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Clickable Table of Contents |
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Join us every Sunday at 10:00am for worship!
Don't miss a thing!
Find sermons, events, and our weekly bulletin at
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Thoughts from Pastor Sarah |
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Dear Kindred in Christ,
Occasionally, over the past 9 years, I have offered a dramatic monologue for the sermon. I know that several of you really appreciate this, so I'm going to share one in the voice of the woman at the well this week. I'm not entirely sure whether I wrote it or whether my colleague Tici Truly wrote it. Throughout my first six years of ministry, we were both solo pastors; she in Ohio, I in NY, and one Lent we did monologues every Sunday, she wrote half of them and I wrote half of them and we both memorized and delivered all of them. I wanted to offer you one more monologue and this has a lot of educational nuggets in it. I hope you'll join us Sunday morning at 10am, in the sanctuary or on-line to hear it for yourself.
Some preachers use basically the same format every week, but I take different approaches depending on the passage I'm studying and the people for whom I'm preaching. Next week, I will seek to offer a short homily as we have a lot of business to conduct. And on my last Sunday with you, February 15, I will open up a cooperative sermon time, inviting your testimonies. Thank you for being faithful listeners and worship participants these past 9 years.
I'm delighted to be participating in one final creative worship planning team (maybe not final for you, but final for me!) this Saturday morning in the chapel. We will seek a metaphor/theme to ground your Lenten worship and I will plan liturgies for the season to support whomever will be preaching.
We know that Robin Garvin, Transitional Team Leader for the Presbytery of the Cascades, will preach on Sunday, February 22, the first Sunday of Lent. We are grateful that we will be joined on Sunday, February 8 by Robin Garvin, Brian Craker (Transitional Executive Presbyter), and Don Ludwig (our liaison from the Commission on Ministry) who will support our congregational meeting and meet with elders after worship to help them prepare for the transition ahead. Clark Scalera (Advocate for Clergy and Congregation) will be with us on Sunday, February 15, offering a commissioning and blessing at the end of worship and hopefully joining in the potluck after worship too. Part of the gift of being Presbyterian is belonging to a wider community in which we find great support at times of need and through which we can offer support to others. The Presbytery of the Cascades is meeting tonight on Zoom. Ask me, Amy Houchen, or Roberta Schlecter (your elder commissioners for this meeting) to find out what happened in it!
I also confirmed collaborative plans for Lent/Holy Week with Pastors Susan and Heather. You will have two opportunities for worship on Ash Wednesday, February 18: 2pm outside the ICE facility, led by Pastor Heather and others from Together Lab, or 7pm in our St. A's chapel, led by Pastor Susan of Valley. Palm Sunday will be at Multnomah, followed by a light lunch, and an opportunity to participate in a witness at ICE headquarters. Maundy Thursday will be at Valley. Good Friday will be at Multnomah. And each church will have their own Easter service.
On Sunday, Marilyn and Laurie invited you to sign up for Dine to Donate events to support our kindred in Cuba. Enjoy a meal in a fellow church members' home, make a donation of at least 50 dollars per participant, and learn more about our Cuba partnership. I'm sure the sign up sheets will be in the narthex again this week. If you can't be there, but want to sign up, please reach out to Laurie Donald or Marilyn Palumbo. These meals will be a wonderful way to strengthen your connections in Christ at a time of change.
Coffee chat will be on Zoom this week, but for the next two weeks I will hold in person chats, at the Jola Cafe on SW Corbett on February 6, and at Morse Coffee Company in Lake Oswego on February 13. Even if you've never joined a chat before, consider checking in. I want quality time with as many people as possible before I move on. I love you all and am sad to say goodbye.
Communion worship with a monologue sermon this Sunday. Hope to see you there.
May the peace of Christ be with you and with our world,
Pastor Sarah
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Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn.
Christ and the Woman of Samaria: an Arched Print. 1658, etching with drypoint. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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SCRIPTURE
February 1
John 4:1-42
Psalm 42:1-3
February 8
John 4:46-54 [5:1-18]
Psalm 40:1-5
Read these passages online here |
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ST. A's ROSES
The 80 roses in the garden will begin to show new growth in late February to early March. The first rose to bloom every year is the Sunsprite Rose, which has small, bright yellow petals.
Roses do not go dormant in the winter, since they are living plants. Quiescence describes this stage of development. The roses will be pruned to 24 inches in late February or early March.
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One of the outstanding performers in the garden is the Chicago Peace Rose. This rose is a sport of the world-famous Peace Rose. For those who may not know this horticultural term, the Rose Hybridizers Association describes a sport as "a spontaneous, natural genetic mutation causing a part of a plant—like a single branch or flower—to differ in color, shape, or growth habit from the rest of the plant."
The Chicago Peace Rose is canary-yellow at the base of the plants. It loves hot weather so it's position next to the church bell is perfect.
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Image: Chicago Peace Rose, photographer unknown, Reddit. |
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us after service next Sunday, February 8 for our semi-annual Congregational Meeting. During this time, we will discuss key items for the future of St. Andrew’s (i.e., receiving the 2025 Annual Report, voting on Terms and Dissolution of Call, and reporting on Nominating that includes presentation and election for members-at-large for the 2026 Congregational Nominating Committee as well as an election for an elder or two). |
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WINTER IS HERE. TEMPS ARE DROPPING. PEOPLE ARE COLD.
Winter is upon us in Portland and for our unhoused neighbors, the cold increases their needs tenfold. While Multnomah County activates severe weather shelters when temperatures are forecasted to be 25°F or below (or 32°F with driving rain/wind), many will face dangerous conditions today as temperatures hover just above these emergency thresholds.
With many year-round shelters remaining at capacity and additional emergency beds only opening during specific "severe" windows, our community members are often left without a designated day space or overnight warming center during "regular" freezing weather.
If you have anything that can help our neighbors who are living rough day-to-day (warm clothing, boots, winter outerwear, hand warmers, hygiene products, tents, tarps, sleeping bags), please consider donating your items to keep this community safe and warm during the cold winter months. |
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GIVING STATEMENTS
By now, you should have received your Giving Statements in the mail. If you have any questions, please email Krissy.
And, as always, you may give in a number of ways for convenience and ease. Drop gifts off to the church office, return envelopes by mail, or follow the instructions for online or text giving shown on our website.
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FEBRUARY 15 POTLUCK
Soup's on! Come join us after service on Sunday, February 15 for our next potluck event, celebrating Pastor Sarah's ministry at St. A's.
We're still sharing a meal and warming our collective hearts, but this will now be a special time of fellowship to gather and celebrate all Pastor Sarah has done here at St. A's and wish her well as she embarks on a new chapter.
We'll provide the warm bowls of delicious soup, you bring kindness, love, and fellowship. If you'd like to contribute, please click here to sign up for a side. (Cake will be served, so we need folks to bring the other items.) Thank you so much! |
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DINE TO DONATE FOR OUR CUBA PARTNERSHIP
As we enter the 16th year of our face-to-face partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Santa Clara, Cuba, your Mission Team is sponsoring an opportunity for you to participate.
During February and early March, seven St. Andrew’s families are opening their homes to host small group meals and conversation about our friendships.
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Choose brunch, lunch, or dinner! We are asking for a donation of at least $50 per guest.
Dine to Donate dates are:
- Saturday, February 14
- Thursday, February 19
- Saturday, February 21
- Sunday, February 22
- Monday, February 23
- Saturday, March 7
- Sunday, March 8
See the sign-up sheets for details (location and if host homes are pet-friendly).
Sign ups are available before and after worship the next two Sundays. If you are unable to sign up in person, ask a friend to sign up both of you! If that isn’t possible, you can call or email Kara and she will see that your name is added to the sign-up sheet.
If you have questions about the upcoming mission trip, please contact Marilyn Palumbo. |
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LENTEN SERVICES
Stay tuned for more details about services and special events at St. A's and our kindred locations during Lent, but be sure to mark your calendars for these important dates in the meantime. |
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SPIRITUAL FORMATION AT ST. ANDREW'S
1st and 3rd Wednesday
12:30-2:00pm in the Lounge
Please join Amy Houchen and Jan Reynolds on February 4 as they continue to discuss Celtic Spirituality, focusing on the first seven days of Creation:
- The First Day: The Light of God
- The Second Day: The Wildness of God
- The Third Day: The Fecundity of God
- The Fourth Day: The Harmony of God
- The Fifth Day: The Creatureliness of God
- The Sixth Day: The Image of God
- The Seventh Day: The Stillness of God
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FINAL ANTI-RACISM DISCUSSION GROUP
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SUPPER CHURCH
Mark your calendars for our next Supper Church (February 8)! This is a wonderful time of food and fellowship, as well as fun for the kiddos. We meet in the lounge/chapel from 5:00-6:30pm and children in attendance hear a Bible story and then take part in a craft that mirrors the lesson that week.
For planning purposes, please RSVP via this link. Hope to see you there! Guests are always welcome.
If you have questions about Supper Church, or would like to discuss opportunities to provide an occasional meal for this bi-weekly gathering, please email Roberta Schlechter.
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ST. ANDREW'S BOOK CLUB
We're off to a great start, with some wonderful books on the calendar for upcoming discussions! Our next meeting will be at 10am on Thursday, February 19. Our February book will be
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger.
Whether it's your first time attending a book club (ours or one in general), or if you're a seasoned reader with lots of book club experience, ALL are welcome. We hope you will join us!
If you have suggestions or questions, contact Sarah (Sadie) Pullen.
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BE A "COFFEE ANGEL" DURING FELLOWSHIP
Volunteers are always needed on Sundays to make post-worship coffee hour & fellowship happen. If you would like to sign up for one or more Sundays, click here to sign up. Contact Marie Dolson or Gail Planck for more info.
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MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Whether you are new to studying the Bible or someone who considers themself a student of the Word, this men's study group is looking for you. Come as you are (in comfy clothes and/or with coffee in hand) and log on to Zoom every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00am.
Set your alarm and jump right in to group discussion, contemplation, and prayer. Contact Larry Kelley for more information. |
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CHOIR REHEARSAL
Rehearsals take place each Sunday after service in the chapel.
Everyone is welcome; just bring a love of singing. For more information, contact Don Feely.
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If you have any questions about our ministries or would like to be a part of our Mission Team, contact Marilyn Palumbo |
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ZIPLOC MINISTRY
First Saturday of the Month
10:30am-12:00pm - Ziploc bag filling and donation drop-off
Each month, St. Andrew's sends large Ziploc bags filled with essential items to distribute to those in our community who have found themselves without a home. 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 and new men's boxer-briefs, for many of our ministry partners. These can be dropped off at our February 7th Ziploc bag filling, at worship on Sundays, or during office hours.
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ST. ANDREW'S QUILTERS
The St. Andrew's quilters meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 9:30am. 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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IMPORTANT LOCAL NEWS ABOUT MSRV:
"You may have seen this article in the Mercury about the mayor's intention to speed up removal of people from the City's pod shelters if they're not "making progress" after being there 120 days. This is worrisome, because the alternatives are few, and some Guests are understandably confused about expectations. City Shelter Services responded to our fears with this message: “Of the City shelters, MSRV has the fewest people who would be exited, which shows a high level of engagement from guests. If someone never leaves their pod, or actively refuses to engage with staff, this would cause an exit. We need to have folks in shelter that are invested in moving
out of shelter, so we can serve as many people as possible. If someone is exited, they will be offered space at our overnight shelters. After 90 days, they become eligible for referral back into the alternative shelter system.” Our projects and activities may help people stay sheltered, by helping them make connections and have things to look forward to."
- Friends of MSRV Newsletter, January 10, 2026
Ways you can help:
- Sign up to make and drop off sandwiches (and easy-to-chew snacks, if you're so inclined) for FMSRV Sandwich Mondays.
- Drop off donations of food, gently used clothing, new hygiene items, and pet food.
- Get involved! Opportunities are available to serve meals, assist with art projects, and engage with the community by Tabling at Hillsdale Farmers Market.
- Visit the Friends of Multnomah Safe Rest Village website, and join their Facebook group for updates, news, photos, and connections.
St. Andrew's supports the Multnomah Safe Rest Village in partnership with the Friends of Multnomah Safe Rest Village. Under the new ownership of Urban Alchemy, our unhoused neighbors are provided clean hygiene facilities and offered healthy meals, through an approach that supports guests’ physical and mental health, as well as by empowerment and skill training.
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SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS
We always need more volunteers who love to cook. If you’d like to share in serving our neighbors at WWCS, check out the link here. Reimbursement for cost of ingredients is available.
Casseroles are dropped off at St. A’s during the first Saturday Ziploc event.
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SOUTHWEST OUTREACH
Southwest Outreach is an active civic group connecting with our neighbors living outside in SW Portland through visits, conversation, and relationship-building through a variety of programs and services.
If you see (or know of) someone living outside in our area and you are uncertain how or whether to approach, you can always contact Southwest Outreach for a team to visit them. Call Marilyn Palumbo at 971-235-5788.
Shower Program
Now located at Village Grace Church, this weekly SW Outreach shower program is a welcome day center for people being displaced in our area. Our guests find a few peaceful hours to get a shower and a hot meal, connect with resources, and engage in conversation.
Request for Electronic Devices
Many of our neighbors who live outside desperately need electronic devices: phones, tablets, laptops, and portable WiFi hotspots.This connects them to the world of housing, medical care, employment, emergency services and other resources. If you have a device in any condition that is usable or can be repaired, please contact Marilyn Palumbo. The device should be reset to factory status from the settings menu. We’ll help with that if needed! Thank you.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering with this important and effective group, contact Marilyn Palumbo. You can also contact them if you’re worried about someone in the neighborhood who might be houseless and needing help. St. Andrew's is the fiscal sponsor of SW Outreach. You can make money donations through our website, choosing 'SW Outreach' in the drop-down menu. |
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Virtual Gatherings & Events
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10:00am Worship
(also in person)
Friday, January 30
10am-12pm Coffee Chat
On Zoom
*Note: The next two chats (in February)
will be in person.
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If you need assistance getting to or from the church, please call
Larry Kelley at 503-724-1966. |
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DISABLED STREET PARKING ACCESS
Please note that the street parking along SW Sunset is reserved for picking up and dropping off those who need extra assistance getting inside for worship on Sundays. We ask that you please leave these spaces open and not park there. There is plentiful parking in our lot across Dosch.
Those needing assistance can also use the driveway on Dosch for dropping off and picking up, and take the elevator up to the main level. If you have any questions or need further assistance on Sundays please contact the office. |
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ST. ANDREW'S NAME TAGS
We encourage everyone to wear their name tags during worship, as part of our welcome and when passing the peace.
If your name tag is worn, has been lost, or if you haven't received one, contact the office and we will be happy to make you a name tag for future use.
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FLOWERS FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP
If you would like to recognize a special occasion or person (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries) or memorialize a loved one by placing flowers on the chancel, please contact Bev Ruggles to confirm a date.
(Contact the office for Bev's phone number if you don't have it.) |
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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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Member Database access is available anytime. Contact the office to get set up. |
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For online 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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Kara Errico, Office Administrator/Neighborhood Ministries Coordinator
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