Standing In Line

Dear Saints Of Andrew:

We welcome new readers to A-Mail. If you ever want off the list, just let us know.
*
We've been having many adventures in internet land. We recently changed our network provider. The web site is under reconstruction, though you can still access meeting dates there. A-Mails will now have to wait in an e-line at Cox to be sent out sometime during the night, theoretically arriving on your PC the next morning. As we understand it, many of you haven't been receiving A-Mail the past couple of weeks. What follows is a veritable compendium of material from recent mailings.
*
THIS SUNDAY
November 19, 2006
THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
Bruce Davis, The Sanctifications, The Horns of
and The Four Marys will offer a sermon titled, "O MARY DON'T YOU WEEP."
*
Sunday's count was 907 in worship. Add 167 children, we had 1,074 present at our weekly Sabbath morning gathering. Your presence is deeply appreciated.
*
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 AT 7:00 P.M.NANCY PREACHING.
*
Christmas Eve is a particularly wonderful time to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with visitors. So many people will show up, who have no church home. We want to put our best foot forward. Last year, many of our choir regulars were out of town on the big night, leaving us rather thin. As a corrective this year, we‚re putting together a CHRISTMAS EVE CHOIR. Beginning this Sunday, November 19, The Christmas Eve Choir will practice on Sunday mornings, in the 10:15-10:45 time slot, between the second and third services. If you can carry a tune, or even just move your lips while others sing, we hope you‚ll consider helping us on Christmas Eve.
*
REMINDER: Blood drive this Sunday (Nov 19) from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Come one come all!! Thanks!!
*
The first Nebraska football game Nancy and I attended at Memorial Stadium was last year's contest against . The team was coming off a losing streak; there was speculation that Coach Callahan might be fired. But in our presence, the Huskers put together a win against the Wildcats, then swept past Colorado and to finish the season triumphantly. This year, Nancy and I were given tickets for the game. The Huskers won, of course, and followed that up with Saturday‚s big road victory against Texas A&M. Coincidence? Or the carry over of good Methodist vibes, emanating from St. Andrew's? You decide.
*
I understand we had as many as forty people partake of communion offered in the Prayer Chapel on Sunday morning. I believe I was first in line! It may be instructive as to how this came about. The idea had been floated before, but there are a lot of ideas floated around here, and this one had not been followed up on. But after the October Pizza With The Pastors, one of our prospects shared that she came out a congregation that shared communion each week and she would miss that. The conversation triggered memories of prior conversations on that very subject. That Tuesday, we discussed the Prayer Chapel communion option in staff. said she‚d follow up. Steve Smith and Dave White were brought on board. And we were up and running on Sunday. Which is to say, if you come up with a good idea that is within our overall vision and capabilities, we're going to try it.
*
BOB D. writes: On November 19th the Parent Advisory Board is meeting in the Youth Room at 1:30pm to discuss up coming changes for the Youth Ministry Program 2007. All interested parents are welcome to attend the meeting. Pastor Nancy will also be attending the meeting.
*
UPWARD BASKETBALL/CHEERLEADING NEWS:
We are still taking registrations at the price of $55.00. After Nov. 20, price goes up to $65.00. Sign up now! We will have a better idea of practice schedules after registrations are in. All parents will be contacted as soon as we can get these dates. Games will be on Saturday mornings.
All kids and one parent are required to attend one of these evaluations. Kids will also get sized for uniforms (Cheerleading too) at these dates:
Monday, November 27 between 6:00-8:00
Tuesday, November 28 between 6:00-8:00
Saturday, Dec. 2 between 9:00-11:00 AM
*
TOGETHER INC. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
When an emergency strikes people in our community, who will answer the cry for help? Emergencies and personal disasters happen everyday, whether it's losing a job, medical illnesses, divorce, abuse or other unexpected situations. When this happens, Together, Inc. is always ready to help and we as members of St. Andrews can give back to the community by assisting Together in providing valuable services to those in need.

Together, Inc. located at
1616 Cass Street
is a non-profit, multi-faith emergency relief service which was founded in 1975 by religious leaders in after the tornado disaster left hundreds of victims homeless, hungry and in great need. Since that time cooperative efforts have continued in the metropolitan area to provide and distribute basic supplies and services such as food, clothing, furniture, rent/utilities assistance, household items, infant supplies, prescriptions, eyeglasses and holiday items. Together's staff screens, documents and serves over 2,000 families a month and helps to put these families/individuals back in the mainstream as productive members of society.

With the holiday season fast approaching, now is the perfect time to give a little of ourselves to those less fortunate. You are currently able to select a gift tag and/or food tag from our Giving Tree located in the narthex to help supply Together's Christmas Store. During the week of Dec. 11th through the 16th, Together will let parents/guardians experience the joy of playing Santa by choosing gifts for their own children through age 18. Children will also be given the opportunity to choose small gifts for their parents/guardians. Your generous contributions to this cause will help brighten the holidays of many less fortunate individuals. Also, if you would like to volunteer your time either working at the store on Friday, December 15th or helping to set up the store the week of December 4th, please contact the church.

In addition to the holiday store other Together, Inc. volunteer opportunities throughout the year include: contributing to the Easter food sack drive, volunteering your time at Together, Inc. sorting clothes and sacking food, providing monetary help and donating specified items such as school, personal or household items as the needs arise.

Please contact Starla M. for any further information.
*
>From DIANA F.:

Foster Parents Panel Discussion
Come hear from three of St. Andrew's foster families Greg & Deanna A., Joe & Jody M., and Kevin & Teresa W. as they share their experiences. Learn how you, too, can be a foster parent. There will be a time for questions and sharing of ideas. Sign up to join a support group of foster parents. The gathering will be Wednesday, Nov. 15th at 6 p.m. in Lower Level 4.

The Miracle of Christmas
What was the real miracle of Christmas?? It was what happened in a manger in long ago. There, God came in the birth of Jesus to visit and redeem his people. There, God entered into history to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves˜to save us! There, through the little baby born in a lowly stable, God‚s will, God's idea, God's intention, God's Word, God‚' purpose, and God's love became flesh and blood, and lived among us, full of grace and truth. Join Ginny H. as she leads the discussion of this Advent Study beginning Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in Lower Level 4. Please let Diana know if you plan to attend so books can be ordered. The cost of the study is $5.
*
SHEILA B. writes: There is an organization in town called Senior Health Foundation that sponsors movies for seniors (ages 50 and over) at the 20 Grand on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month (September thru May) at 1:30 in the afternoon at the discounted rate of $4.00 per person. You can call their number 827-6001 the week of the showings to find out which movies are being offered. Next week's movies are: Movies for Thursday, 11-16- 06: Showtime is 1:30 p.m .Santa Clause 3 Rated PG; STRANGER THAN FICTION Rated PG-13; A GOOD YEAR Rated PG-13; Movie Information Line: 827-6001
*
PASTOR CHARLOTTE asks: Prayers of sympathy for the family of William E., in his recent passing (father of Marcia K.; grandfather of Greg and Jason K.). Prayers for Teri Q., preparing for surgery on November 16th. Prayers for Nancy B., preparing for surgery on November 22nd. Prayers for Eloise H., hospitalized with internal bleeding in (cousin of Jerry E.). Prayers for Rita H., as she faces decisions concerning her cancer diagnosis; pray, also, for Brad, Megan and family (Brad H.'s‚ mother). Prayers for Richard N., recovering from a liver transplant and has developed an infection. (Dee H.'s brother).Prayers for the following family members of Chris L.: her mother, hospitalized due to a stroke; her niece, Blair, hospitalized with low blood counts and dehydration; her nephew, hospitalized from a bad seizure; and her sister's father-in-law, hospitalized with a heart attack. Prayers for Nancy B., preparing for ear surgery on November 22nd. Prayers for Wanda M., hospitalized due to a stroke; has lost vision in one eye (mother of Teresa W.).
*
A reading from Romans 8: "If God is for us, who can be against us? Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
*
BRD