May 12, 2012
God loves us deeply and fiercely
May 8, 2012
Meditation - From the Desk of Rev. Wendy Komori Stager
Mothering is not for wimps! Until I became a mother, I had no idea how hard and yet how rewarding it would be to care for another human being. I am also still amazed at my own power as a mother. For now I am in charge of whether my child can have a second cookie or when her bedtime is. However, I recognize that as she grows, my relationship with her is changing. I have come to recognize that the most loving and helpful response is not necessarily to swoop in and rescue my child. There are times to jump in, but also many more times to step back and allow her to grow. I have a deeper appreciation for God being our loving father and our loving mother. God allows us the freedom and room to grow and to make our own mistakes. God loves us deeply and fiercely, but does not always rescue us from our wandering ways. Yet, I am convinced that God's parent-like love continues through our whole life and beyond.
Wendy
Introducing David Lee
The Transition Team is excited to introduce to you our new Interim Pastor, David Lee. A native of California, David has lived throughout the United States, first as a child growing up and later as a Pastor and Interim Pastor. He comes to us from Bethany Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon, where he has just completed 2 and 1/2 years as their Interim Pastor. A graduate of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, he received his Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. David brings a wealth of experience in both pastoral care and the transitional process, which he will use to guide St. Andrew's as we prepare for calling our next pastor.
David has found housing in the area and will begin as our Interim Pastor June 1. We hope you will join with us in welcoming David to St. Andrew's.
KEY UPCOMING EVENTS - places to connect - places to grow in your faith:
- Worship Celebrations:
- Sunday, May 13 - Contemporary Worship at 9am - Traditional Worship at 10:30am - Preacher: Rev. Wendy Komori Stager
- Sunday, May 20 - Youth Sunday - Contemporary Worship at 9am - Traditional Worship at 10:30am
- Sunday, May 27 - Pentecost Sunday & Holy Communion - Contemporary Worship at 9am - Traditional Worship at 10:30am - Preacher: Rev. Bill Nebo
- Sunday, June 3 - Adult Music Sunday - Contemporary Worship at 9am - Traditional Worship at 10:30am
- Announcements for Yoots
- May 13: Mother's Day - No Yoot Groop
- May 20: Youth Sunday (9am & 10:30am services) - No Yoot Groop in the evening
- May 27: Memorial Day Weekend - No Yoot Groop
- Yoots are looking for help to renovate their youth room! If you have any decorating, design, construction, or just plain want to help, please contact the yoot leaders at 925-22-BLEST (25378) or gatoslocos.bentons@gmail.com.
- Gifts from the Heart - Support Habitat financially through "Gifts From the Heart." Rather than purchasing store-bought cards and gifts for Mother's Day and Father's Day, you are asked to give a donation to Habitat in honor of a loved one. It is a thoughtful way of saying, "You are special." Generic cards with envelopes will be available after worship through May 13. Please use the envelopes (in the pew racks) marked "HABITAT FOR HUMANITY" and make your check payable to St. Andrew's.
- Graduates - If you have a child, grandchild or spouse that is graduating from high school or college this spring, please call or email Jennifer at 685-4720 or jennifer.standrews@gmail.com so that they are included in our special list of graduates in June. Please include the student's name, name of school, degrees earned, and any future plans for education or career. Deadline for submissions is May 15.
- Youth Sunday - Sunday, May 20 at 9am and 10:30am - Our young people will prepare the message and participate in worship leadership. Any junior high or college student is invited to participate, even if he or she is not currently involved in youth groups. Please contact Tina & Brent Benton if you would like to help.
- Bible Presentation - Sunday, May 20 - Bibles will be presented to graduating 5th and 12th graders. To ensure that your son or daughter is included, please call or email Jennifer (685-4720, jennifer.standrews@gmail.com) with your child's name and grade.
- Fourth Friday Flick Flack - Friday, May 25 at 6:30pm - Flick Flack will meet at the home of Birdie and Myron Paine, 1716 Elderwood Court, Martinez to discuss the film, "Hugo." Please bring a salad to share. No need to bring your place settings this month. Please RSVP to the Paines at 925-957-0260 by Wednesday, May 23. Join us for the fun!
- Pentecost is Coming - Wear Red! - Sunday, May 27 - We symbolize the Spirit coming with images of fire...wear something red to church on May 27 to help celebrate!
- The St. Andrew's Trust Fund - Sunday, May 27 - The Trust fund was established in 1998 to receive gifts from interested individuals to further the long-term mission of our church. Such gifts become a perpetual "endowment" that keeps on giving, year after year. The Trust Fund Committee will be conducting a special offering promotion on Pentecost Sunday, May 27.
- Summer Worship - We will have a single worship service on Sundays during the Summer. Starting June 13 and continuing through the Parish Picnic on September 9, worship will be at 9:30am. This single service will once again allow the church congregation to be all together, and will also make it easier for our new interim pastor to get to know us. Our intention to combine the best of the 1st and 2nd Services to create a blended worship experience for us all. Praise Music will begin early (around 9:25) and then the blended service will begin with the Call to Worship at 9:30. Talk to Rick Oldenkamp or anyone on the Worship Commission if you have questions.
- Worship Assistance: Behind the Scenes - We are actively seeking folks that want to serve God in worship, but behind the scenes. We need folks to help with the slide show and sound board on Sunday mornings. It is an easy way to serve the church and the community, and doesn't take hardly any extra time... since you'd be in church anyway! Training and help is provided and it is a kick to be involved. Contact Rick Oldenkamp at 925-372-6947 or roldenkamp@sbcglobal.net.
- Vacation Bible School - July 23 to 27, 2012 - Registration has already begun for our 2012 program: Sky VBS! Space is limited, so please register your child today. You can register online at www.sapckids.org - there's a link on our VBS page under Seasonal Events. Please contact Jennifer at 685-4720 or jennifer.standrews@gmail.com with any questions. As always, lots of teen and as always, lots of teen and adult volunteers will be needed! Thank you for your support!
- Guidelines for Newsletter/Bulletin/E-Notes - If you would like to include an announcement in one of our publications, please be aware of the following guidelines:
1) All announcements for all publications should be given to Jennifer Cross Miller at jennifer.standrews@gmail.com, not Sandy.
2) The newsletter deadline is the 15th of every month.
3) The deadline for the bulletin and e-notes is every Tuesday.
4) When submitting articles by email, please list "Newsletter," "Bulletin" and/or "E-Notes" in the subject line. When I work on these projects, I visually scan my inbox for those keywords. It will help ensure that your article is included in a timely manner. Thank you!!! - Calendar Guidelines - When scheduling events for your church group or committee, please call or email both Sandy (sandy.standrews@gmail.com) and Jennifer (jennifer.standrews@gmail.com). This is extremely useful in trying to maintain an accurate church calendar. Thank you!
- Sanctuary Changes - Just a reminder - No changes should be made to the sanctuary setup that have not been reviewed and approved in WRITING by the Worship Commission. This includes, but is not limited to: changes in the location of the piano, changes to the sound system, changes in the location of the communion table, changes in the location of chairs in the chancel, etc. The Worship Commission "owns" the Sanctuary and we have seen too many arbitrary changes made without communication, consideration, or approval. Contact members of the Worship Commission, chairman Rick Oldenkamp, or Elders Alison Armand and Barb Stanton if you have questions. Thanks for your cooperation.