Previous Classes

February 18 – March 17, 2024
Exile 101: Written in Babylon
Kyler Vogt

The time of the Babylonian Exile is one of the most influential eras in Christian history… yet no Christians were involved! How can this be? When Judah was conquered by Babylon and the wealthy and educated were taken away into Babylon, the vacuum of exile led to an explosion of new creation. A huge portion of the Hebrew scriptures come from this time—Jewish history was reexamined, prophets had visions galore, and new stories took place that shaped the future of the faith. What happened during the exile shaped the way Christians have looked at history, Israel/Judah, and Jesus himself.

Click on a session title to view on YouTube.

Exile 101: What is the Babylonian exile, and why is it important?
How Did We Get Here? Hebrew historical texts from the exile
Historical books written during the exile
Finding God Again: Prophets during the exile
Stories from the exile: Queens, furnaces, lions, and bathtubs

December 3 – December 17, 2023
Do Black Churches Matter In the ELCA?
Sr. India Jensen Kerr

We will be discussing two videos that Pastor Lenny Duncan, an ELCA pastor, created called “Do Black Churches Matter in the ELCA?” He speaks to people across the country including bishops, church leaders, and members to find out what some of the struggles are for Black Churches in the ELCA. How can we do better and support our siblings in Christ? Please join Sister India as we discuss this important topic.

Click on the session title to view on YouTube.

Do Black Churches Matter to the ELCA? Part I
Do Black Churches Matter to the ELCA? Part II
Potential Solutions from Pastor Duncan’s Book: Dear Church

September 17 – October 22, November 5 – 19, 2023
The Book of Revelation: Hope Unveiled
Steve Christiansen

The book of Revelation appears violent and fearsome: four horsemen unleash calamity upon the earth; mysterious numbers like “666” spell destruction; mutant locusts and multi-headed beasts terrify; a scarlet whore of Babylon seduces nations with her cup of fornications; an end-times battle of Armageddon leaves millions slaughtered. What is God saying to us in this book?

Revelation is one of the most difficult books of the Bible, full of mysterious symbolism, so it is important for readers to know that the message of Revelation is, most of all, one of hope. Hope is the message that has sustained countless Christians in situations of tyranny and oppression throughout the ages. The vision of hope in Revelation also speaks to us today.

Click on session title to view on YouTube.

Historical and Literary Context
The Seven Letters (1:1-3:22)
The Seven Seals (4:1-8:1)
The Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:18)
The Seven Signs (11:19-15:4)
The Seven Bowls (15:5-16:21)
The Seven Sights (17:1-20:15)
The New Creation and New Jerusalem; Epilogue (21:1-22:21)
Unveiling Empire: Reading Revelation Today

April 16, 30, May 7-21, 2023
Buddhism and Christianity: Double Belonging
Janet Vorvick

Explore the beliefs and practices of Buddhism in this class that looks for connection to our Christian beliefs and practices. We will ask whether Buddhism and Christianity are fundamentally alike or different. Since Buddhism has no God, we will ask what experiences of the divine for Christians are like experiences of a person pursuing Buddhist spirituality. Is double belonging possible? One person, the author of the book, Without the Buddha, I Could Not Be a Christian, thinks so. We will examine some of the ideas from this book.

Click on a session title to watch on YouTube.

Buddhism and Christianity: Alike or Different?
Nirvana and Heaven: Alike or Different?
Jesus and Buddha: Alike or Different?
Buddhist Meditation and Centering Prayer
Is Dual Belonging Possible?

April 16, 30, May 7-21, 2023
The History of the Devil
Steve Christiansen

Why is there evil in the world? Where does it come from? Does it emanate from a single source? Great minds have pondered these questions for millennia. Many Christians believe in an evil force they call the Devil, but the concept of an “evil one” has changed with the passage of time. In the Old Testament alone there is a breadth of imagination. Consider the Serpent (Genesis 3:1), the Lord of the Flies (Baal-zabub, 2 Kings 1:2–3), the Heavenly Prosecutor (the Satan, Job 1:6-7). These imagined symbols of evil have been used to try to answer perplexing questions, but they have also been used to demonize others. Please join us as we discuss these issues.

Click on a session to watch on YouTube.
April 16  Ideas Of Evil In Ancient Societies
April 23  [Earth Care Fair; No Class]
April 30 Ideas Of Evil In The Old Testament
May 7  The Devil In Intertestamental Writings
May 14  The Devil In The New Testament
May 21  The Devil In More Modern Times

February 26 – March 26, 2023
Pilgrimage
Paul Navarre

The concept of Christian pilgrimage can be traced back as far as the third century, but people made pilgrimages well before the birth of Christ. In this class we’ll look at what makes a journey a pilgrimage, Christian pilgrimage throughout history, and some of the great pilgrimages of other faith traditions throughout the world. We’ll also look at what it might be like to undertake a pilgrimage today, and some of the more popular modern Christian pilgrimage destinations.

Click on the date to view the session on YouTube.
February 26 (Class canceled due to inclement weather)
March 5
March 12
March 19
March 26

January 8 – February 5, 2023
A Christian Thinks about Islam and the Qur’an
Jim Aageson

In this highly pluralistic world in which we live, it is important that people in various religious communities remain open to and learn about their inter-faith neighbors. Each Sunday in worship, we the people of St. Andrew pray for our inter-faith partners. Among them are Jewish and Islamic communities, both of which, along with Christianity, are prime examples of the monotheistic religions that emerged out of the Middle East. This course will focus on one of those partners, Islam. We do this as respectful outsiders to Islam and with appreciation for the contributions our Muslim neighbors make to us and our community. The approach to the topic will be comparative in order that we might understand how Islam and Christianity are similar or different and how we might learn from each other.

Click on the date to watch the session on YouTube.
January 8, 2023
January 15, 2023
January 22, 2023
January 29, 2023
February 5, 2023

October 30, 2022
Special Topic: Horizon Event
Horizon Team

Following a single worship service at 9:30 am, we gathered in the Fellowship Hall for a discernment event (11:00 am-12:30 pm). We heard the hopes, dreams, wishes, and visions that were shared in Horizon Circle gatherings and discerned together where the Spirit is calling St. Andrew.

Watch on YouTube.

September 18-October 2, October 16-23, 2022
Ethics Forum: Grounded in Grace
Pastor Mark Brocker

The purpose of this class is to provide an introduction to an Evangelical Lutheran way of living and making decisions. As Evangelical Lutherans, we ground ethics in God’s grace or unconditional love. God’s grace motivates us to live by grace. Knowing that we are loved unconditionally by God frees us to live and make decisions without fear. Living out our core care values is a way of putting God’s love into action.

Click on the session title to watch on YouTube.

October 9, 2022
Special Topic: Countdown to Burning the Mortgage
Stewardship Committee

Thanks to generous contributions from the congregation, St. Andrew owes less than $530,000 on its mortgage. Can we get excited about the possibility of burning the mortgage at the same time we celebrate our 70th anniversary in the fall of 2023?

Watch on YouTube.

May 8, 22, July 10, 17, 24, 2022
The Minor Prophets
Pastor Mark Brocker

May 8, 2022
May 22, 2022
July 10, 2022
July 17, 2022
July 24, 2022

March 6 – April 3, 2022
From Abraham to the ELCA
Paul Navarre

Throughout the history of the Bible and Christianity there have been shifts in beliefs that caused divisions among believers. This class will look at those points in history that have caused the children of Abraham to divide themselves into different faiths, religions, sects, and synods. We’ll start in Biblical times and advance through history, looking at Christians and Jews, Protestants and Catholics, Lutherans and Calvinists, and all of the different types of Lutheranism down to the current Lutheran bodies, including the ELCA.

March 6 – April 3, 2022
Preparing to Die: The Final Act of Living
Pastor Mark Brocker

We all face death. It is a part of life. But few of us are ready for it. This class is intended to help in the process of preparing for death. It will offer practical advice and spiritual insight grounded in our faith tradition. We will focus on such topics as navigating the dying process, leaving a legacy, planning a memorial service, deciding where and how to be buried, and anticipating resurrected life.

Session Five – April 3, 2022
Session Four – March 27, 2022
Session Three – March 20, 2022
Session Two – March 13, 2022
Session One – recording error

September 19 – October 24, 2021
Faith in Finance: Making Giving More Meaningful

Why does God ask us to give? What motivates us to give? How do our contributions help others? Entering into conversations with each other and members of the Stewardship Committee, participants explore how to make their giving more meaningful.

Sessions from Making Giving More Meaningful

September 19 – October 24, 2021
Road Trip: The Missionary Journeys of Paul
Steve Christiansen

Join us in this six-week class as we study the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul as described by Luke in The Acts of the Apostles. We will set out with Paul on his missions to plant the seeds of a radical new faith–one based on grace and mercy instead of power and violence–in Greece and Rome, the Centers of European civilization.

Sessions:
Paul’s Early Life
Paul’s First Journey
Paul’s Second Journey
Paul’s Third Journey
Paul’s Arrest and Transport to Rome
Paul For a New Day

April 11 – May 23, 2021
Women of the New Testament
Karen Klingelhafer

How do the interactions that Jesus has with women in the New Testament help us understand Jesus better? Do these stories reveal more about what the Bible has to say regarding discipleship, friendship, oppression, and even the church’s role in the world today?

Join seminarian Karen Klingelhafer via Zoom at 10:00 am Sunday, April 18, when she begins her five-week Adult Education class, Women in the Gospels. During the five-week class, she will explore the story of the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28), the story of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:21-43), the story of Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1:5-2:52), the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11), as well as the role women play in the death and resurrection stories across the Gospels.

March 28
Bread for the World
LuAnn Staul

Ending hunger can start with a letter or e-mail. Each spring St. Andrew members bear witness to our concern for those who suffer from hunger by participating in the Bread for the World annual letter writing campaign. These letters inspire our leaders in Washington D.C. to enact policies and pass legislation that will reduce hunger and poverty in the U.S. and the world.

The current legislative priority of Bread for the World is to urge Congress to invest in anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs in response to COVID-19. Because of our persistent advocacy, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The legislation contains numerous provisions that will help people struggling with hunger and poverty. But there is more to do as we continue to address the ripple effects of COVID-19.

“Speak out for the rights of all who are destitute. Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

February 28 – March 21, 2021
History, Art, and Architecture of Churches
Paul Navarre

From the most humble chapel to the great cathedrals of Europe, churches are places to hear the Word of God and worship together, at least when there isn’t a pandemic raging. Beyond the utilitarian function, every church has stories and a history, and most contain art and are places for the performance of the arts. Many church buildings are masterpieces of art and craftsmanship themselves.

In this class we’ll look at some of my favorite places of Christian worship and appreciate their history, architecture, and the artwork they contain. I’m a bit of a Europhile, so we’ll be paying special attention to churches, chapels, and cathedrals in Europe. In these days of restricted travel, it is the perfect time to pack our virtual bags and set out together to visit some of the most interesting and beautiful places of worship.

January 2021
The Gospel of Mark: A Narrative Theology
Jim Aageson

Led by Jim Aageson, Mark’s gospel presents its theology in narrative form where the actions and words of Jesus challenge readers and hearers with a powerful vision of God’s reign. It is an expansive and inclusive theological vision of God’s kingdom that the writer of Mark brings to life. As the journey of discipleship unfolds in the narrative world of Mark, it becomes clear that the destination of this journey is the cross. Along the way, the disciples and by implication the contemporary followers of Christ learn that 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.

Fall – Advent 2020
Job’s Response to Misery
Steve Christiansen

Steve Christiansen led us through an exploration of the book of Job. It is a story with obvious parallels to our time.

As Steve explains, “the phrase ‘the patience of Job’ was taken from an incorrect translation of the New Testament book of James (5:11, KJV), ‘You have heard of the patience of Job.’ Job was anything but patient! In his misery, he demanded answers from God, sometimes resorting to blasphemy. No, this story is not about patience, but about endurance, about persistence, about somehow putting one foot in front of the other in spite of the odds. At the end of the story, Job’s fortunes are restored, but we are left with many questions regarding the suffering of the innocent. There are no easy answers here, but much fodder for discussion.”

November 29, 2020
no class

Stewardship Sunday:
Sharing God’s Grace

If we look at our offering as an obligation, that is what it will be. But if we understand that our gifts are used by the church to make sure that we all can continue to receive the type of spiritual experience we desire, we will begin to enjoy it. We will look for additional ways to give and we will begin to make it part of our regular budget. Presented by Andy Roberts.

Fall 2020:
The Political Responsibility of the Church
Pastor Mark Brocker

This course, offered by Pastor Mark Brocker during the final stages of the 2020 presidential election process, focuses on “The Political Responsibility of the Church” in ordinary and extraordinary times. One can make a strong case that we are in an extraordinary time due to the global coronavirus pandemic, nationwide protests against racial injustice, four years of often corrupt and unjust rule by President Trump and his administration, and the looming threat of catastrophic climate change. But one can also make a case that a crucial way to respond to our current situation this fall is to engage in the most basic political act available to US citizens: voting in the fall 2020 election. In exploring our theme we utilize insights from the life and writings of German Lutheran pastor and professor Dietrich Bonhoeffer and consider how they apply to our political context today. Bonhoeffer was hung by the Nazis in 1945 for his role in the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler. We will also draw on observations from contemporary theologians and political commentators as well as from class participants.