Saint Andrew Lutheran Church
Saint Andrew Lutheran Church
Newsletter
December 2024
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,
Happy New (Liturgical)Year!
December brings us into the start of a new cycle of readings, this time through the Gospel according to Luke (who also is credited with writing the book of the
Acts of the Apostles).
We enter a new year at the darkest part, just as in Genesis, we read that “it was evening, and it was morning, one day,” and time begins in the dark. Creation began in the dark. Life begins in the dark of the womb. When the business of the day has ended and we are left with only our thoughts to keep us up at night, our concerns and dreams can be clarified in the dark.
Stars are visible in the night sky because it is dark!
When I was recently reading a book called “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, it mentioned that winter was the best time to travel to freedom, because the nights were longer, the cover of darkness and the clarity of the stars made it easier to get farther, despite the cold.
Our lectionary readings this month are translated by a team of Rabbis and other Hebrew language scholars in addition to Greek Biblical scholars, and compiled by
Rev. Dr. Wilda C. Gafney, professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX. They may appear unfamiliar at first, even though they are from the same Christian Scriptures we have always been using. Hebrew and Greek, the older Biblical languages, don’t always have direct English parallels, and we so often miss the richness of those languages when relying
only on English.
We will hear, in this Advent season, a wider variety of names and titles for God. We will hear, in this Advent season, more feminine imagery. I encourage you to take it in as poetry and let yourself feel however you feel about it, with curiosity. Once we reach Christmas, we will return to the Sundays and Seasons’ NRSV translation which may sound more familiar to our ears!
It is my hope, that as with a multi-faceted diamond, the variety of translation possibilities may find their way into reflecting more of the beauty of the Scriptures to us during this darkening season. Scripture is such a rich and lovely gift, for encouragement and devotion as much as for guidance! May you find enrichment in our sharing time together this Advent!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Andrew
The Story of
The Advent Wreath
The lighting of an Advent Wreath is a custom that began
in 16th-century Germany among Lutherans and Catholics.
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The first candle lit is the Prophecy Candle
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(Hope). Isaiah 7:14
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The second candle is called the Bethlehem Candle
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(Love). Luke 2:12
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The third candle that is lit is the Shepherds Candle
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(Joy). Luke 2:8-11
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The fourth candle is the Angels Candle
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(Peace). Luke 2:13-14
An Advent Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces
to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things
look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways
long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy
seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness,
yet seeking the light.
To you we say,"Come Lord Jesus!"
Amen.
-- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Activities at Saint Andrew -- 2024
Our Potluck Fellowship will
be celebrated on the first Sunday of every month.
Please contact Pat Miner or Tracy Hadsell
if you wish to donate food or beverages!
All are Welcome!
The Fellowship Calendar is on the stairwell bulletin board.
Choose a partner and sign up for a Sunday!
The new Flower Chart is on the narthex bulletin board.
Sign up for one or more Sundays!
Simply fill out the slip to indicate the dedication of the flowers.
Cost is $15 per Sunday.
Any questions, please contact Pat Miner!
Christmas Adopt a Family Fund
This year SaintAndrew Lutheran Church has adopted two families
with a total of seven children!
Yellow stickies have been placed on the narthex windows for members to choose what gifts they would like to purchase for our families! The gifts are to be wrapped and returned by December 15th!
A monetary donation can be made to help cover the cost of gifts
and a grocery card to each family!
For more details contact Rita Navatka.
May God bless you for your donations to this
most worthy cause!
Another Upgrade to
Saint Andrew --
New Elevator Mural!
YES, there is a NEW mural in our elevator!
Now, as you travel from one floor to the next you will travel through “OUTER SPACE!”
Many thanks to one of our members for
the donation and installation of the murals!
And may God bless you for your kindness and generosity!
"Extravagant Moments"
(exceeding the limits of reason or necessity)
Luke and Kristina renewing their vows
on their 11th Wedding Anniversary!
CONGRATULATIONS...
and may God bless you always!
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!