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Mask Mandate Returns
The statistics don’t lie: COVID-19 infec-tions are on the rise in Oregon again, many of them the extremely contagious Delta variant. As of Friday, August 13, Governor Brown has reinstated a mandate on universal masking in public in-door spaces. St. Andrew now requires EVERYONE—even vaccinated individuals—to wear a mask inside the building. Disposable masks are available at the Narthex entry if you need them. We can do this to protect each other and especially to protect our children who are not yet able to receive the vaccine. Masking is a profound and visible sign of our commitment to neighbor and community care.
We understand that some people may feel more apprehensive about worshiping in the Sanctuary. As always, make the decision that is best for you and your household. Thankfully, we have a variety of worship options. 11:00 am worship in the Sanctuary of the Firs makes use of our outdoor space, and we are blessed with a talented team of technology wizards who make remote worship possible.
Wednesday Evening Prayer
Midweek Evening Prayer Services will continue to be offered through the summer months via Zoom. Meditations will be drawn from Devotional Classics. All are welcome this Wednesday, August 18 for social time at 6:45 pm and service at 7:00 pm. Centering Prayer follows at 7:30 pm. Participate in all or part of our scheduled time together. Look for links to this worship service at midday on Wednesdays in Allison’s email.
Western Farm Workers’ Fiesta
The Western Farm Workers’ Association is celebrating its 33rd anniversary, and you’re invited! They would like to recognize the help that St. Andrew has provided over the years in its September donations of warm clothes and monies.
The free event, which includes dinner and a Mexican fiesta complete with music and dance performances, is this Saturday, August 21 from 6:00 pm—8:00 pm at Calvary Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. They ask that our members sit together at a reserved table for us. If you would like to attend, please call Fran or Ted Miller at 503-641-6519.
Introducing: The Roots!
With the start of the school year comes something very exciting in our children’s ministry! This year we are launching an entirely new Sunday morning children’s program: The Roots! This program is designed to live into our vision for children’s ministry by emphasizing our core values and increasing the percentage of our congregation that is involved in ministering to our kids. It takes a village!
Check out the insert in this newsletter to read about the origin of this program, its name, its goals, and how you can be a part of it by leading 15 minutes once every six weeks—a total of only one hour over the whole school year!
Kyler Vogt,
Children & Youth Minister
Guest Preacher Karen Klingelhafer
As Pastor Mark’s sabbatical continues, we are still enjoying the wisdom of a wide variety of guest preachers on Sunday mornings. This week our own seminarian, Karen Klingelhafer, will be preaching on the commemoration of Mary, the Mother of our Lord. Karen has previously taught Adult Education courses on the women of the Bible, so we look forward to her perspective! Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Karen!
Sock It to Me – Outside In
Once again we, the St. Andrew Community, have an opportunity to demonstrate Community and Neighbor Care by
improving the lives of young people in our city. Since 1968, Outside In has transformed lives by helping break
the cycles of chronic homelessness, poverty, and poor health among Portland’s LGBTQA+ community, people of color, those experiencing homelessness, and the underserved.
Currently, Outside In is in high need of socks. Please consider contributing to this request by purchasing new men’s and women’s socks and bringing them to church between July 25 and August 29. There will be a barrel in the Narthex and the socks will be delivered to Outside In at the end of August. Both staff and clients of Outside In appreciate this congregation for all of our support over the past years and send their thanks once again for your contributions.
Thank you,
Service Committee
Preparing for Sunday, August 22, 2021
Tim Overton-Harris will preach.
Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20
Gospel: John 6:56-69
Go to the “Preparing for Worship” webpage for the bulletins, the complete Lectionary, and more.
Spirituality Book Group News
The Spirituality Book Group will meet in Fellowship Hall at 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 15. This month we won’t be discussing a particular book, but will instead be selecting books to read and discuss for the next several months. We have a list of 20 books to choose from, generated by members. Please come and participate in the selection process. It’s always fun to talk about books!
Welcome, Johanna
Please welcome our newest employee, Johanna Land, who is working Tuesday-Thursday as St. Andrew’s office assistant. You can reach Johanna by emailing office@standrewlutheran.com or calling the church phone: 503-646-0629.
We’re delighted that Johanna has joined our team! Please continue to send prayer and calendar requests, as well as material for the church newsletter, to the church office. Johanna will take care of you or forward your information appropriately.
And do stop by during Johanna’s work hours to say “Hi” and to introduce yourself.
Nifty Notters
Come join the Nifty Notters Saturday August 21 from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll be working on twin sized quilts for LWR and Safeplace youth shelter and baby quilts for Virginia Garcia Clinic and Birthright of Hillsboro. We just recently started making donations to Birthright, and they were so excited to be able to give new baby quilts to their new moms.
Bring a lunch and join us for all or part of the day. No experience is needed and all supplies are provided. We had several wonderful fabric and supply donations these past months, and now need people to cut that fabric into squares. This can be done either at church or at home. If you’d like to help, or have any other questions, please contact Mary Brown at 503-439-3917.
Leadership Training Planned for September
MACG will hold a two-day Leadership Training Institute in September. More details will be coming soon, but for now, please save the dates: Saturday, September 18, and Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am–4:00 pm, at Spirit of Grace in Beaverton.
Don’t miss this terrific opportunity to learn how using organizing principles can strengthen relationships, build community, and work for common good in our community. Look for more information next week, but please contact any member of St. Andrew’s MACG Core Team if you have questions: Pat Christiansen, Larry Bliesner, Lynn Santelmann, Scott Taylor, Bob Stadel, Jan Smith, and Victoria Kovalenko.
Time to Collect School Supplies for Lutheran World Relief
Education is one of the strongest tools a community has for breaking the cycle of poverty. Even better results occur when we can ensure that girls attend school in places where their access to education is not a priority. Lutheran World Relief (LWR) school kits contain essential supplies to help children learn in the face of serious obstacles.
With many retailers currently offering back-to-school sales, now is the time to help us stock up on supplies for LWR School Kits. Our goal is to collect enough supplies to fill 75-100 school kits by early September.
We need the following supplies for each School Kit:
70-sheet spiral bound notebooks (4 per kit)
1 box (16– or 24-count) crayons
1 pencil sharpener
30-centimeter ruler (1 per kit)
1 pair blunt scissors
5 unsharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers
5 black or blue pens
2 ½ inch eraser (1 per kit)
Thank you for your generous donations.
St. Andrew Service Committee
Blessing for Travelers
On Sunday, August 8, we sent Maria Navarre on her way to Morocco for a year studying abroad with the following litany.
The Maker’s blessing be yours
on your road, on your journey
guiding you, cherishing you.
The Son’s blessing be yours,
wine and water, bread and stories
feeding you, challenging you.
The Spirit’s blessing be yours:
wind and fire, joy and wisdom,
comforting you, disturbing you.
The Angels’ blessing be yours
on your house, on your living
guarding you, encouraging you.
God’s blessings be ours; the blessing of pilgrims
all the nights and days of our journey home.
May God, who is present in sunrise and nightfall,
and in the crossing of the sea, guide your feet as you go.
May God, who is with you when you sit and when you stand,
encompass you with love and lead you by the hand.
May God, who knows your path and the places where you rest,
be with you in your waiting, be your good news for sharing,
and lead you in the way that is everlasting. Amen.
Iona Abbey Worship Book
Wild Goose Publications, 2001
Organ Scholarship Applications Due
Please note that applications for the St. Andrew Foundation’s church organ scholarship are due no later than Monday, October 4. To address the critical shortage of church organists, the fund awards $800 towards organ lessons with a recognized organ teacher. Applicants from age 13 through 30 are invited to apply. Go to the Foundation page on our church website and scroll to the Organ Lesson Scholarship Fund section to download the 2021 Scholarship Announcement and Application. Applicants from a variety of faith traditions are encouraged to apply.
The Chapel Oak
Don Nearhood continues to send us his lovely photos of plants living on our campus. This is a small Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana). At five years old it is only about two feet tall but looking healthy.
This particular tree has several names: the Chapel Oak, the Coming Home to Earth Oregon White Oak, and the Preschool Oak. Charissa White and her preschoolers (known as the Oak Room) nurtured the sapling as it grew in a pot in their classroom through the winter of 2015-2016. In the spring of 2016, the class planted the tree on the slope below the garden beds, with a ring of black stones placed around the baby tree. Each stone had one word written on it: Charity, Inspire, Dream, Friends, Trust, Believe.
If anyone remembers nurturing this tree or would like to help it survive and grow, please contact Don Nearhood or Carol Harker.
Wooden Teeth and Jellybeans: The Tupperman Files
Do you understand political stuff? Do you find it boring? Well, you won’t find this book boring! It explains why people might run for office (and two that did) and what some of the big words they needed to know mean. Then it goes on to tell you who won, and why.
It also gives really good, gossipy tidbits about all the presidents we’ve had—right up to Bill Clinton. Things like what Washington’s teeth were really made of (Lead?! It’s a wonder he didn’t poison himself!) Who put the first pool table in the White House? When did the first woman run for president and who had a goat for a pet? Just think of all the name-dropping you can do!
Pam Farr
Adult Librarian
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.
| Phyllis Morris | Peace and comfort in hospice care | Staff |
| Family and friends of Nancy Heidinger | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Judy Heidinger (sister-in-law) |
| Diane Liefeld | Effective treatment and healing | Kim Moore |
| Steve Andersen | Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment | Liz Andersen |
| John Trom | Strength and healing | Jennifer Trom |
| Carol Hogan | Healing and recovery | Staff |
| Lorraine (mother) | Salvation and healing | Phil Chavez |
| Steve & Jackie | Salvation and health | Phil Chavez (nephew) |
| Maverick Dixon (unborn nephew) | Complete healing in the womb | AJ & Rebecca Uecker |
| Raya (newborn great grandniece) and her parents | Strength while awaiting surgery for heart issues | Ginny & Gary Link |
| Those fighting or threatened by wildfires | Protection and safety | Staff |
| Those confined to their homes: Mareline Barnes, Dave Bumgardner, Jean Fredrickson, Tara Harper, Douglas Hooke, Betty Horst, Dorothy Moore, 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 | Blessings on their work | Staff |
| Holy Trinity Catholic Church | Blessings on their work | Staff |
| Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (Eugene, OR) Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (Eugene, OR) United Lutheran Church (Eugene, OR) | Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Masjed As-Sabr (Portland, 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 |
Highlights for the Week
Go to the complete online church calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Sunday, August 15
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion Livestream Worship with Communion | Sanctuary YouTube |
| 10:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Worship with Communion Zoom Worship with Communion | Sanctuary of the Firs Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 3:00 pm | Spirituality Book Club | Zoom |
Monday, August 16
| 6:00 pm | Human Resources Meeting | Zoom |
| 6:00 pm | Troop 618 Meeting | Garden Parking Lot |
Tuesday, August 17
| 7:00 am | Sunrise Women | Elmer’s Restaurant on 158th (1250 Waterhouse Ave) |
| 7:00 am | Men’s Gathering & Bible Study | Elmer’s Restaurant on 158th (1250 Waterhouse Ave) |
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | Fellowship Hall |
Wednesday, August 18 – Weekly News submissions due by 4:00 pm
| 10:00 am | Yoga (both Chair Yoga & Floor Yoga) | Fellowship Hall |
| 1:00 pm | COVID Care Team Meeting | Library |
| 6:45 pm | Informal Gathering Time | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Wednesday Evening Prayer | Zoom |
| 7:30 pm | Centering Prayer | Zoom |
Thursday, August 19
| 12:00 pm | Team Ministry Meeting | Chapel, Library |
| 7:00 pm | Council Meeting | St. Andrew Room (also Zoom) |
Friday, August 20
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | Fellowship Hall |
Saturday, August 21
| 9:00 am | Nifty Notters | Fellowship Hall |
Sunday, August 22
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion Livestream Worship with Communion | Sanctuary YouTube |
| 10:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Worship with Communion Zoom Worship with Communion | Sanctuary of the Firs Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
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!