At a special congregational meeting held November 17, 2019, the congregation voted with over 99% approval to call the Rev. Justin Smoot as our next Associate Pastor. Pastor Justin has started his ministry at Saint Andrew.  Click here to view the video greeting he shared with us last year at the congregational meeting. Please pray for and welcome Pastor Justin, his wife, Pastor Phyllis and their children, Genevieve and Lilian as they join Saint Andrew and our community!

A greeting from Pastor Justin:

“If there is one thing that it is important to know about me, it is that I love stories. Stories create a world that I often want to be a part of. I devour novel, movies, and TV shows to find those stories that convey to me the beauty, wonder, and truth of our lives.

The story within the Bible is one I love to tell, because it reveals a loving God who pursues us, in new and surprising ways, even as we flee from God. This is also a story that calls us out of familiar places to unfamiliar ones, and we find that God is there, waiting to surprise us with grace and forgiveness.

We are making plans to head to an unfamiliar place, leaving the place we’ve lived for ten years, the only home our girls have ever known. I feel parallels to Abram’s and Sari’s story, except where we’re going, the cheese is better.

All this is to say that I am excited to accept the call that you extended to me. I am excited to live and serve with you. We are looking forward to moving closer to my family in Wisconsin. This is a new chapter in the story of my family and in my ministry that is yet to be written. Like any story where God is the author, I know that we will be surprised by God’s beauty, wonder, and truth. We will continue to live out the beautiful, wonderful, surprising story of God’s people, writing new chapters in that the old, old story of Jesus and his love.”

Save the Date!
Watch for more details in the coming months. Activities/events currently planned:

Sunday, April 26 – Celebrate the anniversary of Saint Andrew’s very 1st service.
Mid-May – Spring Cantata
Tuesday, June 23 – Birthday Picnic on the 400 Block

The anniversary celebration is still in planning stages and more people are always welcome to help out! For more information or to contact us to volunteer you can click HERE.

We Still Need Your SALC Photos!
Photos are still being accepted form 2019 for the annual meeting and from your time at SALC over the years for the 40th anniversary celebration. Please note the year and description with the photo. All photos can be submitted online HERE or email jenna@salc-wausau.org. Please contact Jenna to submit printed photos.

Giving in Gratitude for 40 Years of Ministry: $40 for 40
In honor of the life and legacy of Saint Andrew, members are invited to consider sharing a gift of $40-one dollar for every year of the church’s ministry-or a gift of any amount. This special appeal will be used in three significant ways: 80% of funds will be allocated for a Sanctuary renewal project (lighting updates, flooring, etc.); 10% will be shared with the SALC endowment and local hunger efforts; 10% will be tithed to the greater church in thanksgiving for our connection to the ELCA. Watch your mail for more details.

The East Central Synod of Wisconsin is excited to welome this summer over 100 fellow Lutherans from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) – Western Diocese. Many of these travelers will be in the Wausau area as part of the Wisconsin River Valley Conference churches (which we are a part). But more exciting is that Saint Andrew will be hosting 16 of these travelers. We have built relationships with members of Zeerust Lutheran Church from their visit to Wausau in 2016 and then our visit to South Aftrica in 2018.

The ELCA has developed companion synod relationships which connect Lutheran churches throughout the world with ELCA synods and congregations. The East Central Synod of Wisconsin (ECSW) has a companion relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) – Western Diocese. Saint Andrew, more specifically, has a relationship with Zeerust Lutheran Church, which is in Zeerust, South Africa and part of the ELCSA-Western Diocese.

These relationships are rooted in “accompaniment,” which promotes the values of mutuality, inclusivity, vulnerability, empowerment and sustainability. Through the program, companion churches and ELCA synods nurture and strengthen one another for life and ministry through prayer, study, communication, exchange of visitors and sharing of resources.

HOW CAN YOU HELP MAKE THE VISIT A SUCCESS?

This year’s visit is from Tuesday, June 17, 2020 – Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
There are many ways, both big and small, with which you can help make the visit a success:

+ Help plan and coordinate the visit.
+ Host one or more of our visitors for one or more nights.
+ Provide transportation for our visitors to events or when a host family is unable.
+ Spend time with our guests through visits, tours, study, and worship
+ Prepare and share food with host families and their guests.
+ Host guests at your home for a meal and a visit
+ Provide food for events to be held at Saint Andrew or other sites.
+ Assist with events that are held at Saint Andrew or other sites.
+ Be a part of the welcoming and enthusiastic attendees at any or all of the special events being planned

Assistance/Volunteer forms are available on the Information Desk in church Narthex. You can also complete the online form by clicking here.

Hygiene Drive During Lent
Help support area homeless residents through local agencies by donating items such as laundry soap, hair, dental and other personal care and cleaning products. A display will be available in the Fellowship Hall February 26 through April 5 to place donated items. All donations will remain the community. Thank you for your support!

Lenten Soup and Sandwich
Soup and Sandwich fellowship follows 12:15pm worship and is also before and after 6:15pm worship on Wednesdays beginning March 4 through April 1. Pre-Ordered Soup-to-Go will be available. Look for order forms on the Information Desk. If you are interested in assisting with soup preparation, please call the church office at 715.842.3333. Equipment, ingredients and guidance are provided. Volunteers are also needed to assist in serving, clean-up and bring desserts. Thank you!

Soup Menu
March 4: Turkey Noodle, Taco, Portuguese Bean
March 11: Chili, Chicken & Wild Rice, Corned Beef/Cabbage
March 18: Cheeseburger, Chicken Noodle, Northwoods Cheese
March 25: Unstuffed Pepper, Split Pea, Chicken Dumpling
April 1: Chicken Tortilla, Beef Barley Mushroom,Loaded Baked Potato

Self Examination and Repentance February 26-Ash Wednesday
Prayer March 4
Fasting March 11
Sacrificial Giving March 18
Works of Love March 25
Word and Sacrament April 1

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43: 19

February 19: Last Confirmation Class | 6:15pm
February 26: Ash Wednesday Worship Services | 12:15pm & 6:15pm
April 5: Palm Sunday
April 9: Maundy Sunday
April 10: Good Friday
April 12: Easter Sunday (No Sunday School)
May 17: Last Day of Sunday School
June 14-19: Confirmation Camp (Open to Students who completed 7th Grade) — Registration Information Coming Soon!

2020 Youth Summer Trip
High-schoolers–are you looking for a great summer adventure to include backpacking? If you have completed 9th-12th grade, you are invited to join us on the youth summer trip through Christikon Lutheran Bible Camp in McLeoad, Montana. Check the Information Desk for more details. Questions? Contact Jenna.

Let’s Go to Summer Camp!
Each summer, Crossways Camps receive children of all ages and families for time to build community, play in God’s creation, and engage in personal development including faith formation and worship opportunities. With programs ranging from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, check out www.crosswayscamps.org and see if there is a program that would benefit your child as they develop their life of faith.

Global Leadership Summit
Thursday and Friday, August 6 and 7
This summer, Saint Andrew will be serving as a Premier Host site for the Global Leadership Summit, a two-day leadership training seminar. This program is a world-class experience full of inspiring content from a diverse faculty. More information will be available in the spring to learn how you can attend or volunteer to help.

BIBLE & BOOK STUDIES – Click here to learn more about ongoing adult learning opportunities.

STEWARDSHIP 2020 |  TIME & TALENT  – The gifts we offer to God are truly unique and are so appreciated! Please look over the booklet and consider ways you can get involved and make a difference! Thank you for sharing in the life of Saint Andrew. Click HERE to view the opportunities. “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above.” – James 1:17a

CURRENT FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

LIKE TO SEW? Here is a service opportunity to consider.

BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD – USE OUR BLUE MAGIC PAPER BOX!

Also check out the CALENDAR for a complete listing of all the scheduled events and activities for the upcoming months!

NOTE: If school is cancelled, Saint Andrew classes & meetings will be also. Check the SALC Facebook page, News Channel 7 or 9 television or websites for closings and cancellations.

Hello and welcome to Saint Andrew, it’s always a real joy for us to meet and have new members in our church family. Here you will find useful information about what to expect during your first visit.