In the afterglow of the Easter celebration, I believe a few words of thanks are appropriate. Sometimes it’s hard to believe how many people are involved behind the scenes just so that when you walk through the doors on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, the worship can begin. Sure, as Pastor I plan the worship and write the sermons – but that would not happen if Debbie Proffitt didn’t faithfully and efficiently send me advance copies of the worship bulletin, take my additions and corrections, then reformat them into a usable and workable form. From there they are printed, folded, stuffed with inserts, then distributed to all worship attendees. When Holy Week sees no less than four different services all requiring this process, kudos go to all the printers, folders, stuffers, and distributors of this vast worship experience.

But someone else gets the worship space ready. Flowers and banners don’t hang themselves up. Communion doesn’t just set itself on the altar. The sanctuary and the pews just don’t clean themselves following the prior week’s services. And all of this intensifies when you have back to back to back worship opportunities. There are also the men who stand on tall ladders and change veils over the crosses. During all these services, men and women join to welcome guests, usher, serve as worship and communion assistants, read Scripture, give Children’s Messages and keep the audio systems functioning. Thanks to all these faithful servants.

Then for Easter, lots of preparation went into the activities that made your children happy. People worked to fill Easter eggs and then hide them. Those eggs were filled with items that were donated by you and purchased in advance, knowing these things had to be done. We thank those who organize and get these projects done faithfully. And we can talk about breakfast on Easter as well. Between the two services, the line extended well into the narthex and was fairly continuous. We need to thank all those who bought the food, planned the meal, organized the youth helpers, 20 cooked and then served the ‘hundreds’ of attendees. We also thank the attendees who took their time to come early or stay and eat and gave freewill donations to the youth group.

In addition, week after week the sanctuary is filled with the joyful sounds of music.  Sure the congregation is the voice, but organists provide the background to that voice. I praise the organists because they often work with late notice of the songs yet they have preludes, postludes, chanting and offertories as well as the hymns ready to play on piano or organ. All this gets done while the rest of the congregation just shows up and receives their gifts of music. And if we forget the St. Andrews Bell Choir we do so at our own risk. This group of women (though men are invited to join as well) is consistently practicing for weeks in advance of each performance in worship. They add so much to the overall specialness of worship; making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

During a high, holy season these special characters and volunteers come into greater focus. But this happens 52-weeks per year-a regular and ongoing process of volunteers working behind the scenes to make our worship experience a smooth, reverential, and fulfilling time with God. You can see why I as your Pastor want to express my thankfulness and appreciation for all the ongoing support of the ministry of Word and Sacrament that you perform. St. Andrews – Thank You! May God bless all your future service in His house of worship.

Someone asked me the other day how they could volunteer to serve in some of these positions. Maybe you too would like to join in some element of this worship and service experience but don’t know who to ask or where to turn to offer help. My suggestion is to call the office and express your willingness. Debbie Proffitt or Debby Wilson or I as Pastor will find the right person to give your name and desires to serve. Sometimes training is involved and we can schedule that when we have a need. The tasks are ongoing and we continually look for new servants in many areas of the church. Where are your gifts that the Holy Spirit has distributed to all Christians? What are you excited to do? What are you good at doi ng? Pray for guidance in this area and we will pray for your service as well. Then, make yourself available and when the time is right-you will be called to serve the God who serves you through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Thanks for joining in the work of the family of God!

God’s blessings in May from your under-shepherd of Christ Jesus the Lord,

Pastor Jeff Duncan

In a few days we have the privilege of celebrating Easter. The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from death is considered the highest holy day of our Christian church heritage. And why wouldn’t it be:
• St. Paul says, “If there is no resurrection of the flesh, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1Cor. 15:13-14).
• If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then His death for your sins has not been accepted by God. If that were true then you would still be “dead in your sins and trespass” (Ephesians 2:1).
• If Christ died but did not rise to new life, then St. Paul’s words in Romans 5:10 would have no power; we would still be enemies of God.
• If Christ were not resurrected, then the body of Jesus has seen decay and Acts 2:31 and Psalm 16:10 have no basis in truth.
• If the body of Jesus has not risen from the grave and has decayed, then 1Cor. 13:10 makes no sense; “Now we see but a poor reflection, as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.”
• St. Peter says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1Peter 1:3). What becomes of our ‘living hope’ and our ‘new birth’ if Jesus is not risen from the dead?

And this says nothing of our own souls being reunited with the flesh; of Job’s assurance that ‘in his flesh he would see God’; of our comfort of seeing loved ones who have passed before us in the flesh in heaven; and of all the other great biblical references to our own resurrection following Christ Jesus as our example. This is the greatest truth of the Bible-that Jesus died to pay our sins penalty; that the Father accepted His death as payment in full; that our witness of the Father’s acceptance of Jesus death in our place is the resurrection of Jesus’ flesh; and that Jesus now lives and reigns eternally in heaven with His Father and with the Holy Spirit-Jesus Christ in His resurrected and glorified body!

Take time this Easter season and read the Gospel of John. Remember the Lord praying for you in Chapters 12-17; how our Lord desires that where He is going back to the Father is the place He wants all those who believe in Him to be as well! Familiarize yourself with those wonderful words and prayers of Jesus and believe all over again that His work at the cross is not ended until He rises again, ascends to the Father’s right hand in heaven, and comes again in His glorious Second Coming-the day upon which He will bring all those who believe in Him to heaven-in their gloried flesh of His resurrection!

Are you a member of this congregation who has not been here for awhile? Please come! Come this Easter! Come and be refreshed in the resurrection glory of Jesus. Come and be fed the body and blood of Jesus! Come and hear the wonders of God’s love for you; His forgiveness for you; His desire to see you in heaven where He is through Jesus-the resurrected Jesus! St. Andrews has always been a ‘welcoming place.’ We have always been an oasis in the deserts of this life; a place where living water-the Living Water of Jesus-flows freely to all who will receive Him. Don’t be shy. Don’t stay away! Don’t let another Easter go by without being embraced in the arms of never-ending love! Come and experience again those wonderful words of truth; “He is risen!”

In the love and service of Christ to all the saints of St. Andrews,
Pastor Jeff Duncan

We’ve reached Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we’re staying with Tom’s sister for a few days. Traveling by train is great – quite relaxing, beautiful scenery and interesting fellow travelers.

We have good news about the two-week Luke Partnership workshop that was going on in Nigeria this month. Both of the translation teams that Tom and I work with in Nigeria were there, and they’re making good progress on their checking. Praise God especially that the team from the group that Tom works with has been able to check several chapters!

Many thanks to all of you who made our time at St. Andrew’s so special. I was sitting in the narthex before the Saturday night service, and I was struck by how much you care for each other. Thanks for making us part of your family. You really encouraged us.

Thanking God for you,
Mary and/for Tom Holman

Welcome to Lent – a season of introspection. Typically, we have associated Lent as a somber and sacrificial season, one that often finds people ‘giving up’ something for Lent. Even as we ‘put away our Alleluias’ it is easy to see Lent as a time of sorrow over our sins.

While all this is true, this Lent I want you to rejoice! Not because of your sins and not over the thought that Jesus had to die for you, but to rejoice in all the ways that Jesus reveals Himself as “The GREAT I AM” who created and sustains the heavens and the earth every day. The Gospel of John contains all these great “I AM” statements of Jesus. Spend time reading this Gospel during Lent and notice that the heart and wonder of God is to bring us back to Himself through this “Great I Am” who is our Lord and Savior!

Do I have to give up something for Lent? That’s an interesting question. To answer, consider the purpose and the reason you desire to give something up. Do you feel that by giving up meat, or cigarettes, or soda pop that you are doing something that brings you closer to God? Are your actions showing a familiarity and connection to Jesus, who gave up His life? Are you doing something that others have done, following a long-standing tradition, and just trying to look good before other people who are sacrificing openly? What motivates us to ‘give up’ something for Lent?

When Luther was asked who is worthy to receive the Sacrament of the Altar (The Lord’s Supper) he replied: “Fasting and bodily preparation are a good external discipline, but he is truly worthy and well prepared who believes these words: “for you” and “for the forgiveness of sins.” On the other hand, he who does not believe these words, or doubts them, is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require truly believing hearts.” I believe this is a good answer to the question of ‘giving up’ something for Lent. It might be good bodily preparation and a good external discipline-but what do you believe; where do you place your hope and trust?

Believe what Jesus gave up-willing placing His life into death for the forgiveness of your sins. Trust and hope in the resurrection of Jesus from the grave as a confirmation that God the Father accepted His sacrifice on your behalf. You cannot do anything that will add to the work that Jesus Christ accomplished for the world at the cross. Therefore, don’t give up something for Lent with the hope and belief it will make you acceptable before God. If you give up something-be sure to take that time you would have spent doing whatever you give up and spend it instead with the Lord; reading His Word, praying to Him, asking for blessings and praising Christ’s work at the cross! Giving up something for Lent is only useful when that action draws you closer in faith and trust of what Jesus has already done for you!

This month, I encourage every member to attend Lenten Midweek services and to find ways to get active in the congregation. There are lots of small groups meeting and I think we could use more. There are opportunities to serve others in worship, becoming a Communion Assistant, an Usher, a Bible Study teacher or participant. The men’s group will continue to meet and look for service projects. The LWML groups are active and creating ways for members to find opportunities to grow in faith and friendship. We have Children’s Message needs, mission goals, and Lay Ministry taskforces looking at ways to expand opportunities to serve. Don’t be shy-look around and fill a need or get with others to fill a need you are experiencing! Let’s put this ‘love of God in Christ Jesus’ to work for us all, in His kingdom of grace and mercy.

In Christ’s service, Pastor Duncan

Greetings from the nomadic Holmans! We’re currently visiting partners in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. In less than two weeks, we hope to be on the train starting a trip to visit our partners in the rest of the West. We plan to be with you from Thursday, March 5, until Monday, March 9, and we really are looking forward to seeing you all and sharing what God is doing through the ministry of Bible translation!

We have two prayer requests:
1. Pray for the 2-week workshop for the Luke Partnership Project in Nigeria that will take place from March 2-13. The two translation teams that Tom and I work with in Nigeria will be attending. They’ll focus mostly on checking the work they’ve done so far.

2. Pray for our trip by train in March, especially that all the travel plans would work out well.
Thanking God for you,
Mary and/for Tom Holman

Jesus is the “Great I Am”. He himself uses this title, “I Am” throughout the Gospel of John. It describes various aspects of his life, his purpose, his ministry and his desire to bring “glory to the Father” through his own life of obedience and the death he dies that brings glory to himself.

Lent is coming. It begins this month on February 25th with Ash Wednesday. You are invited to take a journey with Jesus, the great “I Am” as he walks through the deserts of this life on his own way to the cross. Following this Jesus to the cross is the way we understand how this Jesus walks with us through our own desert wanderings in life. Have you experienced desert times in your life-times when you are dry and parched and wanting of some waters of true life? Who will give you this water? Who will take away your sorrows, your pains, your struggles and give you a refreshing drink?

As many have done in the past, Lent is often a time of self-reflection and a time to contemplate our sinful lives as the reason that Jesus went to the cross. This will be a part of our journey, but not the focus of the journey. Our focus will be on the character, the personality, the power, and the purpose of the man who is God-Jesus Christ, our Lord. In the process you will hear a Lord and Savior who loves you, who feeds you, who gives of himself for you, who prays for you, and who chooses you to be his follower and disciple.

One new thing I will try this Lent will be a 7:00 a.m. Ash Wednesday Meditation that will last no more than ½ hour. The purpose will be a confession of sins and opportunity to receive the sign of the cross, either upon your forehead or your wrist, so that in forgiveness you may testify to the great “I Am” who gives your life purpose and direction. We will continue the Noon devotions and the 7:00 pm Service of Light each week through Holy week in April.

On another note: congratulations to all the new members of St. Andrews and to ourselves for keeping the church open for the sharing of this Word of Life! In our growth we are blessed. In our growth, we are also challenged. How will we keep the focus of a community of believers who share together the Gospel of life in Jesus Christ? How will we get to know each other and learn of new talents that have come our way? How will we support each other through the changes of life that continue with all members over time? Church growth will always be a challenge and opportunity. Please take time to meet, greet, and invite our new members to your small groups, your Bible studies, and to your community celebrations.

Thank you family of St. Andrews-for your faith, your love, and your desire to share the Word of Life to the world, beginning at home, then into your community, then into the world.

In Christ’s service to you,
Pastor Jeff Duncan