Vision Statement:
‘Building a community together that
explores faith & experiences God’

St. Andrew’s Online

Feb 25, 2015

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“As he went from there, Jesus saw two brothers,
James, son of Zebedee and his brother John,
in the boat with their father Zebedee, 
mending their nets, and he called them.
Immediately they left the boat
and their father, and followed him.”

                                    Matthew 4: 21-22

We must remember that the promise of an ever present and steadfast God was made not just to Abraham, but to his descendants as well: that is, to us! During Lent, therefore, we bring to God all that is barren and dead in ourselves, all our sorrows and our sins, trusting that God who gave Sarah a son and who raised Jesus from the dead will turn all that is barren and dead in our lives into new and wonderful life. But this means that we must leave behind, let go of that which is familiar…

Lent must become a kind of separation. We are called to leave behind the old parts of us that are dead, that which make our lives sterile, or with which we have grown so comfortable. Yet these places with us are so often deeply rooted in our lives that it is painful to leave them behind and set out for the land of blessing which God promises.

Grab hold of Jesus and let go of all that keeps you from him. Take risk, trust God. Consciously get rid of one thing in your life (material or mental) to which you have grown accustomed but that serves as a hindrance to your relationship with God.

Blessings,

Pastor Melissa

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Upcoming Activities

Feb 28          St. Benedict’s Feeding Program, 3pm – 5pm
Serve the needs of others. Join other St. Andrew’s volunteers at St. Benedict’s Episcopal [910 Bowker St SE, Lacey] to provide a hot meal to the low income and homeless of Lacey. We set-up, serve and clean-up (and sometimes cook). We also provide a satellite food bank for people to pick up food essentials for the month. More information – contact Rich Green or the church office.

March 2/3    Renegade Gospel: The Radical Road to the Cross
Join the Church-wide 6 week Lenten study. We are using a book written by United Methodist pastor, Rev. Mike Slaughter. Books are available in the sanctuary ($10 donation is appreciated).
Sunday Morning Class 9:30-10:30am
Monday Evening Class  6:30-7:30pm

March 10/24          Packing FORKIDS bags @ Food Bank
Every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of the month St. Andrew’s people head to the Food Bank (220 Thurston Ave, Downtown Olympia) from 3:30pm – 5:30pm to serve the most vulnerable of our community, hungry children. Join us.

March 28     All Church Clean Up Day, 9am – noon
Come prepare the church for Easter. We have indoor cleaning jobs and outdoor gardening jobs. Bring your rakes, gardening gloves, pruning shears, etc.

March 31     Holy Drama Rehearsal, 6:30pm
11 Volunteers needed to bring the story of Jesus crucifixion and resurrection to life. NO memorization needed. Please sign up on the bulletin board.

Lenten Offering

Our Lenten offering will be collected on Easter Sunday, April 5^th. The offering will be split between two great programs: ‘One Great Hour of Sharing’ which supports the costs of running United Methodist mission projects across the globe and ‘FORKids’ a local project we participate in with our local food bank to feed children experiencing food scarcity. Please give generously.

Mission Opportunities

 FORKids Backpack program

NEEDED:  Chef Boyardee microwavable cups, Vienna sausage, Fruit cups, pudding cups. Place in box on the floor inside Sanctuary doors

VOLUNTEER:   2^nd & 4^th Tuesdays of each month, 3:30-5:30pm @ Food Bank.

Food Bank has moved to 2260 Mottman Rd, Tumwater (across from S. Puget Sound Community College). Fill bags with food to be delivered to students in low income families to help get them through the weekend.

Items we collect Year Round

Besides food for the school bags and the Food Bank we collect:

Aluminum Cans – we recycle and the $ goes for Missions. Place in the small house to the left of the dumpster in parking lot.

Hygiene items – for homeless. Especially needed are trial size soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste. Also toothbrushes, toilet paper, diapers, and feminine product. Must be new still in packaging. Place in ‘Donation’ bin across from Pastors’ Office

Plastic Shopping Bags & Empty Egg Cartons that hold a dozen eggs: Food bank could use your clean plastic shopping bags and empty egg cartons to use in passing out food to families. Please put in the Food Bank bin just inside the Sanctuary doors.

Small Group Meetings – EVERYBODY WELCOME:

 Adult Sunday School ~ 9:30am – 10:30am

Adult Sunday School will begin at 9:30am and will end at 10:30 when the choir starts to practice. Childcare is available in the Nursery during this time.

Quilters –  March 19^th, 10am – 2pm

This group is responsible for supplying the comfort quilts St. Andrew’s gives people at Baptism and during emergency/crisis circumstances. They also love to try new quilting techniques. Bring something to share for lunch.    Contact: Denise Gerth
            

Singles Luncheon Group –  meets 3^rd Wednesday of each month

Next meeting: March 18, 11:30 am at Red Lobster in Lacey

For ALL singles (widowed, never been married, divorced, separated,etc.)      Contact: Chris Regester

No-host After Church lunch – meets every Sunday after 11:00 service for lunch at Emperor’s Palace (on Martin)