Falling Asleep

Dear Saints Of Andrew:
This SundaySeptember 3, 2006Nancy preaching:TAKE GOD TO WORK WITH YOU
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On this one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we’ll be sending this Sunday’s communion offering to our brothers and sisters of the Gretna United Methodist Church, just across the river from New Orleans. If you would like to donate, put your offering in the basket at the communion table.
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I’m having a strange week. A rare bout of summer bronchitis has been a bummer. Last Friday, after another largely sleepless night of coughing, I went to the doctor and told him I had to be functional for “Superman” weekend. He put me on some stuff that has stopped the cough in its tracks. That’s the good news. On the debit side, I’ve been walking around in a haze. I’ve found myself in conversations this week where I knew the other person was talking, but I couldn’t quite follow. Then I fell asleep at a District meeting yesterday morning. It’s kind of embarrassing to have the superintendent wake you up. This morning, I’m still on the antibiotic, but have forgone the cough syrup, so we’ll see if I can form a few complete thoughts today.
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We’ve got some internal reorganization going on. Nothing earth shattering, but we always like to keep you abreast of what's happening at St. Andrew's. The bulletins these days are being done by Heather D., who many of you know as the friendly face at our front desk, as well as from her vocal work on Sunday morning. (Heather had the high note in “Four Legged Friend.”) Steve G. is doing the Power Point slides for worship. Volunteer Carrie T. is doing great work with the web site. I’m organizing the newsletter. Judy H. will be joining the staff, doing general secretarial work twenty hours a week.On the music side, changes in Pam F.’s teaching schedule have prompted some alterations in our leadership model. Leon A. will be giving overall supervision to the program. Adam W. will take the baton as director of our Chancel Choir. Pam will serve as the leader of our Children’s and Youth music ministries. We look forward to the Chancel Choir’s fall debut on Sept. 10. We’ve got some great new folks involved this year. We’d love to see you at practice this Wednesday evening, 7:00.
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DAN and DONNA T. write: They have furniture to donate to a good cause. Two bedroom sets, bunk beds, for kids. Old chairs and couch. Items can be picked up at their house on South 163rd Street. Call Dan or Donna to see what's available. They continue to own two homes and are valiantly trying to sell their home on South 163rd Street. Please keep them in your prayers and pray the right family will discover their wonderful house and make it their home.
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FROM NETTA P.: Just a reminder Steppin’ Up Sunday is September 10. Tickets for Carabba’s Italian Grill (who will be catering lunch during the event) need to be purchased no later than this Sunday, September 3. They are available in the office if you are not going to be here this Sunday. Also, purchase your game tickets early for a special rate.Donations of 2 liter bottles of pop will be appreciated! Please bring to the church office prior to September 10. Steppin’ up Sunday September 10 8:00 Traditional 9:15 & 10:45 Contemporarywith The Stepping Saints Drum Corp.Message: “Light My Fire!”All children and Youth step up to their next grade level!Invite a friend to church day!Adults can “Light their fire” by stepping up to new ministry opportunitiesEat lunch served by Carabba’s Italian Grill!Menu Includes: Salad, Chicken Marsala and side of Penne Pomodoro Adults: $6.00Children 10 and under: $3.00 Tickets must be purchased 1 week prior to event. Available in Rotunda.Experience the inflatables and fun games! Early bird tickets: 5 for $1.00 Day of event: 4 for $1.00Double Slide: 4 ticketsTeam Challenge: 4 ticketsKiddie Caterpillar: 4 ticketsMoon Walk: 4 tickets Face Painting: 2 tickets Purchase your tickets in the rotunda today!Adults: Step up and give of your time and talents in the classrooms. We are still 40 teachers/helpers short.
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NANCY D. writes: ATTENTION! 2007 CONFIRMATION CLASS (EIGHTH GRADERS) AND FAMILIES! Our new Director of Youth Ministries, Bob D., and I are planning a special outing for confirmation class members and families on Sunday, September 17, at Camp Fontanelle. We will leave St. Andrew’s at 10:00 that morning and will worship with other youth and families at the camp at 11:00. Following worship, there will be a bar-b-que (no charge but a donation is requested to cover cost of the food). After lunch, the parents will be invited to meet with to discuss the upcoming confirmation class schedule while the youth will be able to participate in many activities including swimming, archery, sand volleyball, Frisbee golf, basketball, hiking, tree climbing and crafts. We will plan to leave the camp around 3:00. Camp Fontanelle is located in Nickerson, Nebraska, about 45 minutes from St. Andrew’s. Siblings of class members could certainly attend and enjoy the afternoon’s activities as well. To reserve space for your family, contact me as soon as possible by e-mail or by calling the church office . I will also want to know if your family would be able to take any extra people in your vehicle in case we have some who need rides. Call me with questions. Hope everyone can join us for this time of fun and fellowship at Fontanelle!
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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 23 AT 10:00 A.M. Bring your pets (cats, dogs, gerbils, hamsters, etc.) to church that morning for a short time of worship and a special blessing out on our lawn. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Nancy.
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James 1:17-27 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act--they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
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BRD