THE WITNESS

 

 

AUGUST, 2010

 

St. Andrew Lutheran Church

1605 Neuse Blvd

New Bern, NC 28560

(252) 637-5879

 

                                  Web Site:  www.standy.org    

 

                                  Email: standrew1605@embarqmail.com

 

Let your loving kindness be upon us, as we place our hope in you.

PS.33:22

 

SATURDAY CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP 6:30 P.M.

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

Sunday School will resume in the Fall

 (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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LETTERS FROM FRIENDS AND THE CONGREGATION


June 21, 2010

Greetings from Lappland;

   We arrived here this morning about 400 F.  This church in Kiruna was built in 1912 and its all wood and in the shape of a Sahi Lavuu. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to take part in the service.  It seats about 600 people.

 

See you in August. 

Kerstin & Warren Johnson


June 22, 2010,

I want to thank St. Andrew members for their get-well cards and prayers.  I appreciated them so very much.  Thanks also to Pastor Rust and Chaplain Mike Bostian for their special prayers.  Having the altar flowers in my room added a lot of cheer.  Thanks for giving them to me.  Again thanks to all of you visited me in the hospital they helped my “spirits”.  To paraphrase from my favorite hymn, “Let’s go on our way rejoicing”!

 

Sincerely, Sam Mascia


Dear St. Andrew Family,

Juergen and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and caring during this time of grief in our lives.  The expressions of sympathy and assurance of prayers has been truly overwhelming.  Please also accept our thanks for contributions to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  They will help do what our son Mike had said he would do: “take care of Marian.”  We thank you too on behalf of Marian and our daughter Claudia.  It is a comfort to them that we are all loved and so well prayed for. 

 

In the blessed assurance of the Resurrection with gratitude and love,

Laurna and Juergen Badendieck


Dear Pastor Rust,

  Thank you so much for your letter!  Florida has been so great, and I have been learning so much about myself and about God.  I feel so blessed to be down here and to be learning so many things I can take back to NC State with me in the Fall.  It is so encouraging to have such a supportive church family and I want to thank you guys for your prayers!  I hope everything is going great at St. Andrew!

 

In His Love,

Laura Bostian



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

 

DATE

FIRST READING

PSALM

SECOND READING

GOSPEL

August 1

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14;2:18-23

49:1-12

Colossians 3:1-11

Luke 12:13-21

August 8

Genesis 15:1-6

33:12-22

Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16

Luke 12:32-40

August 15

Jeremiah 23:23-29

82

Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Luke 12:49-56

August 22

Isaiah 58:9b-14

103:1-8

Hebrews 12:18-29

Luke 13:10-17

August 29

Proverbs 25:6-7

112

Hebrew 13:1-8,15-16

Luke 14:1,7-14

 

THE ELCA BOOK OF FAITH PROGRAM

Summer Bible Studies with Pastor Rust.

Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

 

The class meets in the Sanctuary. I will be using The Alpha Course Manual, “A Practical Introduction to the Christian Faith.” New Bible students are always welcome and encouraged to attend. We hope you will join us this week!

 

DATE

TOPIC

August 1    

How Does God Guide Us?

August 8    

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

August 15  

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?

August 22   

How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit?

August 29   

How Can I Resist Evil?

September 5       

Why and How Should We Tell Others?

September 12    

Does God Heal Today?

September 19     

What about the Church?

September 26     

How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?

 


STEPHEN MINISTRY

 

ALL ALONE?  Don’t be.  God doesn’t want us to be all alone.  He wants us to turn to others when things are bothering us.  Stephen Ministers will walk with you through your troubles and be there for your when you need them.


 

 


LIBRARY NEWS

 

I am requesting that members of the congregation do not donate any books at this time.  Due to the death of Donna Miner, who was very much involved in creating this library and in the day to day work of the library, and various personal reasons in my life since January, I have not been able to give the proper amount of time to the library.  Until I can “catch-up” on the work needed in the library please hold off donating books until further notice.  Please continue to check out books. 

 

Thank you, Mary Rachel Mascia


I plan to ride in the New Bern MS (multiple sclerosis) Bike Ride on September 11-12.  In 2009 this ride raised over $1.7 million for MS research and services.  If you would like to make a donation for this effort please consider sponsoring me.  Donations can be made online at www.nationalmssociety.org (click on "Donate", then "Pledge", and in the search fields enter my name).  Checks can be made payable to "National MS Society".  Thank you for your support.  Mike Bostian

 


LMIM CORNER

 

   The LMIM held its July 3rd meeting at 8:30 a.m.  A great breakfast was served.  Twelve men were in attendance and a lot of work was done.

 

  Things that were suggested “Movie Nite” for families, also open to the public to be brought up at the next meeting.

 

  The Pancake Breakfast on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. was brought up. We are now at $150.00.  More attendance is needed or it will become unaffordable.  We will then shift to other ways or completely end this program.  It is the congregation’s silent choice to attend or not.

 

   Pastor Bob Weeks was awarded $400.00 to be drafted out of our budget, as needed, for the memorial plaques of our congregation.  This area has been neglected for many years and needs great attention not only by our group but the congregation as a whole.

 

   The scholarship fund for our children going to college has been approved.  We will

allot $50.00 per LMIM breakfast toward the scholarship fund; guide lines to be set forth.  We are still in the working process and as soon as it is done and approved it shall be posted or hand given to the entire congregation.

 

   Now sad news. The October “Treasure Sale” has been cancelled due to time restraints and availability to collect items for sale.  Not counting, if we still have a trailer to put it in.

 

   The Oktoberfest (Bratwurst) has been approved and a Polish (Kielbasa) nite has been approved for November.  Tickets will be numbered to 150.

 

   Our metals collection on Sunday is still going on.  Extremely slow start; this is for debt reduction only.  It is not only aluminum, but brass, copper etc.  If it is too large call Bob Buszka at 252-521-4353 or Len Long at 252-675-1139 for trailer pick up.  Remember the truck or trailer will be parked along side of the fence; a white sign is posted.

 

   A side issue.  We will be having a tree trimming around the church in August.  All men and men with families are desired to attend.  The leader’s name will be announced in the summer LMIM Corner.  Our tree branches are dragging downward. 

 

   We will not be cutting bushes along the fence until the Council and our neighbors are satisfied.  Just the trees.

 

   The Micah Backpack is being delayed until Craig Schadewald can give a proper assessment of needs.

 

   The Lutheran Men in Mission needs all men of this congregation to attend our meetings; not just to eat our delicious breakfasts but to give your thoughts and suggestions on what can be done in this church and outreach programs.  We must stay positive and moving forward.

 

   At the next LMIM meeting, a Men’s Bible Study shall be discussed.  Starting with Chapter One.  If you younger fathers have older children who are interested in this Bible Study, please bring them.  But all men, please, please attend.  Yes, a lot of homework will be involved. 

 

   Ed Kobylarz has been elected our Communication Officer.  He will be putting out timely announcements on Radio, TV, Poster Boards etc.  He has, also, been elected as the Wounded Warrior Program Liaison Officer to Eric Edmundson, our Chairperson, to which we give physical support.

 

   With this we will sign off, have a wonderful blessed July.  See you at our breakfast on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.   A sign-up sheet is in Weeks Hall.

 

Yours in Our Blessed Savior, Jesus Christ,

Bob Buszka


Micah’s Backpack Year End Update

 

The St. Andrew Youth Group would like to thank everyone who has contributed to Micah’s Backpack, our community service project during this past school year. Through your monetary and food donations and your volunteering our group was able to provide healthy weekend breakfasts, lunches and snacks to needy children attending Oaks Road Elementary School.

 

The groundwork and planning for the project began in December of 2009. The first fourteen backpacks were delivered during the first week of March and continued through the first week of June, the end of the school year. During this time our youth group and congregation volunteers logged in a total of 115 volunteer hours by attending project meetings, shopping, stocking our pantry and packing, delivering and picking up backpacks. In addition to congregation donations and Youth Group fundraising efforts, the local Thrivent Chapter joined hands with us by making a sizeable monetary donation, we are forever thankful.

 

Micah’s Backpack was a great success during this our inaugural year that we will continue to serve the children at Oaks Road Elementary School during the upcoming 2010-2011 school year beginning in early September and will add a second school providing backpacks to 10-15 children from Trent Park Elementary School.

 

Once again, thank you for your generous support of our community service outreach project.

 

God Bless,

Craig Schadewald

Youth Group Committee


 

HELP WANTED

Stewardship Committee has been tasked to ask if there is anyone in the Congregation who is interested in becoming Evangelism Liaison to Council.  You will only need to serve on Council until December 2010.  Please let us know if you are interested.  Thank you.


TIME & TALENT

 

Your Time and Talent is requested to help out St. Andrew Lutheran Church.  This way you are also serving God as one of his stewards

 

St. Matthew 16:26 and 27

Jesus said the following: For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit the life?  Or what will they give in return for their life?

For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.

 


                                WELCA FALL MEETING AND COVERED DISH

                                   Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.

 

                             To all women of St. Andrew: Please join us for an evening of

                                    Fellowship and Attendance at our Fall meeting.

 

Have a voice in the Bible Study Programs to be selected for this year.

 

Dates and times of studies will also be selected. An evening program may be added,

if enough interest is shown. Circle liaisons will also be selected among each group.

 

                         PLEASE BRING A COVERED DISH TO SHARE.

 

The WELCA Board will meet at 4:30 P.M. followed by the supper and

 Fall meeting at 6:00 P.M.

 

ALL WOMEN ARE MOST WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

 

 

AUCTION AUCTION

AUCTION AUCTION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH

Calendar the Date, Remember to Tell Your Friends!

LITE BITE 5:30      AUCTION 6:30

 

We are about 53 days before you experience a memorable evening, a terrific time and reach our goal for $10,000.00. Without a crowd: you, your family, friends, neighbors, and/ or office workers, we will not reach our goal. Start now to invite and personally give your family, friend etc. a Town Cryer invitation. They are in the narthex on the auction table. With the Tri-Centennial events and the New Bern Civic Theater scheduled for Sep 17th we need to spread the word, now.

 

On another note we need to remind you that all live auction items or services will be determined by Barbara Riegel and Elmer Stenzel, our auctioneer. What does that mean? Because of the dynamics of our community and church, we will probably be able to auction about 40-45 items. Elmer figures 3-4 minutes per auction item which will allow Elmer 2/ 2.5 hrs. for auction calls; closing the live auction about 8:30 PM and silent auction 15 minutes before. Some of the auction items may be designated for silent auction.  We cannot emphasize enough an auction item should be quality, unusual or an item that a crowd would bid on and worth the time for our auctioneer to increase the bids.

 

Remember: all auction items are to be brought in the day of the auction. If you cannot bring in the day of the auction, item can be brought in Sunday Sept. Sept 12th until Sept 17th please call Paul Miottke, to arrange for storage.

 


Social Ministry

            The 9/11 appreciation luncheon and dinner for New Bern’s First Responders will again be held for the Sheriff’s Department by St. Andrew’s community. The date and place will be determined because September 11th falls on Saturday. Please refer to the bulletin for the date and place.  If you are interested, in helping with serving, set-up and clean up or need more information please contact Marion Zimmerman, Len Long or Eleanor Lockhart who are leading this ministry for our finest.

 

Caregivers for August   Please contact Lauren Hudgins, our August Chairperson, for our Caregiving Ministry or her team members: Loretta Bickwit, Dauphne and Len Long and Carol Thirkell 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.


ELCA BENFITS UPDATE

 

SAME GENDER PARTNER BENEFITS NOW AVAILABLE

Effective May 1, 2010 members of the ELCA Pension and Other Benefits Program may enroll eligible same gender partners (and their eligible dependents) in ELCA benefits.  To learn more, contact the ELCA Board of Pensions at (800)352-2876 or mail@elcabop.org or visit www.elcabop.org.


CHURCH GARDEN VOLUNTEERS

The Sanitary Engineers are in need of a volunteer/volunteers to help with the church gardens on Thursday mornings from 8/8:30 to 10. This would involve weeding and planting as needed. This is a good time for fellowship and to contribute to the outside appearance of this church.

 

For more information contact Paul Miottke or Kathy Herbert or, better yet, just show up on Thursday.


LAWN CREW NEEDED

We are desperately in need of help. The person who had done much of the work is injured and will be out for a month or two.  Please contact Paul Miottke or Len Long if you would like to volunteer.   The Property Committee