prepare to meet God. I see Pastor Peter on a regular basis for spiritual guidance to help me prepare for my next life. All the pastors as well as the St. Andrew staff have been extremely supportive of our family. I am at peace with the path God has chosen for me, and am living with far greater purpose. I drive for Meals-on-Wheels, assist with funeral receptions, I participate in ALS and MDA Support Groups, and I have become active in more church activities.

Where I can, I try to pay it forward.

I have set up a site on Caring Bridge to chronicle my journey. I would love to have you come along. Just go to this link, request access, and when I see the request, I will approve. www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidsaunders At this time last year, I did not have this diagnosis, but nor did I have a full appreciation of the people in my life, current and past, nor the purpose I do today. I am treating this as a gift from God. In breaking my body, He is healing my soul. I can think of no greater gift.

Love and blessings to you all, David, Nancy, Michael, and Elizabeth Saunders Congregation Members Peter Johnson Pastor of Service & Small Groups

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God’s Spirit of Hope

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 18

We Believe

T

he Lenten theme, We Believe, evokes for me memory of a young adult Haitian guide during a mission trip to Haiti in 2014. Someone in our group had given Kerlange a small speaker that plays music from an iphone – she loves music. During our long trek back to the Port Au Prince airport from Pasquette, I observed Kerlange slumped in her seat, eyes closed, speaker plastered to her ear, literally clinging to the words of the Newsboys song, “We Believe”. As the refrain plays in my memory, “We believe in God the Father, We believe in Jesus Christ, We believe in the Holy Spirit, and it’s given us new life.

We Believe.”

I am reminded of this image of Kerlange, and how faith gives new life. I am reminded of our friends in Pasquette where poverty is a way of life, and how their faith brings them new life, in the midst of their poverty.

And I wonder how our faith brings us new life here in our more affluent lives.

Spirit in the Pines Camp is one of those places that often ignites faith – where faith becomes real for people – where people experience God’s Holy Spirit in a new and powerful way. This happens for youth surrounded by their peers, for high schoolers as they lead a cabin of campers, for adults at a weekend retreat, and for adults and kiddos with their families.

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Here’s what campers, counselors and camp staff say about how camp has impacts faith: • “Kids experience God in different ways that they didn’t think were possible” – Maddie • “I learned that there are a lot of different ways to have faith in God. Every night we prayed and talked about God and all of God’s wonderful attributes.” – Gabe • “You can answer a lot of life’s question in the faith based setting of camp. The campers can experience faith grounded answers and the love of God through those conversations.” – Hailey • “Camp helped me to be the best version of myself and encouraged me to apply those lessons I learned about God’s love with others.” – Evan • “Camp was the first place where I learned about the Bible, how to study and talk about it and my faith. It has encouraged me to read my Bible and to talk freely with others!” – Ce’Anna • “Camp allows kids to become comfortable talking about their faith with their friends and peers.” – Paige • “I’ve learned so many different ways to talk to God and to talk about my faith with others, from being at camp.” – Camper • I experienced God through His Holy Spirit at Sunday worship in the chapel at camp - it was an amazing, life changing experience - Adult

CAMP

On behalf of the Camp Staff, we hope you’ll consider taking a leap of faith, at Spirit in the Pines Camp!

Spirit In the Pines

Camp Registration is Open!

Registration questions?

Please contact Sandy Perkins at 952.697.7117 or sperkins@standrewlu.org Camp Questions?

Please contact Burke Hancer at W: 952.697.7118 | C: 612.239.1212 or bhancer@standrewlu.org

1. Register Early!

Some sessions fill quickly. Complete registration details are on the website.

2. $100 Dollar deposit is required.

Health information is due by May 1.

Final payments are due one month before your camp session.

3. Visit the website for complete info including financial assistance & cancellations.

www.standrewlu.org/camp

Sandy Perkins Camping Ministry Coordinator

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Friends of Madagascar Mission Support

I

n Deuteronomy 15:10a we read, “Give generously to them (the poor) and do so without a grudging heart...” As Christians our work to provide for the poor is not an option, it is an essential response to the Gospel love through Jesus Christ.

Friends of Madagascar Mission (FOMM) is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for the mission and ministry within the Malagasy Lutheran Church. Why? Because it is always one of the 10 poorest nations in the world.

The average annual income is $300.00.

Madagascar is one of the oldest former mission fields of the ELCA and support for them has diminished to almost nothing over the past 10 years. FOMM was organized to provide support for evangelism and humanitarian needs in the Malagasy Lutheran Church.

St. Andrew’s Endowment Fund has provided generous grants to support The Poor Fund at Ejeda Hospital located in the arid south west region of Madagascar. It is one of the five top regions

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in the world most prone to have severe famine. In the past 4 years they have not had crops in 3 of those years. People do not come to the hospital if they do not have money. This fund encourages people to come and receive assistance for their medical costs.

The Endowment Fund has also supported The Drip Irrigation Program provides a free basic irrigation kit of a five gallon pail, 100 meters of hose and the needed connecting equipment to raise crops of vegetables during the dry months of the year. The program trains the people on how to set up and maintain the system. They are able to grow 3 crops per year that will save the families from famine, malnutrition and starvation.

In January of 2017 a building at the Lutheran Renewal Training Center (called a Toby) was damaged by an earth quake. This center trains laypersons for daily ministry of the Gospel and also provides care for the poor and mentally ill. A gift from the Endowment Fund has

Endowment Fund

provided for one-third of the total cost to rebuild this structure.

Most recently the Endowment Fund has provided funds to purchase motor bikes for three Evangelist Coordinators. They travel their respective synods to supervise their evangelists who live in remote, small villages. These evangelists visit villages teaching people how to read and they share the Gospel message that they have never heard before. As a result of the evangelist program the Malagasy Lutheran Church is experiencing phenomenal growth and is one of the fastest growing Lutheran Church in the world.

The support from the St. Andrew’s Endowment Fund has made significant contributions to programs that benefit the people who are economically poor but rich in God’s love and grace. We express thanks to St. Andrew on their behalf for your generous support!

David Lerseth St. Andrew Member

Order Easter Flowers St. Andrew is inviting you to help decorate the chancel for Easter with beautiful lilies, mums, and tulips. The cost are $10 lilies, $13 tulips, and $13 mums. The deadline to order flowers is Sunday, April 7th.

Easter Flowers can be ordered in two ways beginning March 17: • Flowers can be ordered online at standrewlu.org. Once the form is submitted, a payment link on the confirmation page, of the form, will bring you to the online payment system. • Orders may be placed by filling out an order form at the Front Reception Desk at St. Andrew and making your check out payable to St. Andrew.

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Flach or Gina Altmann at debandgina@standrewlu.org.

Ash Wednesday,

Holy Week, & Easter

Ash Wednesday

Good Friday

7:00 AM, 12:00, 7:00 PM Wiggle & Worship 5:30 PM

12:00, 5:30, 7:00 PM

March 6

Palm Sunday April 14

9:00, 10:30 AM, 5:30 PM

Maundy Thursday

April 19

Easter Sunday April 21

8:00*, 9:00*, 10:00, 11:00 AM, 5:30PM Wiggle & Worship 10:15 AM *Communion service after worship

April 18

6:30 PM

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 7179

13600 Technology Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952.937.2776 | standrewlu.org

Christ is Risen ALLELUIA! HAPPY EASTER