The Christian Education ministry provides faith formation opportunities and offers the support and guidance needed for all members to grow in their knowledge of scriptures, Lutheran identity, and development as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.  The ministry coordinates volunteers, teachers and mentors – providing them with curriculum, training, and the needed resources.

• Sunday School
• First Faith
• Vacation Bible School
• Christmas Program
• First Communion
• Confirmation
• Bible Studies
• Small Groups (Reading Reflections)
• Other special/seasonal events.

The Fellowship ministry plans and coordinates various activities that foster the development of relationships, nurture a sense of belonging, and build community.  While the activities vary in scope and form, they aim to be both fun and meaningful in nature.

• The OWLS group (Older, Wiser Lutherans)
• Gingerbread House & Cookie exchange
• Golf outing
• Annual Church Picnic
• Dartball league
• “God’s Work. Our Hands” Sunday
• Weekly Sunday morning fellowship – fresh baked cookies with coffee, milk and juice.

The Finance/Stewardship ministry works to engage the congregation in intentional conversations surrounding a faithful response to the gifts of time and treasure that God has entrusted to us.  The ministry provides learning opportunities to equip members in healthy stewardship practices and in conversation with the pastors, raises awareness of the Biblical witness of stewardship.  In conjunction with the treasurer, financial secretary, and bookkeeper, the ministry maintains and communicates the financial information of the congregation reported monthly to the church council, and annually through a narrative budget.

• Stewardship Learning Sessions
• Financial Peace University
• Distribution of giving envelopes
• Creating giving opportunities
• Quarterly financial giving statements
• Management of cash flow
• Annual preparation of a narrative budget
• Counting and logging weekly offerings
• Preparing and analyzing financial reports
• Oversight of audits
• Annual Pledge Response – both financial and for gifts of “time and talent”
• Development of financial “best practices”

Some members choose to share a portion of their legacy with Saint Andrew through gifted funds in memory or in honor of a loved one.  The Memorial Gift ministry oversees those funds and prayerfully considers the wishes of the family or honoree in conjunction with the current mission and needs of Saint Andrew.

• Maintaining a gift opportunity list
• Oversight of disbursement of monetary gifts
• Designation of Undesignated gifts
• Celebration Patio Stone Pavers
• Acknowledgement of received gifts

Saint Andrew calls and employs several part time and full time staff.  The Personnel ministry maintains a supportive relationship to ensure that the staff and pastors are healthy leaders, equipped to serve the mission of Saint Andrew to the best of their ability and as they feel called by the Holy Spirit.  The Personnel ministry also develops, updates, and maintains personnel policies and procedures – and annually makes recommendations for staff compensation.

• Annual staff reviews and goal setting
• Development of job descriptions
• Aiding and facilitating the hiring process
• Recommendation of fair compensation, including benefits

In conjunction with the staff, the Property ministry oversees the care, maintenance, repair, protection and replacement of all equipment and furnishings within the church as well as the upkeep and landscaping of the church grounds.

• Special projects to update the facility
• Maintenance of the Building and Grounds
• Annual seasonal “clean-ups”
• Insurance Coverage
• Maintenance Agreements
• Building Inventory

Social Ministry provides opportunities for members to witness and embody Christ’s love and service as we minister to each other, the community, the nation, and the world.   Primary work of the ministry includes oversight of the food pantry located on site at Saint Andrew that distributes food baskets on an “as needed” basis.  Social ministry also fosters relationships with other social service agencies in Wausau, connecting members to volunteer opportunities.

• Saint Andrew Food pantry
• Holiday Food Baskets
• Community Dinner
• Fair Trade Coffee
• Quilts and School Bags for Lutheran World Relief
• Thanksgiving Dinner
• Lent soup and Sandwich

The worship ministry partners with the Pastors and the Coordinator of Music to plan and enrich the worship life of the congregation.  The ministry also tends to details including hospitality, oversight of the nursery, and special seasonal services so that members are nourished through the gifts of Word and Sacrament.  The Altar Guild works in conjunction with the Worship ministry, baking communion bread and setting the communion table weekly.

• Weekly Worship and seasonal Worship:
  • Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Christmas
• Seasonal Decorating
• Coordination of lectors,
• Supporting the work of choirs and accompanists
• Worship Education

Comprised of both parents and youth, the youth ministry team coordinates and plans youth activities which include opportunities for learning, service, and fellowship.  This ministry team recently updated an intentionally welcoming space for youth to gather, learn, and build relationships.  Along with the new space, the team is also currently undertaking a visioning process, considering both the shift in the paradigm for youth ministry across the church and the challenging cultural climate that youth face as they engage in sharing their faith through daily life.

•  Midwinter retreat (For grades 3-6)
• Confirmation
• Retreats
• Camp
• Summer mission trip experience
• Service projects
• Fellowship and learning opportunities

Mission:  Help create and tell the story of God’s work, as expressed through the ministries of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church, to the members and surrounding community.

Communications ministry began in the fall of 2020, this team serves the congregation of Saint Andrew by assisting other ministry groups and members to get information about congregational news, events and relevant ministry information.  Communications ministry also assists with

• Website management
• Social Media engagement
• Special event communication
• Mailings