St. Andrew’s Update–December 4, 2024

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT***

Contemplative Service of Song and Prayer This Friday

Please join us this Friday (Dec. 6th) at 7pm in the Sanctuary for a special evening of Advent prayers, singing, scripture and silence.

It’s the first week of Advent. It might not feel like the new year to you, but to some of us at St. Andrew’s who teach or plan worship, this is the beginning! From this week thru next November, we have another year to hear the story of Jesus, who is God with us, the embodiment of holy love. We can listen, learn, rejoice, and respond.

Jesus proclaimed God’s love to all people, offered grace, hope, and good news to the world, and called folks to follow in fellowship as disciples. The stories surrounding Jesus can draw us closer to God, and closer to each other as we live in covenant with God. The stories support and encourage us as we answer the call to make a difference for our world in doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. The stories can show us ways to overcome fear and sadness when we keep our eyes on Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but lately I have been thinking about the new year mostly in non-liturgical ways, and not really looking forward to it. I think I can do better than the fret and consternation that have plagued me in the current news cycle, and focus instead on the seasons ahead in this new church year. In Advent: prepare my heart for Jesus to be born in it again; at Christmas: celebrate the wonder of God incarnate; in Epiphany: consider what gifts I can bring to this year that will bless others; during Ordinary time: count the days we call “ordinary” and make them extraordinary by filling them with God’s love in big and little ways; through Lent: examine my life in light of Jesus’ forgiving love and compassion; Easter: rejoice that God’s power overcomes death in Jesus’ resurrection; at Pentecost: allow the breath of God to blow through even the most dusty, cobwebby areas of my life so that I can clearly see my path to loving God and neighbor.

That cycle of anticipation, celebration, reflection and renewal are what we call the liturgical year. We experience it all over again, but brand new at the same time!

In gratitude for God’s enduring patience, we remember that no matter in what ways we fall short, God loves us still. In spite of what the world feels like at the moment, I wish you a blessed and happy new year, because God the giver of everlasting life and love, made known in Jesus Christ, and secured in our hearts by God’s Holy Spirit, is faithful still.

Julie Sommers

December 8, 2pm

Presbyterian Women’s Tea

Please join this festive gathering of women! This much-anticipated holiday tradition is a wonderful way to welcome the Christmas season. There will be delicious food, hot tea, lively conversation, old friends, new friends, and jolly music. There will be a special collection for the PW Thank Offering. 100% of this money goes directly to mission, serving people in the United States and around the world.

In the Entryway to the Fellowship Hall

Pick Up Your Free Copy

Strengthen your faith with These Days, an inspiring and uplifting daily devotional! Each issue of These Days features:

– Scripture suggestions
– Thought-provoking daily reflections written by clergy and lay leaders
– Inspiring prayers
– Adult coloring pages
– Colorful artwork on the outside covers with poems, prayers, and songs
pertinent to the issue’s theme
– Information about the writers

This moving devotional is released in printed format quarterly in regular or enlarged print.

Advent Craft Workshop

Stay after the service December 15 for a special Advent craft workshop and coffee hour. Enjoy making gingerbread houses, reindeer ornaments, pomander balls, and yummy, festive goodies.

Tamalada

Join us in the kitchen Saturday, December 14 at 1:00 pm to learn to make tamales to serve at Transition House. We have some special treats up our sleeves this year. There will be professional instruction, activities for kids and festivities. RSVP to Melinda at 805-708-8699.

Naegle Scholarship Application Open

We are pleased to announce that eligible members of St Andrew’s may apply to the Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation for financial assistance. The scholarships are provided by the grace and generousity of the Naegle family. The application can be found HERE and closes February 16, 2025.

Last week to order St. Andrew’s nametags

Sign up for a St. Andrew’s nametag at the coffee hour or through Linda Sorensen (805-886-3470). You’re welcome to list your pronouns and select from 3 backing options. We have them available to order at $10 each (check or cash). There will also be a free option available. You can pick up your orders from Linda at the coffee hour.

42nd Annual Messiah Sing Along

The 42nd annual Messiah Sing Along will take place on Tuesday, December 17, at 7:30pm in the First Presbyterian Church, corner of State and Constance. This Santa Barbara holiday tradition will benefit Unity Shoppe. Phillip McLendon will conduct this performance of George Frederick Handel’s choral masterpiece, “Messiah.” James Mooy has organized the orchestra which includes members of the Santa Barbara City College Symphony. Erin Bonski-Evans is the organist. Four outstanding soloists will also perform. All are volunteering their talents.That covers everything and everybody except the chorus. That’s because the chorus is you — the audience! Tickets are $10, 100 percent of which goes to Unity Shoppe, the Santa Barbara non-profit which helps some 18,000 of our low-income neighbors, children, and the elderly annually. Tickets and music scores (bring your own) are available at Chaucer’s in Loreto Plaza and at the door. Tickets are also available at the Unity Gift Shoppe, 1209 State Street. It’s great music and great fun for a great cause. Everyone is invited to make a joyful noise and raise your voice on high. Or come to listen. It’s always a great performance!

Volunteer for Coffee Hour!

There are openings for Fellowship Coffee Hour on  December 29.

SB Mission Conference

DISCOVERING THE CHURCH IN THE SHELTER: One of the afternoon breakout sessions will focus on moving people from homelessness to housing. Pat Wheatley, active in many non-profits including Santa Barbara’s Housing Authority, will moderate the session, showing where God’s church is present and active in shelters. This takes place at Engage, the 23rd annual Santa Barbara Mission Conference, Saturday, Feb. 1, at First Presbyterian Church. Also included are keynote Tim Soerens and a panel of practitioners committed long-term to justice ministry. You have a choice – attend in-person or participate remotely. Either way, you may register by going online at sbmissionconference.org or by picking up and completing a brochure at any of the conference’s partner churches.

Five Stars for St. Andrews

If you love our congregation and hope to grow together in numbers and faith, would you consider submitting a positive, personal reveiw to Google and/or Yelp? Often a Google search is a potential visitor’s first step to finding us. A few simple words about why you love St. Andrew’s will help others make an important decision.

Be a Planet Protector!

St. Andrew’s is now collecting plastics that cannot be recycled at home. Bring in your plastic film labeled #2 or #4 and turn them into residential flooring. To learn more about Planet Protectors, click here. Here are examples of what we can take:

Pallet Wrap
Grocery Bags
Bread Bags (turned inside out)
Case wrap (toilet paper, paper towels, water bottles)
Dryclean bags
Newspaper Sleeves
Electronics Wraps
Bubble Wrap
Plastic Shipping Envelopes
Air Pillows
Ziplock bags
Produce Bags
Ice Bags
Salt Bags
Wood Pellet Bags

All plastics must be clean and dry. Collection is located in the Narthex.

The Numbers Are In!

St. Andrews’s donated 128 pounds of food to the Food Bank of Santa Barbara! Even more than last time! Great job everyone!

Let’s make our donations even bigger by bringing in items such as…

• Peanut butter
• Canned soup
• Canned fruit
• Canned vegetables
• Canned stew
• Canned fish
• Canned beans
• Pasta (most prefer whole grain)
• Rice (most prefer brown rice)

*happy*birthday*happy*birthday*

December Birthdays

If you don’t see a birthday on here and would like to get it added please email office@standrewspcusa.org

12/2     Robin Knauss

12/8     Jeff Nelson

12/8     Carol Stewart

12/21    Twyla Grier

12/21    Stephen Lee

12/29   Michael Padden-Rubin

12/29   Shannon Gerow

Calendar of Events

Happening This Week

12/5 (Thurs) – Meditation Group 10:15am (Lowery Room); Mission Meeting 3pm (VOS)

12/6 (Fri) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH); Taize Prayer 7pm (S)

12/7 (Sat) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)

12/8 (Sun) – Worship 9:30am (S); Fellowship 10:30am (MH); PW Tea 2-4pm (MH)

12/9 (Mon) – Running Stitches 9:30-12:30pm (WR); AA Grateful Group 8pm (YL)

12/10 (Tues) – Naomi Circle 9:15am (LIB); Parkinson’s Potluck Brunch 10am-2pm (WR); Personnel Meeting 1-3pm (VOS); DPT Monthly 7pm (VOS)

12/11 (Wed) – Nominating Committee Meeting 10am (VOS); Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH); Choir Practice 6:45pm (S)

It Takes Many Hands

Church ministry is the work of many hands and includes everything from caring for the grounds to planning worship to organizing mission opportunities and more. If you are interested in lending a hand see one of the Elders below about joining a committee or you can talk to Pastor Jen anytime:

• Buildings & Grounds – Porter Spencer
• Congregational Life Team – Shannon Gerow
• Worship – Julie Sommers
• Personnel – Diana Lee
• Mission –
• Finance – Melinda Gerow
• Membership – Melinda Gerow
• Digital Presence Team – Dana Monk
• Adult Education – Maggie McMillan
• Children & Youth Ministry – Carol Lefley

2025 Worship Schedule

The 2025 schedule is being created. This includes liturgists, sound and slides, ushers and greeters, Sunday School teachers, and more. See Pastor Jen for more information.

Transition House

Sign up to cook and/or serve in 2025. Third Friday of the Month. Invite a friend! Instructions available.

Lost & Found

Lost and Found will now be in the Weekly Update!  If you recognize any of the following or know someone who might, please stop by the office on Tuesday-Friday from 9am-2pm and Silkie will give it to you!

• Black Umbrella
• Tortoise Shell Reading Glasses
• A Receipt from Lang Motors
• Black Reading Glasses with Diamonds on Edges
• Frameless Reading Glasses
• A Set of Keys with the Chrylser Symbol
• Small Orange Dinosaur
• Pearl Bracelet
• Small Gold Earring Heart-Shaped with a Cross Inside
• Small Turqoise and Silver Earring
• Anker Glasses Holder
• A Silver Half-Hoop Earring with L-Shapes Throughout
• A Piece of Mail for Patrick Hinckley
• Small tube of Hand Lotion
• A Green Clear Tumbler with a Straw
• A Clear Tumbler with a Black Lid
• A Blue Tumbler
• Glasses Case with Zebras
• Green Jeweled Earring