March 28, 2021
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Preparing for Palm Sunday Worship
March 28 is Palm Sunday—and if you’re missing the chance to wave some greenery during worship, you’ll have a couple of options. Beginning on Thursday, March 25, you will find palm branches outside the front entrance of the church for you to take home. They are first-come, first-served, and we will only have a limited number, so please take only as many as you need.
Several other options are possible, too. Those who are creatively inclined can fashion their own palm branches from paper or other material you may have around the house. Be creative and reuse something that might otherwise go in the trash—then it’s green in more than one way.
But the easiest (and greenest) way to have something to wave for worship is simply to look in your own yard. The Israelites waved palm branches because that was what was most easily available and abundant. Maybe you’ve got an enthusiastic Oregon grape that you can snip a branch from, a bush that needs pruning, or an evergreen happy to donate a small branch or two. Even a humble weed works and is a great reminder that “the Lord has need of it”!
Devotional for Palm Sunday
On March 28, the church begins Holy Week with Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus sat upon the back of a lowly donkey as he made his way into Jerusalem. What a contrast to the Roman ruler who arrived with pomp and circumstance and a great show of power! Jesus is a humble king. This week, poet Mary Oliver turns her attention to that little donkey, reminding us how even the most lowly can play indispensable roles in the grand drama of salvation.
Our Lenten journey continues this week, with devotional readings, meditations, and practices for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday itself. You’ll find it all on the church website, with Oliver’s poems all available online or in her collection of verse titled Devotions.
Centering Prayer
On Wednesday of Holy Week, March 31, we diverge from our normal schedule, moving the gathering for Centering Prayer to 7:00 pm. You’ll receive the Zoom connection link mid-day from Allison Katsufrakis, as usual.
After Easter Sunday, we will return to our earlier schedule, with informal gathering at 6:30 pm, prayer service at 7:00 pm, and centering prayer at 7:30 pm.
Bread for the World (via e-mail)
Ending hunger can start with a letter or e-mail. Each spring St. Andrew members bear witness to our concern for those who suffer from hunger by participating in the Bread for the World annual letter writing campaign. These letters inspire our leaders in Washington, D.C. to enact policies and pass legislation that will reduce hunger and poverty in the U.S. and the world.
The current legislative priority of Bread for the World is to urge Congress to invest in anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs in response to COVID-19. Because of our persistent advocacy, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The legislation contains numerous provisions that will help people struggling with hunger and poverty. But there is more to do as we continue to address the ripple effects of COVID-19.
“Speak out for the rights of all who are destitute
Defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
(Proverbs 31:8-9)
Please join me on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10:00 am on Zoom as I provide a tutorial on how to use the Bread for the World website to submit e-mails to our representatives to advocate for specific programs to impact hunger.
If you prefer to send a paper letter instead, you might find the template on page 3 of this newsletter to be a helpful guide for your own message. You will also find names and addresses of our senators and representative on page 3.
LuAnn Staul
Worship Schedule
Palm Sunday, March 28
8:30 am Livestream
11:00 am Zoom
Maundy Thursday, April 1
7:00 pm Zoom
Good Friday, April 2
8:00 pm Livestream
Easter Sunday, April 4
8:30 am Livestream
11:00 am Zoom
Easter Butterflies
Time is almost up! If you’d like to see the butterflies your children created decorating St. Andrew banners on Easter morning, you need to drop them off at church. Please put them in the clear bin to the left of the Narthex doors. With the conclusion of Lent and the butterfly reveal, we also welcome “Hallelujahs” once again!
Lenten Food Drive
With a week left to complete our Lenten Food Drive, you have already contributed $6,407, more than surpassing our goal. These dollars equate to more than 19,000 pounds of food for people who rely on the St. Matthew Food Pantry to meet their nutritional needs. Thank you!
We know that hunger haunts people even in this richest of countries and it will not end when Lent does. So, please continue to consider donating to alleviate hunger right here in our community. Your gifts mean parents’ worries are eased and more people, especially children, are spared the trauma of going to bed hungry.
Donate electronically by logging into your InFellowship account and selecting “Lenten Food Drive” in the drop-down menu. Go to the church website and click on Give to begin.
Treasurer Needed
St. Andrew’s Financial Committee is searching for a Treasurer. At the end of June 2021, Anne Newell will be stepping down from that role to pursue new activities. We’re looking for someone to step into her shoes and we’re hoping someone in the congregation will be “willing and able.”
Whether one person or a team step forward, we’ll train and assist you in taking over this important function for our church. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve. Call Anne Newell at 503-781-9076 for more information.
A Prayer for the Week
God of glory, God of love,
help me praise you today
in all I do and say.
Amen.
Celebrating a Century!
Betty Horst turns 100 on April 6. Please help her celebrate by sending her a note or card in remembrance of this special day. Imagine all that Betty has seen and done in her lifetime! Address your mail to: Betty Horst, 5720 SW 203rd Ave, Aloha, OR 97078.
Online Giving Update
The online giving page has been updated so it will look a little different, but your login information remains the same. Find the link to the new online giving page, watch helpful videos, and more on the church website under Give.
Bach-a-Thon
The Portland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is presenting its annual Bachathon virtually on Sunday, March 28, at 2:00 pm.
This three-hour program of the organ works of J. S. Bach is free and open to the public; access is via Portland’s American Guild of Organists website and is a fundraiser for its scholarship program. The Portland AGO awards scholarships to students for the study of the organ with an emphasis on service playing.
During the Bachathon, chapter members, friends, and relatives will perform on nine organs, three pianos, two flutes, cello, violin, and voice. For more information, go to
April Movie Night: My Octopus Teacher
Since April 22 is Earth Day, our Movie Night on Friday, April 23, will feature a film that shows a beautiful confluence of people and nature: My Octopus Teacher. This documentary was shot in a kelp forest in South Africa and introduces the viewer to the flora and fauna to be found there. In particular, we meet a very special octopus and watch her interactions with the diver. As Craig, the diver expressed, “What she taught me to feel is that you’re a part of this place, not just a visitor.”
Stream the documentary on Netflix and then meet with your St. Andrew friends on Zoom on Friday, April 23, at 7:00 pm. Bring out the popcorn, gather round your computer screen, and let’s talk about what we liked and didn’t like about this movie.
You’ll find the Movie Night Zoom link in Carol Harker’s “Weekly News” e-mail on Friday, April 23. Any questions: contact Mary Smith.
Bread for the World
“Speak out for the rights of all who are destitute.
Defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
(Proverbs 31:8-9)
This is the time of year we dedicate ourselves to writing our representatives in the U.S. Congress regarding our support of compassionate food policy for people in our country and abroad.
If you prefer to handwrite or type a letter to each Representative and both Senators, the following template offers a good place to start. Feel free to modify it as you wish:
[Date]
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici
2231 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Senator Merkle
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator__________________,
Dear Representative_____________________,
Hunger is reaching historic levels. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate communities across the United States with a disproportionate impact on Black, Latino, and Native American families and immigrants, and worsening the effects of hunger and poverty around the globe.
The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in our safety net and food systems. And child hunger in both the U.S. and abroad has skyrocketed. Specifically, Congress should:
Make the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the American Rescue Plan permanent and available to all children regardless of immigration status. The CTC expansion would move millions of children out of poverty, as well as help reduce hunger and narrow the racial wealth gap exacerbated by unemployment as a result of COVID-19.
Increase U.S. leadership and funding for global nutrition programs without which an entire generation may be denied of their God-given right to flourish.
Now more than ever, my faith calls me to stand alongside those in my community and around the world who have been impacted the most by the global pandemic. Let us work together to ensure U.S. policies help people move out of poverty and feed their families in the U.S. and around the world.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Once you have submitted letters please let me know who you sent letters to (e-mail ljstaul@gmail.com ) so I may track this advocacy on the part of St Andrew.
Yours in Christ,
LuAnn Staul
St Andrew Service Committee
Still Looking for Your 2020 Giving Statement
Our new giving platform does not have a print feature for each account. Don’t worry. Simply send your request to the Financial Secretaries at financial-secretary@standrewlutheran.com and you will receive a statement copy via e-mail.
We understand how important your request is during tax season. Since Financial Secretaries are volunteers, we’ll reply within 7 days or as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.
Within your own account, you can continue to look online at both your giving history and your Year-to-Date donations. Beginning next January, we will complete a mass e-mail distribution for each individual contribution statement by February 1.
Thank you for your continued support of the Ministry and Mission of St. Andrew Lutheran Church.
Blessings,
Financial Secretaries of SALC
Narthex Greeters
As many of you know, we are taking baby steps in a logical progression toward reopening the church. Beginning April 13, Narthex Greeters will be on hand during office hours (9:00 am-4:00 pm, Tuesday-Friday) to help the transition.
Many thanks to those who jumped at the chance to return to our church building as Narthex Greeters. The Thursday morning and Friday afternoon slots remain open if you have an interest. Simply call the church office to sign up. We will also need a list of back-up greeters to accommodate normal disruptions that will arise.
To review, we are looking for fully vaccinated volunteers to spend half a day in the Narthex each week, answering the phone, greeting people, ensuring they follow the protocols, and helping them get the information or make the contacts they seek.
We encourage both men and women, individuals, friends, and couples to consider whether this volunteer opportunity would interest them. If you receive your final vaccination on or before March 31, you would qualify to participate. Thank you for considering becoming a part of this welcoming ministry.
We are looking for people to make a regular commitment—for instance, coming in regularly on Tuesday afternoons, Friday mornings, etc. And don’t worry about not knowing everything about St. Andrew—we’ll provide support and guidance. Bring a book along to read, visit with friends, get some knitting done, see old friends and meet new ones.
The Flames of Climate Change
Personally, I’m afraid of fire. I don’t like it, rather not think about it. But this guy Daniel Mathews makes an awfully food case for it in his book, Trees in Trouble: Wildfires, Infestations, and Climate Change (call number 634.90978). It’s a well written book. I read the whole thing with no trouble and no slackening of interest. Check it out and see if he confirms your feelings or changes your mind about fire and clear-cuts and forest management.
Pam Farr
Adult Librarian
Back to School, with Thanks
Dear Friends of the Community Transitional School,
For nearly a year, we’ve been waiting and planning for today, March 1, the first day students returned to CTS since all Oregon schools were closed on March 13 a year ago. It was a beautiful sunny morning and, as I have every first day of school since we moved to our permanent home in 2008, I stood at the front entrance watching, eager and a bit anxious, as the first of three buses arrived and the first group of students spilled out. Many, who attended CTS last year before we closed, were smiling and eager. Some who have been enrolled in our remote program but hadn’t been to the school before, were shy and tentative. And one 4-year-old attending Pre-K for the first time, burst into tears when she got off the bus and had to be consoled by her older sister.
In keeping with the governor’s guidelines, we’d spent weeks preparing for this day while maintaining our remote-learning program (twice-daily delivery and collection of school work along with the delivery of breakfast and lunch to our students wherever they lived). Now, at last, it had arrived, and we were ready.
With the exception of Tran, our new secretary, everyone on the staff, including bus drivers and support staff, has received two doses of a COVID vaccine. All desks in all classrooms have been positioned 6 feet apart. And at all times, staff, visitors, and students 5 years and older are required to wear masks in the building, on the buses, and on the playground. It’s not the way it used to be, or the way we hope it will be when the next school year begins, but at least our students are back in school and that’s what counts. During this first week, they will only attend half-day, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, allowing us and them to get comfortable within the constraints imposed by the guidelines. We will begin full-day sessions (8:30 am to 3:00 pm) next Monday. That’s when the real challenge will begin.
During a normal academic year, a majority of our students don’t attend summer school, and when they return in the fall it typically takes them some time to get back into the habit of learning and back to the level they were at when school ended in the spring. Despite our best efforts to teach them remotely, it’s clear that many of the students—in my class, at least—who were already below grade level last year have fallen even farther behind. We had anticipated that would be the case, and plan to address it by extending the school year through July 28, with full-time sessions four days a week during the last six weeks. With a concerted effort on their part and ours, we believe most of them can regain some lost ground and return in the fall better equipped and motivated to take on the challenge of a new school year.
Adding another six weeks to the current academic year will place an extra burden on this year’s budget. Happily, your belief in our mission, your faith in our program, and your generosity this year and in the past have provided the resources necessary to fund this added investment in our students’ futures.
On behalf of the CTS Board, the staff, and especially our students, I want to thank you again for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
Cheryl M. Bickle
Principal & 5th-3rd Grade Teacher
New Books in Our Adult Library
Fiction
Once Upon a River, by Diane Setterfield
A Long Petal of the Sea, by Isabel Allende
A Better Man, by Louise Penny
The Murmur of Bees, by Sofia Segovia
Non-Fiction
Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations,
by Mira Jacob (YA)
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America,
by Ibram X. Kendi
Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus,
by Jim Wallis
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World,
by Melinda Gates
Trees in Trouble: Wildfires, Infestations, and Climate Change,
by Daniel Mathews
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America,
by Richard Rothstein
Save the Date
Do you enjoy talking with people on the phone? Or are you more of a note-writer? St. Andrew’s MACG Core Team invites you to a Zoom gathering on the afternoon of Sunday, April 18. Please plan to join us in an effort to contact as many members of our St. Andrew community as possible. Details will be coming soon, but for now please mark your calendar and think about who you miss seeing in the Narthex on Sunday mornings.
Habitat’s Hope Builder Breakfast
You are invited to join us for this year’s Habitat for Humanity event, which is being held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the upheaval the past year has wrought, the building of homes for hard-working families, who are in many cases living in unsafe, unhealthy, and unaffordable housing, goes on. The keynote speaker for our 2021 event is TV journalist, former news anchor, and international correspondent Ann Curry.
Join us virtually on Wednesday, April 28, at 8:00 am. Register for free at Bit.ly/HopeBuilder 2021.
If you have questions, please contact Dan Fako at 503-626-3414 or at dan43theman@comcast.net.
In Need of Prayers…
If you know someone in need of prayers, please contact the church office by phone at 503-646-0629 or email office@standrewlutheran.com Tuesday-Friday, prayerchain@standrewlutheran.com Saturday-Monday.
| Family and friends of Bill Branch | Peace and God’s comfort at his death | Linda Fransen |
| Family and friends of Carol Hudspeth | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Dan & Sharon Bako |
| Judy Deal | Healing and recovery from shoulder surgery | Judy Deal |
| Carol Means | Strength and effective treatment for cancer | Carol Means |
| Gary Grafwallner | Healing and recovery from Bell’s palsy | Gary Grafwallner |
| Ruth Gunther | Healing and recovery from broken ribs | Fran Miller |
| Nan Thompson | Good results from chemotherapy | Nan Thompson |
| Carol Hogan | Good test results | Carol Hogan |
| Madeleine (granddaughter) | Effective treatment, healing, and recovery | Mary Smith |
| Bobbie Larson | Effective treatment and healing | Bobbie Larson |
| Everyone affected by COVID-19 | Strength and support | Staff |
| Health care workers | Strength, courage, protection, and support | Staff |
| Jan Smith & Sue Cahlander | Safe travels to California and back | Jan Smith & Sue Cahlander |
| Mark & Joselle Gallis Hall | Healthy pregnancy and safe delivery | Mary Nell Mahler |
| Roland Andrew Gladhill (grandson) | Thanksgiving for a joyful birth | Richard & Kristie Gladhill |
| Phyllis Smith (sister-in-law) | Thanksgiving for successful aneurysm surgery | Mary Smith |
| Victims of hate crimes and gun violence | Protection and peace | Staff |
| Federal and state lawmakers | Discernment and courage to face national challenges | Staff |
| Those confined to their homes | Assurance of God’s presence | Staff |
Tandy Brooks David Bumgardner Vic Claar Ian MacDonald Marvel Lund Gary Magnuson Hugh Mason Brian McKiernan Ed Pacey Corky Poppert Jolie Reyna Shane Throckmorton Gary Tubbs | ||
| Bishop Elizabeth Eaton | Wisdom and discernment | Staff |
| Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | Blessings on our ministry | Staff |
| Taiwan Lutheran Church | Strength and wisdom | Staff |
| Gethsemane Lutheran Church (Portland, OR) Augustana Lutheran Church (Portland, OR) | Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Muslim Educational Trust (Tigard, OR) | Blessings on our interfaith partners | Staff |
| Individual friends and loved ones in need of prayer | Whatever they most need; say their names in your heart or aloud | Everyone |
Finding Home
Living Lutheran magazine will be featuring Julie Aageson’s recent book, Finding Home, in its April issue. In this thoughtful volume, Julie explores what home is and why we all need the haven it should provide. If you’d like to read her lovely essays, the book is now available for $17. You can request a copy from the author (jaageson@cord.edu), or purchase it from the publisher (https://wipfandstock.com). The book can also be ordered from Amazon.
Julie’s earlier books are also available from the same sources: Holy Ground: An Alphabet of Prayer for $18 and Benedictions: 26 Reflections for $15. Once you’ve discovered the peace that comes from reading Julie’s work, you’re likely to return often for the confident comfort and inspiration that she shares.
Pastoral Care
Pastor Mark Brocker, Lead Pastor
office: 503-646-0629 ext. 201
cell: 503-502-8762
brockerms@standrewlutheran.com
Pastor Mark is on call Fridays & Saturdays.
Pastor Susan Kintner, Pastor of Caring Ministries
office: 503-646-0629 ext. 211
cell: 503-724-2556
pastorsusan@standrewlutheran.com
Pastor Susan is on call Sundays & Mondays.
Both pastors are on call Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Preparing for Easter Sunday
April 4, 2021
First Reading: Acts 10:34-43
Gospel: Mark 16:1-8
Go to the “Preparing for Worship” webpage for the bulletins, the complete Lectionary, and more.
Highlights for the Week
Go to the complete online church calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Sunday, March 28, Palm Sunday
| 8:30 am | Livestream Worship | YouTube |
| 9:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Bread for the World Tutorial with LuAnn Staul | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation: Bread for the World | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group: Bread for the World | — |
| 11:00 am | Zoom Worship | Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 12:30 pm | Earth Camp Meeting | Zoom |
Tuesday, March 30
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | former Bales Thriftway on Cornell Rd |
Wednesday, March 31 – Weekly News submissions due by 4:00 pm
| 6:30 pm | Informal Gathering Time | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Centering Prayer | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | High School Youth Hangout | Zoom |
Thursday, April 1
| 12:00 pm | Staff Meeting | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Maundy Thursday Worship | Zoom |
Friday, April 2
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | former Bales Thriftway on Cornell Rd |
| 8:00 pm | Good Friday Worship | YouTube |
Sunday, April 4, Easter Sunday
| 8:15 am | Livestream Worship | YouTube |
| 9:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 10:45 am | Zoom Worship | Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
A Note for Easter Sunday, April 4
Please note a slight change in worship times for Easter Sunday. Join us at 8:15 am or 10:45 am to enjoy a program of special music prior to the worship service itself.
Connecting to Worship
8:30 am: Worship in the Sanctuary or watch the livestream of worship on YouTube.
- The same link will bring you to the recording of the service to watch anytime after the livestream ends.
- An audio recording of the 8:30 am service will be available Sunday afternoon by simply dialing 503-643-9416.
11:00 am: Worship in the Sanctuary or participate in worship via Zoom
The link will be sent via email and by notification from the church app.
- To participate via Zoom, you can use a smart phone, computer, tablet, or a telephone.
- To participate in “Virtual Coffee Time” simply log in early or stay logged in after the Zoom worship service ends.
Not getting church emails? Click on the green button below to contact the church office to recieve the livestream worship link and zoom invitations.
Need Help? If you discover that you need help connecting to St. Andrew’s online worship services and meetings, please email Rebecca Fako Uecker. She will be available by 9:30 am on most Sunday mornings and 5:30 pm on most Wednesday evenings to provide same-day help for church-related purposes.
Ways to Give: Thank you for supporting our ministries!
We thank you for your support of the ministries of St. Andrew. If you are able, please give now using any of the following options:
Postal Mail: Simply mail a check to the church office. Let us know if you’d like giving envelope mailed to your home each month by contacting the church office.
Text Giving: Simply text any amount to 503-386-9646 to donate to the Ministry & Mission Fund. To donate to another fund, text keyword to get a list of funds, then type the dollar amount and fund name to give. For example, to give to the local food bank, text 50 food to give $50 for food.
Give via Church App: Download “Church by MinistryOne” from the App store and watch sermons, submit prayer requests, and give a one-time or recurring gift.
Give Online: On the St. Andrew website, click on “Give” at the top of the page. Here you can view your giving, set recurring gifts.
Direct Deposit / “Simply Giving:” Request a form from the church office to enable automated giving from your checking or savings account through the “Simply Giving” program.
Stock Donation: Download the form to donate stock. Please contact our Financial Secretaries in advance of processing the form or if you have questions.
Thank you for supporting the ministries of St. Andrew!
