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Clickable Table of Contents |
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Thoughts from Pastor Sarah |
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Dear Kindred in Christ,
Thanks to those who joined me for the Cascadia Clusters open house on Sunday. I am encouraged by the many faithful efforts emerging throughout our city to serve the needs of neighbors living outside. I am honored to be working with the newly formed Hillsdale Assistance Team to better serve our immediate neighbors living outside.
We shift our focus in worship this week to the Book of Acts. Most scholars believe that the Book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke have the same author. So it's not a dramatic shift. The stories in Acts are stories of the early church. Sometimes idyllic pictures are painted within its pages of a rapidly growing, diverse community where everything is held in common and all needs are met. But never has there been rapid growth and diversity without conflict. And, in fact, a theme throughout Acts is that growth emerges from conflict. I believe this comes through clearly in our reading from Acts 6 and 7 this week.
Another prominent feature in Acts is the movement and work of the Holy Spirit in and through the apostles and disciples of Jesus. The Spirit, it seems, regularly opens up new possibilities, acts outside of expectations, shakes things up... Those who are Spirit-filled are often met with great resistance. We can be afraid of that which we can't control and of the power of God at work in the world. It seems to me that the activity of the Spirit can itself be a trigger for conflict.
Many of us are conflict averse. But I want us to learn from Acts the growth potential in conflict. I hope we will learn to be honest about our needs and disagreements, and to maintain love and a spirit of forgiveness even when under attack. And I pray that all of us might be Spirit filled so that our lives and our church and our neighborhood and our world may thereby be transformed.
Perhaps it is time to renew those classes on conflict transformation we started just before the pandemic hit... in any case, I hope you'll join us Sunday at 10. I hope you'll consider joining me for coffee chat between 10 and 12 Friday. And I look forward to an anti-racism dicussion tonight and an Enneagram discussion on Saturday.
Peace be with you and our world,
Pastor Sarah |
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April 18
Acts 6:1-7:2a, 44-60; Isaiah 66:1-2, 22-23
April 25
Acts 8:26-39; Luke 24:44-47
Read these passages online here. |
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On behalf of the Ruggles family, I wish to thank our St. Andrew’s friends for your outpouring of love and support and prayers at this difficult time of Jim’s passing. We received so many thoughtful notes, cards and calls and felt God’s love and peace from each one.
With loving thanks, Bev
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ANTI-RACISM STUDY GROUP- TONIGHT
We are continuing our discussion of
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. This is the zoom link for our gatherings (the same link works for both gatherings). We meet on the second Saturday (next month- May 8) at 1 p.m. and the third Thursday (April 15- tonight) at 6 p.m. (
PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME.) For April, please read chapters 6-8, and transcribe key quotes from each chapter. If you'd like to do more, do some journaling on your privilege and intersecting identities. Perhaps answer the questions the author poses if you haven’t done so already or meditate on your flowers. Questions? Please contact Pastor Sarah.
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ENNEAGRAM DISCUSSION GROUP-
THIS SATURDAY 1:00 PM
Having completed our basic introduction, we are turning our attention for the next several months to the Enneagram and relationships. In October we began reading
The Path Between Us, by Suzanne Stabile. We are working our way through the study guide to this book, and in April (
on Saturday, April 17- please note this is a week earlier than usual) we'll engage in lesson 5. Even if you've never joined us, but want to get involved, you're welcome! Join us on zoom. Contact Pastor Sarah with questions. |
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Dear Faith Partners: We have officially wrapped up our 15th annual SW HOPE! Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout these last 6 weeks. We are still finalizing total cash and food donations, but we are thrilled to announce that we have exceeded our goal! Thank you.
Here are a few statements from food pantry clients:
- “With no transportation and way too many heavy boxes, the delivery service makes it all so much easier. Thank you.” – Kenneth
- “With the Covid-19 running wild and no source of income the food boxes are critical for our survival. We so appreciate the hard work and compassion that makes this possible.” – Kenneth
- “It's been extremely helpful having the option of delivery during Covid and we are so grateful for those that spend their time offering this service. I am high risk for covid myself so I don't feel comfortable leaving for anything these days. The delivery service ensures that my family's basic needs are met without me having to pay an amount I can't afford. We are so grateful for the service you provided, truly would be lost without it.” – Amy
- “I work long and strange hours due to COVID19 and the need for Social Distance. The Food Pantry provides delivery which helps with making fewer contacts and provides extra food to get us through these hard times.” -Alexandra
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COVID VACCINATION NEWS AND OFFER OF HELP
Covid vaccine information is changing rapidly these days, and access to vaccine appointments continues to be very challenging.
ON APRIL 19, ALL OREGONIANS AGE 16 AND OVER WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A COVID VACCINE.
Vaccinations are being offered at mass vaccination sites located inside at the Oregon Convention Center and at drive-through at the Portland Airport. Retail pharmacies have also now started receiving vaccines and are posting appointment availability and signup options on their individual websites. No matter where you get your vaccination, AN APPOINTMENT IS STILL REQUIRED. Because of the scheduling challenges the Oregon Health Authority has switched to this scheduling tool: https://getvaccinated.oregon.gov/#/ and up-to-date information here. Additional assistance can be accessed by emailing orcovid@211info.org, or calling 211. Even with all of these options to schedule your vaccine, the process can be challenging to navigate, and call wait times are very long. To get help with navigating the scheduling process or arranging transportation please email Becky Schiefelbein.
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Learning & Fellowship Opportunities |
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Members of all classes and groups are encouraged to continue reading and studying at home. Please contact your group
leader if you do not find a list or link below.
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MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Several St. Andrew's men meet twice a month (facilitated by Charles Duncombe, often accompanied by Pastor Sarah and/or Pastor Tom) for an early Wednesday morning Bible Study. Given COVID numbers at present, this is once again an on-line only gathering. They meet the first and third Wednesday of every month. Let us know if you want to get connected.
Here is the zoom link (good for every session!). (The passcode is: breakfast.
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SAVE THE DATES- ADULT EDUCATION IN LATE SPRING
You're warmly invited to the adult education class,
Stories of the Early Church, taught by Dr. Yang, between May 2 and June 6 (six Sundays, 9:00-9:50AM). The following questions and more will be explored with relevant images and video clips! "What happened to the twelve apostles after the book of Acts? Why was the Roman persecution of the early church inevitable? How did Constantine change the face of Christianity forever? How did Mediterranean monasticism begin? What caused the split between the West Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox?
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We know that there are many requests for basic needs assistance right now. Please contact the Church Office Admin or Mission Team Leader if you have questions or need help with drop-off or deliveries. We hope that you find one or more opportunities that call to you, and please know that any amount
of support is appreciated and makes a big difference! |
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ST. ANDREW'S JOINS THE CALL TO SUPPORT PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD IN CUBA
It's the most desperate economic crisis in Cuba that we’ve seen….
 
Cuban resourcefulness.
Many churches are planting gardens on their grounds.
Pandemic, inflation, unemployment, food shortages - challenging times are not new to our sisters and brothers in Cuba. But now the churches are facing unprecedented challenges. The Cuba Partners Network, of which St. Andrew’s is a member, is trying to help the Synod in Cuba assist the churches in maintaining their social programs, support their congregations and provide for the mission of the church during this crisis. Synod Moderator Rev. Dora Arce tells us, “The churches are coming to the Synod for financial help, we are doing our best to help the churches survive.” The Cuba Partners Network is attempting to raise $75,000 to assist congregations in the three Cuban Presbyteries that they may continue their ministries and mission.
St Andrew’s is joining the call for Synod support which went out on March 4. So far, $52,900 has been raised from Presbyterian partner churches across the U.S. The Cuba Partners Network is trying to reach the $75,000 goal by Easter. If you can help, please send your check to the church as soon as possible, or select the “Cuba” option in online giving. Funds received by April 4 will be transmitted to the Synod to support their unending faithfulness to God’s work in Cuba, even in the midst of parallel crises. If have questions, please contact Marilyn Palumbo.
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FACE MASK MINISTRY
Please consider making masks for one or more of the following situations:
1. Masks for the West Women’s and Children’s Shelter in both adult and child sizes in any style.
2. Fabric and purchased paper masks for the St Andrew’s Service Project the last Saturday of each month when we assemble 50-75 hygiene bags for the houseless.
3. Inventory of fabric masks for use at St Andrew’s. Hopefully most people will wear their own masks, but we want to have some available to use and keep if they need to.
Fabric and materials are available. Please contact me if you can help with masks and/or quilts for children in hospitals and foster care.
Blessings,
Connie Jo Blumthal |
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FIRST SATURDAY DONATION DROP-OFF 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Our masked volunteers will greet you curbside in front of the church to receive your donations to West Women’s and Children's Shelter, Ziploc Ministry and Neighborhood House Food Pantry. We will also have lots of filled Ziplocs available for pickup. If you’d like to sign up to donate supplies or make a casserole, visit the West Women’s Signup and the Ziploc Ministry Signup.
A great need right now is for supplies (especially socks) for the Ziploc bags distributed to our neighbors living outside who are hard hit by the pandemic and the cold weather. If you would like to support this ministry please send your donation marked “Ziploc Ministry” to the church. Contact Marilyn with questions. Thanks for your generosity to St. Andrew’s ministries.
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Online Gatherings & Events Links
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Every Wednesday
6:30 pm - Evening Prayer on Zoom
Every Friday
10:00 am - Noon Coffee Chat on Zoom
Thursday, April 15
6:00 PM- Anti-Racism Study Group on Zoom
Saturday, April 17
1:00 PM- Enneagram Discussion Group on Zoom |
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March 13, 2021
To the loving congregation of St. Andrew's Church!
Our family joins me in thanking you for the amazing outpouring of love and comfort.
My beloved Charlie retired 20 years ago, and you have not forgotten him.
We treasure all the wonderful memories. God bless you.
Love & hugs,
Edda Brown & Family |
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A reminder not to respond to e-mails or texts from St. Andrew's staff or members requesting favors and on-line purchases. These are scams. If you have questions, please call the church office first. Please stay safe in cyberspace! |
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2021 PER CAPITA
The Presbytery voted to set total per capita for the Presbytery at $36.50 for 2021. The motion was adopted at the July 2020 stated meeting.
Every year we pay the set per capita amount for every member of our congregation to the Presbytery of the Cascades. They then remit per capita payments to the Synod of the Pacific (larger regional council) and to the General Assembly (national regional council). We support the ministry of our wider church through faithful payment of per capita. You are welcome to make a donation specifically with the intention of covering your per capita expense ($36.50 per member of your household), or you may consider this part of the pledge you make to the congregation and not make an additional contribution. You can send a check by mail indicating per capita on the memo line or make this contribution on-line, choosing the per capita designation. If you have any questions about per capita or other matters of church finance, feel free to be in touch with Pastor Sarah.
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ROAD CONSTRUCTION ALERT
St. Andrew's has received notice of construction that will be ongoing from August 2020 to August 2021. The City of Portland will be repairing sewer pipes all along Dosch Road and around Hillsdale Crest. Please be aware of street closures, flagging, and delays. For more information, including street closures and scheduling, please visit the City's website here. |
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For on-line giving please visit:
standrewspdx.com/give
Thank you for continuing to support the ministries of St. Andrew's through your online donations and checks sent by mail.
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