Pastor's Message

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV

As you read this article it is already January 2012 – a new year. However, even though we may have crossed over into a new year, everything looks very much the same around us. The economy hasn’t gotten any better. The weather hasn’t gotten any warmer. And none of us have gotten any younger.

You and I say that we like the new. We prefer new gifts at Christmas. Instead of eating leftovers most people want a new, fresh meal. Yet while we are in this world we are strongly connected with the old.

So, how do we make a break with the old and receive what our spirit seems to desire? We receive the new by becoming more closely connected with God who makes all things new.

Our reading (above) from 1 Peter 1:3-5 tells us where we begin. Our new beginning is at baptism where God claims us as his. Through the water of baptism God washes away our sins – he begins a new relationship with us – and he endows us with an eternal inheritance.

Romans 6:4 tells us, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Our baptism is a significant event. It is as if we buried our old nature and began living a new life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks about this when it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Our baptism marks a new relationship for us with God. It should mark a turning from old thoughts and ways to God’s thoughts and ways.

Colossians 3:8-10 tells us about some of the new ways a baptized Christian will live. There we hear, “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” We can’t expect our life to improve if we keep on doing the same things the same ways. To be renewed in God, we must pitch out the old and take in what God supplies. We also need to rely on God for strength to keep doing the right things.

Sadly, many people begin a new year with good intentions but rely on themselves for the change they desire. For accountability they also rely on themselves. We know that won’t work. For a new and better life we need to make a strong connection with God and other Christians. Keeping each other on track while relying on God we will be much more successful.

We have entered a new year and God stands ready to help us receive a new and better life. Instead of creating your own resolutions accept the guidance God has prepared for you and make a commitment to him.

Pastor Korytkowski

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS

One Sunday a month we would like to do a special Bible study based on an issue of special interest to you. What issue interests you? Since I would like appropriate time to find and put together study materials please let me know your interest. If you can, send me your topic by email at least two weeks in advance of the study date. Thank you.

Pastor Korytkowski

OUR SINCERE THANKS!

We have just concluded a very busy season of the year. And a number of people have put a lot of time and energy into a number of activities. Serving us and bringing praise to God, some of you have prepared and presented an excellent Early Childhood Campus Christmas Program and an excellent Sunday School Christmas Program.

Others of you have practiced hard and long to provide music (vocal and instrumental) for several worship services. Church cleaners, trustees and others have kept our facility clean and inviting. There is no way that I can list the contributions of everyone (decorating – snow removal – gathering preparation). However, that is not necessary. When we are doing what we do for the Lord we don’t really need any additional notice.

Be aware that I appreciate the many things you members of St. Andrew graciously do.

Pastor Korytkowski

PRAYER CHAIN

GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. Psalm 46:1

MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
Psalm 121:2

We all need God’s help in our life. We need God to give us strength to cope and patience to endure and the comfort of His love. The prayer chain at St. Andrew will join you in asking for God’s help with your special prayers. Sometimes, you may prefer to omit names. The prayers will still be heard by God – and He knows. To put your prayer request on the prayer chain, just contact Lauraine Bruss at or Josie Pfeiffer at . They can also be contacted by phone.

Please consider being on the prayer chain at St. Andrew. It is something you do in your home at your time.

Thank you to all the members of the prayer chain for faithfully sending the prayer requests up to God.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

Our two class sessions in January will take place on the 7th and 28th. Please let us know if you won’t be able to join us for class. Make sure you keep up with your memory work and other assignments. May might seem a long way off but it is quickly approaching.

Pastor Korytkowski

JOSEPH - CARPENTER OF STEEL

Just one Bible Study about Joseph remains and this will occur on Tuesday, January 3. Those attending were told of facts about him that we may not have known, or may have forgotten. Under the guidance of Pastor Korytkowski, this was a meaningful study as we watched and heard about the earthly father of Jesus. Anyone wishing to join us for this last session should meet with us on Tuesday, January 3, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., at 2186 Wallace Lake Road.

In January, we will meet on the first and fourth Tuesday (January 3 and 24) of the month, at 2186 Wallace Lake Road. The subject for our next discussion, beginning on the 24th, will be determined when we meet for Bible Study on January 3. If you have something you would like to be studied, be sure to come with your suggestion(s). We pray that you will join us.

COOKIE GIFTING

Thank you to all the ladies that participated in the Cookie Gifting! We had a great time sampling the cookies and filling containers to be given to the people who do so much for St. Andrew and our community.

Linda Konzal and Nancy Taft,
Co-chairs of the Cookie Gifting

ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN QUILTING

Greetings, and hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.

We want to let you know that our group, with God's help, produced 207 quilts, sent a bunch of pillowcases, a few sheets, and provided, through some fabric donations, material for sewers at St. Johns to make some of the pillowcase dresses for Haiti. We recently sold a regular quilt we had acquired so we have a few funds to start with until we can put in for a Thrivent grant. We were able to take 23 heart pillows to the Food Pantry for Christmas gifts. Isn’t the Lord Wonderful? Thanks to all our quilter/sewers for their hard work, at home as well as at church.

Our next meetings will be the 13th and 27th of January, Lord willing, 9 a.m. If you can, please bring a sack lunch and enjoy a little fellowship at lunch time.

Remember we can always use "innards", and ask your friends or neighbors for old blankets, sheets, pillow cases, table clothes, etc.

In these times there are always lots of folks in need of prayers and tangible aid, so let us not “weary of well doing” but see it as a joyful opportunity to serve our Lord and Savior.

Information or offers, please contact Sharon Oelke or Shirley Reuter if you can’t reach Sharon.
God Bless you all.

BOARD OF ELDERS

January is upon us and thoughts of renewal fill our minds. New Years resolutions. We all think about them. Maybe lose a little weight, get into better shape. Maybe deal with our finances in a different way. Maybe we want to get to church a little more often. Possibly spend more time with our families. These all are admirable goals but did you know that most resolutions are short lived. The reason is that we rely on ourselves way to much. We try, fail and become frustrated. Year after year the same results. What’s the point to this? Trust in the Lord to help you in whatever you want to accomplish. He didn’t put us on this earth to fail. He loves us and wants us to succeed. Ask Him for help in all that we do and we will succeed a lot more than we do now. Worry less and pray more…..

Confirmation class dates have been set for January with our next class January 7, 2012. Students, please stay focused on your memory work.

Some dates to keep in mind.

• Saturday December 31, 2011---New Years Eve---1 service at 7:00 pm with Communion)
• Sunday January 1, 2012---New Years morning—2 services at regular times 8:00 and 10:30 with Bible Study in between NO SUNDAY SCHOOL.
• Sunday January 22, 2012 at 8:00 service—St. John’s “Sing Praise Choir” will sing for us.

Please keep an eye out for bad weather. In almost all cases we will try to be open for service. If we believe coming out in the weather could be a safety risk we will call off services. Heavy snow, frigid temperatures etc. Please look to the following TV and radio stations for closing info.
WTMJ-4, WISN-12, WKTM, WBWI/WBKV.

The board is always looking for more ushers. If you would like to know more please see Greg Knox or any of the elders. Training is easy, the rewards are great. Great way to serve our Lord.
If you have any questions or concerns please see any elder.

In God’s service.
Ken Betz (Chair)
Rick Bruss (Secretary)
Jay Benz, Paul Heinz, Greg Knox,
Bob Buehler, Jim Peterson

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST PAUL

You are invited to join Pastor Wayne Schroeder and Pastor Bryan O’Connor on a fascinating tour of Greece and the Greek Isles. Join us in October, 2012, as we visit Istanbul, Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Crete, Patmos and other sites where St. Paul travelled, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This trip includes 8 days in Greece and a 4 night Cruise. For more information, contact Pastor Schroeder by e-mail at or by phone, or Pastor O’Connor at or by phone.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CAMPUS

Praying you all have a blessed, healthy and happy New Year!

Giving Thanks!
I must begin this article by giving my heartfelt thanks to all those that gave up their precious time to help with our K4 Christmas program. I truly am grateful to those who passed out bulletins, helped with the punch and cookie reception area, organize and passed out the treat bags, hung up costumes and stayed and helped clean up, do dishes and put everything away. God's blessings to you for you are a blessing to me!

Another thank you to the kind members of St. Andrew that gave our campus a monetary gift for our Christmas reception and treat bags. You have a generous spirit and you are so appreciated!

Enrollment for the 2012-2013 School Year Begins!
February is right around the corner and tours and registration will begin for fall 2012. The following is information regarding our K3 and K4 programs:

• Children must be 3 by September 1st to enroll in our K3 program which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-11:30
• Tuition is $85.00 per month/$765.00 per year.
• Children must be 4 by September 1st to enroll in our K4 program which meets on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays from 9:00-11:30.
• Tuition is $110.00 per month/$990.00 per year.
• There is a $75.00 registration fee.

St. Andrew ECC offers a structured early learning environment that is Christ-centered and age appropriate. All are welcomed! For more information or a tour of our classrooms please contact Sandy Ruback 335-4200.

Serving our awesome God,
Sandy

SISTERS IN CHRIST

Happy New Year Sisters! May our hearts be focused on the work God has planned for us, as we serve Him joyfully in the New Year.

Thank you to the many lovely ladies that helped with the Cookie Giving, the Christmas Party and the Giving Tree. Many hands make labor light, and we appreciated all the helping hands and giving hearts this past Christmas season.

Thank you, congregational members who chose to participate in the Giving Tree and bought gifts for the residents of the Samaritan Home. They were very pleased at the amount of the giving and that they were in gift bags.

Blessed to be a blessing!

Upcoming Events:

• Breakfast Meeting will be on Saturday, January 21st at 8:30. Place to be determined
• Prayer Shawl Work Night will be on Monday, January 30th at 6:30. Come join us at Nancy and Betty Taft's home.

Following in the steps of Jesus,
Sandy Ruback and Judi Bastian

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

Please have all newsletter articles in by Tuesday, January 24th to Nancy Taft at . Confirmations will be sent.

LAY DELEGATES NEEDED

St Andrew is in need of a member to serve as a Lay Delegate and accompany Pastor to the Circuit Forum Meeting to be held Sunday, February 12th 1:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, West Bend, WI. This Forum Meeting will be to elect our Circuit Counselor with ratification coming at the District Convention.

Since the Circuit Forum Meeting will be held before our next voters meeting and the Lay Delegate needs approval by the Voters Assembly we will need to have a short (10-15 Minute) Voters Assembly Meeting on Sunday, January 22nd after the 10:30 service for the sole purpose of approving the Lay Delegate.

We also need a Lay Delegate for the District Convention to be held on June 10th, 2012 at Concordia University. This does not need to be the same member that attended the Circuit Forum. The Lay Delegate for the District Convention can be approved by the Voters Assembly at the scheduled February 19th meeting.

If you are interested in serving the congregation in this manner or have questions see Dave Brehmer, Wayne Peterson, or Pastor.

Dave Brehmer,
Congregation President

LUTHERANS FOR LIFE

Did you know that abortion is the number one killer of children in the world? Did you know that in the USA alone 53,310,822 babies have been killed by abortion since 1973 when abortion became legal? Isn’t it time that this holocaust ends? Let us pray with the Psalmist: “Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their Shepherd and carry them forever”. Psalm 28:9.

The current Lutherans For Life newsletter as well as other pro-life materials have been added to the basket on the bookshelf in the Narthex. Please take this reading material and become informed. Share it with others. If there is some life issue that you are interested in learning more about or you need a brochure to pass on, please call me,

In His service for Life,
Esther Oehme

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