
Saint Andrew Lutheran Church

Saint Andrew Lutheran Church

Newsletter

November 2023

Saint Andrew Lutheran Church
600 Gansevoort Road (Hwy 32)
South Glens Falls, NY 12803
518/761-0917
sgfstandrew@live.com (office)
www.saint-andrewonline.org
Worship: 10:00 AM


A beacon to our community, actively and consistently proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ!

We are a
Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation.
All are welcome!
All may worship!
All are loved!



A Message from
Saint Andrew Lutheran Church
Dear Siblings in Christ,

Witness of the Saints and the
Love of a Compassionate God
A few weeks ago, we read in the prophet Ezekiel of how children are not meant to suffer the consequences of their parents’ misdeeds. It is not fair, right, or just that children struggle as they do because those who brought them into the world are themselves struggling with poverty, violence, illness, or abuse.
Whether those children are Israeli, Arab, Palestinian, Black, German, Russian, Indigenous, Scandinavian, Irish, Zambian, Heathen, Suburban…they do not deserve to be punished for the systems that decide before they are even born whether or not they have the same rights as one another. But we know they do not all have the same chance at health, comfort, security, or even clean air and water, let alone the right to vote when they grow up.
It is possible to support our Jewish cousins and our Palestinian family and our Muslim cousins without supporting the bombing or the rockets. It is possible to say to someone, "Hey, you’re hurting me," without telling them they’re a bad person because of it. It is possible to look at history and geography and recognize that oftentimes people disagree with their governments, and that calling something a "religious war" does not mean that all people who are of that faith group are in favor of siege warfare.
We need a deeper understanding of our historic hurts and harms in order to heal, and at the same time, we do not need to know all the ins and outs of the Holy Land to understand that killing children is wrong.
When we mark All Saints Day on November 5th, it is one way that we remember our humanity, our shared mortality, our grief and hope and basic dignity. Some saints died far too soon, others were afforded time and resources to live well into their elder years. Some saints struggled with making the right decisions, others seemed to have only good things laid out for them along an easier path. Most have lived stories we may never know or understand.
As we yet live, we are surrounded by those saints, those witnesses to their own best and worst, witnesses to all our best and worst, witnesses now and always to the continuing struggle for following in the ways of peace, and now eternal witnesses to the continuing outpouring love of a compassionate God, whose mercies are new every morning. For we are all their children, too.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Andrew

Celebrating Rudy Cragnolin's
97th Birthday
with family!


Dear Rudy:
On this, your special day and always, may God bless you with all the happiness, love, and joy your heart can hold!
All our love and best wishes!
The Saint Andrew family
Christmas Adopt-A-Family Program

This year, Saint Andrew Lutheran Church will be
"adopting" three families for Christmas!
As soon as we receive the lists from Family Services,
Rita Navatka will be posting notes on the narthex windows.
You are invited to take a note(s) and purchase the items for the child, wrap them, and return them to Saint Andrew
by Sunday, December 10th.
Please make sure the note is attached to the package.
Finally, if buying clothing, it would be helpful to also
include a gift receipt in the package.
If you would prefer to have Rita and Debra to do the shopping for you, you may give a check to SaintAndrew Lutheran Church marked "Christmas Families." We will also be giving the families food Gift Cards for which we will accept donations.
If you have any questions, please contact: --
Rita Navatka at 518-955-6275
or rlnavatka@gmail.com
THANK YOU, in advance, for yor help and support in this important Christmas charity!
May God bless you for your kindness and generosity!

Tithing the Garage Sale Proceeds
As you know, our Annual Garage Sale
was held held on August 26-27, 2023.
As is the practice of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church,
a tithing of the proceeds was sent to local non-profit agencies.
This year, the tithe of $620 was divided and sent to the following: --
-- WAIT House
-- Seafarers International
-- Adirondack Vets House
-- The Guardian House (for female veterans)
Thank you all for supporting our Annual Garage Sale
and the charities that also benefit!

Annual Congregational Meeting --
Elevator/Chairlift Update

At our annual meeting, held on February 12th, our congregation approved a budget up to $40,000 for the installation of an Elevator/Chairlift.
We awarded our contract to Barrier Free Elevators, Queensbury, NY.
Update: --
GREAT NEWS!
The Elevator/Chairlift is now a REALITY!
The Elevator/Chairlift was blessed by Pastor Andrew on October 8th during worship.
Some of our members are now enjoying the "ride" to fellowship!
Now we can really be "welcoming to all!"


Thank you, John Joseph!



During Sunday worship on October 15th, the Saint Andrew congregation thanked John Joseph for his dedication to the installation of the Elevator/Chairlift to make worship and fellowship
more accessible to all!
This has been a goal of John’s for a very long time! For months, he worked tirelessly to prepare the space for the installation of the lift!
He received a Gift Card and flowers in appreciation!
Warmest thanks to you, John, for your dedication, perseverance, and hard work on behalf of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church!
May God bless you always!
As we approach the end of the church year on Sunday, November 26th, we are preparing for Advent and Christmas and also looking ahead to 2024.
So, this year, Commitment Sunday will be on November 19, 2023!
A letter along with a pledge card is being mailed to all members of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church. The pledge card gives you the opportunity to commit to your financial donation and also any areas of service that you would like to participate in.
You may mail your card to the attention of Donna Hartman.


Sunday/Christmas Eve Service
This year, Christmas Eve, December 24th, falls on the
fourth Sunday of Advent.
So, we are planning to have ONE worship service on
Christmas Eve at 4:00 PM!
This will be instead of a 10:00 AM morning service and 6:30 PM Christmas Eve service.
"Extravagant Moments"
(exceeding the limits of reason or necessity)

Two old New York newspapers were discovered when removing the backing of an old painting. One is The Sun from September 10, 1896 for 2 cents. The other is The Evening Post dated November 30, 1900 for 3 cents. What is amazing is the small print. Within an article the print continues to get smaller to fit the space!

If you have any moments that take your breath away please send a written description and/or a picture to Carole Glidden, Parish Coordinator.

Prayer for world peace
"Let peace fill our hearts, our world, and our universe.
Let us dream together, pray together, and work together
to build one world of peace and justice for all."

NOTE re the ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response (Ukraine)
The total amount collected thus far by Saint Andrew for Ukraine war victims was $2,275. For more info on how to donate, read on below...
URGENT --
Ukrainian Families Need You!
Our neighbors in Ukraine are suffering and they need your love now.
Many characterize this war as a
"humanitarian disaster."
Families are leaving behind everything they own and fleeing for their safety. They need immediate aid including food, water, shelter, clothing, and medical care.
Your emergency gift will deliver urgent support and care, like critically needed items for families who fled their homes, and medicine and supplies for clinics.











Donations for Ukraine
The ELCA's Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying our companions in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, as well as such ecumenical partners as Lutheran World Federation and Church World Service, in their humanitarian responses to the crisis. These partners provide refugees with immediate support and supplies such as food, blankets, water, and hygiene kits.
Your gifts designated for “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used entirely (100%) to provide support for victims of this war.
YES, I want to help!
Please send your check to: -- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Gifts Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
and write “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” on your check’s memo line.
NOTE: -- A generous donor within the ELCA has already pledged to match up to $50,000!
May God bless you for your generosity!




