Pastor's Message

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. Matthew 16:13-17 NIV

We are now in the season of Lent, a 40-day period of introspection. During Lent we take a closer look at our sins and see clearly our need for a Savior. We see that Jesus is not an “add-on” to our life. He is necessary for our health today and for eternity.

Taking such a closer look at our sins is not something that we like to do. It is never pleasant to admit that we say and do things that harm us and the people around us. But until we repent and confess those sins we will continue to repeat them. Lent can be a difficult investment. But it can also pay big dividends.

To help you this Lent we have added Wednesday evening services. And during these services we will be asking and answering a number of questions. Our aim is to be more intentional about the way we live. Taking a closer look at how we live now – and how we can live if we follow God’s guidance – should give us the hope, guidance and peace we need.To make attending these services more convenient for you we have also added “Soup Suppers” at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. If we take turns bringing something to share there should be enough for all. Please use the sign-up sheets on the church bulletin board.

Join us for worship on Wednesday evenings (as well as Sunday mornings). Follow Jesus to his cross, to his empty tomb and to eternal life.

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE CLASS

We have completed our video + discussion guide study of How We Got the Bible. This was made available through the Lutheran Layman’s League Men’s Ministry. If you missed this study or a segment of it you can still access this material. Use the following URL in your internet web browser: http://www.lhmmen.com/studies.asp On that page you will see a number of other Bible studies that you can participate in at home. You can even use one of these to lead a home Bible class for others!

The latest addition to these FREE studies is: Explaining All The Scary Stuff In Revelation. If you wish you understood the book of Revelation better this is a way you can grow.

Our Sunday classes will return to looking at the text of our Sunday sermon. If you would like us to consider a ‘special’ topic please talk to Pastor or one of our elders.

IN-DEPTH PARABLE STUDIES CONTINUE

Do you realize the number of parables that Jesus used to teach the people lessons? Would you like to know the reason he did this, and the lessons he taught to those who followed him?   With less than half of the parables discussed, the one(s) you may have wondered about may not have been explained yet so you would have a chance to learn the reason for Jesus' telling it if you join us.  And, you can suggest that we use the one you would like explained on a day that you know you can attend.

Everyone is invited to come and learn more about the parables as Pastor Korytkowski explains Jesus' reason for telling each one. Join us on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at 2186 Wallace Lake Road. The dates we meet next month are March 2nd and March 16th so come as often as you can. Discussing the parables also helps us understand lessons as they are used in sermons, or for various occasions we may be attending.

There's room for everyone so plan on joining us.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

As we enter March we realize that May 11 (the Confirmation Exam) and May 16 (Confirmation Sunday) are rapidly approaching. That means those people who are behind in any way need to complete whatever they are lacking very soon. Please coordinate with our elders and Pastor how you intend to complete what is due so you may be confirmed this year.

Our remaining class dates this year are: February 27; March 20 + 27 and April 17 + 24.

FREE LENTEN DEVOTIONS

Once again the Lutheran Laymen’s League is providing us with FREE Lenten Devotions. Please use the following in your internet browser to receive these: http://www.lentendevotions.org You have the choice of two different series. You can choose to print these, receive them by email or even hear them read to you. If you do not have internet access please speak with Nancy Taft.

For other FREE daily devotions provided by Rev. Ken Klaus (the Lutheran Hour speaker) use the following URL: http://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions.asp

PRAYER SHAWLS

All Ladies! Come and join us at our Prayer Shawl Work and Fellowship evening. All you need to do is be able to tie knots. You don't have to know how to sew or knit. We rotate around 4-5 ladies houses so you do not have to host a work evening if you prefer not to.

• Monday, March 15th at 6:30 pm

• March location is at Judy Clarks (Meadowbrook Manor Activity Room)

• Please bring a small snack to pass and your own beverage.

Help us serve others, and then feel the blessings!

FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP

Have you been wanting to meet and get to know some members of St. Andrew better? Then join the group that goes to the Copper Penny Restaurant, 1700 East Washington Street on the fourth Friday of each month at 6 p.m. We enjoy good food and fellowship. Everyone is invited to join us!

Because we need to let Copper Penny know how many people are coming, please watch the bulletin board for a sign-up sheet.

If you have any questions, please see Nancy or Al Taft or call.

SISTERS IN CHRIST BREAKFAST FELLOWSHIP MEETING

• Saturday March 20th at 8:30 am

• Perkins Restaurant in the Atrium

Come join your sisters for a short meeting, breakfast and fellowship. All ladies are welcome!

STEWARDSHIP

In March we observe the beginning of spring. As the trees and bushes bud, the grass starts to turn green, and the soil takes on a smell of new life, we look forward to the beginning of a new cycle with warmer weather and a new start for seedtime and harvest.

Sometimes as God’s stewards we may feel that stewardship is more of the same old, same old. But, just as spring starts a new cycle of life, so also Easter with its joy and celebration starts a new cycle of life for us as God’s stewards. During the reflective season of Lent we look forward to the joy and celebration of Easter. This is a great reminder that we are “Easter people,” that is, people of hope. Hope is stronger than memory. Memory mostly makes us think about past failures, unfulfilled promises, frustration and disappointment, but hope refreshes us with a new start, not just at spring time, but for every new day.

During Lent we reflect on the extravagant love of Jesus as He went all the way to the cross and death as the perfect sacrifice for our sins and failures. Philippians chapter two reminds us: “Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (vv8-11 NIV)

One day every knee will bow before Christ, even the knees of those who did not believe in Him, and confess Him as Lord of lords and King of kings. Those who do not believe will be forced to bow their knees when they see Jesus coming in glory and then they will go away to everlasting sorrow. By contrast, our knees will bow in humble adoration and our voices will proclaim “How great Thou art!”

Just as the earth comes back to life in spring time, so also we are renewed day by day to live as God’s redeemed stewards who freely and joyfully manage all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes. This new life is not boring! It is exciting as we experience God’s power in our lives and look for opportunities in which we can manage our time, talents, relationships and financial resources in a way that honors Him and provides so many blessings to others and ourselves.

Let’s “spring” to new life as God’s redeemed stewards who, in cooperation with and encouragement from fellow redeemed stewards, manage all that we are and have to God’s glory!

ALTAR GUILD NEWS

Once again we will have flowers available to purchase for the revesting of the altar on Easter Sunday. They can be taken home with you after the second service.

Flowers and prices are as follows:

• Single lily $12.00
• Double lily $24.00
• Mums $12.00
• Azaleas $20.00
• Hydrangeas $22.00
• Tulips $10.50
• Daffodils $10.50
• Hyacinths $10.50

Envelopes will be available in the narthex or from the ushers. Please put your name on the envelope - mark your selection - place your check or cash in envelope. Checks should be made out to St. Andrew. You may put your envelope in the offering bag. Dead line to order is March 14th.

There will be a special Altar Guild meeting on Sunday March 7th between the services, to discuss the vesting and revesting of the Altar on Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. All members of the Altar Guild, please be present for this meeting.

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

Please have all newsletter articles in by Tuesday, March 23rd to Nancy Taft at . Confirmations will be sent for articles sent via e-mail. Thanks.

PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!

BOARD OF ELDERS

We are two weeks into Lent with 4 Wednesday night Lent services left going into Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The remaining Lent services will be March 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th. Maundy Thursday April 1st and Good Friday April 2nd. The Wednesday night services will be at 7:00 p.m. with soup suppers preceding the service starting at 6:00 p.m.. Has your board or group signed up to sponsor the remaining Soup Suppers? A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board.

A reminder to all Confirmands, please get caught up on your memory work and missed lessons! It’s important not to fall behind on this! Please see any of the Elders to recite memory work before or after church services if you need to catch up.

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

ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN

Greetings and Happy St. Patrick's Day to all! We will have quilting on the 16th and 23rd of March because our tables are in use on March 9th. In April we should be back to our normal 2nd and 4th Tuesdays.

Again we thank the Lord for the donations that have come in so we can do what the Lord seems to be directing us to do. We have fun and are happy to do that! The Lord has sent us another helper, and we hope our folks that are mending will mend fast!

Just as a reminder, we start quilting by 9 am and have lunch about 11:30. Then finish up or continue as needed. On the 16th we will be finished and cleaned up by 1:30 so we can go to Bruss's for Bible Study which is held at 2 pm.

Please call if you have questions or need a ride.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CAMPUS

Reminder:

Now is the time to register your child for fall in our Early Childhood Campus. Information and registration packs are available for you on the table near the mailboxes. For a tour or more information please see or call me (Sandy Ruback).

Servant Event Update

Our campus children learned a great lesson on how to have a servant heart. Chores were done for their families, friends and even some neighbors earning coins for Haiti. The children gladly dropped their earnings in their classroom jars and excitedly told the teachers what chore they did. They learned that their efforts helped many people and made Jesus very proud of them! Who says children can't make a difference! We were able to send Lutheran World Relief-Haiti $350.00. Thank you to our congregational members who also contributed to our servant event.

Lutheran School Week

Our Pre-K 4 year olds will be singing in church on Sunday, March 14th at the 10:30 service. Please make our campus families feel welcomed. We will be celebrating Lutheran School Week and giving thanks for the blessings God has given our own campus and the great mission field He has set before us.

It's Lawn Sign Time!

By the end of March we should be able to get a lawn sign somewhere in our front yards. Please, help us advertise our Early Childhood Campus by placing a yard sign in your yard. Then talk us up, word of mouth is still our best advertisement. The signs will be located near the card rack in the narthex. Thank you!

Campbell Soup Labels

Don't forget to save those labels! Help us earn points for school equipment.

Top Of Page

John:3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

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