St. Andrew's Lutheran Church

The Everywhereness of God

2013-05-02T11:01:00.001-04:00

"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"

This old hymn expresses a wondrous truth. The Bible is full of testimonies to the everywhereness of God. Our awesome and holy God speaks through burning bushes and braying donkeys. He sends messages through storms and rainbows and earthquakes and dreams. Garrison Keillor, award winning writer, representative of Lutheran subculture, and host of Prairie Home Companion writes, "God speaks in ordinary things like cooking and small talk, through storytelling, making love, fishing, and tending animals, in sweet corn, flowers, sports, music, books, and raising kids - all the places where the gravy soaks in and grace shines through."

In the busyness of the weeks ahead ( for many in this community, the storm before the calmer months of summer), take time to breathe, look, listen, smell, and taste the goodness of God. Give thanks for his many gifts in your life and ponder ways to share those gifts with others. Take time for family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and maybe even a stranger along the way. Take time to worship here at St. Andrew's and elsewhere when you are traveling. Remind yourself in the midst of this troubled world that there are indeed signs of the kingdom in our midst, and that the best is yet to come.

"This is my Father's World;

Oh, let me not forget.

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's World;

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is king, let heaven ring;

God reigns, let the earth be glad"

See you in church.

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Give the Gift of Life (This Friday)

2013-04-30T16:15:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

Just a reminder that American Red Cross will be having a blood drive st St. Andrew's this Friday May 3 from 2 - 7 PM downstairs in St. Andrew's Hall. While we will accept walk ins, to avoid long delays, try to make an appointment by calling Mae Chillano at 610-935-2368 or by signing up online at redcrossblood.org. Our sponsor code is 0221654. The blood supply tends to be particularly challenging during the summer months. As you are able, please take some time out of your schedule on Friday to give this precious gift.

The Great Commandment

2013-04-25T12:30:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends,

This upcoming weekend, by popular demand, we will have an installment of "Ask the Pastor," where the message will be centered around your anonymous questions about the Bible, Church History, Worship, Lutheranism, St. Andrew's, Faith & Daily Life, etc. This will happen at all three services, so begin to think about some of your questions in the days ahead. Often people are amazed, as they listen and learn, at how the questions of others are their questions too (whether they submitted them or not).

In case I do not have a lot of time to address this Sunday's Gospel Lesson in worship, I wanted to use this forum for a brief but important reflection:

Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." If we really reflect on this, we realize that it is a really chalenging commandment indeed. So sometimes we need to remind ourselves that above and beyond Jesus' command to love is his actual act of love. I would contend that Jesus did not go to the cross to make God loving or to satisfy God's justice or to take on our punishment so much as to show us in a profound way that God is love and that we, as God's children, are loved. So whether we get a higher score or a lower score on the "love thy neighbor meter" in the days ahead, Jesus still loves us more than we can possibly imagine. And hearing of this kind of love, over and over again, we are not overcome by guilt and anxiety but are set free daily to go out and be Christ's body in the world, acting as agents of his love and grace with others.

I give thanks each day for this gift of grace in my life and for the rich blessing of our faith community. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Prayers for Boston

2013-04-16T09:45:00.001-04:00

Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

We pray to you, merciful God, at this confusing and difficult time following the explosions in Boston. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Uphold us with your love and give us the strength we need. Help us in our confusion and guide our actions. Heal the hurt, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver any who are still in peril, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." - John 1:5

Living in Hope

2013-04-08T09:21:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

Whe life is challenging or painful, it is easy to feel like the future has been narrowed or, in some cases, closed off. ("Who will roll away the stone?") However, the empty tomb reminds us that what seems impossible for us is not impossible for God. So if you find yourself frustrated right now by your personal or professional life, I challenge you to trust that God may be preparing new directions and new possibilities that we have not even thought of or imagined as we go through the busyness of our daily lives. This past Sunday, our assigned Gospel reading reminded us of God's tendency to barge into our lives unexpectedly and uninvited to challenge our doubts and fears. This upcoming Sunday in worship, we will be reminded that God is often a catalyst for change in some pretty unpredictable and unexpected ways. Continue to pray for each other, the mission of St. Andrew's, and the communities we serve. May we discover new blessings in our lives and the opportunities to extend those blessings to others. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! See you in church.

Peace,

Pastor

An Easter Prayer

2013-04-02T13:00:00.001-04:00

Holy and Living God,

You continue to confound our expectations and surprise us with your redeeming power in our lives. Come among us, risen Lord. Reveal yourself to us that we may know with confidence that nothing in all creation, not even death, can separate us from your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A word of thanks to all of you who offered your hearts and hands and voices to a deeply moving Holy Week and a joy filled celebration of the Resurrection. Many hearts were touched and lives were lifted up through the celebrations of this past week. We are truly blessed. Continue to pray for those who were unable to be with us on Sunday, the sick, the struggling, the hospitalized, the homebound, and the dying. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, especially those who are persecuted for the faith. Pray for our faith community, that empowered by the risen Christ, we would continue to grow in faith toward you and love toward others. This Sunday in worship, we will be reminded of the ways that risen Christ meets us right where we are with his promises and his peace. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Holy Week Is Upon Us

2013-03-25T09:48:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

If you were not able to join us for worship this past Sunday, you missed a truly moving , breathtaking, deeply dramatic presentation of the Passion of our Lord. We want to thank our music director, John Rea, who wrote and produced the play (with some pretty good material from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) as well composed some of the music. We certainly want to thank all of our choirs for their hard work and dedication. Your support of this performance and your confidence in carrying out your varied tasks is the glue that brings all of it together in such a profound way. Each year many people are blessed by this profound proclamation of the Gospel. Thank you!

This Thursday at 7:30 we begin our three day journey from despair to hope, from darkness to light, from death to life. Here is our worship schedule for Holy Week:

Maundy Thursday 7:30 PM

Tonight we are reminded that our life of discipleship is a life of forgiveness and servanthood. We are commanded by Jesus to love one another and we are united with Christ, with the saints, and with one another at the Lord's Supper. This brings us great strength in our own life of discipleship.

Good Friday Service of Tenebrae (Darkness and Light) at 7:30 PM

In this deeply moving service that begins in light and ends in darkness, we gather around the word, prayer, and the cross, the central sign of our salvation.

Easter Vigil Liturgy of Light, Word, Baptismal Remembrance, and Holy Communion at 5:00 PM

In this historic, deeply symbolic service, we are reminded of the great acts of God from Creation to Exodus to Resurrection. God's saving grace is proclaimed, then light fills the church as that grace fills us. Come and experience profound readings, wonderful music, and a first glimpse of the resurrection.

Easter Sunday 8:15 and 11:00 AM:

We rejoice at the empty tomb. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Participating in the upcoming evening services can only heighten your sense of joy when we celebrate the resurrection. Think about family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors etc who could join you for one of these special services.

As we approach the cross and the empty tomb in worship, consider the following questions:

- Christ humbled himself out of love. Where might we need to be humbled for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ?

- What needs resurrecting in our lives?

- What makes it hard to turn this over to God and trust that God will bring us, too, through darkness to light, through death to new life?

Holy God, remind us of your presence with us when we stumble, suffer, or are afraid in any way. Give us strength, courage, and peace. Help us to be an encouragement and a sign of life to others. Amen

See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Giving Thanks

2013-03-19T13:50:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

Looking back over this past month, my heart is filled with thanks for some pretty incredible servants here at St. Andrew's who are touching hearts and changing lives whether they know it or not. Thanks be to God for:

- About 100 volunteers behind the production of our Musicale. People in the surrounding community have not stopped talking about this show.

- Those who work so hard preparing our midweek Lenten dinners as well as our hospitality committee who has done such an outstanding job over these past months welcoming scouting groups, leaders of our Southeastern PA Synod, First Communion families, our youth, and those who worship here each Sunday.

- 38 volunteers who prepared 10,500 meals for children overseas as part of our Stop Hunger Now Youth Overnight.

- Those of you who continue to donate food for local food pantries, prepare and serve food at St. John's Soup Kitchen, prepare hygiene kits for those whose lives were severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy, and those who continue to donate money to aid our brothers and sisters in Christ at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Long Beach Island.

- The many hours of community service performed by our Strike Force and Helping Hands Committees.

- Our volunteers who continue to reach out to our sick and shut ins with communion visits, flower deliveries, and many prayers.

- Our choirs, altar guild members, ushers, communion assistants, readers, and office volunteers who have strengthened our worship life throughout this Lenten season and are getting ready for Holy Week ahead.

We are truly blessed! In the words of Psalm 139, you are marvelously and wonderfully made. Created in God's image, let us continue to serve as Christ's body in the world that others might see Christ's presence, hear Christ's promises, and know Christ's love. We will be doing just that as we gather this Wednesday evening at 7:30 and reflect on this incredible Psalm that speaks powerfully to believers of every age. We begin with dinner at 6:30. We hope to see many of you with us for our final midweek service of the Lenten season.

Also, we hope that you will be able to join us in worship this weekend. On Saturday evening at 5 PM, we celebrate Christ's entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and reflect on the deeper meaning behind this pivotal event. On Sunday morning at 8:15 and 11 AM, a triumphant processional acknowledges Christ as King. However, the procession will lead eventually not to a throne but a cross where Jesus places our life ahead of his. Come hear the dramatic story of Christ's journey to the cross featuring professional actors, our choirs, percussion, and instruments. Invite family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors for this deeply moving experience.

Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

A Powerful Psalm

2013-03-11T15:16:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

John Wesley, the father of the Methodist Church had a powerful conversion experience on the evening of May 24, 1738 when he attended a meeting in a chapel on Aldersgate St. in London. It was there when he heard someone reading from the Introduction to Martin Luther's commentary on the book of Romans and felt his heart strangely warmed. This fact is well known to Church historians and many Methodist leaders. However, what is not so well known is that on the afternoon of that same day, Wesley attended a Vespers Service at St. Paul's Cathedral where Psalm 130 was sung as an anthem. Wesley was greatly moved by this anthem and his heart was opened to what God would reveal to him that night and in the days ahead.

Martin Luther loved this Psalm as well and saw it as a great Old Testament exposition of forgiveness offered by grace apart from human works. This Psalm, "Out of the Depths," is treasured today for the writer's brutal honesty and for his bold declaration to wait on the Lord who brings forgiveness. This upcoming Wednesday, our Pastor Emeritus, the Rev. Thomas J. Kochenderfer will be joining us for dinner at 6:30 and then will be preaching on this Psalm as part of our 7:30 Worship. It is a privilege to have Pastor K back with us to share the Word.

We hope that many of you will be able to join us this Wednesday as we return to the Lord in prayer. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

From Where Is My Help to Come?

2013-03-05T09:42:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

Last Wednesday at our Midweek Worship Service, Pastor Christian McMullan reminded us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, not our policies, our plans, or our dreams. Almighty God stands in the midst of conflict and chaos with promises of life, love, and hope. In last weekend's outstanding performance of The Wizard of Oz (the entire production was amazing - Thank you cast and crew!), we were reminded that sometimes to find what we are looking for, we don't have to look much further than our own backyard. And this past Sunday, as we continued our series on the Lord's Prayer with the petition, Thy Will Be Done, we were reminded of how God can even take the evil in our own backyard and use it for good. This Wednesday at 7:30 (dinner available in St. Andrew's Hall at 6:30), we will be continuing our series Psalms of Hope as we reflect on Psalm 121 and the ways that we can find God's comfort and promises right in the midst of our troubled lives.

Last year, our congregation experienced several tragedies during the season of Lent with lives cut very short. Let us continue to pray for all families who mourn the loss of loved ones as we continue to trust Christ's promises on our Lenten journey from despair to joy, from darkness to light, from death to life.

Along with our regular Sunday Worship Schedule (This week: Daily Bread), Saturday worship at 5PM resumes this weekend.

Thank you, Jesus, for holding on to us when we don't deserve it. Thank you for blessing hands, for holding hands, for clutching hands, for sharing and caring hands, and for nail pierced hands that will never let us go. Amen.

See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Stillness...every now and then

2013-02-25T15:17:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

"Be still and know that I am God.

I am exalted among the nations,

I am exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

I am not alone in running frantic. Between church and home, there are times that I live at a pace set by some pacesetter I don't even know. And yet, If I'm honest, I realize that I am running a race that I see many others around me running as well. Some are running even more frantically than I am. I am amazed when I consider the number of nights and weekends that I spend at St. Andrew's beyond regular office hours. However, I am even more astounded when I consider some of St. Andrew's volunteers who work full time jobs and then seem to be spending as much time if not more time in the building as I am. (There are leaders of our musicale who would be prime examples of this). I don't even know how some of them do it and how they manage to fit it all into a day. And it is because of the commitment of so many of our volunteers in many different groups, committees, and ministries that we are so richly blessed as the people of God in this place.

I would be alone, or maybe in a very small group of company if I actually followed God's words to be still. Also, paused and idled, I imagine that a lot of things would pass me by. And yet, I know that in the frenetic pace of our lives, sometimes we just need to find some time to slow down, decompress, worship, pray, read, and care for ourselves. If that time is not on our calendars right now (or any time in the near future for that matter), we should be thinking about when that time might be.

It is in being still that we know that God is God and place our trust in Him. In Psalm 46, it is suggested that stillness is a prerequisite to hearing and knowing that God is exalted over all the earth. It is in being still that we even take time to observe the beauty of the world around us, to pray for others, or to resolve to move in a new direction in living. This Wednesday evening, we invite you to join us for time in the middle of a hectic week to slow down and be still, perhaps to enjoy a good meal in St. Andrew's Hall with our community of faith (meal begins at 6:30 PM for those of you who can arrive early) and to then spend some time in prayer at our 7:30 midweek service. This Wednesday we will be reflecting on Psalm 46, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble"

This Psalm was near and dear to the heart of Martin Luther and has strengthened the church through the centuries. We hope that you will join us this Wednesday as we ponder this Psalm and pray for the needs of God's people and emerging ministries in our community.

And of course, we are off to see the Wizard this the weekend, The Wizard of Oz. This outstanding show involving over 90 people from St. Andrew's will be performed Friday and Saturday night at 7PM (Free will offering) Doors open at 6:15. Be sure to get there early in order to get a seat. Bring family and friends to this wonderful production. Remember that there will be no Saturday Service at 5PM this weekend. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

The Lord is My Shepherd

2013-02-18T14:24:00.001-05:00

"Shepherd me, O God, Beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life." - Marty Haugen (ELW # 780)

Dear Friends,

This Wednesday night, following our Lenten Dinner at 6:30, we will gather for the first of five Lenten Midweek Services (beginning at 7:30 PM) This week we are privileged to welcome back Pastor David Stickley to the pulpit. Pastor Stickley is no stranger to St. Andrew's. Not only is he the husband of our DCE, Janice, but he also preached and presided here many times during the course of Pastor K's ministry among us. I look forward to sharing the chancel with him this week as he reflects on what is perhaps the most treasured and well known of the 150 Psalms of the Bible. Psalm 23, "The Lord is My Shepherd" has been a source of blessing and hope to millions of people through the centuries, a poignant reminder that even as we walk through the deepest and darkest valleys of our lives, we are never alone. Come join us this Wednesday as we celebrate the goodness and mercy of our Lord. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Our Lenten Journey Begins

2013-02-11T10:02:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

At the heart of the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Christ. On one side of this event and it's remembrance are the 40 days of Lent (not including Sundays), a time of preparation for the celebration of our Lord's passage from death to life. On the other side are the 50 days of Easter, a time of proclaiming and rejoicing in our redemption. Right in the middle of it all is Holy Week including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, days in which our attention is riveted on Christ's death and resurrection. The entire 90 days is best seen as a whole viewed from two sides, from the cross and the empty tomb, each incomplete without the other. Listed below is a schedule of Lenten observances in the weeks ahead:

SATURDAYS (5PM) AND SUNDAYS (8:15 AND 11:00 AM) IN LENT

"THE LORD'S PRAYER"

Ash Wednesday (Feb. 13 @ noon & 7:30 PM ) "Return to Our Father"

First Sunday in Lent (Feb. 17) "Hallowed"

Second Sunday in Lent (Feb. 24) "Seek the Kingdom"

Third Sunday in Lent (March 3) - "Seeking God's Will" (Bear Creek Sunday)

Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 10 - "Daily Bread" (Girl Scout Sunday)

Fifth Sunday in Lent (March 17) - "Finding Forgiveness"(First Communion at 11:00)

Maundy Thursday (March 28@ 7:30 PM) "Temptation"

Good Friday (March 29 @ 7:30 PM) "Evil"

Easter Sunday (March 31) "Thine Is the Kingdom"

MID WEEK LENTEN SERVICES (WEDNESDAYS AT 7:30 PM)

" PSALMS OF HOPE"

February 20 Psalm 23 "The Lord is My Shepherd"

February 27 Psalm 46 "God is Our Refuge and Strength"

March 6 - Psalm 121 "From Where Is My Help to Come?"

March 13 - Psalm 130 "Out of the Depths"

March 20 Psalm 139 "Fully Human"

"Return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." See you in church.

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Mountaintops and Valleys

2013-02-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

This upcoming Sunday, churches throughout the world who follow the assigned readings and festivals of the Church Year will be celebrating Tranfiguration Sunday, the final Sunday before the Lenten season begins. On this day, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up to a mountaintop to pray. There they will experience an awesome vision they will never forget. We need mountaintop experiences of our own, places to pray, and sources of strength for the valleys ahead. We will also be following Jesus through the valleys during the season of Lent. Our daily journey with Jesus will take us to:

- quiet places of prayer

- opportunities to feed the hungry

- nights in lonely gardens and angry storms

- the joy and peace of more mountaintop moments

- instructions to care for ourselves and those around us

- reminders that we are never alone but always in the power of the Spirit

- assurance that Jesus meets us exactly where we are but never leaves us that way.

Join us in worship this weekend and throughout this Lenten season. Join us in prayer and be astounded at the ways that Jesus transfigures and tranforms lives. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Welcome to 2013

2013-01-03T14:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

As I struggle to remember to date things in my office and at home 2013 (and not 2012!), I also give thanks for so many of the blessings of 2012 and look forward to the promise of 2013. You, the people of St. Andrew's, have so much to do with our blessings - past, present, and future. We are truly blessed!

2012 concluded in wondrous ways for our faith community. Over three services on Christmas Eve, we had well over 650 people praising our newborn king, including many new faces and returning ones who we hope to see more of in 2013. A big thanks to all of you who volunteered so much of your time during the Advent and Christmas season. Also, a huge word of thanks is extended for your financial support throughout the year and especially during the month of December where we experienced overwhelming generosity from several of our members. The way you have opened your hands, your hearts, your voices, and, yes, your wallets has brought more blessings to people in this community and abroad than you will ever know.

This Sunday, January 6, we will celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord as we return to our regular worship schedule with worship at 5PM on Saturday, Sunday Worship at 8:15 & 11AM, and Christian Education on Sunday at 9:30 AM. Next Sunday, January 13, we will have our annual congregational meeting following 11:00 AM Worship. The agenda for this important meeting includes the appointment of new council leadership for 2013, consideration of our 2013 spending plan, presentation of policies and procedures for our endowment fund, and the approval of our newly revised church constitution, which was recently updated to reflect changes in our congregational life and to comply with the constitution of our national church. A copy of our constitution is attached here if you would like to look it over prior to the meeting. Warning: It is not light reading! :) Hard copies will also be available in the narthex this Sunday as well.

I make a sad face as I inform you that Christmas decorations will start coming down this evening (Thursday) at 6:30 PM. Time marches on and while admittedly it is not as much fun as putting the decorations up, the company is just as good. If you get this message in time and would like to come help, it would be greatly appreciated.

The month of December was quite a ride for us. Now it's time to follow Jesus through the joys and challenges of 2013. A blessed New Year to all. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

A Blessed Christmas

2012-12-18T12:40:00.001-05:00

Dear Savior,

Thank you for coming one holy night so many years ago. Thank you for meeting us in a manger in love and humbleness. Thank you for reaching out your hand to fill us with mercy and forgiveness. Thank you for sending us angels to announce your birth so that there would be no doubt as to your majesty and goodness. Shine a light in our darkness. Be born in our hearts today and everyday. Come Lord Jesus.

Well, if you miss St. Andrew's Christmas pageant this Sunday, you will miss out on something really special. What a beautiful, fun, and moving way to tell the Christmas story. We will begin 11:00 Worship with Christmas carols played by an orchestra of our children and youth, as well as some adults who have dusted off their instruments for the occasion. We then will turn to the story of the incarnation with children and youth of all ages playing a role in this central story of our faith.

Our Christmas pageant is more evidence of what I have come to love about the people and mission of St. Andrew's: a high value placed on bringing generations of people together in the name of Jesus, committed servants who understand their role and take ownership of it, a treasure of musical talent, the willingness to share that talent, and incredible generosity in supporting the ministries of this congregation and community. As I type this letter, bulletins are being prepared for the Pageant on Sunday and for Christmas Eve which is less than a week away. I hope to see many of you at worship in the days ahead.

Saturday December 22 @ 5PM - Service of Holy Communion

Sunday December 23 @ 8:15 AM - Traditional Worship

Sunday December 23 @ 11 AM - Christmas Pageant

Christmas Eve

4:00 PM - Family Worship

A more informal worship experience with familiar Christmas carols, a fun retelling of the Christmas story using puppets, and some of St. Andrew's children participating in the leadership of worship. This experience, designed to be less than an hour, is perfect for families with younger children, those of you who need to get home to prepare dinner, parties, and family gatherings, and those of you who are young at heart who will have your hearts stirred as we bring the innocent and wise together to praise the new born king.

7:00 and 10:00 PM - Candlelight Communion

Traditional Christmas Eve worship with familiar carols, special music from our choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists, the proclamation of the birth of our Lord, the celebration of Communion, and gathering with lit candles for the singing of Silent Night. This is a night of reunion for many St. Andrew's families and an opportunity to bring welcome and blessing to many guests, some who are coming through our doors for the very first time. Be sure to invite family members, friends, co-workers, or neighbors to join you for worship. Come join us as we give thanks to God for the greatest gift of all, the life of his Son among us.

Please keep in mind that there will be Christmas music before each of these services. Come a little early to secure the seating of your choice and enjoy music of the season. If you do not get to sing all of your favorite Christmas carols on Christmas Eve, join us on the Sunday after Christmas (December 30) at 10 AM we keep the celebration going. with a service of Lessons and Carols.

Our regular worship schedule resumes on January 6 with worship at 8:15 and 11AM, Christian Education at 9:30 AM. Weekly 5 PM Saturday Worship resumes on January 5 as well.

On behalf of our staff and Church Council, I wish all of you a truly blessed Christmas and a hope filled New Year.

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Times When We Need Advent & Christmas

2012-12-15T11:33:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

By now many of you feel overwhelmed by the tragic events in Newtown CT. It is not possible to wrap our minds around the grief, sadness, pain, and powerlessness that so many people around Sandy Hill Elementary School must be experiencing. Events like this also have the power to bring back trauma and grief in our own lives. Also, those of you who have children, especially younger children cannot help but take this story to heart.

Of course, in the church, we are already focused on Christmas with a cantata tonight, joy filled hymns tomorrow, a Christmas pageant next week, and Christmas Eve celebrations right around the corner. I will admit that the contrast between our celebrations and what we are seeing on the news right now is a bit disorienting and disconcerting. However, we need to be reminded that Jesus was born into a cruel and violent world living under Roman occupation and surrounded by disease and death. Jesus did not transform that world by means of miracles or revolution. However, his life and ministry, teachings and healings, death and resurrection shined a light in the darkness and reminded us that the darkness does not get the last word. He promises a day when all things will be made new, but we still live in that time between the coming of the Spirit and his second coming. We live in the time between glimpses of the kingdom and the kingdom revealed in all of it's glory. We know that the light is coming in all of it's fullness, but in the meantime (and sometimes it's a mean time), we bear the candles that push back the darkness.

We will pray tomorrow for all who have been devastated by this tragedy. I will reflect on it a bit as well. (although I will be keeping my references quite veiled for the sake of our younger children - our Sunday School teachers are being advised as to ways to address this or not!). We will be given words to say when we don't know what to say and things to do when we don't know what to do. However, we will also sing the praises of our coming Lord who fully identifies with us and makes all things new.

I hope that many of you will be joining us for our Cantata at 5PM tonight, featuring choir members, a string quartet, and many familiar Christmas carols (and a soup supper to follow for those able to stay). Many of us could use a little Christmas right about now. Also, we will be gathering at 8:15 and 11 AM tomorrrow to pray for those in need, to learn, grow ,and even have some fun around "Ask the Pastor" (Bring your questions about the Bible, church history, worship, St. Andrew's, Advent and Christmas, faith and daily life to help shape the morning message), and sing hymns to the One who was and is and is to come, the one who is our source of both deep longing and profound joy.

Thank you again for your incredible generosity to the mission of St. Andrew's and our mission partners in this season of giving. I am overwhelmed by the ways that you open your hands and hearts. It is a deep honor and tremendous privilege to serve as your pastor. Join us this weekend in our journey to Bethelehem. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Exciting weekend ahead

2012-12-10T12:39:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in this season of giving. So many individuals and families will be blessed in the weeks ahead because of the incredible ways that you have opened your hearts and hands with the creation of quilts, gingerbread houses, and home baked cookies as well as your donations of food, blankets, clothing, and Christmas gifts for families in need. It is a great honor and deep privilege to serve among such incredible people. After a weekend with family and preaching at the installation of a dear friend, I look forward to being back with you in worship this weekend as Christmas rapidly approaches. Coming up -

Saturday Evening Christmas Canata - 5PM

Familiar and new Christmas Carols with a string quartet, handbells, flute, organ, percussion, a choir of adults and children, and moving narrations of the Christmas story. Bring family and friends. Many people who attended this beautiful event last year commented following the service, "Now it really feels like Christmas!" Soup supper (with some amazing soups made by our members) to follow in St. Andrew's Hall. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Sunday Worship 8:45 & 11 AM - "Ask the Pastor"

The message this morning will be shaped by anonymous questions from the congregation. If you have a question about the Bible, Advent, Christmas, church history, worship, St. Andrew's, or faith and daily life, bring it along. Even if it isn't addressed in worship, I will be in touch with you (confidentially) in the weeks to come to discuss your question.

Also prayerfully consider inviting a family member friend, co-worker, or neighbor to join you for worship on Christmas Eve.

Blessings to all of you in this Holy Season. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Give Thanks to the Lord

2012-11-19T16:09:00.001-05:00

"For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dear Friends,

Perhaps it is time to slow down, set some priorities, and spend some time enjoying and giving thanks for the many God given blessings of our lives: food, family, friends, material possessions, talents, and the gift of time itself. Perhaps it is time for us to once again take time to really give thanks to God the giver of all good things. Here are a few suggestions of how we can give thanks:

1. In offering our time and talents to others - Who is in need as Christmas approaches? Who is lonely? Who is sick? How might you share your abundance with them? How might this be a season for them to give thanks as well?

2. In offering of our treasures - If you are not sure of the channels to help others, or are limited by your time or ability, or frankly would like to do more, offering up your monetary gifts to God is certainly a way to give thanks, both at Thanksgiving and throughout the year.

3. In Word and Sacrament - In fact the word Eucharist (Holy Communion), from the Greek means quite literally "Thanksgiving." The Eucharist is our meal with God, where we eat with thanksgiving for all of God's gifts and especially for the gift of Christ.

4. Worship on Thanksgiving Eve at 7:30 PM (with Holy Communion and special music from our choirs) - Take time to give thanks for the many blessings God has given us by gathering in prayer and praise on the eve of the holiday itself. Come worship with us!

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever." See you in Church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

PS - There will be no Saturday service this weekend but, in addition to Wednesday night, you are welcome to join us Sunday at 8:15 or 11:00 AM. Also, please note that our New Testament Basics class starts in Daniel's Den (classroom in office hallway) this Sunday at 9:30 AM. We are looking forward to seeing many of you at Advent Family Night on Sunday, December 2 as well.

Aftermath of Sandy

2012-10-31T14:19:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

Words cannot describe some of the devastation that many of us have seen as reports come back from the Jersey Shore, New York City, other coastal regions, and many low lying areas throughout this region. The recovery in NYC and the Jersey Shore will take months and in some cases years. There are people in this congregation who own properties at the shore who anxiously wait to travel back and assess the damage. And, tragically, there are people throughout the Northeast who find themselves without homes. In this immediate area, while some of us were hardly impacted, others are still waiting for power to return.

Please keep praying for those whose lives have been turned upside down because of the wind, the rain, and the flooding of this massive storm. There are other practical ways that you can be of assistance as well.

- As you are able, assist neighbors who are working to clean up and repair yards and homes damaged and flooded by this storm.

- Donate much needed funds to ELCA Disaster Response (insert in worship bulletin this Sunday) or to the American Red Cross, both who are on the ground organizing and responding to needs already.

- Keep your eyes open for community service opportunities through St. Andrew's, Lutheran Disaster Reponse, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (more info to come).

- Continue to support our Fall Food Drive, which began long before we knew how great the need was going to be in light of Hurricane Sandy. Non perishable food items can be left in the shopping cart in the narthex.

I am often deeply moved and overwhelmed by the generosity of God's people in times of crisis. This will be no exception.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble." - Psalm 46

See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Like Breakfast?

2012-10-30T10:26:00.001-04:00

Pancake Breakfast this Saturday from 7-11AM in downstairs in St. Andrew's Hall with proceeds to benefit Bear Creek Camp Scholarship Fund

2 - 4 years old free

5 - 11 years old $1.00

12 - 64 years old $ 6.00

65 years and older $5.00

Invite family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this great annual event.

Also coming up...

All Saints Celebrations in Worship this weekend - Saturday at 5PM and Sunday at 8:15 and 11AM

Christmas Cantata Saturday December 15 at 5PM - We are still looking for adult singers, especially tenors and basses. Rehearsals will be on Monday nights November 12, 19, and 26, plus Monday December 5 from 7 - 9PM. (Children will meet from 7:00 - 7:20) Dress rehearsal is Saturday December 15 from 10AM - noon. Contact Laurie Mueller (laurie.s.mueller@gmail.com) for more information. If you are not a singer, but you make a great soup, we are also looking for crock pots of soup for a dinner to be held afterwards in St. Andrew's Hall. Sign up in the narthex or contact Betty Jane Green. If neither singing nor cooking is your gift, just come and enjoy the music of the Christmas season on December 15 at 5PM. There will be an RSVP sign up in the narthex for those attending so that we know how much food to prepare.

See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Opportunities for Growth

2012-10-17T11:19:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

There are several learning opportunities coming up in week ahead that I wanted keep on your radar.

- "Promises, Promises" : This Sunday (downstairs in Jerusalem Room) at 9:30 AM we will have our final but very important session on the promises of God and the places where God meets us with his grace in our everyday lives. Far too often, when we talk about salvation, our conversation is reduced to what happens after we die. However, it is so much more. Jesus came "that we may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10) and that means here and now. We will discuss more about how, where, and why. Even if you have not attended this group before, you are certainly welcome to attend. Starting October 28, Jack and Jennifer Armstrong will be leading a series on "Women in the Bible." Men - don't be scared off. There will be some great teaching including some stories you likely have not heard before (and some of them are pretty rough!).

- "Time Mangement: Keeping the Juggling Act Going" - I will be facilitating this session in Daniel's Den (office hallway) this Sundayat 9:30 AM. Our time together will include some helpful hints and resources from some very influential voices in the world of time management as well as plenty of time for discussion, questions, and free exchange of ideas. There are still only 24 hours in a day and human cloning experiments have not solved the problem either. This session is designed to help all of us with multi-tasking, prioritizing, sharing responsibility, and communicating more effectively. Time is a precious gift from God. Let us use it more wisely.

- Medicare 101: What is Medicare Part A? How about Part B? What is Medicare Supplement Insurance? What about Medicare Advantage and other plans? What about prescription drug plans? These and other medicare mysteries will be unpacked by Mr. John Kochel, a Financial Advisor with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and active member of Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe. Informational meetings will be held here at St. Andrew's on Wednesday October 24 at 10 AM and on Wednesday November 7 at 7PM. No financial products will be offered at this event and there will be plenty of time for your questions and concerns. If you are interested in attending, please contact John Kochel at 484-945-0100.

We have had some exciting and challenging weeks of worship and learning this fall. This weekend will be no exception. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

This Weekend

2012-10-11T15:24:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

This seems to be the time of year when everyone's calendars are filling up and the church calendar is no exception. I want to thank those of you who fought your calendars and some cold, damp weather to bring your pets out for Blessing of the Animals last Sunday. Unfortunately, because of a number of competing events at church this weekend (including Musicale Rehearsal and INSAYN) and because of my own family commitments, there will NOT be a rain date for Blessing of the Animals this weekend. However, we are planning to change our approach to this event in 2013 in order to invite and include far more people.

I am looking forward to worship this weekend as we continue to tackle some very challenging teachings of Jesus. On Saturday evening at 5PM, Soulful Strings will be leading us in song and our Hospitality team will be providing cheese and crackers following worship. On Sunday, we will be blessed by our adult and youth choirs at 11 AM, a very talented soloist at 8:15, and our Hospitality team will be treating us to coffee and goodies after each service. (This is also Fair Trade Sunday. Learn more about this important ministry while enjoying coffee, tea, chocolate, and other fair trade products)

It has been so exciting to see so many new faces in recent weeks. We look forward to seeing more in the fall months ahead. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller

Events this Weekend

2012-10-02T15:52:00.001-04:00

Men of St. Andrew's: Breakfast - This Saturday Oct. 6th at 7:30 AM at Keystone Grill, 2828 West Ridge Pike, Eagleville.

Enjoy a good meal, conversation, laughter, a brief devotion / discussion, and be out the door and on your way before 9 AM

Blessing of the Animals on the Lawn - This Sunday Oct. 7th at 2PM. Bring your safe and relatively well mannered pets and join us on the Crawford Road side of the property for a brief service of scripture, prayer, and individual blessing of animals. There will also be local information about pet care, rescue, and adoption. This is also a great opportunity to meet new people in the community.

Saturday Worship @ 5PM / Sunday Worship @ 8:15 & 11AM

See you in church!

Always Growing

2012-09-17T14:33:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

I am so grateful for another outstanding weekend here at St. A's with a beautiful Saturday for a wedding (Congratulations Jen and Chris!) and then three spirited services led by our Senior High Youth and members of Soulful Strings, our acoustic group who often leads worship on Saturday evenings but this weekend even joined us for Sunday worship. It is so exciting to watch our youth grow in leadership, our youngest members of Soulful Strings developing so much talent, and our youngest children in worship with smiles on their faces (especially enjoyed "Get Down" during the Children's Message at 11 AM). One of the things that struck me as I worshipped, learned and served among you this weekend is the way that our faith community continues to grow and change. Yes, children and youth get taller and all of our faces change with time, but even the dynamics of the congregation continue to change with the influx of new faces, ideas, and programs. The challenge for us as a congregation is to continue to make room for what the Spirit is doing in our midst and not get too locked down in two modes of thought:

1. "We've always done it that way before."

2. "As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be."

We are a congregation of rich and wonderful tradition. May we be inspired to both treasure and reshape those traditions as we grow and change in lives of mission.

I also want to encourage you to continue to grow in faith. Our Sunday School and Youth programs are getting underway. However, I hope to see more of you to take advantage of different opportunities for adult education in the months ahead as well. Here are just a few opportunities:

- Men's Breakfast: meets at Keystone Grill on Ridge Pike on the first Saturday of each month @ 7:30 for a hot breakfast and a brief Bible Study / devotion

- Breakfast Bible Study: meets in St. Andrew's Hall on the first Thursday of the month @ 7:00 where we enjoy a hot breakfast and study the texts that will be proclaimed on the upcoming Sunday

- Noontime Bible Study - meets in St. Andrew's Hall on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, currently studying the book of Hebrews

- Shannondell Bible Study (Bradford) - meets in Card Room on the third Thursday of the month @ 4PM (prior to dinner gathering), currently studying the Gospel of Mark

- Shannondell Discussion Group (Ashcroft) - meets in Card Room on th fourth Tuesday of the month @ 4PM (prior to dinner gathering), beginnning a series on "Luther and his Legacy"

I especially want to encourage you to take advantage of Adult Education opportunites here on Sunday mornings @ 9:30 (same time as Sunday School):

"Promises, Promises" - Do I really do enough to have God's approval? Will I ever be enough for God or those around me. Our current series, meeting in Jerusalem Room (at bottom of stairs from narthex / church lobby) looks at the many places where God gives us the promises we truly need and assures us that we are enough. Included in this series are the promises of Scripture, Baptism, Holy Communion, Confession and Forgiveness, Prayer, and Abundant Life. Even if (and perhaps especially) you are new to the Bible or Lutheran understandings, this class will bring greater clarity to our understanding of God's amazing grace. Plenty of time will be alotted for your questions and no question is too basic to ask.

"Nooma" - This video / discussion series, meeting in Daniel's Den (in office hallway next to narthex / church lobby), features teacher Rob Bell, who asks very thought provoking questions about the intersection of faith and daily life. Earlier volumes of this series were used last fall and were very well received.

Join us as we grow in our mission to lift up Jesus to the community in worship, education, and service. See you in church!

Peace,

Pastor Mueller