December Movie Night
Have you watched the classic film, A Christmas Carol, yet this season? If not, do so yet today and then join other St. Andrew people for our first Movie Night tonight, Friday, December 11, at 7:00 pm. We’ll talk about the classic, which you can find in no less than 20 versions. Some are old black and white classics from as far back as 1938, some are animated, some are modern interpretations, as
recent as 2020. You can stream many different versions on Amazon, some for free, some for a small rental fee. Or you may have your own favorite DVD of this classic at home. It will be fun to compare highlights with each other, as well as reflect on this beautiful story of redemption. This will also be a time to make suggestions for films for future movie nights.
You’ll find the Zoom link for our first Movie Night in today’s “Weekly News” e-mail.
Mary Smith
Holden Evening Prayer on Wednesdays
During Advent, St. Andrew’s Wednesday evening services will center around the beloved Holden Evening Prayer, with Julie Aageson offering meditations from her new book, Finding Home. Please join us for any or all of these events on Wednesday, December 16, and December 23:
- 6:30 pm: Informal Gathering Time
- 7:00 pm Holden Evening Prayer
- 7:30 pm: Centering Prayer
Advent offers the perfect opportunity to engage in Centering Prayer as we sit in silence to await the celebration of Christ’s coming.
The Zoom connection link is sent out Wednesday afternoons, so watch your inbox for it.
Adult Education: The Miseries of Job
Steve Christiansen will continue his exploration of the Book of Job at 10:00 am on Sunday, December 13, with Session 7. You’ll find a course outline on St. Andrew’s website and can access the class using the same Zoom link needed for Sunday worship.
An incorrect translation has led us to believe that Job was a patient man. Not so, Christiansen explains, but he was persistent and he kept going in spite of the odds. Job’s story is relevant for our time in that it raises many questions about the suffering of the innocent.
Christmas Giving Tree
St. Andrew will be doing a Giving Tree for needy families with children enrolled at Barnes Elementary again this year. Like all of us, these parents yearn to make the holidays sparkle for their children, and we can help.
Just as we did with Thanksgiving Boxes, we’ll be providing gift cards in 2020, giving parents the opportunity to shop for what their families need most. You can donate to the cause by sending a check made out to St. Andrew with Giving Tree in the memo line. If you prefer to give electronically, select “Give” on the menu bar of St. Andrew’s website, then “Click here to give now.” Once you’ve signed in to your account, select the green “Give” button and then choose the fund “Christmas Giving Tree.”
Questions? Please call Donna Brocker at 503-502-6156. And read about the challenges one family is facing below:
One Family’s Story
Diana and her daughters just moved into their new apartment. It is a great relief for them after months of living in a shelter for abused women. Diana’s challenges in raising her daughters—ages 17 and 8—are complicated by her diabetes. Just about a month ago, she had to have one of her legs amputated as a result of her illness. Fortunately, her older daughter can drive and has been a big help as she adjusts. Diana continues to be troubled by pain and the challenges of shopping. As for so many families in need this year, Diana’s Christmas wish is that she’ll have enough food for herself and her girls. As she re-starts her life, food is her family’s most basic need. Full stomachs are a great comfort in uncertain times.
Thank You!
Donna Brocker, who organizes the Giving Tree, meets with the families, and scrambles to meet their needs, joins all the Barnes families she’s reached out to this year in thanking you for your heartfelt help in continuing and expanding this ministry. By sharing your resources, you’re demonstrating God’s love in this world. Thank you, all!
Worship Connection Problems?
St. Andrew’s tech team is offering a new service on Sundays for anyone having difficulty connecting to worship. Between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, you can simply call the church office at 503-646-0629 to get help from the pros.
Remember that Rebecca Fako Uecker also continues to offer technical help for church-related purposes. You can contact her via email.
Foundation Core Values, Part 2
Your St. Andrew Foundation adopted six core values at our recent strategic planning retreat. These are fundamental principles that guide the Foundation’s activities and decision-making. This week, we highlight three of these core values:
COMPASSIONATE/CARING: We are compassionate and caring in all that we do, aligning with the core values: God care, Earth care, community care, neighbor care, and self care.
ACCOUNTABILITY: We are transparent, we acknowledge gifts and we communicate our efforts with the congregation. We will regularly monitor that we are being inclusive and acting within our Christian values.
PARTNERSHIPS: We are partnering with the congregation and other organizations in the community to provide for the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole.
Did you know that last year the Foundation awarded $5,550 in grants (to four organizations) and $2,300 in scholarships (to four individuals)? We are actively seeking new members for our Board of Directors as we carry out our core values and vision.
Are you interested in learning more? Contact Sonja Ackman.
Advent Devotional
Allison Katsufrakis, Libby Calhoun, and Deacon Susan Reiser have created a family friendly devotional for every day in Advent. There is an Advent wreath to color as the weeks progress. For each day of the season, there is a picture to color, a scripture passage, and a suggestion for an action to take in your home. The scripture passages come from a variety of sources, so even if you think you know the story you might discover new insights. Take some time during this busy season to pause and reflect on the gift of the Word made flesh. Visit the St. Andrew website Worship page to find the Advent Devotional.
Pastoral Care
Pastor Mark Brocker (on call Fridays & Saturdays)
office: 503-646-0629 (extension 201)
cell: 503-502-8762
brockerms@standrewlutheran.com
Pastor Robyn Hartwig (on call Sundays & Mondays)
Office: 503-646-0629 (extension 211)
PastorRobyn@standrewlutheran.com
Both pastors are on call Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Caroling in 2020
December is the opportunity to sing Christmas Carols to those in our congregation unable to join us for worship and other activities. But, this year, of course, the pandemic means we’re unable to visit people in person.
In order to fill that gap, the three sisters—Carol Werner, Susan Werner Reiser, and Kristie Werner Gladhill—have created a short recording of our favorite carols. We hope they are your favorites, too.
After this weekend, you can find the recording on the St. Andrew website Worship page. Simply click on “Worship” on the menu/navigation bar at the top of this website.
Please sing along!
Christmas Week Worship
Sunday, December 20, 4:30 pm
Blue Christmas Service
Zoom – link in email
While Advent is a season of hope and Christmas is a season of joy, not everyone feels hopeful or ready to celebrate. Grief, illness, aging, depression, loneliness, unemployment and loss are magnified, especially during a pandemic. As we enter into the longest night of the year 2020, join us at sunset for a Blue Christmas worship service in the St. Andrew worship/community Zoom room. Then, if you’d like to share in some conversation with our caring ministers and Pastor Robyn, just bring your own tea or hot apple cider and stick around to talk.
Sunday, December 20, 7:00 pm
Advent/Christmas Vespers
Livestream – link in email
A service of Word and Song as we prepare for the birth of the Christ Child.
Thursday, December 24, 4:00 pm
Christmas Eve
Birthday Party for Jesus!
Zoom – link in email
For a family-focused celebration, please join us at 4:00 pm on Thursday, December 24, via Zoom for a special Birthday Party for Jesus. We’ll be featuring carols, games, and a visit from our favorite furry friends! Families are encouraged to dress for the occasion, whether in ugly Christmas sweaters or with party hats and balloons! Plus, we’ll be giving a special birthday gift to Jesus by doing something nice for others. If you’d like to contribute to this gift, you can do so online via the church website or by mailing a check to the church; just make sure to mark it for the Birthday Party for Jesus. Keep an eye out for the Zoom link for this event in the “Worship Links” e-mail the week of Christmas Eve.
Keep an eye out for the Zoom link for this event in the “Worship Links” e-mail the week of Christmas Eve. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, December 24
Christmas Eve
6:45 pm, Musical Prelude
7:00 pm, Candlelight Service
Livestream will be on the homepage; no link required
Friday, December 25, 1:00-4:00 pm
Stay Home, but Not Alone!
Zoom – link in email
1:00 pm: Christmas Social Time—share your favorite Christmas stories.
2:00 pm: Games—join Scott Taylor, Pastor Robyn, and Janet Parker for hilarious fun.
3:00 pm: Show & Tell—share your favorite gi7 or play us a Christmas song.
Anytime: Notify Rebecca Fako Uecker to be assigned a Zoom breakout room whereyou can meet with family or friends to support one another in Staying Home to Save Lives.
Managing Your Mental Health During an Unusual Holiday Season
Many of us have found it particularly challenging to manage our own mental health as the pandemic continues, holiday plans are changed, and life as we knew it seems farther and farther away. The Caring Ministries Team recommends a series of articles found on the website for Mental Health USA. This week, take a look at their suggestions for maintaining your own mental health during this unusual holiday season
Take some time this week to work on one of St. Andrew’s Core Values: Self Care.
St. Andrew Caring Ministries Team
Writing to Reclaim Our Vote
Thank you to Carol Horton, who coordinated St. Andrew volunteers in another round of postcard writing with “Relcaim Our Vote,” a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to help disenfranchised voters know how they can exercise their right to vote. Thank you also to all of those who worked with Carol to put faith into action, including Sharon Fako, Joel & Beth Johnson, Donna McAlpine, Fran Miller, Jan Smith, Sue Cahlander, Larry & Bonnie Bliesner, Liz Hardy, Bob & Cindy Stadel, and Karen Zocchi. Their collective efforts generated 500 postcards that were sent to Georgia this week! Let me know if you would like to be added to the list of people willing to write postcards in the future.
Pastor Robyn
Spirituality Book Group News
Fran Miller will lead the discussion when the Spirituality Book Group meets on Sunday, December 13, at 3:00 pm to discuss The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2020.
“Based on the real story of a reform school in Florida that operated for 111 years and warped the lives of thousands of children, The Nickel Boys is a devastating, driven narrative that showcases a great American novelist writing at the height of his powers,” says one review on Amazon.
A Zoom link will be sent out to all who are on the Spirituality Book Group e-mail list a few days before the meeting. If you are not on the list, but would like to attend, please contact Mary Smith.
Future Reading
January (Date TBA)
Book: She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders, by Jennifer Boylan
Discussion Leader: TBA
February (Date TBA)
Book: Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Discussion Leader: TBA
Meet the Match for EcoFaith Recovery
EcoFaith Recovery has been offered a $2,000 year-end matching grant that will match every first-time donation, the amount of increase of any annual donation, and/or the one-year value of any monthly sustaining donation that you set up before December 31. Your generous gifts help EcoFaith Recovery fund this year’s “Just Vote Harnessing Our Values for Climate and Racial Justice Initiative” and our “Community Carbon” pilot community initiative. Thank you so much for helping EcoFaith meet the match with your generous donations to
www.EcoFaithRecovery.org/Give
or EcoFaith Recovery, P.O. Box 12612, Portland, OR 97212.
With gratitude,
Pastor Robyn Hartwig
Scouting for Food
Due to to good organization, planning, and commitment, members of St. Andrew’s Scout Troop 618 and 5618 collected 1,723 pounds of food for the Food Bank at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on December 5. Almost 50 Scouts and leaders participated, accompanied by several siblings and even a couple of dogs. Thank you!
Sound Investments
As equipment has reached the end of its useful life, the sound system in St. Andrew’s Sanctuary has gone through various upgrades in recent years in an attempt to make the spoken word more understandable throughout the room.
- 2010: We switched from lapel microphones to earloops to reduce feedback problems.
- 2013: We replaced the amplifier and crossover to further reduce potential feedback and to equalize amplified voice sound in the room.
- 2016: We replaced the speakers to distribute sound better into pews beyond the center of the room. This also finally opened up the top of the tapestry to full view. (project cost—$7,800)
- 2017-2019: We replaced all wireless microphones due to changes made to the wireless spectrum by the FCC. (cost—$2,000+)
And, in just the past few weeks, Chris Weiss spent about 15 hours installing new wiring and setting up a new (currently borrowed) soundboard, aka mixer, in the Sound Room. As Weiss explains, “Probably the biggest factor that has stopped us from replacing the mixer until recently was that it would require someone to sit at the board for the entirety of both services every Sunday morning.” And that’s a big commitment!
But our needs and expectations for the audio mixer shifted once the pandemic forced St. Andrew to stream its services. Now, we need to mic things that don’t need amplification when we worship in-person, namely the organ, piano, bells, and vocalist. And, when we move back to in-person worship, we’ll also need to mic the congregation and the choir to provide as full an experience as possible for those who continue to worship from their homes.
As Weiss explains, “On any given Sunday before the pandemic, we were only mixing 4-5 microphones, whereas I am now using 16 channels on the new mixer.” He anticipates using 20-24 channels when in-person worship resumes.
In Need of Prayers…
| Family and friends of Larry Mostaert (cousin) | Peace and God’s comfort at his death | Pastor Robyn Hartwig |
| Alvina Heidinger (mother-in-law) | Peace and comfort in hospice care | Judy Heidinger |
| Carol Hogan | Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment | Carol Hogan |
| Dr. Cara Steinkeler | Strength and protection | Gary & Gail Grafwallner |
| Gary Grafwallner | Successful surgery (Dec. 16) for facial skin cancer | Gary Grafwallner |
| All those struggling with mental health challenges | Healing and calm | Staff |
| Everyone affected by COVID-19 | Strength and support | Staff |
| Health care workers | Strength, courage, protection, and support | Staff |
| US election officials, volunteers, and support staff to ensure free and fair elections | Safety and protection | Staff |
| 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 |
| Atonement Lutheran Church (Newport, OR) Faith Lutheran Church (North Bend, OR) | Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Congregation Kesser Israel (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.
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. Look for details in early January about how to be a part of this reboot.
In the meantime, please let the Core Team know how we can improve the program. Contact any of us—Pat Christiansen, Larry Bliesner, Scott Taylor, Bob Stadel, Victoria Kovalenko, Lynn Santelmann, or Pastor Robyn—if you
have any feedback.
A Thanksgiving Thank You
Thanks to the generous donations of St. Andrew members, we were able to raise $3,921 to purchase grocery gift certificates for needy families identified by Washington County Community Action. Your gifts are truly appreciated! Thank you.
The Service Committee
Greeting Cards Redux
Many thanks for both the used and the unused greeting cards put into the collection box in Fellowship Hall. I have turned many used cards into gift tags and gift bags. The unused cards are matched with envelopes and sent
on to bless both senders and receivers. Thank you for recycling!
Pam Meredith
Editor’s Note:
If you’d like to contribute to Pam’s Card Ministry while the pandemic continues to keep the church doors locked, simply drop them off at the Narthex entrance. You’ll find a bin behind the food collection barrel. We’ll make sure Pam continues to be well-stocked with cards.
Preparing for Next Sunday
December 20, 2020
Reading: Luke 1:46b-55
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Go to “Preparing for Worship” 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, December 13, Third Sunday of Advent
| 8:30 am | Livestream Worship | YouTube |
| 9:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Sunday School (age 3 – 5th Grade) | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation (6th – 8th Grade) | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education: Job’s Response to Misery | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Zoom Worship | Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
Monday, December 14
| 7:00 pm | Men’s Book Club | Zoom |
Tuesday, December 15
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | former Bales Thriftway on Cornell Rd |
| 10:00 am | Worship Planning | Zoom |
| 12:15 pm | Community Carbon Leadership Meeting | Zoom |
Wednesday, December 16 – Weekly News submissions due by 4:00 pm
| 5:45 pm | Handbell Ensemble Rehearsal | Sanctuary |
| 6:30 pm | Informal Gathering Time | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Holden Evening Prayer | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | High School Youth Hangout | Zoom |
| 7:30 pm | Centering Prayer & other breakout room opportunities | Zoom |
Thursday, December 17
| 12:00 pm | Team Ministry Meeting | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Council Meeting | Zoom |
Friday, December 18
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | former Bales Thriftway on Cornell Rd |
Sunday, December 20, Fourth Sunday of Advent
| 8:30 am | Livestream Worship | YouTube |
| 9:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Sunday School (age 3 – 5th Grade) | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation (6th – 8th Grade) | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group | Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education: The Book of Job | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Zoom Worship | Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 4:30 pm | Blue Christmas Service | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Advent/Christmas Vespers | Livestream |
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!