December 2021

Advent 2021, the beginning at the end of the year, and the beginning of a new lectionary cycle.

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What does that mean? The church year presently divides into a few different thematic seasons, and approaches those seasons through a different Gospel lens each year, in a 3 year cycle. We’re entering the year of Luke, having just wrapped up the year of Mark. And next year will be the year of Matthew. Each year gets readings from John thrown into it throughout, for festivals and certain feast days. 

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These are the major books in the Christian faith, the Gospels. A lot of our theories about God, our theologies, are based on the Epistles, the letters of Paul and other disciples, but the narratives about Jesus are primarily contained in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And each of those authors had a different audience they were writing to, for different reasons, in different contexts.

Mark is always in a hurry -- you may have noticed he uses the word ‘immediately’ quite a lot, and doesn’t originally have a resurrection appearance.

Matthew is very concerned with fulfilling the words of the prophets and following Jewish law, so you’ll hear a lot of older scriptures quoted.

Luke has the most female characters and illustrates a lot of mealtime stories. Each of these three has a lot of basics in common, so it’s believed they share some sources, which is why they’re called the ‘synoptics,’ which means they see (‘optics’) much the same.

John is full of signs and speeches, and was likely written to counter some of the different philosophies of the age which later were called heretical.

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Every author of every page has their own background and their own hopes for the words they write -- when you read these scriptures, consider the people and places, the hopes and fears, and remember that they were both very different times and very much the same basic humanity that we share.

Lutherans seek to keep the honesty and compassion of the cross and empty tomb at the center of how we look at these stories and writings. What questions, fears, and hopes do you bring with you when you read or hear the stories of Jesus?

In Peace,

Pastor Andrew

WAIT House Presentation
by Mr. Jason McLaughlin, Director
Sunday, November 21, 2021

After worship on Sunday, November 21st, Mr. Jason McLaughlin, Director of WAIT House, came to speak to the Saint Andrew congregation about the mission and work of WAIT House. 

For many years, WAIT House has been the recipient of our donations, both financial and nutritional, with fresh produce from our community garden.

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WAIT House which is located at 10-12 Wait Street in Glens Falls, NY, actually stands for

Welcoming Adolescents in Transition.

Their mission is to help the homeless youth in our communities. They provide a safe place for these young people to stay and the customized case management they need to get back on their feet. WAIT House provides help with goal planning, job placement, connections to other community resources, and permanent housing.

Some time ago they acquired the house next door so they can now provide these same services for pregnant young women and their young children.

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WAIT House also works with families to help unite them and resolve issues. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, they are now also helping families and landlords with rent.

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Saint Andrew applauds the commendable service of WAIT House to our community and we wish them God's continued blessings in their wonderful mission!

Blue Christmas
The Longest Night

December 17, 6:30 PM

At Saint Peter Lutheran Church,

(2776 Route 9, Malta, NY 12020)

This year Saint Andrew will again celebrate a Blue Christmas -- The Longest Night worship service. 

We have been invited to join Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Malta for worship.  Anyone wanting to carpool please contact the church office or Carole Glidden.

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At this time of the year, not everyone is excited and filled with joy. For some, it is a lonely, sad, and painful time.

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At the Blue Christmas -- The Longest Night worship service, we address our grief, our sadness, and our solitude through moments of silence and the lighting of candles...

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Blue Christmas
The Longest Night

The First Silence and Candle --- 

we remember those persons and companions whom we have loved and lost.

The Second Silence and Candle --

we hold to redeem the pain of loss: -- the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health, the loss of joy and peace.

The Third Silence and Candle --

we hold for all who feel that they are alone.

The Fourth Silence and Candle --

we hold for those who are afflicted and oppressed.

The Fifth Silence and Candle --

we hold as a sign of hope.

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The picture (left) is from last year’s Saint Andrew Blue Christmas worship service.

Social Ministries

World Hunger

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During the month of October,

Saint Andrew Lutheran

Church made a collection for the Lutheran World Hunger Fund. 

With the help of matching funds,

we were able to contribute

$730.00 to this effort.

Saint Andrew's

Christmas Adopt-A-Family

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This year Saint Andrew "adopted" 3 families with a total of 6 children. With generous donations from our members and the help of our "shopping elves," we were able to provide Christmas gifts and $75.00 grocery gift cards for each family!

Commitment Cards

If anyone has not yet turned in their commitment (pledge) cards and still wishes to do so, please give them to Gary Hartman (Donna) or mail them to the church. The council is preparing next year’s budget to present to the congregation at the

Annual Meeting.

Home of the Good Shepherd

We have returned to our monthly worship services with the residents at the Home of the Good Shepherd.  We are limited to four individuals from Saint Andrew each visit. Our next worship service will be December 19, 2021 at 2:00 PM.