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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when Christian tradition tells us that the Bible—containing fantastic tales of miracles, gory acts of violence, and outdated legal text all set in a culture bearing little resemblance to our own—is supposed to be the pinnacle of truth and the ultimate authority for our modern lives.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 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 19: Elaine May will lead Living in the Shadows of Hope. Join Elaine in putting it all together. Where do we go from here? How can we be White Allies?
Racial Equity Challenge suggestions: 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge — America & Moore
Read: Ally or Co-conspirator? What it means to act #InSolidarity
Listen: Do the Work podcast (episodes 30-50 mins)
Watch: Black Lives Matter: How Can We Win? Kimberly Jones’ Powerful Speech
Notice: Notice how much of your day you are speaking about racism? Who are you engaging with on these issues? Who are you not? Why do you think this is?
Connect: Racial Equity Tools
Engage: Research racial justice speakers and see who might be coming to your local university, church, community center, or speaker series.
Act: Interrupt the pattern of white silence by speaking openly with family, friends, and colleagues about what you’re doing and learning in the 21-Day Challenge.
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
Allison Katsufrakis will offer a meditation focused on how darkness holds God at Advent Evening Prayer this Wednesday, December 22. Join in worship in the Sanctuary or via Zoom at 7:00 pm. Our theme for the season is “Holy Darkness.”
A Christmas Tradition
I’m not sure if you still have a preschool at St. Andrew, but I wanted to share this photo with you. My son attended your preschool 13 years ago. While he was there (we had a great experience!), he made this manger scene. We put it up every year.
Is it possible to reach some of the former teachers of the preschool program and share this with them? Such a great preschool and experience for my son.
Blessings to you all,
Kim Karper
Sherwood, OR
Commemorating a Project for the Good of All
The Butner Road that runs in front of our church building looks different now than it did a couple of years ago. During the pandemic, the Butner Road project initiated by our neighbor Betty Baldwin was completed. Although Betty has since died, she would celebrate the difference this project has made for people living along Johnson Creek and for all those who walk, ride bicycles, or drive on our street. Continually impacted by high water, Betty and her neighbors were regularly sandbagging their homes or cleaning up after the floodwater receded. Now, a much larger culvert under Butner Road enables creek water to move toward its destination without encroaching so much into yards and homes. Plus, a stepping stone water collection system installed between two of our church driveways slows and contains water rushing toward the creek from higher ground.
Working in conjunction with Vic Claar, former Council president, and others at St. Andrew, Betty endorsed expanding her project to include the installation of bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and a crosswalk at 126th Avenue for safety and community livability. The church joined Betty in advocating for the project and hosted community gatherings to keep people informed and to build support.
As the Clean Water Services sign posted across Butner Road near Johnson Creek says, “Thanks to Betty’s advocacy, the project became the impetus for an Oregon Solutions designation and the eventual creation of the Tualatin Watershed Enhancement Collaborative.” This was St. Andrew’s first Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good sort of project and it worked— for the good of all.
Thanksgiving Thanks
The good news for today is that St. Andrew has no shortage of generosity. Donations for the Thanksgiving food drive allowed us to provide $50 gift cards for needy families to buy food for Thanksgiving. When Linda McDowell and I met with Leslie from Community Action of Washington County we learned of the work they do to support families at risk. Community Action provides hope, help, and change for families in transition to reduce the potential for child abuse and neglect. In addition to the gift cards we donated in the amount of $3,750, we are also able to donate $3,000 to the St. Matthew Food Pantry. The pantry uses monetary donations to purchase items to supplement food donations it receives and spends about $5,000 per month to make purchases. The generosity of St. Andrew members makes life a bit easier for those in need. Thank you.
LuAnn Staul and the Service Committee
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!
Community Action Appreciation
Dear People of St. Andrew,
On behalf of Community Action, please accept our sincere thanks for your generous in-kind donation of 75 $50 Winco gift cards for our Healthy Families program. These gift cards were a big help to the families we serve, especially during this holiday season.
Your partnership with Community Action is bringing hope, help, and change to the thousands of local families who are striving to overcome conditions of poverty and build a safe and secure future for their children. Together we are creating opportunities for families and communities to thrive.
Again, thank you for joining us in our efforts to ensure that all Washington County residents can live with dignity and security. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kemp Shuey
Executive Director
How Cool is That?
Members of St. Andrew’s Earth Care Team are getting started on an ambitious agenda for 2022, having just submitted two entries to Interfaith Power & Light’s Cool Congregations Challenge. The team applied for Sacred Grounds Steward and Community Inspiration recognition, two of the six categories available.
Although judging doesn’t conclude until February, team members marveled at how much they’ve accomplished since 2019:
- Conducted 15 yard surveys
- Published more than 100 Earth Care articles in our newsletter
- Consulted with United Church of Christ, Lake Oswego; provided a tour of our property for United Church of Christ, Waverly; made a presentation to the Pachamama Alliance, etc.
- Presented commentary in forums following the viewing of the documentaries The Human Element and Kiss the Ground, which were made possible by Interfaith Power & Light
- Inspired Camp Lutherwood to implement additional Earth Care content in their curriculum
- Created an Earth Care informational kiosk for the church
- Performed 5 Soil Garden blessings at the church and members’ homes
- Added 2,500 native trees and shrubs to our forested upland with the help of Clean Water Services
- Provided Earth Care children’s sermons during Advent and Lent, focusing on carbon storage and native plants
- Added 5 mason bee houses near our Community Garden
- Created a Reformation Earth Garden with the planting of 2 native Oregon white oaks and several other native trees, as well as 80 native shrubs and more than 60 native perennials
- Conducted a congregation survey to evaluate current soil garden practices
- Held our first Earth Care Camp for 30 children 6-11 years old
- Incorporated Earth Care-focused music and liturgy into our weekly worship
If you would like to join the Earth Care Team and do more to protect the planet, contact LuAnn Staul, Eric Luttrell, or Carol Harker.
Disaster Response for Tornado Victims
On the night of December 10 and early morning of December 11, an outbreak of at least 30 powerful tornadoes swept through six states, leaving swaths of destruction and dozens of people dead.
Lutheran Disaster Response is collaborating with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and other partners in the area to assess the damage and develop an immediate and a long-term response plan, sharing hope with our neighbors in their time of greatest need.
If you give electronically, you may now direct funds to Lutheran Disaster Response (a designated fund) on the church website. If you prefer to write a check, please indicate “U.S. Tornadoes” on the subject line. Gifts will be used in full to help people impacted by the tornadoes.
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 26, 2021
First Sunday of Christmas
Readings: Psalm 148
Colossians 3:12-17
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
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.
| Family and friends of Nan Thompson | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Staff |
| Family and friends of Lynsie Paul | Peace and God’s comfort at her death | Eric Luttrell |
| Family and friends of Roy Winkel (uncle) | Peace and God’s comfort at his death | Susan Werner Reiser |
| Herb | Peace and God’s comfort | Sharon Fako |
| Susan Palo Cherwien | Peace and God’s comfort | Michelle Sinn |
| John Fritz | Peace and comfort | Staff |
| Aaron Miller | Successful treatment and recovery | Jan Smith & Sue Cahlander |
| Faith (granddaughter) | Successful treatment and recovery | Judy Heidinger |
| Barb Zurstadt | Healing and recovery | Jan Smith & Sue Cahlander |
| Max Lampros (grandson) | Healing and recovery | Liz Andersen |
| 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 |
| Dr. Cara Steinkeler | Strength as she supports dying COVID patients and their families | Gary & Gail Grafwallner |
| Midwest tornado victims | Comfort and assistance as they recover | Staff |
| Those confined to their homes: Mareline Barnes, Dave Bumgardner, Jean Frederickson, 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 |
| Atonement Lutheran Church (Newport, OR) Faith Lutheran Church (North Bend, OR) | Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Masjed As-Saber (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, December 19, Fourth 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 20
| 6:00 pm | Scout Troop 618 Meeting | Fellowship Hall, St. Andrew Room |
Tuesday, December 21 – Weekly News submissions due by 4:00 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 |
Wednesday, December 22
| 10:00 am | Yoga Class | Fellowship Hall |
| 6:45 pm | Informal Gathering Time | via Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Advent Evening Prayer | Sanctuary or via Zoom |
| 7:30 pm | Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal | Sanctuary |
Thursday, December 23
| 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 | IT Meeting | offsite |
Friday, December 24 – Office Closed
| 4:00 pm | Christmas Eve Children’s Worship Service (masks required) | Sanctuary |
| 7:00 pm | Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service (masks required) | Sanctuary and Livestreamed |
| 10:00 pm | Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service (masks required) | Sanctuary and via Zoom |
Saturday, December 25
| 11:00 am | Christmas Day Worship Service (masks required) | Sanctuary |
Sunday, December 19, Fourth Sunday in Advent
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) | Sanctuary and YouTube |
| 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 |
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.