THE WITNESS

 

 

MARCH, 2010

 

St. Andrew Lutheran Church

1605 Neuse Blvd

New Bern, NC 28560

(252) 637-5879

 

Web Site:  www.standy.org

 

Email: standrew1605@embarqmail.com

 

“Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy.” PS. 126:5

 

SATURDAY CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP 6:30 P.M.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES   8:00 A.M. & 10:45 A.M.

 SUNDAY SCHOOL  9:30 A.M.

(Nursery available for all services)

 

 

FREE MEAL EVERY SATURDAY: 5:30 P.M.

 

 

Rev. Dr. Theodore H. Rust............Pastor and Mission Director

Pastor Ted’s email address: trust@embarqmail.com

Rev. Robert M. Weeks, Th.M.........Pastor Emeritus

J. T. Ellenberger …………………. Music Director

Laura Scott ……………………….. Nursery Coordinator 

Theresa Lindquist …………………Administrative Assistant

Martha A. Nordstrom………………Volunteer Administrative Assistant

Arden & Susan Strasser …Our Lutheran Missionaries in Zambia, Africa

 

 

 

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THE POWER OF GOD’S SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE THIS LENT

This is a newsletter article by Pastor Ted Rust

 

In the middle ages a man was sent to a building site in France to see how workers felt about their labor.  He asked the first worker:  “What are you doing?”  The worker snapped at him:  “Are you blind?  I am cutting these impossible boulders with primitive tools and putting them together the way the boss tells me.  I’m sweating under this hot sun.  My back hurts.  I’m bored.  I make next to nothing.  I work hard like this every day and I hate it.”

 

The man quickly backed away and found a second worker, to whom he asked the same question.  “What are you doing?”  The second worker replied:  “I’m shaping these boulders into useable forms.  Then they are put together according to the architects plans.  I earn enough money to support my wife and family.  It’s a job.  It could be worse.”

 

A little encouraged, but not overwhelmed by this response, the man went to yet a third worker.  “What are you doing?”  He asked.  “Why, can’t you see?”...the worker said as he joyfully lifted up his arm to the sky.  I am building a cathedral!”

 

This is a nice story which brings me to ask:  how do you see your life and work today?  Do you see it as drudgery without reward or purpose?  Do you see it as just a job?  Or, do you see your work as part of God’s master design, not only for you, but for others?  Do you see yourself as a partner with God in establishing His Kingdom on this earth?  Are you helping God build up His Kingdom and Church like you could?

 

How we regard our work or challenges may not effect whether a tasks gets done or not.  It will, however, have an impact on the quality of our work and our productivity.  The real impact of how we feel about a job or activity lies in this:  the more positive we feel about our work, the greater the satisfaction we have at the end of the day.  Also, the less damaging stress we internalize.  Those who see value in their jobs, family responsibilities, and daily challenges enjoy a greater sense of purpose.  Any job or activity can be done with grace, dignity, joy, and purpose and I believe God is truly glorified when we choose to see our work in this way.

 

Near the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry, Jesus visited his hometown of Nazareth.  In the words of Isaiah Jesus clearly states his purpose and mission:  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  (Luke 4:18-19)

 

Jesus was filled with the power of God’s Spirit and we can be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit too.  Lent is a good time to pray, think, fast, serve, and be renewed in the spirit of our God who loves us so powerfully.  What are you building in your life?  I believe that you and God working together could build something very beautiful.


 

LETTERS FROM FRIENDS AND THE CONGREGATION


Dear Pastor Rust and friends at St. Andrew Lutheran Church

 

The family of Antonio Franjic acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind expression of sympathy.  In memory of Antonio Franjic, the best and most adorable baby in the world that unfortunately left this world so soon, and will be missed from the bottom of my/many hearts.  I would also like to thank so many people that cared and still do for everything they have done or tried to do with best intentions.  We thank the New Bern Police Department, Cotten Funeral Home, St. Andrew Lutheran Church and the Green Leaf Memorial Park.  Special thanks to Pastor Rust for his many visits, J.T. Ellenberger for playing the organ for the service, and to all of the church volunteers who helped with the delicious meal.  There are no exact works for the pain that someone can go through and not enough appreciation that can be showed or said many times.  Thanks again to all of you for your kindness and sympathy.

 

Danka Franjic (Antonio’s Mother)


Dear Pastor, Beverly & Family and St. Andrew Friends,

 

            We surely miss St. Andrew church and you.  We haven’t joined a new church yet but the Pastor here at Homewood is very nice, about 40 (that’s a guess) and plans to start Sunday services Jan. 1st. so we can stay right here.  We gave up both of our cars so we have no wheels.

            Pastor “Jeff” is very nice and came up to our apartment to welcome us and he also comes to our noon meal and says a nice grace.

Would love to see you, so if opportunity presents itself don’t pass it up.

 

Fondly,

Lois & Jack Jacobsen


Dear Pastor Rust:

 

            Please accept the enclosed check in memory of James J. Hauser.  The service for Jim was very appropriate and uplifting.  It reminded all of us of the vibrant and hard working individual whom Jim was, and that the healthy Jim was a vigorous, outgoing and loyal man.  He was a fine soldier and true patriot.  Jim had a big heart and would come to the assistance of anyone in need.

            We will miss Jim, but realize his health problems are now over and he is in a better place.

 

Sincerely,

Peter S. Conzelman,

LTC, USA Ret’d.


Dear St. Andrew Church Family,

            I want to thank all of the members for their cards, visits, phone calls, food and prayers.  All of you have been such a blessing to me and to Bill.  My Stephen Minister has been wonderful.  The care-givers each month have really served us well.  I was very glad to receive the nice card from the High School Youth. (YES)  Please remember that I pray for each of you on a regular basis.  I love my Church.  Special thanks to Pastor Rust for his many visits and for sharing Holy Communion. 

 

God bless you all,

Donna Miner


Dear Church Family,

            You truly have come together for us like family.  Jim’s sister, Beverly, has been with me since the end of December and each of us appreciates the prayers and comforting words.  Terry was a wonderful help to us, and we are grateful for her assistance.  Those attending Jim’s service commented that it was a beautiful service; we thank Pastor and J.T. for making it so. 

            To those of you who prepared and served the luncheon, 10,000 thanks would be too few.  Everyone enjoyed the meal.

            Last but certainly not least, our thanks to YES for their prayers and words of comfort.  Thank You!  Thank You! Thank You!   

 

Marilyn Hauser & Beverly Traa


 

SUNDAY WORSHIP READINGS  8:00 A.M. & 10:45 A.M.

 

DATE

FIRST READING

PSALM

SECOND READING

GOSPEL

March 7

Isaiah 55:1-9

Psalm 63:1-8

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Luke 13:1-9

March 14

Joshua 5:9-12

Psalm 32

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Luke 15:1-2, 11b-32

March 21

Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm 126

Philippians 3:4b-14

John 12:1-8

March 28

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 22:14-23:56

 


 

ADULT FORUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

 

Come and join us for a study and lively discussion about the Old Testament

We are studying Kings of Israel (I&II Samuel, I&II Kings and I & II Chronicles)

 

The class will meet in the Chapel/Library Room every Sunday.

Time: 9:25 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

 

 

. WITNESSES FOR CHRIST

 

This is a Sunday Morning Bible Class taught by Rev. Dr. Ted Rust.  The class meets in the Sanctuary on Sunday from 9:30 to 10:25 a.m.  We are currently studying Evangelism and how anyone can share God’s love with others.  New Bible students are always welcome and encouraged to attend.  We hope you will join us this week if you are currently not attending a Sunday School Class.

 

March 7th Sharing the Good News In the Church

March 14th Sharing the Good News In Worship

March 21st Sharing the Good News With The Dying

March 28th Sharing the Good News In a Positive Way


 

Caregivers for March

 

Please contact, Judy Dupree, our March Chairman, for the Caregiving Ministry or her team members: Shana and Marc Arnold and Patty Epting;

if you know any members in our church who need Caregiver assistance.

 

As a reminder if you are donating altar flowers please indicate who the flowers are to go to or state no preference. To the left of the flower chart there is a calendar write the person's name or no preference on the Sunday you have donated flowers. Thank you. Social Ministry 

 

ATTENTION: NEW MEMBERS

            If you have joined the church within the last year, 2009 or perhaps in 2010 and you have not yet returned the family information form that was in your member packet to the church office, please take the time to do so. 

            We use this form to update our database with specific dates that are important to you and your family, such as baptism date, confirmation date, birth date, anniversary etc.  If you don’t have all the specific dates available, please just fill in what you can and return the form to the church office or just drop it in the plastic holder on the front of the administrative assistant’s door before attending worship service.

WELCOME CARDS

            When you attend worship service on either Saturday or Sunday, please have one member of your family fill out the WELCOME card which is usually found in the front of your worship bulletin.  Please include your last name, as not everyone knows, for example, who John & Mary are.

            The WELCOME card is used by several facets of the church.  Our Evangelism Committee and Pastor use it to learn about visitors from out of town or those who indicate a desire to join our church family.  The church office uses it to record member attendance, handle prayer requests and will pass inquiries to the appropriate person or committee.

            Any additional unused WELCOME cards may be put in the offertory plate and the ushers will return these to the church office for future use.     

 

Thank You!

 

WELCA NEWS

WELCA Updates:  WELCA made contributions this year to our missionaries, Arden and Susan Strasser of $100; Crossnore School $100, LWR Haiti Fund $100 and $250 to help defray the costs for the Lenoir-Rhyne University Choir visit on March 17.  These contributions were made possible by the sale of our cookbooks, sweatshirts and polo shirts. 

 

WELCA held a Prayer Partner Luncheon on February 20 and a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February16.  Our four circles meet monthly.  We continue to collect soup labels and box tops for education as well as soda can "tabs".  The Prayer Chain has been revised and updated.  Upcoming events are the Spring Luncheon on April 17 and the Coastal Gathering in Goldsboro on April 24. 


ATTENTION CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERS

 

Would you like to become a member of the Stewardship Committee?  We are looking for new blood to join our committee.  We meet the first Wednesday of the Month at 3:30 p.m. Our meeting usually does not last more than an hour.  If you are interested please contact a Stewardship Committee member.

 

Does anyone in the Congregation have any ideas on how we can make Stewardship come alive at St. Andrew?  If you have any ideas you can write them down and turn them in at the church office or call one of Stewardship Committee members.

 

 

Thank you for your time and May the Lord be with you all.

 

Steven Baucom

Stewardship Chairperson


Eastern Pregnancy Information Center (EPIC) Campaign during Lent

 

     St. Andrew community is working with Eastern Pregnancy Information Center (EPIC), a Christian ministry dedicated to promoting healthy, life affirming responses to unexpected pregnancy, sexual integrity decisions and past abortion experience. They offer free services, caring help and accurate information to help empower individuals to pursue positive choices. The center offers nurse counseling as well as sonograms for women 7- 20 weeks pregnant. EPIC solely relies on the donations from individuals, churches and other donors. In the past St. Andrew Lutheran Church has supported the EPIC baby bottle campaign. We, at St. Andrew, again will participate in the EPIC campaign during Lent starting February 20/21 and ending April 3/4.  Bonnie Roach will lead this ministry.

     Volunteers will be in the Narthex at the EPIC display table to help with this campaign. If you wish not to take a baby bottle and just want to give a check, please make your check out to EPIC or Eastern Pregnancy Information Center for your tax deduction. The bottles are primarily to gather your loose change at the end of a day and also to have the entire family members participate. All bottles and checks are to be given back to the volunteers on or before April 3rd or 4th.  Social Ministry

 

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COMMUNITY NEWS

 

 

FREE CPR CLASSES

To celebrate American Heart Month and increase awareness of the prevalence of heart disease in our region, Carolina East Health System is offering two free classes designed to teach basic resuscitation skills for the general public.  Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, is the nation’s number one killer. To urge Americans to join the battle against cardiac disease, since 1963 Congress has required the President to proclaim February as “American Heart Month.” These classes are being offered free of charge as a community service of Carolina East Health System.

 

Carolina East Health System Offers Free Basic

CPR Skills Class during American Heart Month

Thursday, March 4, 2010 12:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.

Education Building Carolina East Medical Center

Please call 252-633-8160 to register.

 

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Interfaith Refugee Ministry

Mark your calendar for March 6, 2010 at 1:00 PM.  Interfaith Refugee Ministry (IRM) is hosting an afternoon to “Share the Journey – Introducing Refugees and Their Stories” at Garber United Methodist Church. The program includes colorful and exciting entertainment by the refugees, educational demonstrations, personal conversations with the refugees, and tasty samples of ethnic foods. The music of the “Uniquely Modern and Always Classic” Trent River Chamber Players will add to the festivities. In addition, there will be light refreshments and a silent auction. Come and bid on the great gifts provided by area businesses.

 

Interfaith Refugee Ministry is dedicated to helping refugees and asylees rebuild their lives in a safe land. Each year, IRM resettles new refugee families from around the world.  Their staff, working with volunteers, civic groups and faith communities, ensures each refugee will receive basic initial support as they begin a new life in a strange land.  They provide a bridge for these persecuted people who are coming out of the darkness of a shattered life into the bright hope of a better future.

 

Come and support this important work. Advance ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Ticket prices at the door are $7 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Interfaith Refugee Ministry offices 1233 Colony Drive, New Bern; Mount Olive College, 2912 Trent Road, New Bern; or Middle Street Antiques & Flea Market, 221 Middle Street, New Bern.


 

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2010

 

 

            

ST. ANDREW MEMORIAL/THANKSGIVING GIFT WISH LIST

The Church Council has approved a group of stained glass windows to serve as a memorial wish list.  These windows will fill in the glass spaces on the left and right sides of the chancel/altar.  Stained Glass windows for the upper triangular windows on the left and right sides of the chancel/altar have been given in memory of Edith Kobylarz.  One 41” x 68.5” window on the left side of the chancel/altar has been given by another family. These windows are being contracted.

           

THE FOLLOWING WINDOWS ARE ON THE WISH LIST:

                        One stained glass window measuring 41” x 68.5” to be placed on the left side of the chancel/altar costing $4,700

 

                        One stained glass window measuring 14.75” x 68.75” to be placed on the right side of the chancel/altar costing $1,700

 

                        One Stained glass window measuring 50.5” x 68.75” to be placed on the right side of the chancel/altar costing $5,900

           

PERSONS OR FAMILIES INTERESTED IN MEMORIALIZING THESE WINDOWS ARE TO CONTACT BOB WEEKS.

 

PERSONS HAVING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THESE WINDOWS SHOULD CONTACT AL KUTZING, CHAIRMAN OF THE STAINED GLASS COMMITTEE.    

 

 

DEBT REDUCTION RESULTS FOR 2010

 

FUNDS RECEIVED DURING JANUARY - $755.00

 

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT EVERY FIRST SUNDAY IN THE MONTH IS DEBT REDUCTION SUNDAY.  EVERY DOLLAR GIVEN REDUCES OUR DEBT AND THE INTEREST WE PAY.  PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING A LITTLE MORE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH TO REDUCE OUR APPROXIMATE $719,925.56 DEBT.

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Micah’s Backpack

Healthy Meals for

Healthy Families

 

Background

Many children struggle to eat healthy meals and snacks every day.  Micah’s Backpack, a free ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in New Bern, NC helps children eat more healthy meals and snacks through their local elementary school.  Micah’s Backpack will address children’s weekend hunger issues by providing meals to identified students who require the program’s assistance.  Each week, the participating students will receive a backpack filled with enough food for the weekend.

 

How Micah’s Backpack Works

Each Friday afternoon elementary school children receive a backpack of individual sized healthy food and snacks.  On Monday the child returns the empty backpack to their school coordinator to be restocked with food for the following Friday.  Micah’s Backpack may include the following items: cereal, breakfast bars, oatmeal, juice, tuna kits, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter crackers, soup, apple sauce, fruit cups, ravioli, vegetables, non-refrigerated milk, and other nutritious food.

 

Who Can Participate?

Beginning in March 2010, Micah’s Backpack will work with families at Oaks Road elementary school.  The school will identify low income families in need of assistance.  Program participation will be kept as confidential as possible.  A parent or guardian must return a signed permission form for their child to participate.  This form is available from the school principal.

 

How the Program is Sustained

Micah’s Backpack is a community service ministry coordinated and maintained by the Youth of St. Andrew Lutheran Church with support from the Youth Group Committee, individuals of the St. Andrew congregation and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Additional partners will be added in the near future. Children are our future. This ministry is a wonderful way for the youth of St. Andrew to nurture their spiritual growth while making a difference in the lives of children in our community.

 

How Can I help?

Micah’s Backpack is in need of monetary and food item donations.  A list of needed food items in individual single serving sizes is available on the next page.  Volunteers are also needed to deliver backpacks to the school on a weekly basis.  Financial donations can be sent to St. Andrew Lutheran Church.  Congregation members can also donate by designating your contribution to Micah’s Backpack and placing in the offering during services.

 

Needed Non-Perishable Food Items in Individual

(Single) Serving Sizes

 

100 % Orange Juice/Fruit Juice

Oatmeal (Box with Individual Packages)

Tuna Kits

Macaroni and Cheese Singles

Peanut Butter Crackers

Chicken or Vegetable Soup (Single Servings)

Apple Sauce Cups

Fruit Cups

Spaghettios or Ravioli (Single Servings)

Individual Vegetable Cups

Goldfish (Single Servings)

Pudding/Jell-O Cups

Granola/Oatmeal bars

 

More Information

For more information on the Micah’s Backpack program please contact:

St. Andrew Lutheran Church,

1605 Neuse Blvd.,

New Bern, NC 28560

(252) 637-5879

Email: standrew1605@embarqmail.com

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