Son Times Fall 2019

SON TIMES ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH

FALL 2019

Made for This

Made for This

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t’s so fun to watch someone do something they love. Even more, it’s inspiring to watch someone do something that comes naturally. When that happens, we are apt to say, “He or she was made for that.”

As children of God we were all created in the image of God. “A little bit lower than angels,” is how the Holy Bible puts it. That, my friends in Christ, is a big, big deal. (Even to be in the same category as angels is a huge, huge honor). Granted, there are times when our bodies betray and/or fail us, however, by and large, the human body is an absolutely amazing creation!

Even though we all have different talents and interests, God has created each and every one of us for a purpose. As children of God, we all have a mission. As Christians, we all have a role to play in our individual and collective lives of faith.

Beginning Sunday, September 8, join us as we celebrate and think about what God has called us to be in and through Christ.

See you in worship!

David Lillejord Senior Pastor

Made for this.

“I’ll set a goal and make tangible steps to make it there…”

“I’ve always had a dream to be a…”

“God has something in store for me some day…”

“When my kids are older, when I have enough money, when I finally have the time or energy or focus, I’ll…”

Haven’t we all thought these things? The gospel that Jesus offers is a gospel of “now-ness,” a gospel rooted in our daily experience of life, not in some future that we can only dream of. In a phrase, we are made for this. Not the thing fifteen months from now, but this, right in front of us. Join us this fall for a series rooted in Jesus invitation to live the life being born right now.

Made for This Preaching Series:

Fall Worship Hours Starting September 8

Sundays | 9:00 & 10:30 AM

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September 8: “Made for This.”

September 15: “Made to Tell.”

September 22: “Made for Others.”

September 29: “Made for Hope.”

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n d u a S y ! y l l a September 8 | 9:00 & 10:30 AM

Come one, come all, Rally Day is just around the corner!

September 8, 2019 will be our kick off to the return of all Fall programs. After each service, 9:00 and 10:30 AM we will join each other in the parking lot to reconnect and have some fun. Let’s play mini golf, Gaga Ball Pit, and jump in the bounce house. Of course we will enjoy all the great food from awesome food trucks that will be lined up for your choosing; pizza, popcorn, ice cream, Sammy’s Sweets, and the Purple People Feeder. Mark your calendars now so you don’t forget to join in all the fun. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

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Made for This

Children’s Ministry

Made For This—Kids Included I was sitting with my friend in the OR waiting room while her husband was having surgery on his brain. It was dire. After about an hour, a mutual friend stopped by with her six month old baby girl. The mood in the room changed instantly and dramatically, from one of fear to one of hope. Baby Marta brought hope, comfort, and healing simply by being present. With her chubby legs, big smile, and baby giggle, she was an important part of the body of Christ who was just exactly right for that moment.

This summer, some campers at Spirit in the Pines had trouble with the noisiness of meals in the dining hall and asked if they could eat elsewhere. High School student counselors jumped in right away to offer to be with these kiddos in another space so they could eat comfortably.

The counselors were made for that moment in time.

This fall, we are introducing Difference Makers—a new Sunday school format for kids in 3rd—6th grade. We are

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.”

1 Corinthians 12:12, 14 hoping to remind kids every single week that because of who they are and because God loves them, they are an important can’t-live-without part of the body of Christ. They are “made for this”—made to love and care for the people and the world around them just the way they are.

Additionally, throughout the year our St. Andrew Children, Youth, and Family team will be offering opportunities for families with kids of all ages to serve to-

Wednesday Night Youth Groups Start Sept. 11

All are welcome—bring friends.

Register online at standrewlu.org.

gether. Watch for leaf raking and Feed My Starving Children events, Salvation Army bell ringing, and if everything falls into place—a Family Mission Trip opportunity in the summer of 2020.

We are the body of Christ. We are made for this. Right now. Today.

Arlene Flancher Children’s Ministry Director

1st & 2nd Grade: Bible and Boogie We’ll read a Bible story, move and groove, play games, pray, and eat together. Bible and Boogie meets on Wednesdays from 5:15–6:15 PM in Room 206.

3rd & 4th Grade: Bible Blasters We play games, do some out-of-this-world Bible exploration, share highs and lows, pray, and eat together. Bible Blasters meets on Wednesdays from 5:15 –6:15 PM in Room 207.

5th & 6th Grade: FUSE (Friends Understanding Self and Each Other) Wednesday nights are on fire in FUSE! Join Blake Wragge, Paul McKay, and your favorite high school student leaders for highs and lows, games, devos, and snacks. FUSE meets on Wednesdays from 6:30–7:30 PM in Room 207.

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Made for This

Prayer Garden

St. Andrew’s own “Secret (Prayer) Garden” Did you know that along the north side of our building— between our staff parking lot and the Early Learning playground—is a garden—a beautiful garden. We call it our Prayer Garden. Unless you have a reason to walk behind the building or have spent a few quiet moments in our chapel, you might not have ever seen our Prayer Garden, but I can assure you—it is a lovely site filled with flowers and trees planted in memory of dear friends and loved ones. There are quiet places to sit, to pray and to remember . . . because, also placed in this garden, is our columbarium which holds the cremains of church and family members who have died, and a memory wall on which there are inscriptions of the names and years of birth and death of loved ones.

Thanks to the foresight and generous resources shared by members of this congregation, construction of our Prayer Garden was first completed in 2007. In 2014 we discovered some erosion of the main wall which required additional landscaping and other improvements. Those improvements were completed in 2015. The columbarium contains 108 niches, each of which

can hold two urns and there are plans to accommodate a second one when needed. About one-third have already been reserved, most of which are on the south wall at this time.

In order to make sure we could accommodate the growing needs of a growing congregation, it was decided to put some parameters around who might purchase a niche in the columbarium. As a member of St. Andrew, spouses or prior spouses, their children and parents, current and former pastors and prior members of St. Andrew are eligible to purchase a niche or have names engraves on the Memorial Wall. Fees for use of the columbarium, along with many generous donations, make it possible for us to maintain the garden and have the beautiful flowers and other foliage that make this space the peaceful and comforting place that it is.

You can get more details on how to reserve a niche in the columbarium by picking up a brochure from the display in the narthex. You can also contact Pastor Peter Johnson at pastorpeter@standrewlu.org or call him at 952.697.7113.

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Made for This

Early Learning

St. Andrew Early Learning is Made for This.

My teachers. Playing outside. Making friends. Water Day! When I ask Caroline what her favorite things are about St Andrew Early Learning this is what she tells me. All very normal 4-year-old stuff. Every day that we go to “school” as she calls it, she runs in happy and excited.

This is something we as parents do not take for granted. We are so thankful for these days right now at St Andrew.

Caroline has been at St Andrew Early Learning since she was 1 year old and has been in almost all the classrooms. We all know all the teachers and staff and they make us feel like one big family. They give Caroline a sense of security and belonging that allows her to try new things and conquer difficult tasks. This does not go unnoticed by us as her parents. Many times at drop off or pickup, we have to wave at the babies in the infant room, go with friends to pick up their siblings in the toddler room, and most important stop and tell her old teachers in Pre-1 all the new things she 5

has been learning in Pre-2. It warms our hearts to see Caroline want to share her world with them and how those teachers listen and encourage her. She even likes to teach us some new things like the latest dance moves from her friends.

Being a part of the St Andrew Early Learning community is a blessing. It helps us to enjoy every day as a family.

As parents we don’t worry about her when we are at work. This helps us to stay present in our daily lives as well. We leave our child in this safe, loving community where Caroline gets to learn and play. When we pick her up at the end of the day, we get to celebrate the small and big accomplishments like learning about planets and potty training. We are thankful every day for St Andrew Early Learning and what the teachers and staff do for us and all the other families.

Ginny, Dwight & Caroline Schmidt Childcare Family

Made for This

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y dad has always known what he wanted to be, it was obvious from a young age that he was destined to be a police officer. He always had that confidence and knew that he was made for that purpose. I grew up watching him confidently go to work and hearing stories of the dangers he faced.

Sometimes I worried and sometimes I laughed, but I always knew that everything would be alright because God was watching over him.

One night there was a riot in Madison, my dad went to leave the house with his normal confidence and my mom stopped him to say be safe as she usually did. I remember watching images on the news that night and seeing the dangerous situation he might be in. Then he finally returned, I remember how tired and worn he was, he was exhausted. I remember my mom being so relieved that he was home.

Looking back on this now I realize how there are many different types of confidence, my dad always showed his confidence in his words and actions, but my mom showed the quiet confidence and faith. My mom showed that she had confidence in my dad even when she had no control over the situation, a spot we as Christians find ourselves in a lot. She

High School Ministry

trusted that God would look after him and protect him.

We can have confidence in God in many ways, we can feel secure knowing that God is watching over us and is with us in every step of our journey. We know that we were made for this. But how does that translate to our living out our faith in daily life?

We were made to live out our life to its fullest and with that we were made to show Christ in our daily life. We have talked about such topics in our youth group as being open and accepting, service, and being kind. This shows a life that God would want us to live and helps us be who we were made to be. We also have done service projects such as Feed

My Starving Children, Mission Trips, and Salvation Army Bell Ringing, traditions that we intend to keep as we look to serve as Jesus. Then we enjoy time of fellowship such as our weekly youth group (WNYG), our High School Bible Study, and fun activities such as Timberwolves games as we stay strong in the faith with other Christians. These are all ways that we stay strong and keep the confidence as we move forward in the year.

So as we start this new year up we look forward to new opportunities that will be starting this fall, we look forward to WNYG, to our High School Bible Study, and to all of the activities such as Paintball, Timberwolves Game, Feed My Starving Children, and many more. We are thankful for the experiences that we have had over this past summer, such as our mission trip to Logan, WV, our weeks up at Spirit in the Pines our church camp, and our Summer Youth Group. But most of all we are thankful that we have a loving God who cares about us enough so that we can have the confidence to say that we were made for this!

TJ Helgren High School Ministry Director

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 1:6

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Made for This

Hospitality/Council

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he sermon series this month is “Made for This” and we would love to recognize a family that has truly made a difference in our fellowship ministry. Talking about made for this, Heike and Tavis along with their daughters have not only made this an opportunity to help, but more importantly they do it as a family. They are always willing to volunteer! The Hudson’s all know the kitchen as well as we do, they are excited to be there, and they do it well!! It’s a true testament of how a family can make a difference!

They make it fun, their kids are amazing, and we are so blessed to have them in our ministry. Thank you so much!

God Bless, Deb Flach & Gina Altmann Volunteer Coordinators

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weak-nesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. –2 Corinthians 12:9

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s it sparkly, new, and on trend? Will it make me healthier, smarter or Instagram-ready? Are there proven outcomes connecting me with God? Are all my friends doing it? Does it correlate with my goals, objectives, and identified areas for self-improvement? Other-wise, why would I sign-up, join-in or partake? Why would church make my priority list?

We live in a 24/7 world, and opportunities are everywhere. We struggle with over-scheduling, chronic stress, and anxiety. We are torn between values; being the best partner, parent, student, employee, athlete, friend...all at the same time.

We often feel we are not enough.

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This assures us God’s grace is enough. God didn’t create us to be perfect; indeed, there is power in weakness.

Where else do we hear this? In a world full of crazy, where else do we let messages of grace wash over us? Where else do we hear that we are enough. Where else are we to understand that we are completely and totally loved?

Church should be on the top of our priority list because it connects us to the messages that really matter, and with that, we will find peace.

I invite you to make an area of service, an activity or event at St. Andrew your priority. Check out our website, or connect at Rally Day! Kathryn Hernke Council President

Made for This

Spirit in the Pines

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or years I have told both my paid camp staff and the volunteer counselors and counselors-in-training (CIT) that it isn’t by chance that they will be at camp this summer or for a week. God has a plan for them at camp as they care for and lead the campers! They all have wanted to be a counselor for years and now it’s their turn! They have attended the monthly trainings, completed the necessary steps and are ready to lead! Yet through it all, it is God that has made them for this, for camp! Here are three CITs from this summer who would like to share their “Made For This” story.

Being a CIT at Spirit in the Pines this summer has strengthened my faith in so many ways. God does everything for a reason and I know he sent me up to camp for a reason. I think that my passion for camp started as a camper and feeling the joy that is camp. I met my amazing group of friends at camp! One of the things I love about being a CIT is seeing the campers grow throughout the week and open up in so many ways. It makes my heart so happy!

One night all of my campers shared with each other the difficult parts of their lives. We all cried together and it was one of the most heartwarming, and special nights for all of us. On another night, we talked about our faith and really questioned it and dug deep. For both of my weeks at camp my campers and I became so close that it felt like I had known them my whole life! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a camp counselor/ CIT. I really think God has made me and all the other counselors and Cits for this!

We strive to help shape the lives of the campers, to help them on their journey to a strong and meaningful faith. –Karah As a CIT at camp this summer I was obviously trained for everything life

Abbey, Sydnee, and Karah washing dishes at camp

throws at us. I know the best ways to comfort a camper, how to handle an argument, and of course how to help make each week the best week these campers have ever had! But being trained for something is worlds apart from being made for something. That’s the difference between being able to help when a camper is home sick and truly showing God’s love to these campers as the face of Jesus.

I believe from the first time I became a camper at Spirit in the Pines Camp, I was made to be a counselor someday. Every year God put my fellow campers, the counselors and staff into my life to teach and show me God’s love and grace. I knew that one day I would get my chance to teach and show campers that same love and grace as a counselor/CIT! I also believe that camp was made for us. That every part of it has been specifically sculpted with God’s hand to make camp our second home. Camp is the place where everyone can be their true selves, fully accepted, and can see the best in others.

Where there are no distractions from social media to look or act a certain way. We can just experience the never ending love and joy by truly knowing God. –Sydnee Going up to camp has always been a big thing for my family and I. Camp has always felt like a second home, where I’m never afraid to be my authentic self.

Being a camper at Spirit and the Pines was always so special. I couldn’t wait for

the opportunity to be a counselor. With counseling came a whole lot of responsibility. I was a little scared about being a counselor! I was scared about not being a good enough Christian, or not being good enough as a leader! My first week as a CIT, my campers showed love and acceptance not only for me, but for each other that overflowed our cabin. They were all such clear and bright lights for Jesus, it was amazing! I had nothing to fear, because God made me for this!

There was one particular camper who would repeatedly tell me that devotions and Bible study were her favorite parts of the day. She would bring a journal, take notes, and ask questions. She was so eager and excited to learn more, and grow in her faith. The questions she asked not only helped form and shape her understanding of what she believed, but it also helped me to grow my own relationship with Jesus!

I think that’s what camp is all about.

It’s about the vulnerability that comes with being our authentic self. It’s about asking those hard questions and digging deep. How else do we grow, or connect with God or others? How else do we love? Camp is one of the greatest blessings in my life and I’m so grateful for everyone who is a part of it. Camp is truly, heaven on earth. –Abbey Burke Hancer Camping Ministry Director

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Made for This

Made For God’s Love in Middle School Ministry It’s a warm Sunday evening in July…

After much preparation, fundraising, packing, and a few hours of driving, our group finally arrives in Milwaukee, WI for the Middle School Mission Trip 2019. With twenty-two youth, four adult leaders, and two 15-passanger vans in tow, our long-awaited service trip is finally here! We are getting settled into the church where we will be staying this week, and are excitedly chattering away about what the next few days has to offer.

Before taking youth on a service trip, there are a lot of unknowns. Different foods, new people, a big city, unorthodox sleeping arrangements (air mattresses in a church basement, anyone?). All of these things have the potential to foster powerful, formative faith experiences for our youth. After all, that is why people travel the world, learn new languages, take up new hobbies, switch careers. It is absolutely electrifying to find a little spark of joy in the most unexpected of places.

However, there is a flipside to the Wonderful World of the Unknown. Former Bishop of the ELCA, Rev. Mark Hanson, came to St. Andrew this year to provide staff professional development. He explained to us the importance 9

of clear expectations. Met expectations make us feel empowered, successful, and validated. They are the key to positive interactions and fruitful work. “Unspoken expectations, however, are resentments in waiting,” he explained. This stuck with me. If you don’t make your expectations known, there is the possibility for disappointment or, in the case of a mission trip, perhaps some form of culture shock.

And if that happens, how can you even begin to see the millions of blessings that God has gifted you?

So. In our preparations and discussions leading up to the mission trip this July, I asked our youth what their expectations were. What do you think the week will be like? What do you hope to gain from the experience? What are you most nervous for? Where do you think God will show up for you? We discussed service projects and meals and meeting new people. We discussed poverty gaps and homelessness and racial injustice.

We. Were. Ready!

Fast-forward to Monday morning…

Everyone is awake bright and early to start their first day of service! We receive our service projects for the week, load up

vans, and head out to serve God. My work crew gets assigned to a service site called St. Ann’s Center for Intergenerational Care. It is a day care facility for infants, toddlers, the elderly, and disabled adults.

As I ask how the kids are feeling on our drive, they seem a little too quiet. Maybe a little disillusioned. With some prodding, I begin to understand: we are going to spend the whole week at the same location, in the air conditioning. Other groups are traveling to different places around Milwaukee every day, sweating in the sun and getting their hands dirty in gardens and farms and construction sites.

Where is the hard work? Babies and old people!? How are we going to help them?

Expectations thwarted.

God is big and beautiful and amazing in so many UN-expected ways.

Throughout the week, I had the amazing privilege of supervising our youth in the different classrooms and gathering spaces as they played and talked and smiled with these daycare residents.

Now, I know from the bottom of my heart that God gifts each of us in so many spectacular ways. And sometimes it just takes the right push, the right person, the right situation to let those gifts shine. And when they shine, they shimmer. Sometimes we just know that we are called to a certain job, a creative outlet, a mentoring relationship with a peer or that “new kid” at the office. I have said it before, and I will tell you all now—Their expectations may have been foiled, but THESE. KIDS. WERE. MADE. FOR. THIS. Thursday afternoon, our last day serving at St. Ann’s…

I walk into the infant room with my powder-blue shoe covers on. This room is reserved for babies who are six-weeks to three-months old. I am checking in on three young men from our mission trip

Middle School Ministry who are assigned to serve in this room for the day. I think to myself as I pass through the doorway, ‘I hope they feel useful. I hope they feel God with them today.’ As I turn the corner, my eyes immediately begin to well up as I see Bodie, Ryan, and Cam laying on the floor, stuffed animals and wooden shapes scattered around them, cooing and smiling at the babies.

I had told them earlier this week that infants don’t have fully developed eyesight at this age, so there they are, making silly faces five inches from these babies’ faces, just to make them smile.

Gentlemen—God has given you a remarkable gift, and you were made for this.

I quietly shut the door and head down the hall towards the large gathering room where some disabled adults are playing games with more of our youth.

I see Emma, Caitlyn, Matt, and Mackenzie playing card games and Connect 4 at the tables. It is a sight of laughter and friendship. As I scan the room, Hans, an 8th grader, is playing ring toss across the way with another group of adults. He reaches out to one of the residents who is blind and guides him over to the ring

toss. With so much care and tenderness beyond his years, Hans helps the blind man bend down and touch the pegs so he can participate in the game, too. God’s love in this space is absolutely tangible.

My friends—In this moment I see Jesus in each of you. You shower people with the love of Christ, and you were made for this.

Our youth on the Middle School Mission Trip serving at that “cushy, air conditioned” daycare center showered love and grace on Every. Single. Resident.

I am convinced that each one of us has a multitude of blessings—gifts from God—to share with the world, and that we were made for God’s love—to entrust it, to embrace it, and to relish it. We are all made for beautiful and amazing things in God’s eyes. These gifted, kind, courageous youth are my everyday reminder of that.

Upcoming Middle School Events: September 4: Parent Info Night September 11: 7th-8th Grade Confirmation starts September 16: 9th Grade Confirmation starts October 11-13: 9th Grade Retreat October 17: Severs Corn Maze October 27: Affirmation of Baptism October 30: Halloween Party January 31: Middle School Winter Party

Thanks be to God! Reilly Orner Middle School Ministry Director

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Made for This

Music Ministry

Music Staff Spotlight: Bethany Wollman Now that you have one year under your belt directing the Sonshine Singers and a partial year with Ring of Fire, what were some of the highlights for you in your first year? Any surprises?

For both groups, singing/playing on Sunday morning is always a highlight, but many of the best moments happen on Wednesday nights!

The biggest highlight for the Sonshine Singers is playing a call and response music game called “Poison,” which is the teacher vs. the class. The kids often request it, and are very competitive and focused whenever we play. Another highlight is when the kids earn party time by filling up our “warm fuzzy” great behavior jar.

For Ring of Fire, a highlight was our weekly “Circle Time” partway through our rehearsal. This is an opportunity for everyone to share something about their week. I especially enjoyed moments where the kids discovered things that they had in common that they did not know before. I certainly enjoy building relationships with the kids, but I love it even more when I see them becoming better friends with each other.

As far as surprises, I would say that everything felt pretty new and surprising since this was my first year. I tried to be very open-minded and flexible so that nothing caught me too off-guard though.

What’s your favorite part of working with kids in music ministry at St. Andrew?

I love getting to know the kids. Before rehearsal starts, I like talking with the kids that are there early and learning about their lives. We often do prayer requests and group prayer at the end of rehearsal, and it is amazing to see the kids support one another in those moments.

Our theme for preaching this fall is “Made for This” so we’ll be focusing on how God works through us and our passions and joys to make a difference for others. How do you see God working through you and your gifts as you work with your choirs here?

I hope that God will use the musical gifts he has given me to help each child learn a little more about music and improve their skills. I also hope that they can love one another as Jesus loves them, learning to work together as a team and deliver that message of love through music. I desire that God will use my love for kids to help them know how much I care about them and want what is best for them.

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Outside of your work of St. Andrew, what are some of your interests and passions?

I am a senior vocal music education major at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis, so naturally I enjoy making music such as singing in choirs, and playing piano, drums, and guitar. I enjoy learning about nutrition and experimenting in the kitchen. I also love physical exercise and the outdoors, especially playing volleyball, biking, hiking, running, and roller blading.

If you could bring a message to parents who were considering Sonshine Singers for their kids this year, what would you like to convey about the experience to get them excited? What about Ring of Fire?

Learning how to read and perform music is a valuable skill you can use for your entire life. Music can help children learn teamwork, discipline, coordination, and focus. Sonshine Singers and Ring of Fire are excellent places to start that musical journey.

For the Sonshine Singers, choir is a place to make new friends, play games, and learn fun songs and maybe some actions too!

For Ring of Fire, I encourage kids to try it out! I would say that very few kids under 5th grade have had the chance to play handbells, so it is a new experience for everyone! The kids will learn basic bell techniques and begin to play their own part independently as they progress!

Bethany’s gifts and energy have been evident as we watched her lead the kids in worship last year. She’s been a real asset to our music staff. I encourage parents to consider giving their kids the opportunity to be a part of one of these choirs on Wednesday nights this year. It brings a lot of joy into our worship to see the kids bringing their musical best- all to God’s glory and praise!

See you in church!

Tim Graf Worship & Music Coordinator

Made for This

Pastor Peter Johnson

Wonderfully Made for Faith and Service I was driving home the other day, my normal commute home. I take city streets. It is faster than the congested commute on the highway. I saw something in the road up ahead, but it was too far away for me to see exactly what it was. As I approached, I discovered it was a bunny, alive and well but in the opposite lane of traffic. It was standing tall and alert.

It seemed frozen in the middle of the traffic, not knowing what to do. I slowed to a crawl and passed by, wondering why it was not running away.

Just as I passed, the car on the opposite side of the road came to a full stop. His lane was blocked by the bunny. I looked in my side mirror to continue watching. The flashers of the car turned on. The driver’s door swung wide open and out stepped a man, arms stretched wide to alert other drivers he was in the road. All traffic stopped. He slowly approached the bunny. It hopped away into the bushes alongside the road. Well done, neighbor!

We are wired to react in certain ways to certain situations. Like this story, we have compassion we slow down or stop for animals in the road. When our children call out to us in the middle of the night, we go to them; a child awoken by a bad dream needs her parents. Parents of older children have similar reactions. Our son locked his keys in the car, discovering this after a late night work shift. I got up out of bed and went.

In so many life circumstances, we respond like a computer software default. We encourage people needing support. We show compassion to people who need our assurances. We know when we need

to listen more than talk. We sacrifice our needs for others. We are made like this.

As Lutheran Christians, it is a bit more complicated than naively celebrating these deeds. When we are deep down honest, we can admit that we miss opportunities. We are slow to realize the needs of others. We look out for our own interests in our self-absorbed busyness. We may very well do the ‘right thing’ sometimes, but we don’t all the time.

The good (great) news is that Jesus is made for circumstances such as ours. Yes, he encourages us to establish new defaults toward God and others.

But, he is also our savior who knows our failings.

Where we falter, he picks us up. Where we fail, he forgives. When we are naïve and shortsighted, he leads us to a wider and deeper fulfillment of a center life. Through Christ we are given second (and a hundred) more chances.

As we engage with the theme of Made for This this fall, I hope that you will delve more deeply into worship, learning, and community life. We discover again just how good and supportive God’s call for us is in our everyday life. And, I hope that in this process of re-discovery into how we are made may align our defaults more and more toward God and the neighbor.

Blessings, Peter Johnson Pastor of Service & Small Groups

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Made for This

Young Adult Ministry

Young Adult Innovation Over the past year, a dedicated group of young adults have been meeting to wonder about how young people can be at the center of ongoing transformation at St. Andrew for the sake of God’s mission in our neighborhood. They hosted conversations around coffee, met local leaders, gathered stories and dreams.

All of this was possible because of our dedicated and thoughtful innovation coach, Baird Linke. We are grateful for the ten months that Baird spent with our congregation and are excited to hear of Baird’s ventures in seminary studies and continued engagement in environmental justice work.

In June, the team submitted a proposal to fund innovation work here at 13

St. Andrew. The proposal was accepted and funded! The next phase of this project will be to implement plans for young adult fellowship as well as innovation.

In a two-pronged effort, the innovation team will (1) continue to engage young people in meaningful conversations of faith and daily life and (2) invite young adults to bring innovative ideas for transformation here at St. Andrew and within our neighborhood. The fellowship has already begun this summer with our inaugural young adult kickball league, featuring the Holy Homers!

The second part of the effort will begin this fall as we invite young adults to submit proposals for innovation work.

They will be paired with other people

within our congregation who share passion and skill in the work with funding from the grant.

We are grateful for the work of the Augsburg University Riverside Innovation Hub, which has provided room for congregations to develop meaningful and transformative ministry with young adults. We will keep the congregation up to date on our efforts throughout the year. Look forward to more articles from the team and perspectives on this work!

Matthew Ian Fleming Pastor of Teaching & Young Adults

Made for This

Church Anew/Small Groups

Small Groups—Share the Experience We are made by God to be in community, growing and learning together.

Connecting in smaller groups for developing friendships and learning about how our faith informs our lives has long been a focus on St. Andrew’s ministry.

This fall, share the experience of a small group.

Entry Points

Patio Crawl and Coffee Chats: Looking for an easy way to connect with others from St. Andrew in a friendly and relaxed setting? Join St. Andrew pastors and others for casual conversation and easy discussion topics at a brewery or a coffee shop. No preparation is needed. Come as you are.

Our world is changing. Our culture is changing. Our church is changing. But many congregations struggle to make changes that keep up with a changing world. From a generous donation of St. Andrew members, your congregation is launching a project to help church leaders (pastors, staff, volunteers, etc.) see the church anew.

We have already offered experiences such as Preaching in Series Workshop and Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory with great participation and feedback. Over the next eighteen months, we plan to accelerate these offerings by building workshops and conferences that build skills in everything from leading a board to human resources, social media best practices, digital ministry, and so much more. We see this as an extension of the life and vitality of this congregation. We want to continue to receive cutting edge insights from innovative thought leaders and to share that same learning with other Christian public leaders. You can find out more about our upcoming events on our website, churchanew.org.

Patio Crawls Thursday, September 26, 6:30 PM (Unmapped Brewery) Thursday, October 22, 6:30 PM (Wooden Hill Brewery) Coffee Chats Tuesday, September 24, 10:30 AM (Smith Coffee & Café) Tuesday, October 22, 10:30 AM (Smith Coffee & Café)

Digging Deeper

Wine and the Word: Consider deepening your existing relationships with lively discussion about meaningful faith and life issues. Or, meet new people in a casual setting. View a 6-10-minute video and discussion questions produced at St. Andrew by your pastors.

Faith Essentials on Wednesday Nights: We all need work on the fundamentals, the basic practices of any part of life. Join Pastor Matthew on Wednesday Nights at 6:30 PM for a series on the essentials of faith, the foundational insights and practices that prepare us for a life well lived.

Parenting In a Digital Age: Raising our kids in our world today takes creative effort by parents. Come together for inspiration, strategies, and partnership in this ongoing effort of being Christian parents in today’s world. Fall sessions include: Setting the Real Goal Wednesday, October 2, 6:30 PM Defining ‘Family Time’ in a Digital Age Wednesday, November 13, 6:30 PM

Change (almost) Everything November 18-19 14

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Rally Sunday!

September 8 | 9:00 & 10:30 AM • • • • • • •

Worship Fall Programs Kick-off Mini Golf Gaga Ball Pit Bounce Houses Food Trucks and more!

Fall Worship Hours Starting September 8

Sundays | 9:00 & 10:30 AM

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