Countdown to Steppin' Up

The Electronic Communications Ministry
of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church
15050 W. Maple Rd.
Omaha, Nebraska, 68116
Bruce Davis, Editor
Web site: www.standrewsomaha.net
Access the monthly newsletter by this link:
http://www.standrewsomaha.net/downloads/Julyprint.pdf
LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE GOD

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THIS IS STEPPING UP WEEKEND
Saturday, August 22 5:00 & Sunday, August 23, 10:00
Nancy preaching: WILLIE WONKA’S WEEDS
Sunday, August 23, 8:30 AM
Rev. Joe Scahill preaching: A SINGLE GRAIN OF WHEAT
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STEPPIN’ UP WEEKEND IS HERE! IT IS THIS WEEKEND!! Kids step up to a new grade level and adults step up to serve the Lord through teaching our children. All are invited to step up to fun!! Saturday, August 22 at 5:00 and Sunday, August 23 at 10:00, the children will start off with a parade to begin the new school year! Kids, meet your new teacher and class in the Family Life Center at 4:45 p.m. or 9:45 a.m. We will be entertained by the Willy Wonka performers as they perform two songs from their Summer production. Stay after services for a free celebration of hot dog, ice cream and super fun activities!
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PICNIC WITH THE PASTORS: If you are wondering if you read this right, you did! Our normal ‘Pizza with the Pastors’ which is a chance to meet the Pastors and staff and find out about membership and ministries is changing (for this month only) to PICNIC with the Pastors!!! Our 2nd annual Picnic with the Pastors will be on September 13th from 5:00-6:30 and is for anyone new to the church or anyone ‘not so new’ to the church, but ready to learn about membership. Childcare will be provided and picnic food/drink will also be provided. Please RSVP to Mandy Barkhaus: mbarkhaus@standrewsomaha.net or sign-up in the rotunda.
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FROM MUSIC DIRECTOR ADAM WITTE:

(To the tune of "Come, Now Is the Time To Worship")
Come, now is the time to join us.
Come, now is the time to make a joyful noise.
Come, just as you are to join us.
Come, just as you are to have some fun; come.

On August 26th the choir will begin;
The Bells are needing ringers, too.
The band would like more players;
The children will sing soon.

Come, now is the time to join us.
Come, now is the time to make a joyful noise.
Come, just as you are to join us.
Come, just as you are to have some fun.
Come---please come---yes, come.

The St. Andrew's Singers have their first rehearsal coming up August 26th at 7pm in the Sanctuary. If you've ever thought about joining us, come on out and give it a try! If you would like more information about choir, please contact Pam Fleury at plfleury@mpsomaha.org or 498-9023. For questions about any other musical opportunities, please contact Adam Witte at awitte@standrewsomaha.net or 431-8560 extension 18. We look forward to seeing you!
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FROM BOB DAVIS: I would like to report that we had a great Senior High Mission Trip Stockholder’s Dinner on Saturday. Youth and adults shared their testimonies from the trip. We watched a video of our mission trip highlights (thank you Tracy Cogdill for putting the DVD together). Last but not least we had AWESOME food (thanks to Sandi Dawson and her catering business Simply Homemade Catering; please note she donated he time and use of her catering shop to prepare food for over a 120 people). I would also like to thank the parents who helped make everything come together.

Next year our Senior High Youth Group will be traveling to Benton Harbor, Michigan (south west corner of Michigan) on July 16-24, 2010 for their mission trip. I reserved 72 spots. Please note 10 of these spots will be reserved for adult leaders). Reserve your youth’s spot by e-mailing Bob at bobdavis@standrewsomaha.net. We will not be able to increase our reserved spots due to the site rules so reserve your son or daughters spot today. The cost of the trip will be $368 plus the cost of an activity (this year our activity was whitewater rafting and the cost was $70 per person).

I still need roughly 4 Sunday school teachers and 4 Wednesday night adult leaders. Just send me and e-mail or give me a call and I would be happy to tell you all about this great opportunity.
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TOM BARKHAUS REPORTS: Men’s softball summer season has ended with St. Andrews #1 finishing with an impressive 7-5-2 record! But even more impressive our St. Andrews #2 team ended with a 12-2 record losing it’s only 2 games of the season last Sunday night! Quite an improvement from our 3-11 and 0-14 records 1 year previous! If anyone is interested in playing fall softball we start next Sunday the 23rd. Contact Tom Barkhaus at 431-8560 ext.11.

Our Men’s Summer Roster included: Tom Barkhaus, Mike Zinnel. Alan Sebastian. Andrew Sebastian, Jeff Cetola, Creig Coffman, Jason Shea, Jeff Kernan, Dave Fritz, Neil Holstein, Andrew Heuerman, Josh Kimminau, Dana Duffy. Jason Amato, Alan Brugler, Zach Brugler, Dorin Abrisz, Tom Correll, Brian Deprez
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Alpha
Alpha is a ten-week practical introduction to the Christian faith. It is designed for people who are initially exploring the Christian life, for those new to the faith, and for those who feel they need a good jump start to their spiritual life.

Alpha is for:
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Adults of all ages are welcome.
Learning and laughter. It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and to have fun at the same time.
People meeting together. An opportunity to get to know others and to make new friends.
Helping one another. The small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raised during the talks.
Ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is seen as too simple or too hostile.

Alpha will be offered at St. Andrew’s on Tuesday evenings starting Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Please contact Jodi at creerink@cox.net or Diana at dfaust@standrewsomaha.net to register.
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All-Church Study
We are journeying people. From the time we enter into the world until the moment we take our final breath, we make our way as life unfolds before us. So it is with faith. It too is a lifelong journey. Along the way we encounter others, and at these crossing points we encounter the living God. Our next All-Church Study is Adult Crossings: God’s Journey With Us. We will be looking at 8 core Bible stories, and how they impact the faith journeys of God’s people. The study will begin the week of Sept. 27. Small groups are being formed during the week which will include video presentation and discussion. If you are interested in serving as a small group leader, or are interested in joining one of the small groups please contact Diana at dfaust@standrewsomaha.net.
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SEPTEMBER BOOK CLUB
The September Book Club will be held at the Quick’s home, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. The books they will be discussing is Something Beautiful for God” The Classic Account of Mother Teresa’s Journey into Compassion by Malcolm Muggeridge. This book interprets the life of Mother Teresa through the eyes of a modern-day skeptic who became literally transformed within her presence, describing her as "a light which could never be extinguished". Please purchase your own copy of the book.

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God by Lee Strobel is the study for the Wednesday Evening Bible Study beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. In this six-session study the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune decided to investigate the science he had once accepted as truth. Did science point toward or away from God? Strobel concludes that, when correctly interpreted, science and biblical teaching support each other. The cost of the study guide is $8. Contact Diana to register.
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READING THE BIBLE THROUGH THE YEAR
Morning Evening
Romans Psalm
8/17 16 97, 98, 99
1 Corinthians
8/18 1 100, 101, 102
8/19 2 103, 104
8/20 3 105, 106
8/21 4 107, 108, 109
8/22 5 110, 111, 112
8/23 6 113, 114, 115
8/24 7. 1-19 116, 117, 118
8/25 7. 20-40 119. 1-88
8/26 8 119. 89-176
8/27 9 120, 121, 122
8/28 10. 1-18 123, 124, 125
8/29 10. 19-33 126, 127, 128
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Let’s say a prayer. And I do invite you to pray with me:

Lord God, this is a big week at St. Andrew’s, an exciting week! New classes are starting. We’re gearing up for STEPPING UP WEEKEND! A new season of choir rehearsal is just nine days away. Less visible, but no less important, we have various committees and work areas making decisions that will have a big impact on what happens next at St. Andrew’s. I ask that your spirit will be with us in these coming days. Shepherd us in the direction of your choosing. And may all that we do be done in praise and service to you. Amen.