High School Musical

Dear Saints Of Andrew:

I’d be interested in hearing how the “This Sunday” announcement I sent out on Wednesday came through on your computer screen. It was sent from here centered in bold Cooper font. How did it look on your end?

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THIS SUNDAY

July 23, 2006

8:00, 9:15 & 10:45

Bruce preaching:

“VOTE FOR PEDRO: A Sermon On Ministry With Youth”

The Sanctifications will be with us; Craig B. will bring the offertory.

We’ll be inviting you to drop by a Disciple Bible Study Information Session.

We’ll be making the initial announcement about the annual Dinner/Auction.

There's a lot going on this Sunday at St. Andrew's!

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The 5:00 Summer Saturday Evening Service will conclude at the end of July. We had built the service around Pastor Michael; with Michael going to Hanscom Park at the end of July, we’ve decided to pull the proverbial plug. That said, we’ve been very pleased at the response to the Saturday evening option. At some point, we’ll surely be doing some surveying of the congregation relative to optimum worship times. For instance, the more “traditional” service at St. Andrew’s was originally held circa 10:45. As the contemporary service outgrew the Family Life Center, it was decided to do a second contemporary service at 10:45, moving the “traditional” service to 8:00. Given that we’re now in a 900 seat sanctuary, would it make sense to revisit that issue, and perhaps consider moving the more “traditional” service back to its original slot? What effect would that have on the people now worshiping at 10:45. Would the 8:00 regulars WANT to move back to 10:45? These are some of the things we’re thinking about. There are a plethora of mix-and-match possibilities. I mention it here only because there have been some very preliminary discussions and I wouldn’t want anyone to get wind of rumors and run with them, as if decisions have already been made. Before any decisions are made, IF any decisions are made,there will be ample opportunity for input and comment.

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I opened “Newsweek” yesterday, and there was a big color picture of Lucas Grabeel. It appears Lucas has become something of a star, including a leading role in the Disney cable phenomena, “High School Musical.” I knew Lucas had gone to L.A. seeking fortune and fame, but this is impressive. His official fan site notes that, once upon a time, Lucas played drums in a church band. That was in fact the band at Campbell United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri. Lucas wasn’t a member of the congregation, but had been drawn in by our brilliant young leader/pianist Susan Marek. If Springfield's Brad Pitt is too occupied with Angelina Jolie to make my book (“We’re Dead, Come On In,” available for purchase in book stores and by mail order at Amazon) into a movie, maybe I can interest Lucas. Now I’m thinking maybe I have shouldn’t have ragged him so much about wearing shoes.

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Friday evening, September 8, 7:00

TRIVIA NIGHT

A Congregation-wide Fun & Fellowship Event

Led By Bruce & Nancy

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DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY

For those who have ever wondered about the Bible, join the Disciple Bible Study class that will take you beyond simply reading the Word, but also understanding it and allowing it to make an impact in your everyday lives. Disciple Bible Study provides a daily Bible study and weekly small group gatherings, where participants work together to achieve spiritual goals and take their knowledge of the Bible into prayer, fellowship, and ministry. Pastor Nancy will be facilitating a Disciple I class on Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Monday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Other days and times classes will be offered are now being determined. Stop by the Welcome Table and fill out a form indicating your interest in one of the Disciple classes. The cost of the study material is $35.00. If you are still not sure if Disciple is for you, there will be an Information Meeting on Sunday, July 23^rd between services where you can learn more.

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NEW UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S CIRCLE TO FORM. All women of St. Andrew’s who are not currently members of a circle are invited to an organizational meeting to form a new circle. For those of you unfamiliar with this term, a circle is a small group of United Methodist Women members who meet usually monthly for study, fellowship, and service. This organizational meeting is schedule for this Tuesday, August 1 at 6:30 at the church. Wendy Mays, our current UMW President, and Pastor Nancy will host the meeting. Child care is available if you call the office ahead of time. If you have questions, call at the church office.

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Pastor CHARLOTTE asks: Prayers for Matt K., who fell from a roof, has a fractured skull and bruising of the brain; pray, also, for his wife, Teena, who is expecting a baby in another month (Gregg G.’s son-in-law and daughter). Prayers for Carol O.’s mother, Curtis O.’s grandmother, recovering from surgery.

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GUYS BIBLE STUDY
Pastor Bruce will lead a discussion of the Gospel according of Mark on Monday evenings, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. There is no cost for this study; the only book you need is a Bible, but we’ll appreciate knowing how many to plan for, so please RSVP to Bruce or Diana.

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CHRISTIAN BELIEVER

Have you ever wondered why we say and do the things we do at church? Christian Believer is a 30-week intensive study that combines study of Scripture and Christian belief, and will answer such questions. Through daily study, prayer, and weekly group meetings you will discuss such topics as the Sacraments, the Holy Trinity, and Grace. Christian Believer will be offered on Monday evenings at 6:30 beginning Sept. 11. The cost of the material is $45.00 which includes the study manual and a book of readings. Please sign up at the Information Table. Note: You should have completed at least 3 of the Disciple Bible Study courses before taking Christian Believer.

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Ephesians 2:11-22

Remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision" -- a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands-- remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

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COMMENTARY: Paul was a Jew on a mission to bring Christ to Gentiles--a Gentile defined as everyone who was NOT a Jew. Paul had been raised as a Jew in the predominately Gentile/Greek-acculturated community of Tarsus in Asia Minor. Paul saw the historic divisions and hostilities between Jew and Gentile as nothing short of tragic. In offering Christ to both Gentile and Jew, he visioned the breaking down of dividing walls, two people becoming one in love. I can only imagine what he’d think about what’s going on in the today. I’m pretty sure of this: he would be in deep mourning. And even more sure of this: he would be offering Christ’s reconciling love to both Arab and Jew.

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BRD