Pastor's Message

“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15 NIV

This month at St. Andrew we will confirm a number of our 8th grade students. For two years in Confirmation Class and we hope many years at home, they have studied God’s Word. Now is the time for them to confirm the promises made for them at their baptism. On Sunday, May 18 they will promise to be faithful and remain faithful to our God.

The above reading from Joshua chapter 24 is appropriate for such a time. In Joshua’s case he was very old and would soon die. He wanted the people whom he had led to rededicate themselves to the God who had guided, provided and protected them so well.

So Joshua told them that it was ‘decision time’ for them. They could either rededicate themselves to God – or they could imitate the nations around them and trust in their non-existent gods. Trusting in these false gods might be more convenient. However, they also would get absolutely no help from these false gods since they were only wood and stone representations.

Sunday, May 18 is ‘decision time’ for our Confirmands, it is also a time when we can travel back to our baptism and remember the promises that were made for us by our parents and our sponsors. This is a time when we can remember how good God has been to us – how he has guided, provided and protected us. We can remember God’s love and forgiveness, especially shown to us through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

In any relationship if a person is not deliberately growing closer to the other person they are drifting away from that other person. If we are not spending time with God – in prayer, in worship and in Bible study - we are slipping away. That is not a good thing for marriages. That definitely is not good in our relationship with God when we see what He alone can supply and do.

So – since your Confirmation Sunday – in which direction have you gone? Have you grown closer to the God who loves you and wants to do so much for you? Or for one reason or the other have you drifted away to some degree? Realize that God is constantly reaching out to you. He wants to supply your daily needs – forgive your confessed sins – and lead you to his eternal presence. However, he will not push. God will not force his way into your life. You have to allow the Holy Spirit that you received at your baptism to work within you.

Joshua told his people that it was ‘decision time’ for them. He also strongly told them that he had already made his choice. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Pastor Korytkowski

WELCOME!

During the month of April we had one new member join our congregation. Please make Tom Legate feel welcome. Tom is the son of Fred and Charlotte Legate.

Nancy Taft

ADULT CLASS

Pastor has begun a Tuesday afternoon (1 p.m.) and a Tuesday evening (6:30 p.m.) Adult Information/Instruction Class for prospective members. If you wish to become a member at St. Andrew this class is for you. You are not to receive Holy Communion until you have completed these classes and have expressed a desire to become a member at St. Andrew.

During our meetings we look at the ‘basics’ of the Christian faith. We compare our Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod understanding with other Christian and even non-Christian beliefs. Questions are always welcome. And any present St. Andrew member can attend as a ‘refresher.’

Talk with Pastor if you are interested in attending these classes.

Pastor Korytkowski

SUMMER WORSHIP HOURS

Our elders chose to offer the same worship hours this summer as we have had in the recent past. That means Sunday worship will be held at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. On Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. we will also hold worship using the lessons of the previous Sunday. Holy Communion will be held at each of these services.

Since we are adding the Wednesday evening service (from May 25th through September 3rd) we will also need ready and willing ushers for those services.

We would also like to have a ‘combined’ Sunday School this summer for our young people. To have one or two combined age classes we will need volunteers to teach those classes. Please look for the sign-up sheets as you will be asked to sign up for the Sundays that you would be willing to teach.

Adult Bible Class will continue at 9:15 a.m. through the summer. For this class we can either look at one of the Sunday lessons or pick a topic or book of the Bible to study. Let Pastor or one of the elders know your preference.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

A number of our young people are finishing up their two years of Confirmation instruction. On Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. they will have their examination. At this examination they will be questioned on the memory work they have learned. They will be asked some questions concerning the Bible and the Catechism. And they will read one of the three essay questions they will have typed out and brought to the examination. Anyone is welcome to attend this examination.

These young people also are looking forward to Confirmation Sunday. During our 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, May 18 they will come to the Communion Rail and confess for themselves (they will confirm) the promises that were made for them at their baptism.

Students who wish to be confirmed this year (and their parents) – remember that all memory work and missed classes have to be completed before the examination on May 13. Students also have to have ushered, served as an acolyte and helped the Altar Guild at least the requested number of times. If you have any questions about this please speak with Dan Berres who keeps the record sheets. You may also speak with Pastor or one of the St. Andrew elders.

Pastor Korytkowski

THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

Catechesis under the Fifth Commandment

The Fifteenth Annual Symposium on Catechesis will be held June 18-20, 2008 at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha.

In addition to lessons on the 5th Commandment, this symposium will also explore bioethical issues such as questions related to infertility and abortion, stem cell research, euthanasia and end of life decisions.
Among the presenters are Rev. Dr. Kevin Voss as well as Rev. Dr. Richard Eyer.

For more information check our bulletin board.

THANK YOU!!

THANK YOU! We have collected $166.30 thanks to the cans you have donated to the Rangers and Rangerettes the past several months. With Thrivent matching the funds we will have $332.30. We will continue to collect cans throughout the year, please put them in the shed behind the garage. Again thanks for your support in the Rangers and Rangerette program.

Ranger and Rangerette Leaders of Camp #6

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

Please have all newsletter articles in by Tuesday, May 20th to Nancy Taft at . Confirmations will be sent for articles sent via e-mail. Thanks!

Nancy Taft

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Faith Promises:

You will find last year’s (2007) Faith Promise in your mailbox for review (if you handed one in last year). On Sunday, May 4th, we will be completing our confidential Faith Promises for 2008. Please prayerfully consider how the Lord wants you to use the gifts He has blessed you with. We will ask you to fill out the form, place it into a sealed envelope with your name on it, and deposit it in the “Faith Promise” box that we keep in church. Our time, talents and treasures are gifts from God. How we use our time, talents and treasures are our gifts to God.

Service Directory on St. Andrew Website:

Do you have a service that you would like to let others know about? You never know who you’ll reach. One of our members whose service is posted on our church’s website received a great response to her posting. When asked how the person found out about her business, she was told that the person did a “Google” search and found her listing. You never know who your listing will reach. If you have a service you’d like to let others know about, pick up a form on the bulletin board or contact Carla Peterson, Stewardship Board chairperson.

Diane Osberg, Stewardship Committee

BOARD OF ELDERS

I would like to welcome Dan Nysse as our new elder. We look forward to working with him and having him as a part of our team. Thank you, Dan, for volunteering your time and talents – you’re a welcome addition!

There are only two more confirmation classes before the final examination. Parents and students, please make sure to attend the last two classes on April 26 and on May 10. All memory work and make-up classes must be completed before the examination in order for the student to be confirmed. Please see myself, Dan or Pastor if you need to schedule make-up classes or say memory work. The examination is on Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. All elders are encouraged to attend and all members of the congregation are invited and are more than welcome. The Confirmation ceremony will be on Sunday, May 18 during the 10:30 a.m. service.

There has been a change to our blood drive date. It has been moved to Monday, August 4th. More details will follow as arrangements are made.

New membership totals through April 17, 2008:

• 542 baptized members
• 408 confirmed members

We are looking for more ushers for the 10:30 a.m. services. If you feel this would be a good way for you to use your talents, please contact me. We’d like to get another team together in order to keep the ushers duties to one time per month.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please always feel free to speak with any one of the members of the Board of Elders.

In Christ’s Service,
Greg Knox
Chairman, Board of Elders

SUNDAY SCHOOL

A reminder to all parents, our Sunday School classes will be singing at the 10:30 a.m. service on Mother’s Day, May 11. Lot’s of voices raised in God’s praise is always a great thing to hear! I know the congregation enjoys listening! We will also be planting seeds to sprout some starter plants for the church garden during part of our lesson time. A big thank you to Esther Oehme and Dan Berres who have led our Sunday School openings over the past few weeks. Thank you very much! Your time and effort are appreciated! Our focus in April was Stewardship and your children learned what giving of time and talents is all about. Ask them what things they can do to serve our Lord and our church. They have some great ideas!

Melissa Knox

ARE YOU GRADUATING?

If you (or one of your children) will be graduating from either high school or college this year we would like to know the following:

• the name of the school you will be graduating from,
• the date of the graduation,
• your plans for the future,
• the correct spelling of your (your child’s) name.

We would like this information for our Sunday bulletin and monthly newsletter. We also would like to let the graduate ‘say a few words’ after a Sunday service about their plans for the future. Please give this information to the church office. Thank you.

Nancy Taft

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

July 14-18, 2008

Meet Jesus, our Forever Friend, at Friendship Trek July 14th through the 18th. We will be having separate morning and evening sessions this year. Kids ages 3-12 meet friends, explore Bible stories, do fun activities, sing great songs, make crafts, play games, and eat snacks. We will again be having stations through which the children will rotate. Our Friendship Trek VBS needs great volunteers, and we’re asking you to prayerfully consider helping. Won’t you introduce children to Jesus, our Forever Friend? We have lots of opportunities to serve, including:

• Secretary/registrar
• Registration helpers
• Phone coordinator
• Decorating coordinator and committee
• Prayer coordinator
• Child care coordinator and volunteers
• Mission leader
• Bible challenge leader and helpers
• Game leader and helpers
• Snack leader and helpers
• Music leader and helpers
• Craft leader and helpers
• Adult Bible study leader
• Youth Bible study leader
• Storyteller helper
• Circle guides

We provide all the resources you need, as well as Friendship Trek volunteer training. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact either Darrell Cronkright or Diane Osberg.
Even if you are not able to volunteer, we would ask for your prayer support as we prepare for this year's Vacation Bible School Friendship Trek.

Also, anyone interested in helping to prepare for VBS is invited to come to our craft nights at church, as we will be working on VBS items on those nights (3rd Friday of the month).

In His service
Darrell Cronkright

Diane Osberg

CONGRATULATIONS!

On March 30th, Jayden Joseph and Isabella Marie Totsky were baptized. They are the children Kurtis and Dawn Totsky. Their big brother and big sister are Sebastian and Rae Anne.

On March 21, 2008, Emma Isabell Sommerfeld was born to Lee and Michelle Sommerfeld. She was 20 inches long and weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces. She is the little sister of Faith and granddaughter of Gary and Debbie Puestow. Emma was also baptized on April 27th.

On April 13, 2008, Cora Anne Delancy was born to Patrick and Lauren Delancy. Cora weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces and was 20-1/4 inches long.

Also, born on April 24th, a son to Marty and Barb Lowitz. Baby weighed 9 pounds 6 ounces and was 21-1/2 inches long. Big brothers and sister are Daniel, Jaime, and Nicholas.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

Nancy Taft

LUTHERANS FOR LIFE

Thanks to all who donated their Saturday morning for helping to set up the display of crosses. If it saves one baby, changes one heart or makes a difference in the voting booth, then this project is worth all the time and effort spent.

Red roses, a symbol of life, will be sold on Mothers Day for $2.00 each (50 cents less than previous years). Profits will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and will be used to continue the work of Ozaukee County Lutherans For Life.

The next meeting of Lutherans For Life will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20th at River of Life Church in Saukville. Pastor Seifferlein of Emmanuel, Adell, our pastoral advisor, will be the speaker. Please watch the bulletin for details.

Esther Oehme

TRUSTEES

Spring is finally here! Mark your calendar for May 17th at 8:00 a.m. for Clean-Up Day at St. Andrew. If we have a good turnout the work will be finished before lunch. Speaking of lunch, I will check on the possibility of providing a light lunch for the workers. Please sign up on the bulletin board if you can come and help.

The key sign up sheet is being filled up rapidly. If you have a key to the church and/or garage, please put your name on the list. There are a lot of keys out among the congregation but as I look at the list, everyone who has a key is active at St. Andrew and has a need to have a key at certain times. Praise God that we have so many people active serving at St. Andrew.

Thanks to Randy Miller who made arrangements with the garbage pick-up people to save us some of our resources every month.

Anyone who notices something needing repair, please contact one of the Trustees or mark it down on the board in the closet next to the kitchen.

Thanks for allowing me to serve,
Dennis Rochwite, Chairman

A QUILTER

A quilter brings us comfort
On the chilliest of nights.
With unseen hands she tucks us in
And softly dims the lights.

What many others throw away,
She knows that she can use.
She brings together every square,
Arranging varied hues.

With simple needle and mere thread,
And batts without a form,
She sews each piece with tender love
To keep us snug and warm.

The Lord has helped her understand
The value of things old.
She swaddles us in memories,
Each precious to behold.

By Larry Howland, Elsie, MI

ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN QUILTING

Our quilting dates for May are Tuesdays the 13th and 27th. We try to start by 9 and stay until just after lunch. Please bring a lunch and have lunch with us. We welcome anyone interested in learning to pin or sew, since we have some who are unable to come just now. Sometimes we go into the afternoon, so if shortly after lunch is a better time, by all means stop in. It would be best to call Sharon or church if you plan on coming later so someone will be there. Secretaries leave at noon, and sometimes we aren’t far behind.

If you find standing to be a problem, we are doing VFW heart pillows, and they need sewing and stuffing and a little hand sewing. Some of the things we are doing can be done at home too, as some strip quilting is getting done that way, and it’s often that the pillows get stuffed and finished at home and brought in so they can be delivered to the Orphan Grain Train or the Vets hospital in Milwaukee.

I want to again thank all of you who have helped in so many ways, with items, your time and your talents, and your generosity. It’s a good work, out of faith, for the Lord. How little it is for all He's done for us! And it’s fun! If you have questions or want to know more, call
Sharon.

God Bless your day, and our work.

Sharon Oelke

EARLY CHILDHOOD CAMPUS

This month will be the closing of our 2007-2008 school year. What a year it has been! Jesus has been present in our classrooms from start to finish. The children have learned to follow His lead. Jesus taught us how to be kind and forgiving, gentle and loving, and how to thank and praise our Father in Heaven.

Parents were also given several opportunities to learn about our great God. Our "Apples of Gold" program for our moms was a wonderful opportunity to study the Bible, share, and spend time with other moms. We are just finishing up an extended 3 week program call, "Applesauce". Here the moms are tapping into their creative side by participating in creative crafts and more importantly studying 3 women of the Bible. A big thank you goes out to Kathy Muth and Cris Korytkowski for their leadership role in this. You women are a blessing to many, including me!

Thank you, to the members of our congregation for welcoming our campus families on Sunday, April 20th. Many positive comments were given to the staff on how friendly we were and how accepting of children we were. Your witness of God's love has several families considering our church as their home church. That is what our campus mission is all about! Pray that God will lead these families to us, so that they can gain the blessings we all know of, as being part of the St. Andrew Family of God. And by the way I thought the children sang beautifully.

It's that time again....time to pass out flyers. Now come on keep reading, you all should be real good at this by now! Flyers and a map will be set out soon so that you can highlight your neighborhood and start stuffing paper boxes with our campus information. Your help is crucial this year. Our enrollment is so slow and low that I am not sure at this time if I can offer contracts to any of my staff. God wants me to work harder this year, in being aggressive in letting people know we are here, he has opened my eyes to that fact. So please consider helping! Thank you so much!

Here is another opportunity to help. On Wednesday, May 21st from 10:00-11:30 and Thursday, May 22nd our campus will be having a closing program and picnic for their parents.  Would you be able to set out a simple lunch? Then stay and watch the children sing and perform. A DVD has been created with pictures of the children throughout the school year, and we will be watching that too. I only need one or two people to help. Just see me if you can work either one of those days. Thank you!

As we close this school year, let us give thanks for the 48 children and families that have walked through our school doors each week.

God is so good!
Sandy Ruback

MATURING STEWARDS

“Reaping What You Sow”

In 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) St. Paul wrote: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” In many parts of our country during this month of May gardens will be turning green as new plants spring from the ground and begin the process of producing fruits, vegetables and flowers. If you have ever planted hills of seeds, like beans or cucumbers, you probably know how true these words of St. Paul are. Plant only one or perhaps two seeds in each hill and you will not have the same results that you would have if you had planted four or more seeds in each hill. Of course, St. Paul was not writing about gardening but rather about a special offering to help the saints in Jerusalem and Judea who were suffering from a severe famine. Some may take this passage to mean that it is our motivation for giving. Those folks might even be so bold as to say that if you are stingy in your giving, you will be poorer for it, but if you are generous in your giving you will be even wealthier. But this verse does not state the motivation for giving but simply refers to information and instruction that we know to be true from experience and observation.

The true motivation for Christian giving is found in 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV): “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” God’s grace in Jesus Christ is the motivation for our Christian giving. Jesus has done for us what we could never do for ourselves, that is, save us from sin, death and everlasting condemnation. Our spiritual needs are fully taken care of in Christ, but what about our physical needs? This passage speaks to that as well when it indicates that God also takes care of our physical needs so that in all things at all times we will have all that we need so that we can abound in every good work.

St. Paul stated this so eloquently in Romans 8:32 (NIV): “He (God) who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" This question begs for the answer “yes.” God does provide all that we need for our spiritual and physical welfare and he does it lavishly so that we can abound in every good work.

Finally St. Paul brought the truth of Christian giving home when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV): “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful (hilarious) giver.” Christian giving is primarily a spiritual issue, not a financial one. When we children of God answer the question of what do I believe God is calling me to give then we respond freely and generously not because the church or any other Christian cause needs our money, but because we believe in our hearts that our giving is a consecrated response. The joy that we reap from such free and generous giving is something that brings a special sweetness to our lives that no one can ever take away from us.

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