St. Andrew’s Connection
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St. Andrew’s Online

April 16, 2014

Holy Thursday Drama – 7:00pm

‘I am the vine, you are the branches.’

Read John 15: 5, 8-13

The Thursday of the Last Supper is often called Maunday Thursday. The name, it is thought, comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment. On that night Jesus gave several commandments to his disciples. He commanded them to remember him by means of a meal of bread and wine (“Do this in remembrance of me.”) As he washed their feet, he commanded them to follow his example by serving one another. And in John 15 we read that he commanded them to “abide in me” and to “love one another.”

As Jesus prepared to leave his disciples, he called them to “abide in me.” Jesus used the metaphor of a grapevine and its branches to describe what he was asking of them—and of us. We are to remain connected to Jesus even if we cannot physically see him. We are to draw strength and spiritual nourishment from our relationship with him. We are to do this through prayer, meditation, worship and the study of his life and teaching as found in the Scripture and through talking about him with others.

If we remain connected to the Vine, pursuing practices that help us abide in Christ, we will bear fruit. If you have ever seen a branch that has been separated from the vine, shriveled and dying, you know what happens to us, when we become disconnected from the Vine of Jesus. Staying connected not only through prayer, reading the Bible, worshipping, and giving but in demonstrating our love for others through actions. This love is more than warm affection; it is a willingness on our part to put others before ourselves and to practice kindness, to do justice, to seek the good of others and to be a blessing.

Are you connected to the Vine? Are you bearing fruit? Would others describe you as a loving person?

Happy Holy Week,

Pastor Melissa

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Donation for Mudslide recovery: our United Methodist Conference is accepting donations to assist with the clean-up and long-term recovery work that will need to happen in Snohomish Co. If you would like to make a donation write your check to “St. Andrew’s” and mark it “mudslide”.

100% of your donations go to benefit the people affected, no administration costs or fees are deducted.

Be the Hope.

Mark your calendar:

April 13 - Palm Sunday

April 17 - Holy Thursday Drama

April 20 - Easter Sunday

Sunrise Worship ~ 6:30am
Breakfast ~ 9:30am
Egg Hunt ~ 10:00am
Worship ~ 11:00am

Lent

Lent is the 40 days (excluding Sundays) prior to Easter during which  we recall Jesus’ walk to the cross, preparing our hearts  for reconciliation with God and the joy of resurrection.

We begin our journey on Ash   Wednesday, this year that’s March 5, in a brief worship service. We will pray for forgiveness and the mending of all that has separated us from God in our lives. We receive the mark of ashes, symbolizing ‘death,’ forgiveness and God’s grace on what has been before and celebration of our new life in Christ.

Participating in special worship services, Bible studies and mission projects during Lent can help draw you closer to Jesus, set good habits for following in Jesus and  help you more fully experience the JOY of EASTER!

Announcements

‘Moments of Faith’- Lenten Drama
Rehearsal: April 10th @ 6:30 pm  Performance:  April 17th @ 7:00pm

Walk with 10 Biblical characters, such as Zacchaeus, a Pharisee, Mary, Judas and Peter, as they meet and Jesus and journey with him to his death in Jerusalem. We’ll hear how their lives were touched and changed by Jesus.

10 people are needed to offer dramatic monologues that take the audience through the extraordinary journey of Christ. Help bring Jesus to life and into our hearts and minds.
- NO memorization needed. ****Sign up on the Bulletin Board to participate in the Drama. Rehearsal required.

Upcoming Activities

                   Final Words from the Cross
6 week – 1 hour Church-wide small group study. Great DVD based discussion series to take us on the journey with Christ to the Cross and Easter. Sundays at 9:30am or Mondays at 6:30pm.    

April 17      ‘Moments of Faith’  Holy Thursday Drama ~  7:00pm

April 20      Easter Sunday
          Sunrise Worship ~ 6:30am
          Breakfast              ~ 9:30am
          Egg Hunt              ~ 10:00am
          Worship               ~ 11:00am

April 26      All Men are Invited to the United Methodist Men’s Spring Gathering Featured presenter will be Rev. Jim Head-Corliss of Gig Harbor. Gathering to be held at Lakewood UMC (6900 Steilacoom Blvd SW). Registration info. to come.

St. Andrew's Preschool Registration 2014-2015

Fill out the information at this link and return it to the office with a $110.00 non-refundable registration fee to guarantee your child’s placement for next year. A full Registration packet will need to be filled out and returned to the office, packets will be handed out at the Parent Orientation in August. Please check the class you wish for your child to attend. We register on a first come first registered basis, we will not be able to hold spots for children until this form is filled out and the registration fee is paid. Thank you, Kathy Bowen, Preschool Director 360-491-2030