Newsletter
CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
Discussed Christmas Eve attendance at the 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm services and whether, or not to combine those services into one next year.
Discussed enhancing Stewardship based on the book “Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate”.
Rob Headley will enlighten us with a special Thrivent presentation in early 2019 entitled “Give Now, Give Later, Give and Receive”.
St. Andrew’s will provide Christmas gifts for a needy local family through the Holiday Angels program which the Service Group is organizing with guidance from Ellen Ottstadt.
Adopted a new funeral policy.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND UPDATE
Within just three short months, we have already received over $40,000 of
contributions to our Capital Improvement Fund. Thank you for your
enormous generosity! These funds will go a long way towards securing St.
Andrew’s financial future.
THE MESSAGE IS GOING DIGITAL
This will be the next to last mass printing of the Message. After that, the
Message will be emailed to everyone and posted on our website, and only
a limited number will continue to be printed.
If you still wish to receive the Message in the mail, please call us at (914)
962-9564 before January 15, 2019 to let us know. We will send another
email reminder in the beginning of January.
JAN PEEK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The next Jan Peek meal is scheduled for Friday, November 16th if you can help provide a part of the meal it would be really appreciated.
Please contact Sandy Herbst at: sand1313@aol.com or Ellen Ottstadt at: eottstadt@hmail.com if you would like more information about helping out with our monthly Jan Peek Meals! Thank You
YOUTH GROUP
In November, the youth group held its 3rd Annual S’moresgiving. Youth from Pleasantville, Brewster and
White Plains joined us along with friends from school. The 15 youth enjoyed their Thanksgiving spread of Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Corn, Mac and Cheese, and much, much more. After they feasted, the youth took part in games like Elbow Tag, Chain Reaction, Musical Chairs and, the God Squad’s favorite, Sardines. Later that night Pastor Dave and Sarah invited us into their backyard for an amazing bonfire, delicious hot chocolate and of course, S’MORES! Finally, at 1:59am the youth watched the clocks turn back to 1:00am and hit those pillows hard from a fun, energetic night. Thank you, Pastor Dave and Sarah, for having us over, providing the s’mores, making the hot chocolate, and letting us borrow the God Dog for the night.
A very special thank you to Margaret Jakubik for taking care of our Thanksgiving Feast clean-up!
The youth group also hosted its annual Thanksgiving weekend Produce Sale,
which was a HUGE success! We are truly blessed to have such a generous congregation. All proceeds will go towards the Youth Group’s trip to Lexington, North Carolina for Work Camp this summer 2019. A very special thank you to Tim Gagliano for getting all the produce and helping us with the sale, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Later that day, 2 of our youth participated in the Interfaith Service at the Methodist Church across the street. Each one of them gave a speech. Dominick Morabito spoke on Gratitude, while Ava Justo talked about Love. They did an amazing job, and we are very proud of them, for their courage and on the spot performance. Check out www.instagram.com/lutherangodsquad for videos from the service.
UPCOMING YOUTH GROUP EVENTS
December 2: Christmas decorating @ church
December 14: Annual trip to NYC
January 12: Snowtubing
February 22-24: LYO Jr. High Retreat @ Koinonia
March 15-17: LYO Sr. High Retreat @ Koinonia
April 14: Produce Sale Fundraiser for Work Camp
April 20: Easter Egg Dyeing and set up for Easter Breakfast
April 21: Serve Easter Breakfast
May 4-5: Spring into Spring Lock In
June (Awards Sunday Date): Youth Sunday
July 7-13: Work Camp
**Check out the photos on our Instagram page at www.instagram.com\LutheranGodSquad
(or on the app @lutherangodsquad)**
Any questions regarding Youth Group, please contact me at Email: standrewsyorktownyouth@gmail.com
Judy Jakubik
HOLIDAY ANGEL TIME!
From now until December 9 we will be collecting gifts for a needy family in Yorktown. If you would like to donate a gift please visit our Holiday Angels table in the narthex. Each gift will be on a numbered card and label. Please make sure to write your name in the numbered space that matches the number on the card of your choice. All gifts must be wrapped with the label attached. All gift must be returned by Sunday December 9. If you have any questions please speak to Ellen or Kathy. Thank you for your continued support during our Christmas season.
SSC – St. Andrew’s Women’s Group
Holiday Party December 7th – Save the Date!
Come and enjoy an evening of fun to kick off the start of your holiday season with your fellow church sisters.
On Friday night, December 7 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM there will be holiday songs, holiday trivia games and WINE! Please bring your favorite Christmas cookie to share along with a pair of gloves or a hat to donate to the Jan Peek Homeless shelter. All women in the congregation are invited. It will be a wonderful evening of Christmas Cheer!
Holiday Gifting Opportunity
On November 25th we started collecting toys/gifts for the children of incarcerated mothers at the Bedford Women’s Prison. We will continue collecting gifts through Sunday, December 9th. A list of acceptable items is on the table in the narthex. All gifts must be new, unwrapped and labeled for the Hour Children’s Center as they need to be screened by security there. Please place gifts in front of the closet in the narthex. Gifts will be delivered to Bedford on December 10th.
Please contact Linda Bohlk at 914-245-6147 if you have any questions.
Thank you for supporting this important outreach effort,
Linda
SERVICE GROUP
The Service Group held its annual Bake Sale on Sunday, November 11.
Thanks to the generosity of our congregation we raised $400 for our local food pantries. Thank You!! Our next project is the Holiday Angels program where we provide a local, needy family with ALL their Christmas presents. Watch for our display in the Narthex and help us make a Merry, Merry Christmas for a family in our neighborhood.
As always, we welcome new members and thank our St. Andrew’s family for their help and generosity as we reach out to those in need both near and far.
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Kathy DeMaio and Rita Nehmzow
Coordinators
YOUTH CHOIR
Youth Choir meets the last 2 weeks of every month after the 10:00 am service.
All Sunday School aged through Teens are welcome to join us.
Please see Margy for more information.
GUATEMALA MISSION TRIP 2019
June 23 – 30, 2019
Serve alongside the people of San Lucas while you learn about the rich history of this place. This Catholic parish has been partnering with other Christians to offer a hand up to those living in poverty.
We’ll help build housing, process coffee, assist with agricultural development and help reforest devastated lands.
Trip is open to those 18 and older. Please contact Pastor Dave for more information.
GROUP MISSION SUMMER TRIP 2019
High School Students -Home Repair Mission Trip
With camps from North Carolina to Texas, New York to Ohio, we will have to determine the best week for travel and choose a location.
Come and learn about this amazing opportunity to help others in need while growing in faith and friendship! Trip is open to those 18 and older. Please contact Pastor Dave for more information.
“This is my Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonder wrought.
This is my Father’s world; the birds their carols raise;
The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world; he shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.