St. Andrews by the Lake

GRAINS OF SAND

               THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT

                     Dec. 13-19 

A QUESTION TO PONDER

     As we walk through the remainder of Advent, here is something to ponder: What question is Jesus asking me this Advent? When you read or hear the Gospel read (this year, Luke), ask each time: What is the question that Jesus is trying to answer here? Then say to yourself, “Lord, put in my heart those same questions. Make me curious about the important questions.”

If the Gospel (God’s Good News) is not an answer to the world anymore, it’s perhaps because the world is not asking the right questions. For example, ‘How can I be making a million dollars by the time I’m forty? or fifty? or sixty?’   Our world seems to be obsessed with such a silly question. Jesus would say it is a false question. He would say it’s all going to pass way - so don’t build your house on sand.

Unless we move deeper into asking the important questions - we’ll always get the wrong answer.  And it may be especially wrong if it’s dressed up in religious garb.

A verse for the week:

     Surely it is God who saves me. I will trust in God and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, and he will be my savior.  (Isaiah 12: 2)

                                           EVENTS THIS WEEK

Bishop’s Committee — Monday, December 14th, 5:30 p.m.

Adult Education - Wednesday, December 16th, 7 p.m. (last class on Proverbs) 

Third Thursday Lunch at Berger’s

     Join others for a delightful time of eating and visiting on Thursday, December 17th at Mark and Ginny Berger’s home. They live at: 4031 Rehbein Road (off Howard Gniesen). All are welcome. If you didn’t sign up — then please call before Wednesday (728-1350)

Greening of the Church - Sunday, December 20th

     Traditionally, the 4th Sunday of Advent (after worship) is the time to ‘green the church’ - by hanging the wreaths and garlands of pine.  If you can stay after for a bit to help, it would be greatly appreciated. We can find something to do for anyone who stays.

                          EVENTS IN THE COMING WEEKS 

CHRISTMAS EVE - December 24th - Holy Eucharist, 5:00 p.m.

Please note the time change (a bit later) from past years. It is hoped it gives those coming from work a little more time to get to worship. Lot’s of wonderful music will be offered - and we will sing many carols together, as we have in the past. It’s a wondeful time to gather and remember the birth of Jesus,

the Christ.

The Anglican (Episcopal) Church, with its great emphasis on the Incarnation - the Eternal Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us - could easily be labeled The Church of Christmas. The Incarnation - is central to how we understand God and live our lives from that understanding.

A child once said, “I wish I had a picture of God.” This is exactly what we are granted in the birth of Jesus - for us, for the whole world.

SWING DANCE - Sunday, December 27th.

Tap your toes and swing your partner after church on the 27th (12-2 p.m.).  It’s ‘bebop’ time! Kaley Malban and Anthony Chen will teach the art of Swing Dance — then we’ll have time to dance after we brush off our skills.  Kaley and Anthony both attend the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque - and both come with excellent dancing and teaching skills. It will be fun!!  Snacks, too. Invite friends!

Christmas Pageant - January 3rd, 9:45 a.m.

The children have begun to work on the Christmas pageant under the capable guidance of Liz Maeshima, Roberta Cline is teaching the children some new music. Adelaide Cline is making some new costumes to enhance what we already have. It’s great fun — and we’ll get to share in the event on Sunday morning, January 3rd.

ART EXHIBIT - Madonna and Child

Amazing, simply amazing! Arlene Renken has gathered an art exhibit, centering on the Madonna and Child. There are many representations from around the world and different cultures. In addition, she has created a ‘gallery walk’ to help us look more closely at each piece of art. It’s kind of like a ’scavenger hunt’. You will find the ‘gallery walk’ in a box on the first table inside the Mission Hall. On the piano you will see an icon of the Madonna and Child created by the late Sister Mary Charles, from the Benedictine Monastery. Also, there is a wood carving that was done by Walter Pylkkanen, Alice Olson’s father. Walter died in November, but during his lifetime, he did some wonderful carvings and other woodwork.

A NIGHT OF NORWEGIAN MUSIC

Mark your calendars for Friday, February 12th, 7a p.m. for a night of Norwegian Music at St. Andrew’s by the Lake. We will have Arna Rennan and Brian Dack with us to provide a wonderful evening of entertainment. In addtion, we’ll have Norwegian and other scandanavian goodies.  100 free tickest will be available — and there will be a free will offering taken. The Bishop’s Committee will be deciding what local agency will receive the offering.

CONGRATULATIONS to Alissa Larsen, who will graduate from Bethel College with an MBA, on December 18th.  Way to go Alissa! Alissa works at SMDC, is married to Aaron Larsen, and mother to Rachael Olson, Emma and Mason Larsen. She is the daughter of Quentin and Alice Olson.

TEENS COLLECT GIFTS FOR SAFE HAVEN

Many gifts have begun to arrive for those living at Safe Haven. Our teens are collecting the gifts (there is a little Christmas Tree with gifts suggestions on it), wrapping them, and will deliver them after Dec. 20th. So - if you took a tag, bring your gift by next Sunday (unwrapped) — and THANK YOU.

Safe Haven is a shelter for women and their children who are leaving an abusive relationship.

STOCKING CAPS FOR CHUM 

     Thank you to all who purchased stocking hats. A friend of Sue Slattery’s made about 100 of them and gave them to the church to do whatever we wanted with them. We have raised $265 from your donations. Now that money and the remainder of the hats will go to CHUM.  Thank you for your generosity.

5K RUN/WALK 

     I could tell that there are those in this congregation whose hearts are really wrapped around helping others — when I walked into the room at Fitger’s on Saturday, December 5th - and I saw signs advertising ‘next year’s race - already!!  What an amazing group of faithful people you all are. Special thanks to Mike and Karen Cheslak and Donna Elsbury who chaired this event (again!). They were very ably helped by Sue Slattery (who made lots of connections for us), Linda Dean and John Nichols. I could tell we had huge numbers of volunteers when I saw the ‘mountain’ of volunteer t-shirts on the bag stuffing night. i can’t even begin to list all the volunteers — because so many of them did ‘behind the scene’ work.
We made $2770 — which will be matched by GO FRESH. So — $5540 will go to help sustain elementary schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan — and also being sent will be all the Pennies for Peace that our Tweens collected.

It is such a blessing to be part of this faith community!!

Jesus, our peace,

                                               by your Gospel

                                               you call us to be very simple,

                                               very humble.

                                               You give growth within us

                                               to an infinite gratitude

                                               for your constant presence

                                               in our hearts.

                                                      The late Brother Roger of Taize