December 12, 2021
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Donations Needed
Thank you to everyone who has already donated to making the season more festive for Barnes Elementary School families in need. This year we are collecting donations to put toward gift cards for these families. Please make your gift no later than Sunday, December 12. For each donation that is received, we’ll add an ornament to our Giving Tree.
One of the families St. Andrew is assisting suffered an apartment fire a few months ago, where they lost everything. That family is currently living in a shelter. In another situation, grandparents are caring for four young children and trying to make ends meet after their son went to prison. They are doing all they can to make life safe and secure for their grandchildren.
In addition, our area is welcoming hundreds of Afghan refugees who are navigating a new culture after having to leave so much and so many behind.
Organizer Donna Brocker is working to assist these families and many more. If you have questions, call Donna at 503-502-6156.
Adult Ed: “The Kairos Hermeneutic” with Kyler and the HS Youth!
It’s hard to read the Bible. Modern biblical readers have massive separations in history, culture, and language to overcome in the process. Yet, reading the Bible gets even tougher when Christian tradition tells us that the Bible—containing fantastic tales of miracles, gory acts of violence, and outdated legal text all set in a culture bearing little resemblance to our own—is supposed to be the pinnacle of truth and the ultimate authority for our modern lives. To many modern people, this has become a deal-breaker in their faith. In this class, I will show you a way I have learned over the last several years that allows me to read the Bible as truthful, authoritative, and deeply meaningful—even if it isn’t always right.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! My vision for this class is to give our congregation a glimpse into a typical Sunday morning with our high school youth. You’ll get to see how we check-in about our weeks, what kind of conversations we have, and witness how deeply we can dive into difficult and complex issues together. So you can get the full experience, this class will be held in-person at 10:00 am in the Youth Room on December 12 and 19. If you have any questions, or if you just want to let me know you’ll be there, contact me at kvogt@standrewlutheran.com. I hope you will join us!
An Advent Journey Towards Anti-Racism
Please join St. Andrew’s Reckoning With Racism cohort in a six-part exploration of how racism has played a role in the history of Oregon, and how we can all move toward being anti-racist.
Whether or not you are able to attend the class sessions, you are invited to take part in a congregation-wide Racial Equity Challenge. The goal is to do at least one thing each week that brings each of us closer to becoming anti-racist. The website 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge—America & Moore is filled with suggestions for ways to read, listen, watch, notice, connect, engage, act, reflect, and stay inspired in the journey. Watch this newsletter for a description of each week’s class and suggestions for which challenges are related to that topic. A complete schedule can be found on the St. Andrew website.
We are hoping to document our efforts as a community of faith toward the goal of becoming anti-racist. In the narthex, you will find a display board and paper candle cut-outs. Please write what you did in the past week on one of the candles, and add it to the board. Together, we can shine some light in the darkness of racism.
December 12: Scott Taylor will explore Immigrants and Latinx Americans in Oregon, from a historic background through modern day issues.
Racial Equity Challenge suggestions: 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge — America & Moore
Read: Struggling to Stay Home: Latino Renters in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Listen: You Cannot Divorce Race from Immigration
Watch: What Being Hispanic and Latinx Means in the United States
Notice: What is the racial mix of the main characters in your favorite TV shows? Movies?
Connect: Families Belong Together
Engage: Work to stay engaged even when your mind and body start sending you signals to shrink or walk away.
Act: Disrupt inappropriate language by offering alternative language you yourself are learning.
Reflect: Take time everyday to reflect on what you chose to do, what you’re learning, and how you are feeling.
Stay inspired: Create a Soundtrack4Justice playlist that fuels you and/or can serve as a conversation starter with people of all ages.
Advent Evening Prayer
India Jensen-Kerr will offer a meditation on the promise of darkness at Advent Evening Prayer this Wednesday, December 15. Join in worship in the Sanctuary or via Zoom at 7:00 pm. Our theme for the season is “Holy Darkness.”
Baby Rose
The rose on the altar this Sunday celebrates the birth of Hudson Lawrence Fako, grandson of Dan and Sharon Fako. Hudson’s parents are Dan and Sharon’s son Mark and his wife Carla. Congratulations to the entire family!
Lydia Circle
Lydia Circle will meet Tuesday, December 14 at 1:00 pm in the St. Andrew Room. Our Bible study is taken from the December Gather magazine and is entitled “Women of Advent.” We’ll be looking at the lives of Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna and find inspiration in their stories as our spiritual grandmothers. All are welcome and you need not have read the lesson to take part. If you have questions, contact Mary Brown at 503-439-3917.
Nifty Notters
You are invited to join the Nifty Notters on Saturday, December 18, for our last meeting of the year. We meet from 9:00 am-2:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. Come for all or part of the time to help work on quilts for Lutheran World Relief and NW Children’s Outreach. All materials are provided and no experience is necessary. Home projects are also available. Children’s Outreach is a new recipient of our baby quilts and the people there were excited to get their first donation of quilts. They distribute the quilts to local benevolent agencies requesting baby quilts for their clients. If you have questions, contact Mary Brown at 503-439-3917. We will NOT meet Saturday, January 1.
Candle Lighting Litanies
If you have an Advent wreath in your home and ceremoniously ignite another candle each week prior to Christmas, you might appreciate the Advent litanies we share on the church website. To help proclaim that God’s new world is at hand, the people of the Salt Project begin each litany by telling the truth about our broken world and then cry out with all people of faith—past, present, and future—that God is, even now, overwhelming the world!
Thanks and a Request
The staff of St. Andrew are enjoying the delicious food gifts that have been brought to the office thus far!
We do have one simple request, however. Please be sure you label any baked goods or foods that may have nuts in them, as at least one of our staff is sensitive to nuts. You don’t need to omit any nuts from a recipe, just indicate if they are included. That way, everyone can have a healthy and happy holiday season!
Prayer for Unpacking the Christmas Creche
Do you have a manger scene or creche among your Christmas decorations? This prayer, to be used as you unpack each piece, was shared with us by Libby Calhoun and originally printed in Alive Now!, a Methodist magazine, in 1983.
As we unpack the Christmas creche, let each piece become a prayer that our lives will be changed during Advent.
As we place the stable, let us remember how a place never meant to be a home sheltered our Lord. Let us pray that our own homes will be places of hospitality for all who enter them.
As the star shone to give direction to the magi, let us hold high to a faith in Christ to give direction to our lives.
As the shepherds were the most common of folk and yet the only ones to be summoned by angels, may we never forget that God calls the simplest among us to tasks of greatest glory.
As the magi moved in the deep belief that God was acting in this world, may we always look for that same redemptive activity and never be so proud that we cannot seek our Lord with childlike faith.
As sheep and donkey, oxen and lamb looked on the holy miracle in wonder and sang the newborn child to sleep, may we too stand in awe before each miracle, wondrous or simple, which our God will work.
As the angel proclaimed the tidings of God, may we be open to hear God calling us to be a part of God’s plan.
As Joseph wondered, then obeyed where he could not understand, may we be obedient—even in the face of our own lack of understanding.
As Mary opened herself to the miraculous working of God through her, may we be instruments of God’s love in whatever humble way we are summoned.
As God was in Christ, reconciling the world, may we in prayer kneel before the manger and wonder again at the miracle of Christmas. Amen.
Preservice Music on Christmas Eve
The Music Ministry team is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share Christ-mas Eve worship with all of you. As usual, we are planning a set of pre-service musical selections to get us all in the mood for worship. This will start 15 minutes before each of the candlelight services on Christmas Eve, so please arrive in plenty of time to find your seat and enjoy the music. For those worshiping online, the livestream and Zoom rooms will be turned on in plenty of time for you to enjoy the music!
Spirituality Book Group News
The Spirituality Book Group will discuss the memoir/novel of Ocean Vuong, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, on Sunday, December 19. This book achieved much literary praise when it was published in 2019 and was nominated for several book awards.
“Lyrical…with this book, [Vuong] is creating an account of lives that are at once overlooked and thoroughly American. These days, this feels like a political act.”
Wall Street Journal
We will meet via Zoom, at 3:00 pm on Sunday, December 19. The Zoom link will be sent to those on the Spirituality Book Group email list a few days before the meeting. If you would like to attend, contact Mary Smith to get the link, at dbits1@gmail.com.
Future Spirituality Book Group Reading
January 23
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett
Discussion Leader: Mary Smith
February 20
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
Discussion Leader: Carol Horton
March (TBA)
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
Discussion Leader: Susan Reiser
Preparing for next Sunday, December 19, 2021
Lessons and Carols Service
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Go to the “Preparing for Worship” webpage for the bulletins, the complete Lectionary, and more.
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.
| Susan Palo Cherwien | Peace and God’s comfort | Michelle Sinn |
| John Fritz | Peace and God’s comfort | Staff |
| Amy Fiegenbaum | Healing and recovery | Ed and Linda Fransed |
| Christopher Foss | Healing and recovery | Isaac Brocker |
| Carlos Sosaguerra | Healing and recovery | Isaac Brocker |
| Sister Ann Clare Keeler | Healing and recovery | Isaac Brocker |
| Ron Means | Healing and recovery | Staff |
| Marcie Welge | Healing and recovery | Allison Katsufrakis |
| Sam Harker | Healing and recovery | Carol Harker |
| Angie Mitlehner | Healing and recovery | Angie Mitlehner |
| Chris Entrikin | Healing and recovery | Jerry Entrikin |
| Dr. Cara Steinkeler | Strength as she supports dying COVID patients and their families | Gary & Gail Grafwallner |
| Joy Alexandra (granddaughter) | Thanksgiving for her birth | Joel & Beth Johnson |
| Hudson Lawrence Fako (grandson) | Thanksgiving for his birth | Dan & Sharon Fako |
| St. Andrew Council, Executive Committee, & Staff | Wisdom and discernment | Staff |
| Karen Klingelhafer, Kyler Vogt, and all seminarians India Jensen-Kerr and all theology students |
Encouragement and support | Staff |
| St. Andrew Foundation | Blessings on their ministry | Staff |
| New Life Lutheran Church (Florence, OR) Bethany Lutheran Church (Gold Beach, OR) |
Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Hoshanah Rabbah (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 |
Highlights for the Week
Go to the complete online church calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Sunday, December 12, Third Sunday of Advent
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) | Sanctuary and YouTube |
| 10:00 am | Adult Ed: A Journey Towards Anti-Racism, Part 2 | Fellowship Hall or via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Ed: The Kairos Hermeneutic | Chapel |
| 10:00 am | Children’s Ministry | Children’s Library |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation | Library and via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group with Adult Ed: The Kairos Hermeneutic | Chapel |
| 10:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) | Sanctuary and Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
Monday, December 13
| 6:00 pm | Scout Troop 618 Meeting | Fellowship Hall, St. Andrew Room |
| 7:00 pm | Men’s Book Club | Library |
Tuesday, December 14– Weekly News submissions due by 12:00 pm
| 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 |
| 12:15 pm | Community Carbon Leadership Meeting | Library |
| 1:00 pm | Lydia Circle | St. Andrew Room |
| 1:30 pm | Service Committee | via Zoom |
| 6:00 pm | Girl Scouts Adult Meeting | Fellowship Hall |
| 7:00 pm | Finance Team Meeting | via Zoom |
Wednesday, December 15
| 10:00 am | Yoga Class | Fellowship Hall |
| 6:00 pm | Bells of Grace Rehearsal | Sanctuary |
| 6:45 pm | Informal Gathering Time | via Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Scout Troop 618 Committee Meeting | Children’s Library |
| 7:00 pm | High School Youth Christmas Party | Youth Room |
| 7:00 pm | Advent Evening Prayer | Sanctuary or via Zoom |
| 7:30 pm | Sanctuary Choir | Sanctuary |
Thursday, December 16
| 9:30 am | Seekers of the Heart of God Bible Study | St. Andrew Room |
| 12:00 pm | Team Ministry Meeting | Chapel/Library |
| 7:00 pm | Council Meeting | St. Andrew Room/via Zoom |
Friday, December 17
| 10:00 am | Tai Chi | Fellowship Hall |
Saturday, December 18
| 9:00 am | Nifty Notters | Fellowship Hall |
Sunday, December 19, Fourth Sunday in Advent
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) | Sanctuary and YouTube |
| 10:00 am | Adult Ed: A Journey Towards Anti-Racism, Part 2 | Fellowship Hall or via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Ed: The Kairos Hermeneutic | Chapel |
| 10:00 am | Children’s Ministry | Children’s Library |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation | Library and via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group with Adult Ed | Chapel |
| 10:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) | Sanctuary and Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |