St. Andrew’s Update–January 29, 2025

 

 

 

 

St. Andrew’s Midweek Update January 29, 2025         Hope vs. Reality   “We envision a time when all people are valued, injustice and suffering are abolished, and God’s love and joy abound.” —St. Andrew’s Vision Statement.   Reading our vision statement, one might think that the people at our church are delusional. How is it possible that a time would come when all people are valued? That is not how humans have treated each other throughout history. The very idea that injustice and suffering could disappear borders on the absurd…right? Tune into the news at any hour and you will see just how ridiculous it is to hold out for such ideals. And yet, Scripture tells us that God is drawing us toward such a day.   One might argue that rather than dreaming of ideals it is better to look honestly at what is and try to deal with reality. I am sympathetic to that sort of thinking. It can be very unhealthy to try to live in denial of the challenges that this life presents—challenges like wars, fires and floods, political discord, poverty, disease, and abuse of authority. I believe that one cannot ignore the problems of the world without shutting down one’s heart. In trying to find comfort and safety through denial, compassion is often sacrificed.   And yet, tuning in full time to the harshness of this world can be overwhelming. There has to be a balance between what we hope for and the reality in which we live. The balance between hope and reality is how I would explain the impact of faith on our lives. Faith is holding a perspective that allows one to see what is right in front of them without losing sight of God’s promise of salvation. In other words, I can recognize the suffering that is right in front of me and still trust that God is bringing about a world without tears.   If I can acknowledge that people do suffer, that injustice does occur, and that people are not being valued while at the same time believing whole-heartedly that God wants better for creation, then I can respond to the world with the love of God. All of this is to say, our vision statement is an affirmation of our trust that God is making the world whole, and in that trust we offer ourselves in service to that goal. Healing is born where brokenness is given witness, not where it is ignored. I pray that we can sustain enough faith, hope, and courage to be a part of what God is bringing about. After all, that is the Church’s call.   Blessings,   Pastor Jen       Sunday, February 2   Adult Education This Sunday   Adult Education will meet this Sunday at 11 o’clock in the Window Room after worship. The third installment of Suzanne Stabile’s short film series, “Reclaiming Wholeness: Hopsitality, Fear, And Relationship in a Divided World” will be shown. This week’s flim is entitled “Fear, Freedom, and Belonging.” We will use these short films to provide space for deep, personal, and communal listening, and will be moderated by Pastor Jen.         Saturday, February 8 Book Club St. Andrew’s Book Club Reads “The Lincoln Highway” Join us on Saturday, February 8, at 10am in the library to discuss The Lincoln Highway, by Amor Towles. Discussions are lively and informative, and most of us even read the book. 😉 St. Andrew’s members and guests are always welcome!       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.             SB Mission Conference   COUNTING DOWN TO MISSION CONFERNCE! We are counting down to Feb. 1, the 23rd annual Santa Barbara Mission Conference. This year’s conference takes place at First Presbyterian Church, Santa Barbara. Included are keynote speaker Tim Soerens, a panel discussion on endurance, and a group of outstanding breakout leaders. You have a choice – attend in-person or participate remotely. Either way, you may register by going online at https://www.sbmissionconference.org or by picking up (hurry!) and completing a brochure at any of the conference’s partner churches. Don’t wait! Onsite registration will cost you more.       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.       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)             Cafe Justo/Just Coffee Did you know that St. Andrew’s currently supports coffee farmers by serving Cafe Justo during our coffee hour! Learn more at justcoffee.org       *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           Calendar of Events   Happening This Week   1/30 (Thurs) – Meditation Group 10:15am (Lowery Room); Buildings & Grounds Committee 4pm (VOS)   1/31 (Fri) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)   2/1 (Sat) – Llamada Final 6:30pm (MH)   2/2 (Sun) – Worship 9:30am (S); Coffee Hour 10:30am (S); Adult Education 11am (WR)   2/3 (Mon) – Running Stitches 9:30-12:30pm (WR); CYMT Meeting 7pm (zoom); AA Grateful Group 8pm (YL)   2/4 (Tues) – PASB Exercise 1pm (MH)   2/5 (Wed) – Wading Through Watercolor 1pm (YL); 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 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!   Black Reading Glasses with Diamonds on Edges Frameless Reading Glasses A Set of Keys with the Chrylser Symbol Pearl Bracelet Tear DropTurqoise and Silver Earring A Silver Half-Hoop Earring with L-Shapes Throughout Small tube of Hand Lotion Glasses Case with Zebras Green Jeweled Earring White Teapot Tear Drop Silver Earring with Blue Stone Trader Joe’s Bag with Decorative Desserts on it Black Umbrella         Join Us In Person or Online Worship every Sunday at 9:30am Livestream Worship         St Andrews Presbyterian Church 4575 Auhay Drive, Santa Barbara CA 93110 United States