October 24, 2021
Want a printed copy of the Weekly News? Click on the printer icon to the right or download and print the PDF.
Fall Adult Education Classes
The Fall session of Adult Education ends this Sunday.
Faith in Finance: Making Giving More Meaningful
This Sunday, October 24, the Stewardship team presents its final session of “Making Giving More Meaningful” at 10:00 am in Fellowship Hall. If you’re unable to attend in person (either this session or earlier ones in the series), you can find a summary online at https://standrewlutheran.com/making-giving-more-meaningful.
Road Trip! The Missionary Journeys of Paul
What legacy did the Apostle Paul leave for the church and for us today? In his final class session this Sunday, Steve Christiansen will share ideas from Paul for a New Day, by Robin Scroggs. The author tries to clarify Paul’s message in today’s terms and highlights some theological ideas we could put into practice ourselves—ideas about justification, faith, the church community, and ethics.
Join Steve Christiansen via Zoom at 10:00 am on Sunday, October 24, to learn more about how Paul shaped the church.
Wednesday Evening Prayer
All are welcome this Wednesday, October 27, when midweek evening prayer services continue via Zoom. Informal gathering time begins at 6:45 pm, with the devotion at 7:00 pm. Centering Prayer follows at 7:30 pm for those who would like to participate in this receptive method of silent prayer.
The Doctrine of Discovery
In 2016, the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA adopted the “Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery.” The Doctrine of Discovery originated with a papal bull in the 15th century and codified both colonialism and religious intolerance into international law. The Doctrine of Discovery created a theological framework that supported racism, colonialism, and the annihilation of Indigenous people. Today it continues to support those evils and injustices
found in our church, U.S. law, and legal interpretation.
We’ll learn more about this important topic—both how it impacted the founding of our country and how it impacts us today—in our special Adult Education class between services on Sunday, October 31. You can ATTEND ANYWHERE. We’ll meet in Fellowship Hall or you can participate via Zoom.
Christmas Greenery Orders
The deadline to order Christmas greenery from Scout Troops 618 and 5618 is this Sunday, October 24. Please check the product flyer and price list on the communications table in the Narthex for details regarding the items available, or contact Amy Harker (email mimiweasel@gmail.com) and she’ll send you that information electronically. Prepayment is not required and can be handled at delivery on November 20-21.
Table Talk: What is Patriotism?
Tuesday, October 26, 7:00-8:00 pm (via Zoom)
Gathered around the table in his home, Martin Luther talked freely and openly with his colleagues and students about matters of faith, theology, and varied aspects of daily life. In an effort to cultivate this kind of spirited discussion we have a tradition at St. Andrew of gathering for Table Talks. Pastor Brocker invites you to participate in the next Table
Talk via Zoom on Tuesday, October 26, 7:00-8:00 pm.
In March 1941, German Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer traveled to Switzerland on behalf of the conspiracy against Adolf Hitler. His role was to communicate with the Allies through ecumenical church leaders. At an evening gathering one ecumenical leader asked him, “What do you pray for in the current situation?” He responded, “Since you ask me, I must say that I pray for the defeat of my country, for I believe that this is the only way in which it can pay for the suffering which it has caused the world.” In April 1945 Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis for committing treason. But one could make a case that he was a true patriot fighting for the well-being of his nation.
In this Table Talk we will discuss what constitutes true patriotism in a time such as ours. Prior to our conversation, you are encouraged to read David Brooks’ New York Times editorial “How to Love America: Patriotism in a Time of Division”
(https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/opinion/america-patriotism.html).
Pastor Mark’s Upcoming Chi-Rho Lectures
This November 12-14, Pastor Mark will be delivering a weekend of lectures titled “Doing Ethics in Extraordinary Times: The Witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer” at Central Lutheran Church in Eugene. German pastor and theologian Bonhoeffer is often celebrated as an example of a modern Christian martyr for his participation in a plot to assassinate Hitler, while he himself avoided justifying his actions. What does it mean to “do ethics in extraordinary times”? What does Bonhoeffer’s witness mean for us today?
All lectures will be held in person and via livestream and are free and open to all. Visit www.welcometocentral.org/chi-rho/ to learn more and watch this newsletter for further details to come.
A Blessing for Learning to Delight Again
This Sunday, Pastor Susan Kintner will reference Kate Bowler, author of Everything Happens and No Cure for Being Human.
You can learn more at http://katebowler.com or check out Bowler’s podcast, “Everything Happens.”
Bowler shares several blessings on her website and this one seems appropriate for us today:
A blessing for learning to delight again.
blessed are you, the pragmatic. you who have run the math and know what adds up…and what doesn’t. you have set it all down. you who don’t hope or dream or plan anymore because…what’s the point?
but blessed are you, learning to live here. your world has shrunk. pain or grief or fear has sucked up every bit of oxygen from the room and every ounce of delight has been squeezed from your hands.
but blessed are we, who discover that even in the smallness, our attention might compress even more.
we who pull out a magnifying glass to discover…to notice…to taste…to smell…the small joys and simple pleasures that make a life worth living.
you who wear the fancy blouse because it makes you feel nice, long after you thought your body was worth decorating. you who eat the over-the-top meal because that is what today can afford.
you who make the memory and plan the trip and who snap a picture because we know that this one, wild, precious life might cost us everything…so why not make it not just bearable, but beautiful.
Thank You
Dear Friends at St. Andrew,
Thank you so much for your generous donation of $400. The Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC) truly appreciates your commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence in Washington County and we’re grateful for your kindness.
Since 1975, DVRC has been providing lifesaving services to survivors of domestic violence,
but our work would not be possible without the help of people like you! We thank you for continuing to support our mission of educating, supporting, and empowering those affected by domestic violence after so many years.
Rosemary (Rowie) Taylor
Executive Director
Thanksgiving is Coming
The Service Committee is once again sponsoring Thanksgiving meals for Community Action families and we need your help. Community Action works with families on parenting, financial stability, housing, and education. These are families that really need help.
Last year, generous donations from St. Andrew members enabled us to purchase $50 Winco gift cards for 75 families. We would like to achieve this goal again. Any donations that exceed our goal of $3,750 will be donated to the St. Matthew Food Pantry for feeding anyone in the community who needs food assistance.
If you wish to give on-line, select the Thanksgiving Food Drive fund or you can send a check made out to St. Andrew with “Thanksgiving Food Drive” in the memo line.
This is a wonderful way to live out our faith, as well as giving a needy family the chance to truly celebrate Thanksgiving. Please consider helping with a donation of any amount this year.
To give us time to purchase gift cards and get them to these families, our deadline for donation is Sunday, November 14.
Please contact LuAnn Staul (ljstaul@gmail.com, 503-314-6321) or Linda McDowall (mcdowall.ml@gmail.com, 503-649-5091) with questions.
Farm Workers Drive a Success
The Western Farm Workers Association fall drive was successful with more than 330 food and clothing items collected.
Among items donated were 183 articles of clothing, which included 40 coats, 31 sweatshirts, and 11 sweaters, as well as work pants, rain jackets, work boots, and other miscellaneous clothing items.
A total of 148 food items were collected, including 65 cans of tuna, 21 bags/cans of pinto beans, 9 bags of rice, 9 jars of peanut butter, 5 jars of jam, 7 bottles of cooking oil—plus other miscellaneous food items.
Everything was delivered to the Western Farm Workers office in Hillsboro on Monday, October 4. Peter Berger, WFWA operations manager, thanks the people of St. Andrew for their generosity.
Service Committee
Lutheran World Relief Ingathering Volunteers Needed
Your help is needed. Twice a year, St. Andrew coordinates the Lutheran World Relief Fall Ingathering for churches in Oregon, SW Washington, and Idaho, when we collect School Kits and Quilts. Churches are donating these gifts to communities around the globe. To learn more, go to https://lwr.org/kits/school-kits.
We are preparing for our Fall LWR Ingathering and looking for volunteers to help load the shipping container. Volunteers are organized in shifts of 2 hours. That’s right—we’re looking for just two hours of your time for this important ministry.
Churches will deliver their donations to St. Andrew on Friday, October 29, or Saturday, October 30. We need volunteers to unload boxes from cars or pack the boxes in the shipping container. The boxes weigh up to 45 pounds. The Friday shifts are 8:00 am to 10:00 am, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The single 3-hour shift on Saturday is 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. St. Andrew COVID-19 guidelines apply to this activity.
If you haven’t already signed up or have questions please contact Roger Sandquist (503-840-0001 or rogersandquist@frontier.com).
Preparing for Reformation Sunday, October 31, 2021
Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Gospel: John 8:31-36
Go to the “Preparing for Worship” webpage for the bulletins, the complete Lectionary, and more.
Bonhoeffer, The Church, and the Climate Question
Pacific Lutheran University invites the public to attend its 16th Annual David & Marilyn Knutson Lecture at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 2, via Zoom. This year’s speaker is James B. Martin-Schramm, professor emeritus of religion at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
The lecture will begin with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s provocative 1933 essay on “The Church and the Jewish Question” and draw parallels to climate change. Where virulent anti-Semitism was the most important issue facing the church in Bonhoeffer’s day, Martin-Schramm argues Bonhoeffer would have grave concerns about the impacts of climate change on present and future generations. Martin-Schramm explains how Martin Luther’s doctrine of the two kingdoms shaped Bonhoeffer’s critique of the church and state in his day regarding “the Jewish Question” and ponders how Bonhoeffer might challenge the feeble responses of both the state and the church to the climate crisis. The lecture explores tensions between patriotism and resistance and considers how God is at work in the world today among all who are striving for climate justice.
For detailed information and to register for the free event, go to http://plu.edu/religion/knutson-lecture.
Keep Fright Away
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) advises that hosting a Halloween party for grownups this year is doable, but with the highly transmittable Delta variant, it does take some planning and caution.
“Make sure you’re vaccinated; that’s number one,” said Ali Hamade, OHA senior health advisor and deputy state epidemiologist. “Number two, wear a good face covering that is at least two layers thick. A Halloween mask will not do the job.”
Hamade adds that outdoor events are best because the risk of transmission is much lower than socializing indoors. Keep the guest list small and stick with vaccinated guests (no children under 12); discourage people from crowding together; wash your hands before and after eating; and don’t touch your face with unwashed hands. If guests go inside, remind them to wear their masks and physically distance. Open windows and run a fan or air purifier to maximize ventilation.
If your party takes place during trick-or-treating, please wear a mask when handing out candy.
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.
| Kay (mother) | Comfort, peace and God’s love as death nears | Linda Olshausen |
| Maverick Dixon (unborn nephew) | Complete healing in the womb | AJ & Rebecca Uecker |
| Madeleine (granddaughter) | Effective treatment and healing | Mary Smith |
| Robert and Channa | Support and Comfort | Carol Harker |
| St. Timothy Episcopal Church (Brookings, OR) |
Positive resolution to community opposition | India Jensen Kerr |
| Grunewald Guild staff and teachers | Support and wisdom | Susan Kintner |
| Those facing ongoing illness or distress: Tandy Brooks, Dave Bumgardner, Vic Claar, Gary Grafwallner, Ian MacDonald, Gary Magnuson, Hugh Mason, Brian McKiernan, Carol Means, Ed Pacey, Corky Poppert, Jolie Reyna, Nan Thompson, Shane Throckmorton, Gary Tubbs |
Healing and assurance of God’s presence | Staff |
| Bishop Elizabeth Eaton | Wisdom and discernment | Staff |
| Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | Blessings on our ministry | Staff |
| Taiwan Lutheran Church | Strength and wisdom | Staff |
| Zion Lutheran Church (Redmond, OR) Shepherd in the Hills Lutheran Church (Sisters, OR) |
Serving with us in the Oregon Synod | Staff |
| Masjid Abu Bakr (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, October 24
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) Livestream Worship with Communion |
Sanctuary YouTube |
| 10:00 am | Children’s Ministry with Donna Brocker | Children’s Library |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation | Library and via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group | Youth Room |
| 10:00 am | Adult Ed: Road Trip: The Missionary Journeys of Paul | via Zoom |
| 10:00 am | Adult Ed: Faith and Finance: Making Giving More Meaningful | Fellowship Hall |
| 10:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) Zoom Worship with Communion |
Sanctuary Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
Monday, October 25
| 6:00 pm | Scout Troop Leaders | St. Andrew Room |
| 6:00 pm | Scout Troop 618 Meeting | East Parking Lot |
Tuesday, October 26
| 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) |
| 9:00 am | Facilities Team Meeting | St. Andrew Room |
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | Fellowship Hall |
| 12:15 pm | Community Carbon Leadership Meeting | Adult Library |
| 7:00 pm | Table Talk: “What Is Patriotism?” | via Zoom |
Wednesday, October 27 – Weekly News submissions due by 4:00 pm
| 10:00 am | Yoga Class | Fellowship Hall |
| 6:00 pm | Bells of Grace Rehearsal | Sanctuary |
| 6:45 pm | Informal Gathering Time | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | Wednesday Evening Prayer | Zoom |
| 7:00 pm | High School Youth Pumpkin Carving | Fellowship Hall |
| 7:30 pm | Centering Prayer | Zoom |
Thursday, October 28
| 9:30 am | Seekers of the Heart of God Bible Study | St. Andrew Room |
| 12:00 pm | Team Ministry Meeting | Chapel/Adult Library |
| 7:00 pm | IT Meeting | Offsite |
Friday, October 29
| 7:00 am | Lutheran World Relief Ingathering | Garden Parking Lot |
| 10:00 am | T’ai Chi | Fellowship Hall |
Saturday, October 30
| 7:00 am | Lutheran World Relief Ingathering | Garden Parking Lot |
Sunday, October 31 – Reformation Sunday (Wear Red!)
| 8:30 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) Livestream Worship with Communion |
Sanctuary YouTube |
| 10:00 am | Children’s Ministry with Donna Brocker | Children’s Library |
| 10:00 am | Confirmation (for grades 6-8) | Adult Library |
| 10:00 am | High School Youth Group | Youth Room |
| 10:00 am | Adult Education Special Topic: “The Doctrine of Discovery” | Fellowship Hall and Zoom |
| 10:30 am | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |
| 11:00 am | Worship with Communion (masks required) Zoom Worship with Communion |
Sanctuary Zoom |
| 12:00 pm | Virtual Coffee Time | Zoom |