October 27, 2016
The Shield | St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
Pastor's Column     
  Dr. Barnes had some terrific conversations with us Saturday night and Sunday morning with some fascinating analyses of different issues. When he shared his insights into how Princeton Theological Seminary teaches preachers to analyze the biblical text in sermon preparation, it gave me a lens through which to examine my own sermon preparation (I hope you recognize some of those tools at work behind the sermons when you hear me preach!). As we navigate the challenges of being a mainline church in the 21st century, we also might learn from Dr. Barnes' insights about the world, faith, and the church are changing. After hearing him Saturday night, I was left wondering: How do we best utilize technology to reach out to those in our world who are seeking to find God? Does the generation of younger adults that resist commitments like membership need to adjust to the church, or can the church adjust to a changing understanding of what commitment looks like? How can the church connect with the energy and passion for mission in the younger generation when it often comes with little concern for the institution of church? I love being part of an intergenerational congregation because of the variety it offers, but it also presents challenges as we bring together what are sometimes fundamental differences in how people view church. Since Christ called the church into being, I have no doubt that God will continue to guide us, but I also am keenly aware that we need to be listening carefully for the nuances of God's call for St. Andrew.

Peace,

Richard B. Culp
Giving Is Simple
   During this stewardship season we have been asking you to reflect on our call as disciples to give back to God out of the ongoing abundance we receive. After reflecting  with your family about making the commitment to give, another question to consider is "How can I/we give?"
   The answer to this particular question is simple and straightforward. Here are some of the ways in which our congregation gives.
  • Many of us write a check, either weekly or monthly, while others write just one check annually.
  • Some of us give online through our church's website:  www.saint-andrew.com. If you're interested in giving online, the secure link to PayPal is under the GIVE ONLINE tab at the top of our home page. Once on the secure page, you can give by either credit or debit card.
  • Finally, some in our congregation give by automatic bank draft. Giving in this way means that after you set the process up with your financial institution, they will send the amount of your choice automatically to the church each month.
   Giving is simple and straightforward. We encourage you to join us in our mission to serve God by giving joyfully.
Highlights of the October Session Meeting
   At the October 19, 2016 Stated Meeting, the Session: 
  • Learned that the Diaconate is cosponsoring a booth with Texas Health Resources on Saturday, October 29th at which flu shots will be available and will also sponsor a Red Cross blood drive on, Sunday October 30th,
  • Heard that St. Andrew employee evaluations are underway,
  • Were told that the Adult Faith Formation Committee will set up a center in the Narthex to distribute advent materials and provide hands-on materials to make Chrismonds,
  • Learned that representatives of the Mission Committee will attend the Mayor's Coalition on Homelessness meeting on November 12th,
  • Approved the 2017 dates on which Communion will be served, and
  • Heard that the Worship and Music Committee adopted a policy stating that people serving as liturgists at worship services do not have to be members of the congregation.
Come Meet Richard Culp!
   Over the next few weeks, the PNC is coordinating a number of opportunities where you can come to get to know Richard, and he can get to know you, better.  While Richard will take any questions from the floor, he is curious to know:
  1. What would you like to see Saint Andrew doing 5 years from now that we are NOT doing today?
     
  2. What are we doing today that you hope Saint Andrew is STILL doing 5 years from now?
   While Richard will be attending the Fall Festival of Faith and you can interact with him there, here are the dedicated events for the Q&A this coming week:
  • Sunday Oct 30 9:30am - Pathfinders Sunday School Class
  • Sunday Oct 30 2:00pm - Installation Service
  • Tuesday Nov 1, 9:30am - Presbyterian Women
  • Wednesday Oct 26, 6:30pm - Children's Choir
  • Friday Nov 4, 12:30pm - Prime Timers
  • Sunday Nov 6, 9:30am - Breakfast Club Sunday School

   In addition, there will be a number of in-home gatherings in the coming weeks.  Please RSVP for one of the gatherings by emailing Betty Alford at balford3@verizon.net or calling 940-387-1583.
  • Saturday Nov 5, 11:00am  - Ed and Pat Hiler's Home
  • Saturday Nov 12, 11:00am  - Jonathon and Jeanie Fite's Home
  • Sunday Nov 20, 7:00pm  - Glenn and Julie Tolle's Home
  • Sunday Dec 4, 5:00pm - Gayle Strange's Home
Pageant Auditions are Sunday, October 30
    All elementary-aged children interested in participating in the Christmas pageant are invited to the auditions in Fellowship Hall immediately after worship. Does your child want to be Mary or Joseph or a donkey or the inn keeper? There are also narrator parts to be filled. These and all others will be assigned at the auditions this Sunday. Pizza will be served for all "actors" and their families. Questions? Ask Natalie Green at   nataliecgreen@yahoo.com or Lisa Patterson at lisa@saint-andrew.com. The pageant is on December 11. 
You Are Invited to an
Installation Service for Dr  Richard B. Culp 
Sunday, October 30, 2:00pm 
   Please join us as Grace Presbytery installs Dr. Richard B. Culp as Senior Minister of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 30 at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary of St. Andrew. For the last 17 years, Richard has served at First Presbyterian Church, Troy, Ohio, and the six years previous to that at First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Sterling, KY. Worship with us as we start this new chapter in the life of St. Andrew together as a family of Presbyterians.
Presbyterian Women
   The Presbyterian Women will meet in the church parlor at 9:30am on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 for our last business meeting of this year.  All women of the church are invited to attend as our new minister Richard Culp will be meeting with us to hear our ideas for the direction of the church and how the women will be involved.  Then about 10:15am we will conclude with Richard and begin our business meeting. Any questions? Please contact Linda Heilig, Moderator Elect for 2016.
Prime Time 
   Please join the Prime Timers on Friday, November 4, 2016 in room 206/208 at 12:30pm. We are excited that our new pastor, the Rev. Richard Culp will be visiting with us! It will be a great opportunity to find out more about him and his visions for St. Andrew!  Bring a sack lunch and/or join us for dessert (provided). Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there!
Save the date!
   The critically acclaimed Haven Trio (Kimberly Cole Luevano, clarinetist; Midori Koga, pianist; Lindsay Kesselman, soprano) will be giving a free concert to benefit Our Daily Bread here in the Sanctuary at St. Andrew on Friday night, November 11 at 8pm. Come for an hour of wonderful music in support of Our Daily Bread. Questions? Contact Kim at Kimberly.luevano@unt.edu.
Women's Advent Book Study
Wednesdays at Noon, Room 206/208
October 26-November 16
    This is a discussion-based conversation with a group that welcomes questions, lively conversation, and a lot of laughter. We'll study Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Life by Rowan Williams, which are available for $7 each. Brown bag lunches are welcome. Questions? Ask Lisa Patterson at lisa@saint-andrew.com. Books are available in the narthex. 
Advent Music and Flowers  
   The Worship and Music Committee invites you to give to the Saint Andrew Christmas Music and Flower fund. This Christmas season, let's fill the sanctuary with beautiful poinsettias and festive Christmas music. You are invited to honor or remember family and friends through your donations to this campaign. Forms for you to fill out and a folder for your donation will be available in the church office Nov. 1 through Dec. 1.
Our Daily Bread Christmas Gift Bag Collection
And New Clothing Give Away
   There are two ways this year to help the clients of Our Daily Bread at Christmas time. First is to purchase men's tube socks, men's dark knit caps, blankets, men's and women's gloves, handwarmers, long underwear in various sizes and rain ponchos. These will be distributed in a fun and festive daily giveaway during the week of the Christmas celebration. Small Bibles or books of inspiration may also be included and the clients may choose from a selection.
   The second way to help is to purchase inexpensive necessity items in travel size, such as travel shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, packaged toothbrush, shave cream, disposable razor, small hand sanitizer, bar soap (full size) travel size tissues, deck of cards or puzzle book, candy throat lozenges or gum, pen or pencil, small notepad, chapstick, plastic poncho, tube socks, batteries for flashlight AA or AAA. All bar codes should be blacked out. These items should be placed in a gallon size plastic bag which will later be placed in a festive gift bag by Our Daily Bread volunteers. Items may be placed in the bin downstairs near the Coke machine. The deadline this year is November 14.
Ushers Needed 
   Ushers are needed for the 5:00pm and 7:00pm Christmas Eve Services and for the Christmas Morning  service.  Please contact Jonny Ramsey if you can volunteer to serve (940-206-4468).
New Members  
   The following new members were received on Sunday, October 23:
Haley Timmons

Leslie Culp 
Nametags Are Changing
   In this time of transition at St. Andrew, we can help one another foster an environment of hospitality by wearing nametags so that we can easily learn one another's names. Nametags will be changing in this season and we want to make sure that you have all that you need to know in order to participate!
   On Sunday, November 6, the nametag table will be leaving the hallway near the narthex. All members are invited to take their nametag with them and bring it back for church events. If you'd like one of the blue magnetic nametags that many at St. Andrew wear, they are available for $5.00 from Lynn Carrico, who can be reached at lwcarrico@verizon.net.
Thanksgiving Donations for Treehouse 
   Once again this year, The Treehouse After School Program is requesting donations from the congregation to provide gift cards for each of our families to help with their Thanksgiving meals.  Helping provide our Treehouse families with their Thanksgiving meals has been a St. Andrew tradition for many years. Treehouse families are always overwhelmed and deeply appreciative of the congregation's generosity.
   On Sunday, October 30, Treehouse will be set up in the narthex before and after the worship service to receive your donations.  When you donate, you will have the opportunity to choose a one-of-a-kind fall decoration hand-made by a Treehouse student.   Meredith Smith, daughter of Connie Reynolds, has again graciously arranged for us to receive matching funds for these donations through Modern Woodmen.   
   Please stop by the narthex on the 30th, make your donation, and receive a unique fall decoration for your Thanksgiving table.   (If you are unable to stop by that day, but would still like to donate, we can receive your contribution in the church office.)
After-Worship Fellowship
   All members and visitors are invited to the Narthex after Sunday worship for a brief time of getting acquainted. The light refreshments are provided this month by the Personnel and SMART Committees.
October Give-a-Meal
(Basic Needs Month - Your Pick)
Macaroni and Cheese, Tuna, Peanut Butter, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Dried Beans, Rice, Soup, Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Spaghetti and Canned Sauce
Optional: Cereal, Coffee, Dry Milk, Cooking Oil
   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!
Calendar

Men's Study Group
Thursday, October 27
Upper Park Cafe 
222 W. Hickory

Christmas Pageant Auditions
Sunday, October 30
11:45am, Fellowship Hall

Installation Service for
Richard B. Culp
Sunday, October 30
2:00pm, Sanctuary

Presbyterian Women Business Meeting
Tuesday, November 1
9:30am, Parlor

Tuesday Afternoon Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, November 1
1:30pm, Room 206/208

Women's Advent Book Study
Wednesday, November 2
Noon, Room 206/208

Super Wednesday
Wednesday, November 2
5:30pm, Meal
6:30pm, Adult Tracts

Prime Time
Friday, November 4
12:30pm, Room 206/208

Session Committee Meeting Night
Tuesday, November 8

Diaconate Meeting
Tuesday, November 8
7pm, Room 206/208
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
300 West Oak Street
Denton, TX  76201

phone: 940-387-3897
fax: 940-381-2404

Office Hours
Mon-Fri - 8:30am-5:00pm
email: lou@saint-andrew.com

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Sunday Worship Service
10:30am