April was a jammed packed month for St. Andrew’s here is a partial list of what we have been up to and what it means for our church.
70th Anniversary
The culmination of months’ worth of planning and dreaming became a reality two weeks ago. Our amazing planning committee and the church council worked hand in glove to ensure that our church’s 70th anniversary celebration was a smashing success. Bishop Foster preached like a rock star, Supervisor Ed Lachterman presented an official town proclamation, and 11 new members were welcomed into our church. I thank God for all of you who call St. Andrew’s “Your Church!” Let us move into the next chapter of God’s ministry with confidence and faith.
The culmination of months’ worth of planning and dreaming became a reality two weeks ago. Our amazing planning committee and the church council worked hand in glove to ensure that our church’s 70th anniversary celebration was a smashing success. Bishop Foster preached like a rock star, Supervisor Ed Lachterman presented an official town proclamation, and 11 new members were welcomed into our church. I thank God for all of you who call St. Andrew’s “Your Church!” Let us move into the next chapter of God’s ministry with confidence and faith.
Bishop’s Visit
Bishop Foster blessed our service in mighty ways! She was interactive and funny, deeply spiritual and relatable. Thank you Bishop for bringing such energy and excitement for what God is doing through our church! She shared her faith and her hat, several folks got to try out the Bishop’s mitre (fancy church word for the Bishop’s pointy hat) as she shared one of the best messages we have heard here in a long time. Thank you Bishop Foster for sharing your faith!
Bishop Foster blessed our service in mighty ways! She was interactive and funny, deeply spiritual and relatable. Thank you Bishop for bringing such energy and excitement for what God is doing through our church! She shared her faith and her hat, several folks got to try out the Bishop’s mitre (fancy church word for the Bishop’s pointy hat) as she shared one of the best messages we have heard here in a long time. Thank you Bishop Foster for sharing your faith!
New Members
It was our great pleasure to welcome three families to our church. Anne-Marie and Anthony Celio, The Plimpton family Brittany, Tim, Hallie and Justin and the Meyers family Colleen, Chris, Callie, Chase and Carter. Through getting to know them and hear their stories they all had one common thread, someone welcomed them, greeted them, introduced themselves and made them FEEL welcome. They all reported that this congregation made the FEEL welcomed. That happens because of what YOU are doing. When you see a new face and introduce yourself, when you share about your church and invite someone, when you put forth a sense of curiosity in what brings a first timer to visit-you are creating a welcoming community. Thank you, for showing these families that you care, that your happy they are here and ALL of us are part of this church.
It was our great pleasure to welcome three families to our church. Anne-Marie and Anthony Celio, The Plimpton family Brittany, Tim, Hallie and Justin and the Meyers family Colleen, Chris, Callie, Chase and Carter. Through getting to know them and hear their stories they all had one common thread, someone welcomed them, greeted them, introduced themselves and made them FEEL welcome. They all reported that this congregation made the FEEL welcomed. That happens because of what YOU are doing. When you see a new face and introduce yourself, when you share about your church and invite someone, when you put forth a sense of curiosity in what brings a first timer to visit-you are creating a welcoming community. Thank you, for showing these families that you care, that your happy they are here and ALL of us are part of this church.
Easter
Maybe I need to spend more time teaching about the church calendar. Did you know that Easter is more than one Sunday? Easter isn’t even a day, it’s a season. We celebrate Easter for 9 weeks, Easter lasts until Pentecost Sunday (May 24). We celebrate and remember the empty tomb not just for a day or two, but for nearly 2 months. We are Easter people, confident in our salvation because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and through the tomb.
Maybe I need to spend more time teaching about the church calendar. Did you know that Easter is more than one Sunday? Easter isn’t even a day, it’s a season. We celebrate Easter for 9 weeks, Easter lasts until Pentecost Sunday (May 24). We celebrate and remember the empty tomb not just for a day or two, but for nearly 2 months. We are Easter people, confident in our salvation because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and through the tomb.
Bless you people of St. Andrew’s! I mean it, anyone paying attention knows that churches of all kinds are struggling. Fewer kids in Sunday School, competition from sports and activities, lots of parents who got burned by a church are deciding church participation isn’t worth their time. Here at St. Andrew’s, we recognize that fewer folks may be participating, yet there are plenty of signs of growth and health, for that we give thanks to God!
See you Sunday, Pastor Dave
See you Sunday, Pastor Dave