January 17, 2021
Spirituality Book Group News
The Spirituality Book Group will meet on Sunday, January 17, to discuss the book, She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders, by Jennifer Boylan. According to a Bookreads review, this “is the story of…a person bearing and finally revealing a complex secret; above all, it is a love story…. Boylan explores the remarkable territory that lies between men and women, examines changing friendships, and rejoices in the redeeming power of family.” Elaine May will lead the discussion when the group meets at 3:00 pm via Zoom. Book group members will receive a link a few days prior to the meeting, to which all are welcome. If you would like to attend, please contact Mary Smith and she will send you connection information.
Future Reading
February: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
March: A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
April: The Moment of Li, by Melinda Gates
May: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
June: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
July: The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segrovia
Stewardship Committee Update
Happy New Year! Your St. Andrew Stewardship Committee has some happy news to share. With the payment of the January 2021 mortgage payment, our mortgage balance now drops below the $900,000 milestone. Cheers to all who have helped to achieve this progress!
The year 2020 was an epic one and, with the leadership of our pastoral team, staff, and many volunteers, we plowed new ground for worship platforms in virtual settings. Even during a global pandemic, we are truly blessed at St. Andrew with members who are committed to fulfilling our “A Hope for All” campaign goal of erasing the mortgage balance.
We look forward to sharing the 2021 stewardship agenda with you soon.
Adult Education:
The Gospel of Mark
At 10:00 am this Sunday, January 17, Jim Aageson continues his Adult Education class, “The Gospel of Mark: A Narrative Theology.” As Aageson notes, Mark’s gospel presents its theology in narrative form where the actions and words of Jesus reveal a powerful vision of God’s reign: “in this kingdom, things are turned upside down: the first are last, the sinners and the dishonored are invited to the table of fellowship, and those closest to Jesus are often filled with fear rather than faith.”
Bread for the Day and Daily Texts Available
The 2021 edition of Daily Texts, Bible texts selected annually by the Moravian Church and shared worldwide since 1731, are now available, as are copies of Bread for the Day, a book of Bible readings and prayers published by Augsburg Fortress. A donation of $9.00 is suggested to defray the cost of each book.
If you’d like one or more copies, please contact the church office via email or call 503-646-0629.
Table Talk: Misunderstanding Minorities
Gathered around the table in his home, Martin Luther talked freely and openly with his colleagues and students about matters of faith, theology, and varied aspects of daily life. In an effort to cultivate this kind of spirited discussion we have a tradition at St. Andrew of gathering for Table Talks. Though we cannot gather in person, Pastor Brocker invites you to participate in the next Table Talk via Zoom on Thursday, January 28, 7:00-8:00 pm.
In the early hours of Thursday, January 7, having weathered an assault on the Capitol, Congress in a joint session finally certified the election of Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States. They will be inaugurated on Wednesday, January 20. In this Table Talk we will ponder Fareed Zakaria’s striking post-election claim that even though Democrats won the presidential election they “misunderstand minorities.” He observes that amazingly President Trump “appears to have won the second-largest share of the minority vote than any Republican since 1976, according to exit polls. He won the largest percentage of the Black vote since 1996 (though he still got only about 12 percent of the Black vote). One poll indicates he won 35 percent of the Muslim vote.” Democrats may be wondering what happened. He asserts that the Democratic Party’s view of multiculturalism “lumps a wide variety of ethnic, racial, and religious groups into one `minority’ monolith and approaches them from a perspective that does not fit us all”. Zakaria himself was born on January 20, 1964, in Mumbai, India. In this Table Talk we will also consider how well Evangelical Lutherans understand minorities. Evangelical Lutherans are known for being the whitest denomination in the country
Wednesday Evening Prayer
Zoom gatherings continue every Wednesday evening for fellowship, worship, and prayer. You are welcome to participate in any or all of the following:
6:30 pm Informal Gathering Time
7:00 pm Prayer Service
7:30 pm Centering Prayer
Watch for the Zoom link to arrive in your inbox mid-day on Wednesdays.
Thank You
I want to express my gratitude for all the cards, texts, and phone calls I have received since the death of my beloved daughter, Colleen. She lit up our lives for the 59 years we were blessed to have her. She will be laid to rest with her father at Willamette National Cemetery on February 2, 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, only her family and caregivers will be able to attend. We are grateful to Pastor Robyn for leading the service and the visits she made to Colleen in the days leading up to her death.
Suzanne Warnes & Family
Pastor Robyn’s “Outside Hours”
Pastor Robyn is offering weekly opportunities for anyone wanting to meet with her outdoors under the front door overhang at St. Andrew until her final Sunday with St. Andrew on February 7. Feel free to stop by anytime during these “outside hours” for some conversation or to share a prayer. This week’s opportunities include Sunday, January 17 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Tuesday, January 19 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, January 24 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
A brief communion service will be offered at ten minutes before the end of each hour for anybody who desires to participate. Pastor Robyn will provide pre-filled personalized sealed communion cups and wafers.
You can also set up a different time to meet with Pastor Robyn outside at the church or outside at your own home. To schedule a different time, please contact her by January 21st via email or 503-646-0629, ext. 211.
Preparing for Next Sunday
January 24, 2021
Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
Go to “Preparing for Worship” for the bulletins, the complete Lectionary, and more.
Let’s Talk, Let’s Listen Reboot
Last summer, the St. Andrew MACG Core Team organized a listening campaign, encouraging members to make phone calls to people we missed seeing at church. Now that this unusual holiday season has arrived, and the colder weather prevents outdoor gatherings, it’s time to check in once again. Who are you wondering about? Who would you like to check in with?
We encourage you to make contacts by phone, email, or by writing a note or sending a card. And then, please let us know what you found out.
To sign up to contact someone, please click on this link.
To give feedback about your contact, please click on this link.
Questions? Please contact Pat Christiansen, Larry Bliesner, Scott Taylor, Bob Stadel, Victoria Kovalenko, Lynn Santelmann, or Pastor Robyn. And thank you for keeping our community together and strong.
MACG Core Team
Japan Women’s Conference
Women around the world are invited to participate in the online Japan Women’s Conference chaired by a former student of Julie Aageson. The conference is an annual gathering started by the women of the Christian missionary community 64 years ago and will focus this year on “A Time to Heal.” The event will be held on three Saturdays in Lent: February 20 and 27, and March 6 at 9:00 am Japan time (4:00 pm the previous day in Portland).
The keynote speakers are Sarah Hinlicky Wilson and Ikuko Handa Williams. Rev. Wilson serves as a missionary of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and is the pastor of the English language worship service for Tokyo Lutheran Church. Sarah is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and is the author of recent books such as Sermon on the Mount and also Pearly Gates. She has a Cooking and Theology blog and led a workshop on this theme at the 2020 conference. Rev. Williams, who comes from a long line of Presbyterian ministers serving in Japan, was the first Japanese woman ordained by the Church of England. Ikuko has been involved in post-war peace and reconciliation talks around the world. She worked as the chaplain at Leeds Hospital in England for many years and now lives in Tokyo.
Please register online. Workshop links are available through the website and include subjects such as relationships, writing, family healing, outdoor living, yoga and Biblical insight. Sign up early to reserve your spot. Zoom
links will be e-mailed out to you.
Looking Back and Ahead
Last year as part of the work of the Community Carbon Committee we shared articles in the Weekly News on earth care tactics for members to consider. While many of the tactics shared were those I already practiced, I also was able to easily incorporate many more over the last year.
My most ambitious project stretched from spring though fall when I replaced my entire front lawn with a soil garden and planted nearly two dozen native plants. I was inspired and encouraged by the Community Carbon group, the Backyard Habitat Certification program, The Soil will Save Us, by Kristin Ohlson and Nature’s Best Hope, by Douglas Tallamy.
In addition, I reduced the use of plastics, increased composting of kitchen scraps, and reduced the use of fossil fuels (helped by the pandemic).
In the coming year, the Yard Science Team will continue to visit member gardens to provide consultation and resources for the development and maintenance of soil and native gardens. Also, as EcoFaith Recovery’s first Community Carbon pilot program, we will be providing support to Camp Lutherwood and other communities of faith interested in starting their own Community Carbon teams.
As me move forward it is important for us to evaluate where we are in our journey. In about a month we will be sending out a survey to members to complete. We hope you’ll fill it out and help us plan next steps. Thank you for taking this journey with us toward a healthier Earth.
LuAnn Staul
January Movie Night
Our Netflix movie for January is Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is a 2020 American documentary film directed, written, and co-produced by Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht. Barack and Michelle Obama serve as executive producers under their Higher Ground Productions banner.
“This feel-good documentary recounts the ties of a Catskills summer camp to American disability rights activism in the 1970s,” says a NY Times review, while Common Sense Media called the film “a moving tribute to the triumph of the human spirit.”
You can stream the documentary on Netflix and then meet with us on Zoom on Friday, January 29,at 7:00 p.m. Bring out the popcorn and gather around your computer screens as we talk about what we liked (and didn’t like) about this month’s movie.
You’ll find the Zoom link for this Movie Night in Carol’s “Weekly News” e-mail on Friday, January 29. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Smith.
Community Warehouse
Each January, St. Andrew has donated barrel loads of household goods to the nonprofit agency Community Warehouse, which furnishes needed furniture and appliances, etc. to families just moving into stable housing. The organization provides almost everything needed to start housekeeping to families graduating from Family Promise, whose families St. Andrew has hosted.
Due to the pandemic, we cannot accept items in our building and the agency is not picking up donations as it did earlier.
If you would like to donate money to this worthwhile agency, you can write a check to St. Andrew Lutheran and indicate “Service Committee —Warehouse” on the memo line. $40 provides a desk and chair to a child, while $400 provides the comforts of home for one family.
Thanks for your consideration.
Fran Miller
for the Service Committee
Thank You
Thank you for making a gift to Meals on Wheels People. Your donation of $400 for our Beaverton Center will provide nutritious meals for seniors.
Each day, we serve or deliver more than 8,000 meals to older adults in our community. For many we serve, the nutritious meals allow them to remain independent and living in their own homes. For others, who wish to remain socially distant during the pandemic, the meals have been a lifeline. Helen, who is 87 and lives alone, relies on Meals on Wheels People for meals as well as the supplemental food we have been able to provide since the spring. She is especially thankful for the fresh, whole fruit.
Your gift will allow us to continue serving nutritious lunches to Helen and thousands of older adults like her who receive Meals on Wheels throughout the greater Portland-Vancouver area. We are grateful for your partnership and appreciate your role in the important work we do for the community.
Thank you for your generosity! Together, we can change lives, one meal at a time.
Suzanne Washington
Chief Executive Officer
Pastoral Care
Pastor Mark Brocker
is on call Fridays & Saturdays.
office: 503-646-0629 ext. 201
cell: 503-502-8762
brockerms@standrewlutheran.com
Pastor Robyn Hartwig
is on call Sundays & Mondays.
503-646-0629 ext. 211
pastorrobyn@standrewlutheran.com
Both pastors are on call Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
In Need of Prayers…
| Family and friends of Joyce Larson (grandmother) | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Cole & Kristin Petersburg |
| Family and friends of Eunice Harrum (mother) | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Francine Cach |
| Family and friends of Ann Hooson (mother-in-law) | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Jennifer Hooson |
| Family and friends of Colleen Warnes | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Staff |
| Family and friends of Don Scholz (father-in-law) | Peace and God’s comfort at his death | Judy Scholz |
| Bob and Jack Scholz (husband and son) | Safe travels | Judy Scholz |
| Barb Carl | Successful surgery and effective treatment | Linda Fransen |
| Nan Thompson | Good diagnosis, effective treatment, and comfort | Pastor Robyn |
| Linda Larson (cousin) | Effective treatment and healing | Doris Larson |
| Tayvin Krieger (daughter Sherry Myers’ student) | Healing and recovery in body and mind | Doris Larson |
| Katherine (friend) | Healing and recovery | Mary Smith |
| Dr. Paul Wilson | Healing and recovery | Patty Jones |
| Dorothy Moore | Comfort and peace while hospitalized with COVID-19 | Pastor Robyn |
| Vaughn “Vonnie” Wilson (Larry’s sister) | Healing and recovery from COVID-19 | Larry & Phyllis Vachal |
| Tom (friend’s father) | Healing and recovery from COVID-19 | Rebecca Fako Uecker |
| Everyone affected by COVID-19 | Strength and support | Staff |
| Health care workers | Strength, courage, protection, and support | Staff |
| Francesca Gladhill (daughter-in-law) | Healthy pregnancy | Richard & Kristie Gladhill |
| Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and everyone in attendance | A safe and peaceful inauguration | Staff |
| Those confined to their homes: Mareline Barnes, Dave Bumgardner, Jean Fredrickson, Tara Harper, Douglas Hooke, Betty Horst, Dorothy Moore, Phyllis Morris, Ed Pacey, Helen Rogers, Dave & Sharon Roth, Margie Schindele |
Assurance of God’s presence | Staff |
| All who are imprisoned | Peace and strength | Staff |
| Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Holy Trinity Catholic Church |
Blessings on their work | Staff |
| Individual friends and loved ones in need of prayer | Whatever they most need; say their names in your heart or aloud | Everyone |
| Trinity Lutheran Church (Gresham, OR) | Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Masjid Abu-Bakr (Portland, OR) | Blessings on our interfaith partners | Staff |
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.
Creation Justice Summit
The 8th annual Creation Justice Summit (formerly the Earth Care Summit) will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Columbia River Watershed Pastoral Letter. The virtual event will include a keynote panel, breakout workshops, and a closing address from U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley.
Register now.
$20 general, $10 students, scholarships available
Presented by EMO’s Creation Justice and Oregon Interfaith Power & Light.
Giving Statements for 2020
St. Andrew’s financial secretaries will continue to update 2020 giving records through January 19. Your 2020 giving statements should be available after January 20, 2020. At that time you’ll be able to download and print your statement from your InFellowship account on the Give page of the church website.
Please note that statements will be mailed out only upon special request after January 20. If you need a statement mailed to you, please contact the Financial Secretaries or the church office (503-646-0629).
The St. Andrew Finance Team
Highlights for the Week
Go to the complete online church calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Sunday, January 17, Second Sunday of Epiphany
| 8:30 am | Livestream Worship | YouTube |
| 9:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Sunday School | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education: The Gospel of Mark | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Zoom Worship | Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
Tuesday, January 19
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | former Bales Thriftway on Cornell Rd |
| 10:00 am | Worship Planning Meeting | Zoom |
Wednesday, January 20 – Weekly News submissions due by 4:00 pm
| 6:00 pm | Handbell Ensemble Rehearsal | Sanctuary |
| 6:30 pm | Informal Gathering Time | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Wednesday Evening Prayer | Zoom |
| 7:30 pm | Centering Prayer & Other Breakout Room Opportunities | Zoom |
Thursday, January 21
| 12:00 pm | Team Ministry Meeting | Zoom |
| 2:30 pm | Website Review Meeting | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Council Meeting | Zoom |
Friday, January 22
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | former Bales Thriftway on Cornell Rd |
Sunday, January 24: Third Sunday of Epiphany
| 8:30 am | Livestream Worship | YouTube |
| 9:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Sunday School | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education: The Gospel of Mark | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Zoom Worship | Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
