St. Andrew’s Update–February 5, 2025

All the News From the Membership Committee

Hello friends,

With tremendous fortitude we have made it through the 75 days of January and are looking forward to settling in for a year filled with meaningful events and making new friends. Our committee spends a lot of time discerning ways to help our church grow. We believe that growth brings us new opportunities, energy and learning. New members are such a blessing! We want to help you feel comfortable asking your friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances to come to St. Andrew’s. To that end, we try to plan and promote events that offer enrichment and a path to a fuller relationship with Jesus Christ. We think that folks are looking for deeper connections, ways to make a difference in our community and understanding of life’s complexities. We also want to keep activities simple and fun. Easy right? Here’s are some of the things planned for the next few months:

• We are offering some opportunities to gather together at local restaurants for breakfast or lunch. Think Taco Tuesday at the golf course. These will be publicized 7-10 days ahead, and be great chances to bring a friend along for some fun socializing with church members.

• During Lent we want to explore the issue of fast fashion, and the effect over-consumption is having on our environment. We have booked Kathi King from the Community Environmental Council, who spoke to us about plastic last year, to help us learn to care for God’s kingdom.

• Let’s host an Easter brunch that will be the talk of the town! We’ll have sign-ups at coffee hour for ways to pull together and make a very special meal for after the service. Holy week is an especially meaningful time to ask friends to join us at St. Andrew’s.

Our committee is looking forward to witnessing the ways God is at work among us. This is a vital time in our church life and we sense great things coming in our future.

Many Blessings,

Melinda Gerow

Sunday, February 9

Adult Education This Sunday

Adult Education will be led by Rev. Steve Jacobsen this Sunday. His topic is entitled “The Practice of ‘Beholding.'” “Beholding” is common word in the King James Bible, but much less so in modern times. But when we understand how it’s used in Scripture and what it means in our lives, we can make it a treasured word in our everyday life. We’ll look at the word, how it is used, and how it can enrich our personal experience.

Join us @ 11:00 am in the Window Room

Friday, February 21

An Evening with Brian McClaren

Community Environmental Council and the Way Collective Present
An Evening with Brian McClaren Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart. February 21, and doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets on sale here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SB Food Bank

St. Andrews’s is still taking donations to the food bank and items are needed 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)

Calendar of Events

Happening This Week

2/6 (Thurs) – Meditation Group 10:15am (Lowery Room); Mission Committee 3pm (VOS)

2/7 (Fri) – Santa Barbara Chair Yoga 10am (WR); Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)

2/8 (Sat) – Book Club 10am (LIB); Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)

2/9 (Sun) – Worship 9:30am (S); Coffee Hour 10:30am (S); Adult Education 11am (WR)

2/10 (Mon) – Running Stitches 9:30-12:30pm (WR); AA Grateful Group 8pm (YL)

2/11 (Tues) – Naomi Circle 9:15am-12pm (LIB); Personnel Committee 1pm (VOS); PASB 1-3:30pm (MH); DPT 7pm (VOS & zoom)

2/12 (Wed) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH); Choir Practice 6:45pm (S)

*happy*birthday*happy*birthday*

February Birthdays

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

02/01      Jen Fraser

02/01      Chase Grier

02/01      Diane Weisenburger

02/03     Bob Miesbauer

02/07     Nancy Russo

02/15      Jeanne Payne

02/15      Alan Scholl

02/16      Nevin Chamberlain

02/26     Ed Thoits

02/26     Don Vickers

02/28    Joan Oakley

2025 Worship Schedule

The 2025 schedule is 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

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!

• White Teapot
• Tear Drop Silver Earring with Blue Stone
• Black Umbrella
• Blue Handkerchief with Flowers
• Tear Drop Silver Earring with Turqoise Stone

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