St. Andrew’s

Network April-June 2020 Volume 18 Number 4-6

IN THIS ISSUEPastor’s Message

Page 1

President ReportLove the Best Prayer

Page 2

Timeline of Worship ReturningPage 3

Birthday / Anniversaries – AprilBirthday / Anniversaries - May

Page 4Birthday / Anniversaries - June

Music MinistryPage 5

Times They Are ChangingOutreach

Too Great to GraspPage 6

Newsletter Newsletter BlurbsPage 7

Newsletter Newsletter Blurbs

Page 8

Wellness EducationPage 9

Wellness EducationPage 10

Wellness EducationNewsletter Newsletter Blurbs

Page 11

Message from Pastor Phil

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

When I call someone in our congregation to check in with them, they very kindly ask how I am doing. To that question it’s hard to know exactly what to say. In one sense I am “fine”, my wife is fine, our children and grandchildren are fine. Our staff is still working here at the church and being generously supported. As a congregation we are being generous in our support for outside agencies like LSSN and the Grand Canyon Synod. We are fine. At the same time there is a nagging sense that we are not exactly fine. We are not together; we are not hearing each other sing; we are not lifting our voices as one while the sun streams through our stained glass windows. With that in mind, I can’t say we are fine. However, we are hopeful because God has not left us alone. We can see each other on- line, we have telephones, we still have each other, and we have God’s promise to walk with us even through the valley of the shadow of death. Let’s face it. At this time we are inconvenienced but not beaten. We are feeling the loss of touch and sight, but we are not hopeless.

We will worship together again. We will actually come to the sanctuary we love so much, although, it will be a little different due to some distance restrictions and wearing of masks. We will make it work when the time comes. In the meantime. Pray for all of God’s children around the world that health and joy returns.

May God Bless,

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Pr. Phil ShuartSt. Andrew

Lutheran Church8901 Del Webb Boulevard

Las Vegas, NV 89134Phone: 702-255-1990FAX: 702-255-1919

Churchoffice@standrewlv.orgPastor@standrewlv.org

Web site: www.standrewlv.orgSUNDAY WORSHIP HOURS

8:30 AM10:00 AM

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP10:00 AM

OFFICE HOURSMonday through Friday

9:00 AM to 3:00 PMCHURCH STAFF

PastorPhillip J. Shuart

Youth & Family MinistryBrian Neely

Finance MinistryChandra Meyers

Administrative CoordinatorRobert Rodenbeck

Angela DanzikChildren’s Ministries

De Ann MartellOrganist

Music MinistryMichelle Nunez

CHURCH COUNCIL

Mike Quinn, President Jack Elle, Vice President Tracy Schmiesing, Secretary Liz Hamilton, Treasurer Martha Aslesen, Worship Life Connie Kaufmann, Congregational Life Diane Hrovatin, Evangelism & Outreach Stan Morrow, Bldg./Grounds Patricia Lands, Education

Newsletter StaffRobert Rodenbeck

702-255-1990e-mail: robertr@standrewlv.org

Thoughts from the Congregational President

God’s blessings and His grace and healing power to each and every one of you and your families each and every day…Amen.

Carolyn and I want to send you our best regards at this very uncertain time in our lives. We want you to know that we are always here for you and we are only a phone call away. We hope you all have a chance to view Pastor Phil, Brian, and Michelle’s service either on Saturday or Sunday. We hope you all find it as uplifting as we do. This time that we are apart from our church family does not mean we have forgotten anyone. You are in our prayers each and every day, and we are hoping that this time has brought you and your family closer together. We have learned more patience with each other, and God is our guide and we know He is with all of us all of the time. We look forward to when we will all be together again. We all pray it will be very soon. Until then, please stay safe and stay at home. From Isaiah 41:10—so do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with m Righteous Right Hand.

With Christian Love and Friendship, Mike Quinn.

Love—the best prayer

He prayeth best who loveth bestAll thanks, both great and small;For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all.

--Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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Timeline for returning to in-person worship…

One question on many minds is: When will we go to church again? Of course, what that means is: When will we gather at the building we know as St. Andrew Lutheran on Del Webb Blvd. Just because we are not at the building on Del Webb Boulevard does not mean we are no longer the church. The people, you and me, make up the church. As you may know we are still functioning as a vital, living congregation of the ELCA. What we are missing is being together in the same place we have become so fond of. Some are worshiping on line with several churches each weekend. Some of us are connecting by phone and online classes. We are still functioning as the church but not in the way we are accustomed to being the church.

Our church-wide ELCA, our Grand Canyon Synod and the leadership of St. Andrew are not projecting a date due to the unusual nature of this virus. One epidemiologist stated that it is far worse to gather and then have to quarantine many because it was just too early to be together safely.

We will look for the science and the leadership in the scientific community to indicate when is the best time and how is the best way, to get back together.

When to gather once again in church. There will be some rather stark but necessary changes-good changes, but it will take some adjusting.

Here are a few things to know about:

Bulletins are discontinued. Each Sunday we print between 1200 and 1500 pieces of paper that are placed in the recycle bin, multiply that by 52)

Hymnals and paper products will be removed from the pews

Projection/display screens will be installed for congregation participation (while this is a big change, it is really a good change as the screens can improve communication considerably)

Shorter services and more of them with fewer people (at least in the short term crowding almost 180 people in our sanctuary at the same is unwise)

Sanitizing of the worship area will be necessary following each service

For the initial months as we gather, masks will be required

Hand sanitizing stations will be ubiquitousHere are a few more ideas from the ELCA document: Considerations for returning to in person worship. (You can download a copy from our home page at https://www.standrewlv.org)

Refrain from passing a collection plate or basket during the offering; have stations where people can place offerings and/or provide them with online giving options.

Omit offering processions where others handle money/plates or communion vessels.

Provide alternate methods of sharing the peace outside of family households. These could include the exchange of words, waves, offering a reverent bow, or using American Sign Language.

Avoid greeting “receiving lines” at the door before and after worship.

So while many changes take place, what does not change is the gospel which says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”The way we worship may change. The way we relate to each other socially may change, but the word of God never changes.

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Happy AprilBirthdays

Tom MoehnLux BeachRikki JarvisJames AngellDorothy SchraderEileen ScottPatricia SeterAngela BellJames DiodatoRita TaylorAlexa MorenoSusan ZulaufAngela BrindleyMelissa PalmerTatum RajskyJohn HalvorsonSusan Mc CallDean LandsKahlan HoytRachel LillyBob SchererCarlene LandsConnie Sue HinesChandra MeyersSara NelsonJaymee MooreJames BeachJon GuselJulius BrandtGary FredericksonMarion ThelenMyrna MedinaBob LysgaardRJ Mann

Happy AprilAnniversaries

Susan & Kelsey Mc CallDonald & Merideth ParkerJack & Claudia SchnleitnerJoe & Sherry PrestiMike & Carolyn QuinnDeanna & Farrell GerlandAnn & Bill RiosAlice & Norm YearkeJudy & Tom Moehn

Happy MayBirthdays

Sandra KuehnerRudi LorenzJim OsbornJan FrazierAria GravesDave PaulsonBarbi LorenzJune WoodWarren LehmannNatalie RalphCindi RuszczykPhilip WesonSue HowardTrudy MestemacherRon DiMascioAngela DanzikCharlie BushDavid GilyanNorma HendlerRon PhillipsMark SchinlerDon GitersonkeCarol RudlophJim SnaadtLauren SailerJohn TaylorJordan CullingsKelsey Mc CallDavid MartinsonGrace VeumDylan IsiRamona MillerMichelle NunezBarbara TaylorTraci AllansonGail KosterCarolle LeferinkJoyce CordonDennis CrawfordAlec SailerTracy ThomasAntonio ZambranoDiane HrovatiinKamryn SchantolFrederick MilwerRob RinneBailey Waller

Lon JeromeRobert SchwabKjrsten BroughtonConnie KaufmannLois Ann Shuart

Happy MayAnniversaries

Rudi & Barbi LorenzJames & Sharon Angell Sam & Delores BakkeMel & Jan SwansonDavid & Susan GilyanRon & Kathy DollRob & Linda Rinne

Mickey AllenSam Bakke

Marvin BurnsEdie Bush

Jerry & Nancy ByeGeorge Cordon

Jerry DianoMeg EackerRuth Fultz

Gerhard GrimmeckJim Hill

Dorothy HoweRenee JarvisJudy Jeffers

Mary Jo JeromeHans Kuehner

Aggie & Sammy LiguoriTricia Moredock

Millie MoyerArt PoorePat OlesonMike QuinnKathy Renn

Bill RiosElsie SilverMae Smith

Ron StuepfertJudy SwansonMel SwansonLarry Toole

Barb TrempusBen & Eileen Wasserman

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Happy June Birthdays

Joyce BjokneAkiko GravesCurtis LeferinkMarilyn HalvorsonDorothy HoweMarsha RodenbeckRancis CasanovaJackson HoytWanda KahlJudy JeffersDave ManninenRalph BanthinMartin MarshJoyce EkstromEriza NalpantValerie HodgsonKurryn IsiBasilia OlsonHenrietta RappKathy MannDoris DudarevitchJan ZulaufEileen WassermanBen WassermanMartin BrownTori RamirezJosh BroughtonCindy KingPatricia LindseyWilma PenningtonNorm YearkeLois FlomPatricia LandsRoseann BeachDorothy TwesmeHelen DeNommeJill NeelyLisa SidesElizabeth EastonDon MarciszCliff BebberNannette DiMascioLinda FraassIngrid GrimmeckLinda ManninenMarion McComseyLarry TaylorDave ThomasNoah Waller

Happy June Anniversaries

Dennis & Heather CrawfordJim & Roseann BeachSara Lee & Paul ThompsonGail & Ralph BanthinNancy & Jerry ByeLinda & Dave ManninenJoel & Margaret EackerGary & Debbie FredericksonHarry & Ruuda PenderChristine& Frederick MilwerMandy & Ken TaylorElizebeth & George EastonChristine & Barney CottonSandra & Hans KuehnerLaurie & Roger StorkampTrish & Mark Schinler

I hope this finds you well and staying safe! We so appreciate all your support and acts of kindness and generosity which help propel us toward a not-so-distant future where we will gather once again. When we can worship together again, what will our services look like? We meet regularly to thoughtfully discuss just how things will look, but in this ever-changing climate it is a daunting task to pin it down until we have a definite date for reopening. Certainly, we want you to feel safe and comfortable so that your mind may be open to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Even though we will be wearing masks and we will be sitting at an acceptable distance from one another, we can still enjoy the experience, rejoicing that we are doing so as a community! We will all miss the choir for a while, but it is simply too risky to have rehearsals and expect many people to be so close to each other in the choir loft. You, the congregation, can be the choir temporarily. The current situation has forced us to wear different hats and be creative in ways we may not be accustomed to, but there is always something to look forward to. At a house not far from mine, there is a handmade sign on the front gate that reads “Hope Is Not Cancelled.” From the heart, I hope to see you soon. Blessings, Michelle Nunez

“The Times They Are A Changing”

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Long before Bob Dylan penned these famous lyrics to his hit 1963 single, the Hebrew prophets used similar language as they reminded the people that God is always active and doing something new in their midst. A consistent theme throughout the prophetic books of the Bible is that God is never inactive. At the center of all of life is a God whose love never waivers. The same is true today.

The question we are invited to ask ourselves each time we see change happening is two-fold. First, we are called to discern what God is doing in the midst of the change we experience. Scripture makes it clear that God does not sit passively in the background, but rather, God is deeply involved in our lives. Regardless of what we may be facing, we are always offered a path of hope. The second part of the question is more personal. Once we have discerned the path on which God is leading us we then seek to find our individual role in the journey. This is when we ask ourselves; “what can I do?”

As we continue to face uncertain times we can be assured of several things. God’s love for us never waivers, the church will continue to be a place of grace and hope, and we are called to embrace change for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Remember, St. Andrew Lutheran Church is a part of God’s plan. You also are a key part of what God is doing now and will do in the future. Our baptismal calling assures us that in times of great uncertainty our God is active and guiding all of creation toward something far better than we could ever imagine.

I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your financial support during this crisis.  I appreciate each and every one of you and with these crazy times, I am grateful to have a job I love dearly! I know things look a little different lately.  I'm busy being a liaison for LSSN and the food pantry.  I have been collecting food donations every Monday and Wednesday from 9 -

11. After a collection day, I load up my car and deliver the food immediately.  The demand for food at this time is so important.  LSSN is the only food pantry or location on the east side of town to allow walk up disbursement of donated food.  I am so grateful to be doing this for those individuals that need it the most.  LSSN is giving out food on Tuesdays and Thursdays so our schedule can help them the most.  Thank you to everyone who have brought checks and food.  It is so appreciated.  I am so grateful to each and every one of you for all you do for our church, employees, and our community!Feeling so grateful!De Ann 

Too great to grasp

For more than three decades, St. Augustine of Hippo toiled over the mind-boggling doctrine of the Trinity. According to legend, one day the church father was strolling along a shore, wrestling with this puzzle. He saw a boy running back and forth, using a seashell to pour water from the ocean into a hole he’d dug in the sand. When Augustine asked what he was doing, the boy proclaimed, “I’m going to pour the entire ocean into this hole!”

That’s impossible,” replied Augustine. “The sea is so great, and the shell and the hole are so little.” “That’s true,” the boy said. “But it would be easier to draw all the water out of the sea and fit it into this hole than for you to fit the mystery of the Trinity and his divinity into your little intellect.”

Indeed, only through faith can we accept the infinite nature of our Three-in-One God; for our finite human minds, it’s simply too great to grasp.

Welcome the Holy

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Abraham and Sarah welcomed three strangers who turned out to be the Lord. Jesus said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple,” the giver will be rewarded (Matthew 10:42, NIV). An ancient Jewish proverb asserts: “Hospitality is one form of worship,”. A Russian Orthodox monk is said to have told a younger one, “Sometimes I see a stranger coming up the road and I say, “Oh, Jesus Christ, is it you again?’’’ And an old Gaelic poem declares, “Often, often, often, goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise.”

Sometimes we think we must do something big to serve God. Today, when you smile at someone big to serve God. Today, when you smile at someone on the street, take time to entertain a child’s question, bring cookies to a new neighbor, thank a server or clerk…know that you are serving Jesus, that you are worshiping God.—Heidi Mann

Highly esteemed

After returning from a lengthy mission trip overseas, John Huffman and his fellow passengers were held up in customs for two hours.

When he finally made it to the packed airport lobby, Huffman realized it might take a while to find his family. But suddenly his 3-year-old daughter ran toward him yelling, “Daddy! Daddy! That’s my daddy!” launched into his arms.

“What a welcome,” he writes. “I have never felt so loved and acknowledged in my life.” Perhaps that’s how God feels when we call his name in worship and prayer, acknowledging him as our heavenly Father—and honoring him above all else.

A Surprising Solution

The only solution for being broken is…brokenness. By brokenness, I mean the acknowledgment of it, the full and unflinching acceptance that we are bankrupt, poor in spirit and have nothing to offer. In our culture, that’s a hard sell…Brokenness is not trending on Twitter. It’s now written on anyone’s resume, and it’s no business strategy at all. It is, however, the one hope Jesus holds out for us, the inside-out, upside-down way that is somehow the only path that ultimately is right side up. Embrace the paradox: brokenness is the way to wholeness.

--Kyle Idleman, The End of Me

The Act of Asking

In Everyday Spirituality; James Hazelwood explores 27 ordinary activities that are, he asserts, more spiritual than we tend to think. One is asking questions. “We see God in all the questions we ask, whether or not they are religious. The simple act of asking questions indicates that we are meaning-seeking creatures.”

The pastor continues; ”We inquire of the meaning of life, the purpose of work and relationships. We even ask it of our very own existence. The answers often come not in clear proclamations of certainty, but in stories, tales and the myths of life…inquiry, wonder, and discovery are things that the human mind loves.” Then he offers this thought-provoking statement: “When we ask questions, we are engaging in prayer.”

Do you agree? What other daily activities might be more intertwined with your faith than you thought? While you ponder even these questions, do you sense the Holy Spirit moving you?

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Seeing Stars

The stars shine over the mountains, the stars shine over the sea,The stars look up to the mighty God,the stars look down on me;The stars shall last for a million years,a million years and a day,But God and I will live and love, when the stars have passed away.

--Robert Louis Stevenson

Getting a Glimpse

Marital love is a blessing but not necessarily “easy,” even when both spouses are Christians. When issues inevitably arise, couples who cling to one another and to God, can benefit from that “threefold cord” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). During joyful times, changes, challenges and other adventures, married followers of Jesus can support one another while knowing that Jesus supports them both.

In The Meaning of Marriage, Timothy Keller describes falling in love as looking at another person, glimpsing what God is creating in their life, and then proclaiming: ”I see who God is making you and it excites me! I want to be part of that. I want to partner with you and God in the journey you are taking to his throne. And when we get there, I will look at your magnificence and say, ‘I always knew you could be like this. I got glimpses of it on earth, but now look at you!’”

A Kindled Fire

“I can worship outside among nature just as well as I can inside a church building.” That claim is especially common during the summer, when church attendance tends to decline.

Certainly it’s possible to worship and talk to God among his creation. In fact, George Washington Carver called nature “an unlimited broadcasting

station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” And Martin Luther said, “God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.”

Yet corporate, or church, worship is still vital. Luther also noted: “At home, in my own house, there is no warmth or vigor in me, but in the church when the multitude is gathered together, a fire is kindled in my heart and it breaks its way through.” When we’re away from God’s house, we miss blessings and opportunities, including communion, fellowship and support. So this summer, spend time in nature but don’t neglect “to meet together”! (see Hebrews 10:25)

Our Father

You sum up the whole of New Testament religion if you describe it as the knowledge of God as one’s Holy Father. If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all. –J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Olive

The olive branch is a symbol of peace, harmony and healing. Olive trees provide shelter, as well as oil used for ointment and consecration. The olive branch also represents deliverance from hardships and anxiety because a dove brought an olive leaf back to Noah’s ark after the flood ended (Genesis 8:11).

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Saint Andrew Health EducationJudy Swanson RN, MSN, FCNJune 2020

Restoration Restoration of business, schools, and places of worship has begun while our nation continues to combat the ill-effects of the Corona Virus. 2 Chorinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Isaiah 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you “Fear not, I am the one who helps you”

June is National Safety Month

One of the Health Education and Awareness events for the month of June is National Safety. With this in-mind, the following section of our newsletter provides tips and information for keeping you healthy in an environment that is constantly changing.

The CDC (Center For Disease Control) has recommended wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. At-this-time, the effectiveness and efficiency of cloth face coverings, and surgical face masks continues to give rise to public disagreement. The information contained herein does not cover FFP2 and FFP3 respirators. Tip #1: Prior to purchasing a surgical mask or cloth face covering, or making a DIY (Do-it-yourself) cloth mask ask yourself these questions:

How efficient is the fabric at filtering out SARS-CoV-2 virus particles? Will the mask or face covering protect me from being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus

particles from persons with and without illness that may be spreading the virus to others?

Luke 21:36 Praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place…Proverbs 16:9 The Heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps

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Information

Face Masks The SARS-CoV-2 virus (Coronavirus) particles are small, spherical in shape, range from 0.06 microns to 0.14 microns, and can penetrate surgical and cloth face masks with larger filtration efficiency ratings.

Filtration Ratings

BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) measures the filtration efficiency of a mask using live bacteria that vary in size from 1 to 5 microns.

PFE (Particulate Filtration Efficiency) measures the filtration efficiency of a mask using non-living particles from 0.1 to 1 micron in size. Advocates against wearing cloth face coverings or surgical masks maintain the premise that:

there is no scientific evidence that masks are effective in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission,

those wearing masks might relax social distancing efforts because they have a false sense of protection, and

masks worn in China did not prevent the spread of coronavirus illness.

Tip #2: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children under 2 years of age, on anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unable to remove their mask without assistance.

Tip #3: Remember to drink plenty of water during periods of excessive heat while wearing masks or cloth face coverings. Use a flexible straw inserted into the side of your mask to

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

hydrate yourselves. Readjust mask after drinking water to make sure it is sealed snugly covering your nose, mouth, and chin.

Concluding remarks: Cloth and surgical masks offer some protection from large droplets ejected from sneezing and coughing, the protection varies depending on the type of fabric and mask used. The SARS-CoV-2 virus (Coronavirus) particles are smaller than BFE and PFE filtration efficiency ratings in both surgical and cloth masks that offer no protection against the Coronavirus. Coughing and sneezing without a mask can travel up to 6 feet from the mouth. Maintaining social distancing 6 feet away from others is the best way to protect yourselves. Frequent hand washing, and cleaning of surfaces continue to be important measures one can take to prevent the spread of infectious disease. I choose to wear a surgical mask in places where social distancing is difficult to maintain, and pray for guidance.

References

https://cdn.vivarep.com/contrib/va/documents/al_lib_44.2015112134294585.pdfhttps://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/04/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-based-sound-datahttps://www.dentaleconomics.com/science-tech/article/16386100/your-most-important-barrier

An Invitation to Rest

Summer calls to mind a slower pace, time off from school and work. But many still face daily demands this time of year; farmers work long hours; teachers may take seasonal work to make ends meet; parents with kids now home all day, may catch up on work late at night. Still, may the longer days and warmer weather beckon you into a bit of free time this season.

Listen: “when you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”—Eleanor Brown (public speaker and educator)

“Sometimes it’s important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it’s essential…to make sure that your most important decision in the day [is] which color to slide down on the rainbow.”—Douglas Pagels (author)

“Rest time is not waste time; it is economy to gather fresh strength…In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.”—Charles Spurgeon

“Come to me. all you that are weary…and I will give you rest…For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”—Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)

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