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Clickable Table of Contents |
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Join us in person for worship
every Sunday at 10:00am,
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Thoughts from Pastor Sarah |
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Dear Kindred in Christ,
I'm writing this earlier than usual this week because early Wednesday morning (the day before you will receive this) I am getting on a plane headed for Texas. This is my final cohort gathering, of four, concluding my continuing education commitment for this year. In this cohort, we have been studying the Enneagram and Family Systems Theory, looking for connections between these two systems and ways of understanding under the guidance of Suzanne Stabile and Andy Stoker. I suspect I'll be working with some of the resources I picked up this year over the next several years and the insights will continue to slowly emerge. I'm grateful to have been blessed with a scholarship and to have generous continuing education funds from St. A's to apply to this experience. And I pray that I will return home safely late Saturday night as planned, without COVID, and be ready to lead you in worship on the first Sunday in Advent.
I'm thankful to Roberta Schlechter and Carol Patterson for taking a lead on Supper Church for Saturday, December 2. You can find Supper Church this week in Calvin Hall. We're trying something a little different for this holy season! Every week there will be special activities to help us all prepare for Christmas! Saturdays at 5pm in Calvin Hall for at least this week and maybe for all four.
I'm also grateful to Roberta Schlechter and Carol Patterson for coordinating the decorating of the sanctuary post worship on Sunday. We hope to collaborate with our kindred from New Church of Oregon and hope many of you will pitch in. Many hands make light work.
Please do be sure to mark your calendars for the December 10th visit from the Canby Cantalinas and lots of special music from our choir as well. We'll have special music the whole season through, but I know you cherish this experience and won't want to miss it.
I won't be on coffee chat this week, but you're welcome to use the Zoom link to gather. I look forward to beginning a new church year with you this Sunday at 10am in person or on-line!
Peace be with you, Pastor Sarah |
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December 3
Jeremiah 33: 14-116
Mark 8:27-29
December 10
Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-4
Read these passages online here
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CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Family Christmas Service - December 23, 5pm
(at Supper Church)
Advent 4 Service - December 24, 10am
Christmas Eve Service - December 24, 9pm |
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SUPPER CHURCH
Join us on Saturdays at 5pm for Supper Church, an all ages evening worship held in addition to our regular 10am Sunday worship. Through December 23 we will focus on Advent activities that are especially for families with younger children, as we also welcome other members and friends of St. Andrew's to attend.
- December 2 - Experience the Nativity Story through Godly Play
- December 9 - Fill stockings for the Multnomah Safe Rest Village
- December 16 - Make Christmas ornaments and music
- December 23 - Family Christmas Eve service
These activities will include informal worship, supper, and playtime, with an emphasis on connecting with each other and creating a flexible, easy way for young families to worship and explore questions of faith.
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WEST WOMEN & CHILDREN'S SHELTER GIVING TREE
Fulfill the Christmas wish of a resident of West Women’s and Children’s Shelter! Find the Giving Tree in the Narthex beginning this Sunday and select a tag, then shop for the item and return the gift, unwrapped, to the tree by December 20. Questions? Contact Emily Dew. |
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DECORATE THE SANCTUARY!
Come one and all (ages) to decorate the sanctuary this Sunday, December 3, right after worship. It's time to prepare our beautiful sanctuary and narthex for Christmas. The more the merrier!
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HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
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VIRTUAL TOWN HALL WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONER SHARON MEIERAN - CONNECTING THE DOTS TO END HOMELESSNESS
Join County Commissioner Meieran next Wednesday, December 6, at 6pm for a virtual townhall where she will share her holistic framework for addressing homelessness. She will walk through her approach, explain how she put the pieces together, and answer questions. Ideally, her plan can serve as a roadmap leaders can use to pursue a meaningful way forward. But at the very least, it can help reassure that a way forward does exist, and that someone is connecting the dots.
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CANBY CANTALINAS PERFORM AT ST. ANDREW'S
We are so fortunate to once again be hosting the Canby Cantalinas at our December 10 worship service. Please plan to join us for this annual, joyous event, and invite all of the music lovers in your life! |
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Learning & Fellowship Opportunities |
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ANTI-RACISM DISCUSSION GROUP
We are currently reading "The Place We Make: Breaking the Legacy of Legalized Hate" by Sarah L. Sanderson (no relation!). It is a book that examines the racial history of our state and of the author's family. All are welcome to join us on the second Thursday of each month, 6pm, on Zoom. |
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CHOIR NEWS
Our Sanctuary Choir has resumed rehearsing and is joining its voices in song during the Sunday morning services. If you would like to sing with us come to rehearsal after worship on Sundays, in the downstairs choir room. All are welcome! Rehearsals are from about 11:15am to 12:15pm every Sunday. |
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SPIRITUAL FORMATION GROUP
Please join us as we learn and develop practices that enhance our spiritual journeys and daily lives. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from 12:30-2:00pm in the Lounge. For more information contact Jan Reynolds.
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NEXT STEPS IN ENNEAGRAM EXPLORATION
Typically on the fourth Saturday of the month at 1pm, a group of open, curious, compassionate people gathers on Zoom to come to greater understanding of themselves and other people through the tool of the Enneagram. In September we started a study of "The Complete Enneagram" by Beatrice Chestnut and have worked through chapter two. Stay tuned for information about our next gathering. Contact Pastor Sarah if you have any questions. |
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If you have any questions about our ministries or would like to be a part of our Mission Team, contact Darwin Força. |
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CUBA DONATIONS & SUPPORT
Our delegation is preparing to travel to Cuba at the end of this month, and there is
a lot that you can do to join us!
- Donate items from the list below to the “Cuba Supplies" basket on the Grateful Table in the Narthex, or to the box outside the church office, also marked “Cuba Supplies”
- We will be bringing a cash donation to the church from St. Andrew’s. If you’d like to contribute to this gift, please send a check to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church with “Cuba Gift” noted in the memo line.
- Pray for us, for a visit full of mutual learning, exchange of ideas, hopes dreams and rich memories to be shared upon our return.
Requested Medical Supplies
- Acetaminophen (adults and children)
- Ibuprofen (adults and children)
- Antibiotics
- Cephalexin
- Amoxicillin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Antihistamine pills
- Glucosamine supplements
- Vitamins (adults and children)
- Antibiotic creams
- Anti-fungal creams
- Pain creams
- Probes of different sizes
- 10 to 20 cc syringes
- Glucometer with supplies
- Adhesive bandages (Band-Aids)
- Alcohol pads
- Condoms
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ZIPLOC MINISTRY
Saturday, December 2
10:30-12:00-Ziploc bag filling and donation drop-off
*We will be decorating the food barrels for the Holiday Food Drive on this day. Join us for creativity and fun!*
Each month St. Andrew's sends large Ziploc bags filled with essential items to our ministry partner Operation Nightwatch, who then distributes them to the houseless people who utilize their services. Thanks to generous donors, along with additional Neighborhood Ministries funds, we receive enough funding each month to cover these costs. We are grateful to be able to continue this important work.
So what can you do to help? It has been brought to our attention the constant need for donations of new socks, for many of our ministry partners. These can be dropped off at our first Saturday Ziploc bag filling, at worship on Sundays, or during office hours.
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MEALS FOR WEST WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S SHELTER
West Women’s and Children’s Shelter Casserole Ministry needs your help! Sign-up to make a casserole (or two, or three) using a specific recipe given each month and then drop it off at the monthly first Saturday Ziploc ministry day from 11:00-11:30. If you’ve participated in this ministry you already know about the great time of fellowship that takes place at Saturday morning drop-off! Thanks to "casserole curators” Carol Patterson and Maggie Miller, and to all of our faithful casserole bakers! Please consider joining us! Click here to sign up. |
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ST. ANDREW'S QUILTERS
The St. Andrew's quilters meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 9:30. Their beautiful creations are donated to organizations that provide warmth to those in need. All are welcome to join them! Contact Gail Planck for more information. |
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Virtual Gatherings & Events
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10:00am Hybrid Worship
(also in person)
December 1 & 8
10-12pm Virtual Coffee Chat
Zoom
December 14
6:00 Anti-Racism Discussion Group
Zoom
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TREATS FOR COFFEE HOUR
If the change of weather has inspired you to spend some time inside baking, please consider signing up to be a coffee hour host and share your delicious creations! Look for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex or email Becky Schiefelbein if you'd like to volunteer.
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ST. ANDREW'S NAMETAGS
Would you like to make a new friend? Wearing your nametag each Sunday at worship can help. You can request a new nametag this coming week. They are being made for visitors and/or members of our worship community. Please contact Katy in the office or Connie Blumthal for a new (or renewed) nametag.
"Make new friends,
but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."
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NATIONAL SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
People experiencing a mental health crisis have a way to reach out for help in the U.S., by calling or texting the numbers 9-8-8. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. It will function much like 9-1-1, but is solely dedicated to addressing mental health needs. Click here for more information on this potentially lifesaving program, and help spread the word. |
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RIDES TO CHURCH
Do you or someone you know need a ride to church on Sundays? If so our Deacons are on hand to give rides to church to those who need one. If you would be interested in receiving this service, or know someone else who would, please let us know so we can get you on our list. If you would be interested in being a driver, please let us know that too. With enough volunteers people may only be needed once a month. Contact the office, Merrie Backer, or Larry Kelly to sign up, or if you have any questions.
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Member Database Access is available anytime. Contact the office to get set up. |
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For on-line giving please visit:
standrewspdx.com/give
Thank you for continuing to support the ministries of St. Andrew's through your online donations and checks sent by mail.
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Katy Rustvold, Office Administrator/Neighborhood Ministries Coordinator
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