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W e l c o m i n g,  C e l e b r a t i n g,  L e a r n i n g   &   S e r v i n g

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i n     t h e     N a m e     o f      J e s u s    C h r i s t     O u r     L o r d 
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St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Newsletter | DECEMBER 2017

Words from Pastor Connie

 
Advent Themes: Expectation, Anticipation
 
Our worship planning team for Advent is Kevin Anderson (Our PLTS student), Greta Ruttenberg and Maggie Timeus.   Greta eagerly listened to all of the Advent songs in the hymnal and came to our meeting with ones that she thought would match the Advent lessons.   We had fun deciding on our theme of expectation and anticipation.  With these 2 words as our theme we chose some lessons for Advent that are not part of the lectionary readings and picked hymns that matched the theme.
 
Anticipation means a time of excitement and waiting for something that you know is going to happen.   It is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of the Christ child.   We know that Christmas is coming and we know that it is Jesus' birthday.   The mystery of Christmas is the understanding that Jesus has changed our lives and wondering how we will continue to be changed by our faith in Jesus this Christmas.  
   One of our resources for hymns is the book, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas:  Carols for the Advent Season by Pam Gonzalez    This is a book that takes Christmas Tunes and puts words to them that match the Advent Lessons.   We found many of these songs that match our theme and the lessons for the 4 Sundays of Advent.   I helped Pam on this book and my husband, Steve, published this book for Pam.   We have a copy of this book in our church library. 
I am grateful to Steve and Susan Group and their family for putting up the Advent decorations.   Last year St. Andrews bought an artificial tree for our sanctuary.   This helps on clean up, and cost.   Steve will put up the tree that has lights attached to it before our first Advent Sunday.    I am grateful for their help in decorating the church for this special season.   The kids in the midweek camp will decorate some ornaments for our tree.  
The Sundays of Advent with our Gospel texts are:
December 3, 2017 - Luke 1:26-38
December 10, 2017 - Luke 1:39-56
December 17, 2017- Matthew 3:1-12
December 24, 2017 morning  Matthew 1:18-25
December 24, 2017  evening worship   Luke 2:1-20

        On Christmas Eve we will have a morning service at 9:30 a.m. focusing on lessons, music, prayer and communion.  Our evening service will be at 7:30 pm with special music by our local choir and selections played by Linda Underwood, Louise Rankin and Steve Eulberg. 
        Our Advent wreath will be part of each of our services in Advent.   Various families are invited to come and light the candles on the wreath as we sing.  One of our candle lighting songs will be "Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah". 
 
"Light one candle to watch for Messiah
  Let the light banish darkness
  He shall lead salvation to Israel
  God fulfills the promise." 

Samaritan Sundays
Carrie German
Because we  had   only four people working at our session on Oct. 24, the Pieceful Quilters did not finish enough quilts to deliver any to LifeMoves' First Step for Families facility in San Mateo. LifeMoves (www.lifemoves.org) facilitates "life moves," or major transitions, for their clients by offering them support in a number of different categories: housing, career, finance, education and health. From our Recycle Chart we were able to give a full one-gallon plastic bag of canceled postage stamps to TUBFRIM, a project of the Sons of Norway to raise funds to eradicate tuberculosis. Please join the Pieceful Quilters on the fourth Tuesday of each month (except December) to assemble much needed blankets and supplies. All that is needed are the simple skills of knot tying and straight pinning. Bring a bag lunch, dessert is provided. We will next meet in Meyer Hall on Nov. 27, 2017 and Jan. 23, 2018, from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Thank you for your support!

"Childlike Wonder and Joy"
Kathy Gonzalez, Church Librarian
 
   The question was asked of the congregation, "What do you think it means to become like a child?"  Many spoke up with answers, such as innocent, inexperienced, vulnerable, trusting, spontaneous. The pastor, Rev. Timothy J. Mooney, the author of Like a Child, then spoke to what it would take to become like a child again.  We must have childlike trust.  But how do we as adults return to childlike trust and find joy in our everyday life while facing adult challenges?  This inspiring book helps to find reason in a complicated world by "restoring the awe, wonder, joy and resiliency of the human spirit", the words in this quotation those of its extended title.
   Chapters include, but are not limited to, "Humble Me", "Let It Be and Let It Go", "Laughter and a Sense of Humor" and "Fully Embodied, Fully Inspirited".  Each chapter includes spiritual practices not only for personal use, but also for use when interacting with others.  
    At this busy time of year, with sometimes overwhelming expectations, may we all restore our childlike awe and wonder in the celebration of Christ's birth.

Caring Communion Service & Luncheon
 
It's time again for our December celebration of our Caring Communion Service and Luncheon.  We will gather this year on the second Saturday of the month: December 9th at 11:15 am for the 11:30 service.  Sharing in worship. singing favorite Christmas hymns, enjoying good food and fellowship will make up this special time together.  Contact Maggie Timeus at 344-0056 to attend.

STEVE EULBERG
Youth Director



The Advent Season is a powerful opportunity to prepare for birth of the Christ Child among us.  What better way to do this than to recognize how Jesus is present among us IN the presence of the children and youth among us?

On Sunday, December 3rd, we'll have an opportunity for the adult members of our congregation to receive the name of a KristKind (ChristChild) from the altar, choosing to prepare their hearts by praying for, and communicating with one of our children/youth.  I invite you to begin praying today to see if this is a calling for you this Advent?

In Confirmation last month, as we continue with our study of Luther's Small Catechism, Pastor Connie led the youth in the making and baking of Communion Bread.  (Watch the Video on the front page of the St. Andrew's website!  www.standrews.org)

We have registered 9 youth and 3 adult leaders for the ELCA Youth Gathering next summer in Houston.  They are from Good Shepherd (Burlingame), Holy Trinity (San Carlos), Hope (San Mateo), and St. Andrew's.  We have already begun fundraising with our Jack-o-Lantern Carvings in October, and will be giving our congregation opportunities to help support our youth and leaders with a Giving Tree.  We estimate the expenses to be $1,500 per registrant (registration, travel, lodging, service projects and meals) so this is a significant investment in the faith development of our youth, and therefore our community of faith.  Please be responsive and generous!

The Sunday School is preparing a Christmas Pageant for sharing during a Sunday Worship this Advent.

Note from Marilyn Drews

  My family and I wish to thank the St. Andrews family for their prayers, concern, thoughtfulness, and compassion during Ossi's illness both abroad and when we returned home. Six months of hope culminated in his leaving us on September 23rd.
   A bench, dedicated in his memory, has been placed in Central Park, between the giraffe statue and the tennis courts, facing 5th Avenue. At your own choosing, take a moment to relax and remember what a special person Ossi was; say hello to a stranger, smile, and shake somebody's hand.    
    With grateful appreciation and thanksgiving for your support.   Marilyn Drews

Pray for our College Students
  • David Diba, San Jose State
  • Stevin Diba, San Diego State
  • Steven Barnes, Canada College
  • Miles Bowman, Cornell University
  • Alex Watson, College of San Mateo
  • Nathan Ruttenberg, Long Beach State
  • Kevin Ruttenberg, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Rebecca Ruttenberg, University of Alabama

Unity Lutheran at St. Andrew's

To see more of Maggie's Pictures click HERE!
All Saint's Sunday w/ Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

To see more of Maggie's Pictures click HERE!
Pastor Connie Visited Jean-Pierre & Renee Mercanton in their new home in Manteca. They love having visitors!

This Month at St Andrew's
 


Save the Date

Sundays at 9:30am: 
 Worship Service with Communion followed by Coffee Hour
Wednesdays at 11:00am: 
Bible Study with Pastor Connie in Meyer Hall
Thursdays at 6:30pm: 
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Thursdays at 7pm: 
Bell Choir Rehearsal
Fourth Tuesday of Every Month from 9:30am-1pm: 
Pieceful Quilters
December 9:
Caring Luncheon
December 10:
Congregational Meeting
December 16:
LifeMoves Dinner
January 16:
MLK Day of Service

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church - ELCA
1501 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402 | (650) 345-1625  
admin@standrews.org  |  www.standrews.org

Sunday Worship Schedule
Rev. Connie Winter-Eulberg, Pastor
  9:30 am  Worship & Holy Communion
10:30 am  Coffee Fellowship Time
Handicapped Accessible & Telecoil Enabled
 
Office Hours
Monday to Thurs day9am to 3pm



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