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Clickable Table of Contents |
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Join us for worship every Sunday at 10:00am
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Thoughts from Pastor Sarah |
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Dear Kindred in Christ,
24 hours from right now (Thursday morning), I'll be on to road to the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington for three days of AMAZING concerts, camping with family and friends, and the beginning of my summer vacation. My sister has been driving cross country all week and she arrives in Washington State with my nearly five year old nephew. We will have a joyful reunion tomorrow.
In order to leave for three weeks, I have spent the past few weeks planning four weeks worth of worship. I hope you'll continue to gather in person or on-line for powerful messages from Jan Reynolds, Sunggu Yang, and Roberta Schlechter, for two wonderful choral anthems on the 11th and the 18th, and for glorious music from Daniel Buchanan and John Sherwood on June 25th. Tom and Patty Campbell-Schmitt are on call for pastoral care for the rest of the month.
When I return at the start of July we'll begin outdoor worship. We have a plan for Sunday, July 2 and will need some help with these services. Two set up volunteers, two clean up volunteers, and one or two hospitality hosts. Katy is creating sign up sheets and Merrie Backer will be recruiting. These are easy ways to serve your church. Consider signing up. We will be setting up chairs, but if you want to bring chairs, please feel free. We anticipate a mix of our chairs and chairs from home. We also will be setting up sun shades to make it a more comfortable experience. It is easy to praise God in the glorious pacific northwest.
The Session met this week and voted to install air conditioning in the chapel. Should this be accomplished quickly, we have a good back up summer worship spot in case of excessive heat or rain.
One last and most important word, we have had incredible children's ministry leadership from Carol Patterson for so many years, and in recent years she has been beautifully partnered by Marie Dolson and Lori Sweeney (and Connie Humphries, before her death.) They maintained children's ministry through the pandemic and hosted some wonderful parent's nights out in the past year. They have loved our children so well. They all need a break and are stepping down from this work. I wish we had recognized them in Sunday worship and hope we will do so this summer yet, but before I leave I wanted to thank them all here and bless them and ask you to thank and bless them. I will be working with Laurie Donald and Emily Dew to make plans for the fall. If others want to join us in this work please let me know.
Carol, Marie, and Lori, we are so incredibly thankful to and for you. And thanks be to God for all three of these women and for beloved Connie whom we dearly miss.
I wish you all every blessing. See you in July!
In Christ, Pastor Sarah |
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Your Respiratory Viruses team learned on 1.19.23 that the surge in respiratory viruses is on the wane and decided it is ok to relax our masking requirement. We still encourage masking in worship, but do not require it.
You may bring a mask from home or ushers will have masks available at the door when you enter.
Masks are the best tool we have, when gathering, to protect ourselves and, more significantly, to protect our most vulnerable neighbors-- presently infants and children who can get terribly sick with RSV, a virus for which we
do not have a vaccine.
When we gather and sing and socialize, we expel aerosols that can carry viruses to others. I know that you are committed to serving neighbors. You can do this through the simple act of wearing a mask in public places. |
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Click here for St. Andrew's current Respiratory Viruses Policy |
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June 11
Isaiah 9:1-7; John 8:12
June 18
Isaiah 40:1-11
Mark 1:1-4
Read these passages online here
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TEMPORARY OFFICE HOURS, JUNE 5 - 14
Between June 5th & 14th our office hours will be Monday-Thursday from 8:30-2:30. We will resume our regular hours on June 15. |
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OUTDOOR SUMMER WORSHIP
Beginning July 2 we will be holding Sunday worship outdoors when the weather permits, which should be most weeks. We will continue this throughout the summer. Put on your sunscreen and sun hats and join us outside in the courtyard on Sundays at 10AM! |
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OUTDOOR WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
In order to have a successful summer season of outdoor worship we need your help with the following:
Refreshments
We are looking for volunteers to manage the snacks and beverages for our fellowship time after service on Sundays this summer. This task is easy and fun, especially if you enjoy our beautiful rose garden (feel free to make a bouquet with fresh clippings!). Summer offerings are light and easy to go along with our outdoor services. Some specific dates need coverage, July 23, July 30, and August 13, but you are welcome to sign up any Sunday that works for you. Contact Becky Schiefelbein with any questions.
Set-up & take-down
Two volunteers are needed each for setting up chairs and canopies before worship and then taking everything down after. You can sign up for both in one day or just one. Todd will also be on hand to assist.
Merrie Backer will have sign-up sheets for these tasks during worship on Sundays. Please see her to volunteer!
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UPDATE ON KRISSY
Fourth and final round of chemo complete! And I rang that bell!
It’s been more of a challenge between my 3rd and 4th rounds because I didn’t bounce back as quickly or easily as I did before. But I did have a few days here and there where I felt like myself. The nausea and fatigue are the hardest parts of it and this last time the fatigue stayed longer than it had before.
They say chemo is cumulative and the more infusions you have the harder the recovery gets, which I’ve felt this time. I have a more few weeks and maybe longer until I start feeling like myself again. But I’m happy to have this leg of my journey over.
I’m still staying positive and happy that I made it through chemo.
Next month I’ll have my surgery and get this cancer out of me! Then on to radiation.
Thank you to everyone who has brought the family dinners on chemo weeks and for everyone’s positive thoughts for me and my recovery.
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ARTS FOR A CAUSE
There is an 'Arts for a Cause' table set up in the narthex each Sunday to raise funds for different ministries supported by St. A's. Arts and crafts will be available to purchase to support a rotating ministry area, and will follow a theme. Our new theme this month is 'The Grateful Table', featuring food-themed crafts and art (such as potholders, tea cozies, art about or featuring food, etc.). Proceeds will go to the Casserole and Ziploc teams to support food supply efforts that impact our partners. You can contribute a piece simply by bringing it with you to worship on Sundays. For more information contact Darwin. |
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Learning & Fellowship Opportunities |
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Members of all classes and groups are encouraged to continue reading and studying at home. Please contact your group
leader if you do not find a list or link below.
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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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MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Several St. Andrew's men meet on first and third Wednesdays at 7am, usually at Pastor Tom's house. New participants are welcome. For more information, please contact Larry Patterson or the church office. Virtual participation is available upon request. |
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CONTINUING ENNEAGRAM EXPLORATIONS
Every fourth Saturday 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. This season we are using "The Journey Toward Wholeness" by Suzanne Stabile as our guide. Our next gathering will be Saturday, July 22, at 1pm on Zoom. Contact Pastor Sarah if you need a reminder of other specific homework. |
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Service Opportunities & Mission Updates
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UPDATE!
Watch for some exciting new additions to our ministries, including opportunities to serve children and seniors near and far, as we continue our important work for Operation Nightwatch, West Women & Children's Shelter, Neighborhood House, and others. If you have any questions or would like to be a part of our Mission Team, contact Darwin Força. |
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ZIPLOC MINISTRY *UPDATE*
Saturday, July 1:
10:30-12:00-Ziploc bag filling and donation drop-off
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 donations, 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
*TIME CHANGE*
Once a month volunteers from St. Andrew's provide a large meal and snacks for residents at the West Women's & Children's Shelter. There is a pre-set menu to follow and the recipe for each meal is provided in advance. Delivery drivers are also needed. All meal and food contributions can be dropped off at the monthly first Saturday Ziploc ministry day (see above), from 11:00-11:30. 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)
If you wish to have virtual coffee chats in the month of June please use this link on Fridays.
10:00am Virtual Coffee Chat, Zoom
(Password- COFFEE)
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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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NEW 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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