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Associate Pastor's Column
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I was at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary last week working on my project for the final portion of my Doctor of Ministry. I have completed the required six classes and am now entering the final phase of the program. A quote in the brochure for the DMin program draws from the work of well-known priest and prolific writer, Thomas Merton. He writes, "Discovering vocation [call] does not mean scrambling toward some prize just beyond my reach but accepting the treasure of true self I already possess. Vocation does not come from a voice 'out there' calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice 'in here' calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God."
When I am in Austin, I focus on my sense of vocation by putting in time in the library or at my study table writing, reflecting and struggling with difficult, demanding and satisfying academic work in theological education. I also attend chapel and get to hear such preachers and teachers as Cynthia Rigby preach and serve communion or spend time walking the beautiful labyrinth on the campus grounds. My cohort group of colleagues, pastors from PC(USA) churches, episcopal contexts, Methodist and Disciples of Christ churches or chaplains from many different denominations, eat together, laugh, share stories of our ministry, and struggle with the changing face of pastoral ministry in the 21st century. Using my continuing education weeks to go to Austin Seminary remains a deeply satisfying, enjoyable, foundational, and spiritual experience for me for which I am very grateful and which I try to bring home to St. Andrew. My final project's thesis centers on the question of the impact of intercessory prayer on a group as they pray, and I will keep you informed as I make progress in the 2-year process.
This past Sunday, Richard's sermon explored God's call in our lives as we try to hear and discern what the Holy Spirit is calling us to do with our lives in order to give ourselves to purposeful work. God calls us to live abundant lives that are filled with joy, mercy, confession, forgiveness, and grace as we embrace God's call fully and joyfully. May we journey as partners in this task of discerning and "accepting the treasure of true self. . . to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God."
Grace and peace,
Lisa
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Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 21
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2018, in Fellowship Hall immediately following the 10:30am worship service. We will break bread together, reflect on 2017, and look toward what God will be doing with St. Andrew in 2018.
Cartwright's Ranch House will be providing chicken tenders as the main entree. We need congregation members to bring side items and desserts. There will be congregational nurture committee members in Fellowship Hall after 9am to receive dishes. Please let them know if the dish needs to be kept warm or cold, and any container that needs to be returned needs to have a name written on it.
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Women in Faith Conference
The interfaith dialogue being held at St. Andrew on January 28 from 2:30pm-4:30pm is the result of work by Texas Health Resources Faith Community Health and Faith Community Nursing Programs. Various faiths in the Denton community have joined with them in this effort to benefit the physical, mental, and spiritual wellness of all.
The discussion will be presented by a panel of women followed by a question and answer session and an opportunity for networking afterwards. Panelists will represent the Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim faiths. The goal is to provide a safe space for an interfaith dialogue, focused on increasing knowledge of diverse traditions and improving relations and communications within the Denton community.
While the focus will be on the changing roles of women in faith, these discussions are not intended solely for women. It is essential that we all work together to promote more understanding and cooperation within our community, and we welcome your participation.
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Lunch and Learn
February 4, 11, 18
IL, AL, SNF, RGH, MC, CCRC, PAS, HH, GCM, PT/OT/ST. So what's up with the alphabet soup? These are just some of the residence and care options available in our community for older or ill adults. Do you know what they are and what they cost? Medicare, Medicaid, VA, long-term care insurance - what are they and will they pay for what you need? If you're not sure, join us for our 3-part after-the-service series on hot topics in aging, titled
"I'll Never Need to Know this Stuff, but Just in Case..." We'll gather in Fellowship Hall for a light lunch and discussion on February 4, 11 and 18, from 11:45am to 1:45pm. (Don't worry, we will get you home in plenty of time for the Super Bowl.) Each week will offer new topics, so plan to come for all 3 sessions. Invite your parents, or your adult children, and your neighbors and friends, to talk about these important topics. Are you having trouble talking with a family member about planning ahead? Use this series to start that conversation.
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Save the Date!
Jazz Worship Service
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St. Andrew Connect
How to Retrieve an Annual Giving Statement
St. Andrew Connect is the church's new tool to help us serve one another when we're outside the walls of the church. There are so many services that this software has available to us that we thought that we'd highlight some of the things that we're excited about.
Don't want to wait for the giving statement that St. Andrew will send you? You can retrieve last year's giving statement at any time on St. Andrew Connect.
To retrieve your giving statement, login in by visiting
saint-andrew.com/standrewconnect. Click on the "Giving" link on the left side of the page. Then, click the button located between the "Scheduled" and printer buttons in the main part of the page. Choose "Last Year" from the "Gift Date Range" dropdown menu. Then, click the "Filter" button. You will be able to see your giving from the past year here. To print the giving statement, simply click the printer button and continue with the prompts.
Want to know more about St. Andrew Connect? Do you need an invite? Contact Lou Korom in the church office at
lou@saint-andrew.com.
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The Denton Christian Preschool
Supply Drive
It's that time of year again! Let's all rally to support the Denton Christian Preschool with supplies to aid their classrooms and art projects. Items needed are crayons, dry erase markers, glue sticks, finger paints, construction paper, easel and finger paint paper, watercolors, paper plates, toilet paper, paper towels, lunch bags, children's toothpaste, safety pins, liquid hand soap, AA batteries, and 9V batteries. Please leave materials in the box by the stairs next to fellowship hall. Thank you for supporting the 40 children at the Denton Christian Preschool.
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Housing Needed for Audition
The church office received a phone call from Bruce Adams from Lakeland, Fl. He attends Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lakeland. His son will be auditioning at UNT on January 25-27 and they are looking for a home to stay. If you can house them for any of those days, please call Bruce at 836-397-1874.
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Give a Meal a Month
2017 Results
In December, the congregation and Circle #1 donated $136.00 and 113 pounds of food. Thank you to everyone who made a food or monetary contribution! In 2017, we've provided the Denton Community Food Center with 809 pounds of food and $1392.00. Since $2.29 or 54 pounds of food feeds one person for a week, we have provided 623 people with food. For the entire year, our average monthly giving was $116 and 67 pounds of food. Compared to last year, St. Andrew members have increased their monetary contributions to the DCFC by 123%. What an amazing accomplishment! The Denton Community Food Center thanks St. Andrew for their on-going support.
Food Fact #1: Families may come to the DCFC once a month but no more than 6 times per year.
Food Fact #2: Breakfast food such as cereal and granola bars are needed at the DCFC.
Food Fact #3: It takes the entire community to support the DCFC.
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January Give-a-Meal
Canned Soup, Tuna or Peanut Butter, Canned Carrots, Canned Fruit
Optional: Coffee, Cooking Oil, Baby Food
Please return your non-perishable donations for the Denton Community Food Center to the collection bin by the Coke machine near Fellowship Hall. Thank You!
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Sunday, January 21
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Worship Service
Scripture Readings:
Jonah 3: 1-10,
Jonah 4: 1-11
Calendar
Red Cross Blood Drive
Saturday, January 20
9am-2pm, Rec Center
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 21
Following the worship service
Theology on Tap
Monday, January 22
6:30pm, Denton County Brewing Co.,
200 E. McKinney
Tuesday Afternoon Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, January 23
1:30pm, Room 206/208
Super Wednesday
Wednesday, January 24
5:30pm, Fellowship Hall
Men's Study Group
Thursday, January 25
8am, Upper Park Cafe,
222 W. Hickory St.
Women in Faith
Sunday, January 28
2:30pm-4:30pm, Sanctuary
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